Thom gave a rough laugh. “Georgie.”
She set the dome on the boards, slipping her arm around him to face the airship. Their hands were empty. It was best to show everyone right away that they didn’t intend to kill anyone else.
Not yet, anyway—and not unless they had to.
But hopefully not at all. “Did you find the submersible?”
“Yes. Flooded.”
“Oh.” They wouldn’t be using it, then. She fought the weight of disappointment. “Well, we’ll find another way.”
He nodded. His gaze dropped to Blade, crumpled on the boards. “I’d have done it for you.”
“I thought of asking. But he’d have been wary of you, and more prepared to shoot when you went for him.”
“I’d still have done it.” His jaw tightened, and the sudden anger on his face would have been terrifying if she’d seen it on any other man. But Thom would never harm her, so it couldn’t frighten her. “I want to do it now.”
“I know.”
Because she wanted to do the same to the man standing at the side of the airship now. Southampton had forced Thom’s hand using her life. He just had more protection than Blade. A good number of mercenaries stood behind him now. None with guns drawn, but it was clear that they would shoot, given a signal from their employer.
Southampton frowned down at Blade. “What is this?”
“He forced my wife to touch him,” Thom said flatly.
“Ah. He deserved it, then.” Face clearing, the other man raised his voice. “Remember that Big Thom and his wife are our guests! I won’t tolerate such violations.”
Behind him, not one of the mercenaries seemed disturbed by Blade’s death. A few looked to Mrs. Winch, who was smiling faintly as she regarded Blade’s still form. She glanced up at Georgiana and tipped her head, as if in thanks.
Either Winch had hated Blade as much as Georgiana did, or the woman had just been made the new chief of this mercenary band.
Perhaps both.
Southampton stepped onto the platform, his gaze holding Thom’s. His voice lowered. “But I will hand your wife over to every mercenary on board if you don’t find the gold. Did you?”
Thom didn’t answer for a long second. Controlling himself, Georgiana realized. Wanting to destroy the man now, but knowing they’d both be killed if he did.
“I found the wreck.” Teeth clenched, he finally grated the words out. “But my time was out. It’s tethered off, so I can go straight to it tomorrow.”
“Not today?”
Ridiculous, greedy man. Georgiana had to control her own rage. “You will kill him, sir, and end up with nothing. My husband is standing now. Within an hour, he won’t be.”
Southampton looked back at Thom, his gaze coming to a rest on his bloodshot eyes. “All right. Tomorrow.”
A few mercenaries shifted their feet. Not one looked glad to hear it—but also not as upset as Blade had suggested.
Holding tightly to Thom’s hand, Georgiana left the platform. Winch turned to follow them—would be their guard, she realized. Better than Blade.
Georgiana paused for a moment. “Will Southampton still pay Blade’s share, Mrs. Winch?”
“He will. It’ll be split between the rest of us.”
No wonder the others hadn’t looked too upset. “Like a bonus?”
Winch shrugged. “If you like.”
Georgiana did.