Pirate's Persuasion - Lisa Kessler Page 0,47
of emotion was just concern for her safety, but that didn’t stop him from imagining her in another man’s arms. He had no right to be jealous. He’d walked out on her when things got too complicated and secrets were too difficult to keep.
In spite of his reasons for ending their relationship, a part of him still cared for her on a deeper level than a typical subcontractor for Department 13.
He cleared his throat to be sure his voice would remain even. “This coven is hiding a dangerous relic. I have an undercover agent in there to help me find the weapon and lock it in the vault. I don’t need an immortal pirate for backup.”
“You’re a pompous ass.” Greyson chuckled, but his eyes were cold. “I’m not here to back up anyone, least of all you. Tonight I’m a messenger, but if they attack Drake or Heather again, I’ll be their executioner.”
He crept around the edge of the shed before David could grab him. Fuck. This should’ve been a simple undercover retrieval, but it was going south. Rapidly.
David lifted the wireless mic to his lips and whispered, “We’ve got company. One of the immortal pirates is here, and he’s a fucking loose cannon. Stay alert. I’ve got your back.”
Agent Henderson tugged down on the front of her hood, signaling she heard his message. Good. Under the robe, she was armed, too. She’d protect herself if everything went to shit.
But they could lose their only chance to grab the Flying Dutchman’s figurehead.
Greyson disappeared into the shadows, and David pursued him all the while doing his best to keep focused on the high priestess. For now, all her attention was centered on Agent Henderson.
He pushed himself faster, trying to maintain a silent approach. Finding some good cover, he ducked behind a massive live oak tree and lifted his binoculars again for a better look. He’d lost Greyson along the way, but for now, the leader of the coven was more important.
The witch leader lowered the agent’s hood before taking a step back and addressing the rest of the coven. “Tonight our circle is complete and our call to the moon is unified under her light.” She raised her arms, the sleeves of her red robe pooling around her forearms, and the circle followed suit. “We welcome our new sister and the power she brings to our magic.”
The circle chanted in Latin, the fervor growing as the high priestess pulled a dagger from her robe. David set the goggles aside and drew his revolver, keeping the woman in the red robe in his sights.
She lifted the blade over her head, and David’s finger caressed the trigger.
Suddenly the woman screamed, dropping the dagger in the dirt and gripping her hand as she spun away from Agent Henderson. What the hell?
Greyson stepped out of the darkness into the flickering light of their torches and spat on the ground before lifting his gaze. “Consider this the only warning yer goin’ to get. I don’t give a shit what kind of dark magic ye conjure here, but if any of it touches Drake Cole or Heather Storrey again, I’ll be aiming for your head next time.” He narrowed his eyes. “And I don’t miss.”
Damn it. David lifted his wireless mic to his lips, whispering, “I’m coming in. Don’t blow your cover. We can’t lose the figurehead.”
Creeping in closer, he flicked his gaze from the circle to the pirate. David’s heart raced, sweat beading on his brow. This fucking pirate was not going to screw up this mission.
Greyson walked right past the high priestess to retrieve his throwing star from the ground. When he straightened, he also had the witch’s dagger, examining the handle.
David made his way around the circle on the edge of the torchlight, sticking to the shadows.
“How’d you get this?” Greyson held up the witch’s blade.
“None of your fucking business.” The high priestess focused on the coven, her voice taking on an animalistic hiss. “Binding spell. Now.”
Greyson reached for his gun, but the Latin chants froze him in place. Fuck. David wiped his brow. He had to get involved. Even if it meant losing the relic, he couldn’t be a silent witness to a murder.
“Everyone freeze!” He came forward into the circle like a freight train, gun raised and aimed directly at the leader. “I’m a federal agent. One move and you’re under arrest.”
The high priestess put her hands up and slowly turned to meet his eyes. Something about her face struck a chord.