Pirate's Persuasion - Lisa Kessler Page 0,91

the back of his neck with his good hand. “I wasn’t going to let Heather walk into Ashley’s house without a backup plan.”

Colton shook his head. “Hefty price to pay.”

“I’d do it all over again. I love that woman. I’m not going to let anything happen to her.”

Colton glanced at Skye. “I know that feeling.”

Skye tried not to smile, crossing her arms. “Enough romantic gestures. Is there a first aid kit on this boat?”

Drake nodded. “Inside the front console where you found the towels.”

“Good. I’ll get your hand cleaned up.” She bumped her hip against Colton’s as she passed by. “You get us back to the dock so we can meet Heather at the hospital.”

“Aye, captain.” Colton grinned, starting the engine.

Seeing them together, a team, made Drake’s lonely existence pale. Being with Heather had given him a taste of that bond. Until her, he’d been fine on his own, but now…she’d shown him what it was like to have a partner, to know someone would miss him if he were gone.

Skye returned with iodine, gauze pads, and tape. All he wanted was for Colton to get them back to land. He needed to be with Heather, to be sure she was safe.

He took the supplies, glancing up at Skye as he cleaned the wound. “Tell me she’s going to be all right.”

Skye nodded with a knowing smile. “She’s a tough lady.”

“Aye.” He winced as the iodine burned his open skin. “I’ve got to get to her.”

Colton glanced over his shoulder. “What about her sister?”

“She must’ve stabbed Heather. I didn’t see her body in the water.” Drake shrugged. “I guess Davy Jones collected on their bargain.”

“Hope so.” Colton shouted over the wind. “Land ho!”

Drake wrapped his hand quickly and readied the line to tie the boat to the dock. Colton throttled back on the motor and guided the boat alongside the dock. Drake couldn’t wait any longer. He jumped across, taking the line with him.

“Little eager to get ashore?” Colton grinned.

“Aye.” Drake looped the rope around the iron cleat on the dock. “I’ll meet you at the hospital,” he called over his shoulder as fast as his exhausted mortal body would allow.

…

Heather woke to the beeping of a heart monitor. She turned her head and smiled at her snoozing visitor. Drake was slumped in a chair, sleeping beside her. How long had she been in the hospital? She peered underneath her hospital gown to find the hole in her abdomen had been replaced by a neat line of stitches.

It was over. Relief and regret stewed in her heart. Ashley wouldn’t hurt anyone else, but their last moments together would haunt Heather forever. If there had been any other way to stop her twin, she would have taken it. In the end, Ashley left her with no choice.

Kill or be killed.

She forced the dark thoughts away, focusing on Drake again. He’d come for her, just like she knew he would. She allowed her gaze to wander down from his face, to his shoulders, and down to his…bandaged hand. She frowned. Shouldn’t the stab from her sister be healed?

A nurse walked into the room, and Drake jerked awake in the chair. His gaze locked on Heather’s, and the beep on the heart monitor picked up the tempo.

“You’re awake.” His voice sounded scratchy and gruff.

Heather nodded, ignoring the nurse buzzing around to check the monitors and IV fluid. “So are you.” She swallowed the lump forming in her throat. “How long have I been here?”

He glanced at the clock and back to her face. “Day and a half.” He stood, came to her bedside, and took her hand.

Her thumb brushed over the wrap on his hand.

“Everything looks great,” the nurse interrupted. “I’ll let the doctor know you’re awake.”

“Thank you.” Heather waited until they were alone and whispered, “Why isn’t your hand healed up?”

Drake brushed a kiss to her forehead. “Long story, love.” He straightened. “I need to tell you something first.”

“Okay.” She had plenty to tell him, too, like how she had been shortsighted to push him away, and how it had been her love for him that kept her fighting out on that boat, and maybe even tell him how much she wanted to share her life with him however long that might be.

She waited as the seconds ticked by.

Drake squeezed her hand. “I want to respect your wishes, but I’m begging you not to ask me to walk out of your life. Until you, I never had one. I’ve been alive for