whipped a spotless handkerchief from his black jacket pocket and sniffed with disapproval.
A rock rolled under Barrett’s toe. “Is that your only complaint for tonight, or are you adding another to your tab?”
“Fish makes me gag.”
“Then hold your breath.”
Corbin’s mouth opened, but he quickly clamped it shut and stormed off. Good riddance. Barrett was in no mood for coddling or patience. He kicked the rock. It hit the sewer stream and plopped straight down. Aye, it smelled like fish to high heaven, and worse, but they were alive. The same might not be said of the poor lads caught back at the Stag. Sam. Would he ever see his dear friend again? He kicked at the crumbling wall, desperate for more stone to bear the brunt of his frustration.
“Someone’s coming!”
A hush fell over the sewer antechamber as the lid for the ladder leading down slid away and two long legs climbed down the metal rail. The air sucked out of his chest and hit him square in the stomach. He’d recognize that figure anywhere. But what was she doing here?
Shoving his way through the people, he waited until she was within reach before grabbing her off the ladder and pulling her against him.
“Unhand me!”
“Calm down, you cat!” Kat’s arms flailed as her foot sought a solid spot on his leg to kick. Pinning her arms down, he spun her around to face him. “What in blazes are you doing here?”
Terror, surprise, and finally exhausted relief passed over her dirty face. “Barrett.” His name came out on a sob as she sagged against him.
“It’s all right, poppy.” He stroked her silky hair, wild and unpinned with a slight curl from the late-night mist. “I’ve got you now.”
Her fingers dug into his chest like grappling hooks, clinging to him as if the threat from outside had chased her down the ladder to rip her away once more. He circled his arms around her. He’d never let that happen. The days without her had been pure torture. Time after time he’d set off to bang down that flat door and carry her away, but each time Sam had yanked him back. Eric would have had him arrested, and what good would that do her then? Sam was right, but it didn’t stop Barrett from wanting to punch him for it.
Her fingers slowly unbent themselves from his chest as her breathing calmed. She turned her face to rest her cheek against him. In one night, the world had been turned inside out, but now, together, they could right it. He could right anything holding her like this.
Movement up the ladder drew their attention. As quickly as she had fallen into his arms, Kat left to help her sister down the last few rungs. Coldness pricked Barrett’s heart. Once more she’d left him for the sister who couldn’t even help herself.
White, shaking, and tear streaked, Ellie collapsed against her sister as Kat wrapped her arm securely around her shoulders.
Jean, the man he’d sent to watch after the sisters, pulled the sewer grate over his head and shimmied down the ladder to land easily as a cat on his feet. “Found them crossing the bridge. They must’ve come out the back way and not the front where I was hidden. Only thought to follow when I heard those shoes clicking on the pavement. Made them easier to track.”
Kat frowned over the top of Ellie’s head. “You were watching us?”
“I had a man posted to keep an eye on things. Didn’t want to leave you alone should anything happen,” Barrett said.
Jean swiped at the sweat streaking his face. “I was going to bring them to the Stag, but the street was crawling with Germans. Figured something happened and brought them to the rendezvous point instead.”
Barrett clapped him on the shoulder. His men knew how to pull through. “You were right to do so. Thank you.”
“Is there somewhere we might sit down? Kat asked.
“This way.” Barrett led them to an empty makeshift table and three chairs along the back brick wall. The stench wasn’t as bad back there. He pulled out two of the chairs. “Here, have a seat.”
Easing Ellie into the one behind the table, she sat opposite from Barrett. Her hand never left Ellie’s. Slowly, her eyes rose up to his. “Where are we?”
“A Resistance stronghold several feet below the maze of catacombs. Renauld, their section leader, was kind enough to offer it as a meeting point should the bar ever be raided.”