Chapter 8
8
TATE
Why is there a loud pirate in our room? My head feels like it’s stuffed with cotton. I’d been having a good dream about Austyn—but it wasn’t all a dream. Austyn kissing me. His hands on me. Getting to touch him…my face heats. Definitely real.
My limbs feel heavy. Austyn has to be just as tired. I rub my eyes as Walter’s rants finally make it through my foggy brain. Austyn is the bait? That doesn’t make sense. I move to get up and stop as the blanket slides down. Right. I’m naked. And so is Austyn. Clutching the blanket, I ask, “What do you mean?”
“I mean, get up. Get dressed. Now.”
I shake my head. “No, about Aus being bait.”
Instead of answering, he turns to Austyn and huffs. “You lads aren’t getting it. Jacobs isn’t the most patient man. Sure, it’s possible he’ll wait until morning. Give ye time to rest and have coffee. Maybe get in a yoga sesh. But he’s fucking pissed. My guess? They’ll wait until you’re asleep.” He checks his watch. “We have another hour at best.”
Austyn chews on his thumb and nods. He doesn’t look at me. Not once. And that stings.
I glare at Walter. “Why should we trust you?”
“Me? You’re the one lying to everyone.”
The prickling behind my eyes gets worse, and I tug the sheet higher. Austyn finally looks at me, searching my face for answers. I want to pull the sheet over my head and hide. How can I explain it? Every time I shift, someone gets hurt. His brows pinch together, and he jerks away from me. My throat tightens painfully. I can’t break down. Not in front of Walter. “Aus, I’m not—you don’t understand.”
Austyn jumps out of bed. “You can explain it later when we’re someplace safe. Or stay here if you want. But I’m going with Walter.” He stomps to the bathroom, not caring one bit that his gorgeous ass is on display.
Walter lets out a low whistle, and the need to hurt him burns hot in my chest, scaring me a little. Do not Hulk-out on the pirate. I clench my hands in the sheets and glare. He grins, waggling his eyebrows, as he wraps his hands around his baton and makes an obscene gesture. “You’re a lucky lad. I’ve been—” He shakes his head and his smile drops. “Don’t fuck this up, sweet cheeks.”
“You called me a liar.”
“Sure. But that doesn’t mean you aren’t doing it for the right reasons. Better get packed ’fore Aus tears ye balls off.”
It doesn’t take us long to gather our things. “What now?” Austyn asks. “Is there an escape plan, or are we just winging it?”
“Do I have to do all the work?”
Austyn places his hands on his hips. “You had an hour with nothing to do.”
“You’re so cheeky, Aus. I fucking love it.”
That earns him a glare, and I step in. “Do we really have time for this?”
Walter again checks his watch. “We have one minute and forty-five seconds. I think we can fit in one more barb.” He tilts his head as if he’s thinking. “Nope. I got nothing. Tate?”
“What?”
“Insult someone.”
My throat feels sandpaper dry as I swallow. “We have to go.”
He glances at the watch again. “Ninety seconds.”
Austyn crosses his arms and raises an eyebrow at me. I rub the back of my neck and swallow the bile in my throat. I hate confrontation.
“You might need to fight, Tate,” Austyn says, not unkindly. “How can you do that if you can’t even insult someone?”
“I could never insult you.”
“Insult Walter.”
“Aus—”
“One minute,” Walter says, his eyes intent on my face.
Why is this so hard? Nerves skitter across my skin. I blow out a breath. “You dress like a pirate.”
“Not an insult. I am a pirate.”
My gaze darts to Austyn as I try to think of something—anything—before the time runs out. The crease in his forehead is still there, and I want to smooth it away.
“Thirty seconds.”
My heart pounds faster. “I’m not good under pressure.”
Walter’s swagger disappears. “You better get good, Tate. These lads won’t wait for you to get your thoughts together.”
“But—”
“It’s not about thinking. Ye had your insult the minute I interrupted your precious sleep. It’s having the balls to say it.”
They both stare at me, and I have a hard time catching my breath. I open my mouth. The words are right there, but I can’t get them out.
“Fifteen seconds.”
I chew on my lips. “Umm?—”
“Ten.”
Shit. I wipe my sweaty hands on my jeans.
“Nine.”
“For fuck’s sake,” Austyn says, “Just say something. Anything.”
I shove the humiliation down. I can do this.
“Seven.”
I squeeze my eyes shut and blurt, “You’re too clean for a pirate.”
“That’s it?” Walter snorts, and God, I want to punch him.
“Eyes open, Tate.” Austyn shakes his head as he slips his knife into his boot and throws his things in a backpack. “Time to go.”
But I can’t leave it there. “You’re fake, pretentious. Way too dramatic. And it’s all for show.”
Austyn stares at me, his mouth dropping open.
“Ouch.” Walter clutches his chest like he’s dying. Proving my point. “Direct hit.”
“Look—”
My words are lost as the world explodes around us.