Lucky the Hard Way by Deborah Coonts

Author:Deborah Coonts [Coonts, Deborah]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Deborah Coonts

CHAPTER TWELVE

“DON’T you think you’re taking this pirate thing a bit too seriously?” I stepped in front of him. The slight widening of his eyes hinted that he wasn’t used to a woman being so bold, or one that was his physical equal. Yep, his eyes were green.

He looked a bit sheepish. “It adds to my mystique, and besides, the locals like it.”

“Well, I don’t like the whole heavy-handed pirate bullshit. Not one little bit.” Fisting my right hand, I held it in my left. Pivoting off my right foot, I threw my elbow at his jaw.

Bone met bone in a meaty thunk. He dropped like a stone.

Not out cold, but I think he got my message.

I stood over him as he propped himself on one elbow, rubbing the spot where my shot had landed.

“Your displeasure is so noted.” He shot an amused glance at Romeo. “You warned me. And you were right; she is impressive.”

With a hand on my arm, Romeo stopped me from further action I might soon regret. “He’s a bit of a drama queen, but he plays for our team.”

“You told him I was impressive?”

“I had to tell him something.” A smile lifted one corner of his mouth. “And then you had to hit him.”

“I owed him. Besides, he hit me first—well, Ming, a young woman in his employ, did on the jetfoil. And, he took you.” I whirled on Sinjin. “Do you have any idea what my last ten hours have been like?” Had it really only been such a short time? It felt like an eternity trapped in a bad movie with no laugh track.

He gathered himself into a seated position. Then, pulling his feet in, he grabbed his knees. “Unfortunately, I do.”

I let him get his equilibrium—I’d hit him pretty hard—then I extended my hand, helping him to his feet. He wobbled a bit before finding his land legs, which gave me a taste of the revenge I craved.

“Why did you take Romeo?”

Sinjin rolled his head side-to-side and blinked rapidly. “Remind me to never make you mad.”

“You won’t need reminding. Now, tell me, why did you take Romeo?”

“Romeo, he didn’t lie. You are impressive.” He worked his jaw. “I don’t think it’s broken.”

“Do I look like I care?”

“I get it. You’re steamed up.” His posture relaxed, but his smile was tight. “Do I look like I care?”

Tit for tat and all of that. “Okay, we’re even.”

“Hardly,” he said, his tone stepping on any possibility that he might be joking. “My family owes yours an incredible debt.” Before I could ask what, he motored on, answering my question. “Bait. I took your friend for bait. I needed you to come to me. I needed to see what you were made of, where your priorities are. And I needed you to trust me. If I came to find you, then I would have none of those things.”

Trust you?” I spluttered.

Opening his arms wide, he was all innocence. “Detective Romeo is unharmed.”

Well, there was that. “What about the ten years I lost worrying about him?”

“That I cannot restore.

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