Real Vampires: Glory and the Pirates by Bartlett, Gerry (red white royal blue TXT) 📕

“What provisions did you make for her safety while you were gone?” Jeremiah’s voice was hard, his own hand on his sword.

“Stop this. I told you, I ordered him to go. I know you pay him to guard me, but I must have some say in what he can and cannot do, Jeremiah. I was distraught. I needed to know if you were safe. You’d been gone for nights. And days!” I clutched his sword arm and lowered my voice to a whisper. “Can you understand how that made me feel? My terror that you might be caught in the sun?”

“I am old enough to know how to protect myself when the sun rises, Gloriana. Give me credit for that.” Jeremiah turned that hard look toward me.

“Excuse me, but when you love someone and they are missing, you do not always think clearly.” I would not accept criticism from him on this. I knew what was coming. He didn’t know yet that I’d fought the pirate queen while he and Valdez were gone. Then he’d really be wild.

His eyes widened as he saw my thoughts. “You what? You fought the pirate queen?” He actually drew his sword. “Where were your fucking guards?” He shouted this so loud that the sailors rowing in from the ship stopped what they were doing to stare at him.

I took a step back. Then another. “MacDougal died guarding me, Jeremiah. As soon as Valdez flew away, she slit his throat and was there, at the tower door.” Oh, gods, a tear slipped down my cheek. I couldn’t allow it. I was not going to rely on the feminine trick of crying to get his sympathy. Not a trick though when all I’d been through made my legs shake until I almost fell on the sand.

“Don’t you yell at her.” Flo was there, holding onto my arm to keep me upright. “She had a horrible time. That pirate cagna took her at gunpoint from one tower to the top of another and tried to kill her.”

“Gloriana!” Jeremiah put away his sword. “My love. What did you do?” His voice had softened. He was still simmering with rage behind his effort to speak kindly, but at least he was trying to put his fury where it belonged—at the pirate woman.

“I, I fought her, Jeremiah. I used the knife tricks that you and Valdez taught me. But I didn’t kill her.” I took a shuddering breath and held onto Flo. She was a silent support and I treasured her for it.

“Then how—” Jeremiah started to reach for me but I shook my head. I wasn’t ready for his touch.

“She killed herself, Jeremiah. She jumped off the battlements rather than face hanging for her crimes.” I sobbed once and found a handkerchief in my hand, thanks to Flo. “I cannot forget it. Every time I close my eyes, I see her broken body lying on the ground.”

“I’m sorry, Gloriana. You aren’t used to seeing something like that.” Jeremiah stepped closer. “Please let me hold you.” This time he sounded like he meant it. “Let me show you that I am sorry I didn’t keep you safe.”

“You cannot always keep me safe, Jeremiah. It’s, it’s all right.” I slipped my arm from Flo’s and reached for him. “I love you. I worry about you. But I know I can’t keep you safe either. Understand?”

“You’re a woman. It’s not your job. I hired Valdez to do a task and he failed to do his duty.” Jeremiah put his arms around me and started to draw me closer. “He will have to go.”

I jerked back. “No, he will not. I want him to stay. If you dismiss him, I will leave and go back to Edinburgh, from there to London. I mean it, Jeremiah.” I dragged his hands from my waist. What was I saying? Yet somehow I knew I couldn’t let him have his way in this.

“You’re serious? You would leave me over a hired guard?” Jeremiah glanced at Valdez who stood quietly. “Is there more to this than I know?” Now he scowled. “What exactly is between the two of you?”

“Friendship. Valdez is my friend. You demand I have a bodyguard. Well, it makes it easier to have someone with me every waking moment if we can be friends. Can you understand that?” I would not back down, even though my stomach rolled and it took everything in me to stand firm. Suddenly I sensed another presence close by.

“Son, you need to give way on this.” The laird stood next to Jeremiah. “Look into her heart. The lass hasn’t taken him for a lover. It’s just that she needs this bit of control in her life.” He stared at Flo and smiled. “There’s something about strong women that makes them verra attractive. But you have to learn how to deal with them or you will lose them.”

Flo grinned at him. “Angus, you always were un uomo molto intelligente. That’s why I come when you call, eh?”

“Da, she was left unguarded. What do you think of that?” Jeremiah faced his father. “I’m all for giving Gloriana the freedom, if you want to call it that, to choose her bodyguard. But this is negligence.” He stalked over to where Valdez had moved away again and stood alone. “How do you explain her lack of protection, man?”

“I have no answer for you. Colin and Fergus assured me they would have two men on her at all times. Then the pirates attacked and I can only assume one of the guards ran to aid those at the front gate.” Valdez glanced at me. “I am sorry. I should have ignored Gloriana’s entreaties and stayed at my post. It won’t happen again.”

“Hah! I doubt you can keep that promise.” Jeremiah wheeled to face me. “Even I cannot deny this woman what she wants when she stares at me with those eyes.” He shook his head. “You