Accomplice to the Villain (Assistant and the Villain, #3)(106)

He didn’t move, his every muscle rigid, his face blank as he stared at her. Unnerving her, if the way she chuckled, wiping her hands against her skirts, was any signal.

The silence broke when he growled, “Well, fuck!”

Sage jumped and clasped a hand to her chest. “Sir?” She reached for him, but he was already storming to the group of men gathered in the middle of the ship. Crewmen and pirate prisoners alike stared at him.

Don’t do this, his conscience begged.

Shut it, he ordered it. It’s her godsdamned birthday, and she wants to fucking celebrate. DAMN IT.

“It’s my accomplice’s birthday,” he called to the group, sounding as ridiculous as he felt, not daring to look back to see Sage’s response. “Wish her a happy birthday. Now.”

“Trystan!” Sage squeaked behind him and paused. “Wait…accomplice? Did you just promote me?” But he would not look. If he saw her eyes, he’d do more than wish her a happy birthday. He’d sweep her below deck and kiss her until she was senseless, kiss her until they both were.

The crew was silent, the pirates staring at him like he’d lost his marbles. He was on the verge of losing more than that. “I said NOW!”

A discordant chorus of “happy birthday”s sounded from every man on the ship, and Kingsley hopped up with one sign that read:

Happy

And another that said:

Birthday

Tatianna sprang into action. “Oh, yes! We should have a party! We’re stuck on the ship until tomorrow morning anyway. Dad?”

Captain Jones was beaming, clapping his crew to attention. “Take the prisoners to the brig! The rest of you, begin preparations!”

“Oh, that’s not—” Sage started.

“Evie,” Trystan warned, waving a finger at her still form. “Do not say it’s unnecessary.”

Her mouth closed, her eyes shining with an emotion that Trystan didn’t dare name. It was far too close to something he knew he’d never have.

One by one, the chained pirates passed him, the largest stopping to sneer at him. “The Villain my arse. You’re a soft little whelp with no backbone and a weakness for your whore.”

Trystan didn’t respond at first, allowing the wretch to finish.

“I got a birthday present for you right here, Wicked Woman.” The pirate took a chained hand and grabbed his crotch.

The thread snapped.

“Sage,” Trystan said low, not looking away from the pirate. “Does the fate of this man’s life impact the incidence board in any capacity?”

“No, I don’t think—” Sage replied, befuddled.

But Trystan moved before she finished, burying a fist into the man’s gut, dragging him to the side of the ship. “Accomplice,” he yelled, not caring who heard, clutching the pirate’s lapels. “She’s my accomplice.” He shoved the pirate half off the ship, holding him by only one hand as he said in a hushed voice, “She is mine.”

He let go, watching the body hit the water.

She is mine.

Even if it was only in his heart.

That is, if he had one.

He called to the rest of the pirates, who were all gazing out to where their comrade had fallen. “We are going to sing happy birthday in the near future, and if I hear anything out of your mouths aside from those words, you’re swimming after him.”

Furious nodding and murmurs of agreement followed the chained men as they disappeared below deck.

A buzzing began in Trystan’s pocket, and he immediately moved to pull out the caller’s crystal. The gems had their uses, mostly communicating with the Malevolent Guard. He’d told Keeley to update him with any necessary developments, but throughout their journey thus far, the caller’s ruby had remained silent.

The amethyst that he’d left behind for communication with the office, however—that was going off incessantly.

He held the gem to his mouth, Sage frowning at his side. Tatianna approached to listen in, and then Clare.

Just in time for Rebecka Erring’s voice to echo through in alarm.

“Where are you? Everything’s gone wrong!”





Chapter 66


Evie


“And Blade is still not awake?”

Evie had been reeling from what was surely the grandest, sweetest gesture she’d ever seen. He’d thrown a man overboard. For her.

Swoon.

Don’t allow the boss to get away with murder, Evie!

Unless it’s your birthday. Then it’s fine.

“No. Roland thinks he just needs a day or two to sleep it off, since his pulse is steady and everything else appears normal, but we’ve got a demon flower and the dragon is losing it!” Becky screeched into the gem, and Evie had the urge to smile despite her building worry.

“Oh, Becky, I miss you,” Evie said with the utmost sincerity.

“Are you even listening?”

“Rebecka, take a breath,” Trystan said. “Is there any way to speed along Blade’s recovery? A plant Roland can use aside from the memory flower?” Trystan was level, calm—or at least he appeared so, standing there so solid, unmoved by the conflict. If he wasn’t worried, perhaps she didn’t need to be, either.

Waves rocked the ship, the sun lower in the sky as the afternoon drifted slowly into evening. Birds sailed overhead, nose-diving into the waters for fish. The world appeared serene, which was typically when everything seemed to go to shit.