A Most Dangerous Weapon

Chapter 48: The Mess Matters

I wasn't surprised to find a few people standing on the empty boardwalk for our return. Rowan, Arlo and Loxley were waiting for our boat to come in; the first two were dancing on the balls of their feet while Loxley feigned a concerned expression for appearances sake. Whatever she told Rowan after I disappeared made her involvement in the whole mess nonexistent. But once she saw our boat riding the waves to shore, her mask briefly dropped and her face expressed utter terror. She knew that she would be caught. Rowan would find out about her involvement, and I was sure that whatever else she did after we left would be revealed as well.

Arrian steered us parallel to the dock. As he anchored us to a post, I jumped off the vessel and began to walk towards the others. Rowan ordered Arlo and Loxley to wait where they were, and then he began to walk down the dock to meet me half way. His expression was blank, but I knew that deep down he must have been extremely angry with me. His worst fear had come true after all; I sailed away immediately after finding my brother, abandoning him and the plan. I was ready for a verbal beat down and scolding. I would have to apologize profusely as he rambled on, and then explain to him what really happened to clear my name.

But what he actually did surprised me.

I held up my hands in defense, already rattling off my apology. Rowan silenced me instantly when he crashed into me with an embrace, wrapping his cold arms around my body and squeezing tight. He must have been out here all night, waiting in the frigged night and sea air. His fingers grasped the fabric of my clothes and tangled through my hair almost desperately. His face rested comfortably beside mine, letting out a huge sigh of relief right beside my ear.

"Thank you..." He muttered. "Thank you for not leaving me."

He wasn't mad. He didn't even seem suspicious of me. Despite his earlier fears, it seems that my reassurances had gotten through to him at some point. He no longer believed that I would abandon him, which meant he knew that there was something else amiss with this situation.

I wrapped my arms around his torso and hugged him back, grateful that he trusted me.

Rowan suddenly tensed up when he saw something over my shoulder. He called out, "You two should stay where you are!" He pulled back from me so I could look, but he kept his arms partially wrapped around my waist in a protective stance. Marcus and Arrian were about to disembark to join us, but upon Rowan's order they thought it best to remain aboard for the time being. Arrian shrunk back apologetically while Marcus just chuckled with amusement.

I turned back to see Arlo and Loxley still standing at the end of the dock on the boardwalk. Arlo clearly wanted to rush to my side to check on me, but he too was forced to wait at an inaudible distance. Loxley was starring daggers at me, but there was nothing she could do to avoid the upcoming accusations. I wasn't about to lie for her a second time.

Rowan continued to hold on to me, scared that if he let me go I would somehow magically disappear. He pulled my focus back to him by adjusting his positioning, blocking my view of Arlo and Loxley with his own frame.

"Now tell me what happened. I want to hear everything from you."

I didn't hesitate. "Arrian and Loxley planned this. They worked together to knock out Arlo, kidnap Marcus and me, and then toss us onto the boat so Arrian could sail away to somewhere safe with us. As soon as I woke up, I forced him to take us back."

"Are you sure that's what happened?"

"Yes. That's everything." I give him a quizzical look. "Why do you ask? Am I missing something?"

He seems irritated. "Bailer's dead."

"WHAT?!" I scream with genuine astonishment. "WE LOST OUR ROYAL BASTARD?!"