Glorious Victorious Darcys 01.5 - His Broken Angel (4 page)

So much red
.

“Miss Gentry.”

She retreated deeper, into the bowels. Into the darkness. Heart pounding, chest tightening.

“Listen to me, angel. Focus on my voice. Breathe.”

Lily gasped for air. She grappled for the railing. Someone caught her hands.

Warm hands. Kind heart.

Compassionate healer
.

“Doc Blue?” His name barely scraped past her constricted throat.

“Hold tight, Miss Gentry.”

“Name’s Lily,” she choked out.

“I know.”

She clung to his strong grip, frantic for a connection. A connection with a good man, a man worth knowing. “What is your Christian name?

“Can you keep a secret?”

Certain she was drowning in a sea of crimson, Lily pulled herself up and into her savior’s arms. “Cross my heart.”

“King.”

Trembling, she frowned against his neck. “Honest and true?”

“Honest and true.”

“Don’t make me look, King.” She squeezed her lids tight, blocking the red, blocking the horror. Her breath hitched as a menacing vision stormed her defenses.

The Killing Machine.

Run!

In her mind’s eye, she slipped on grated stairs, arms flailing, senses spinning.

“Dying!”

“You’re not dying, Lily. It’s anxiety. Listen to my voice. Focus on my words.”

Her frantic heart skipped then slowed as Doc Blue … Doctor King Blue … shielded her from harm. He held her close, engulfed her in warmth. Not just with his hands, but with his entire body.

Lily swallowed past the lump in her throat. Her clouded thoughts cleared enough to ascertain her true surroundings. She wasn’t running for her life on the
Britannia
. She was safe and sound in a skytown, in the arms of her brother’s friend. The pain from her injuries had diminished to a whisper of discomfort, and though she was still sightless, instead of feeling panicked and hopeless she felt oddly comforted.

Unlike before, Lily welcomed the black.

Colors equaled chaos.

Evil
.

Death
.

Ensconced in blessed darkness, she took refuge in her savior’s strong embrace and the sound of his voice as he soothed her with a tale about a daring young woman who’d won her brother’s heart.

Doc didn’t remember falling asleep, but dash it all, he felt the full force of consciousness as someone plucked him out of bed. Lily’s bed.

Jasper.

Doc wrangled his murky thoughts as his brother swiftly and silently hauled him out of the stifling cabin and into the frigid corridor. The bracing chill jarred his senses right quick.

He remembered talking Lily down from her panic. He’d kept on talking when he’d felt her drifting off. The woman needed to sleep, and Doc had needed time to rejuvenate. He’d depleted his energies by doubling his healing efforts. Just now he felt as though he could take on the world.

Or at least one rebellious, mule-headed brother.

They faced off in the murky hallway, a stone’s throw from Lily’s cabin. Doc in his shirtsleeves and Jasper suited up for combat in the frozen tundra—fur greatcoat, fleece-lined aviator cap, fur-trimmed goggles … and a leather harness loaded with a Remington Blaster, several cartridges, and—Lord Almighty—was that a double-barreled grenade-launching Liberator?

Without his coat and hat, Doc’s teeth should’ve been chattering, but he was so all-fired hot under the collar, he half expected flames to shoot out of his mouth when he spoke. “Attempted kidnapping of the British Prime Minister?” he snapped in a hushed voice. “Have you lost your ever-lovin’ mind?”

“What I’ve lost,” Jasper growled back, “is my capacity to trust anyone. Even my own kind. Even my damned brother.”

Doc blinked. “What the blazes does that mean?”

“Since when did you start sleeping with your patients?”

Unfazed, Doc glanced over his shoulder at the closed door. “Since when did you start attacking innocents?”

“There are no innocents in this world. Not many anyway. Care to explain yourself?”

Doc glared at his brother. If anyone needed to account for their actions of late, it was Jasper Bluebell. Regardless, Doc stated the circumstance in defense of Lily’s reputation. “She was having a spell.”

“You could have reasoned with her. That’s what I did. That’s what we used to do when Ma—” Jasper bit off the words and glanced away.

Doc felt his brother’s grief. His fury. Hellacious and raw—even after all these years.

In the past, even a flicker of rage set Jasper off. Doc braced for an outburst, but instead of smashing his fist through the wall, instead of ripping the door off its hinges or acting out in some massively destructive way, Jasper plucked a cheroot from his pocket and casually leaned against the splintered wall.

Doc was somewhat impressed. If he wasn’t so almighty angry with Jasper he would’ve complimented his restraint. Instead he wanted to box his ears. “Lily needed more than verbal reassurance,” he said. “She needed to feel safe. Sheltered and protected. She’s scared.”

“Don’t look at me all judgmental like,” Jasper said as he fired up the stogie. “Ain’t my fault she’s in this fix. She shouldn’t have been on that zeppelin. I studied the passenger list. I had an inside contact. Soldiers, politicians, and a small entourage, and the crew of the
Britannia
—all men.”

“All but one.”

“Like I said—”

“She wasn’t a documented passenger.” Doc grunted then paced to work off steam. “Regardless, Lily was there and in the thick of the attack. And she wasn’t the only one hurt, Jasper. Have you read the newspapers?”

“Don’t need to read about it. I was there.”

Doc got a face full of smoke as he stalked past his brother. The foreign scent snaked up his nostrils and into his lungs. Swiveling on his boot heels, he eyed Jasper with a raised brow. “That’s not tobacco.”

“No, it’s not.”

“Or weed.” Doc got a nose full of cannabis every time he visited a skytown coffeehouse.

“It’s medicinal.”

“A doctor prescribed it? For what? What’s ailing you?” Jasper looked fit as a fiddle. In the three years since they’d last met, he’d bulked up even more. His kaleidoscope eyes were bright, his complexion sun-bronzed, his mind sharp. Easy to see why P.J. Darcy was smitten. Jasper Bluebell cut a fine figure. Then there was his dangerous streak, a quality that historically tempted good women to do wrong. Although Lily hadn’t seemed all that impressed. ’Course, she hadn’t gotten an eyeful of the charismatic Freak Fighter either. When she did …

Nipped by the green-eyed monster, Doc considered his normally capricious brother’s relaxed disposition. “Let me guess. Medicinal is code for recreational which is code for illegal. What kind of havoc are you wrecking on your body, Jasper? What are the side effects? Does it hinder your judgment? Slow your reactions? Spark hallucinations? Were you under the influence when you boarded the
Brittania
?” Incensed by the brutality of the attack, Doc palmed his throbbing head. “Twenty critically injured. Nine dead—so far. Christ!”

“Take the stick out of your ass and keep your voice down, Blue.” Jasper snuffed the medicinal butt beneath his boot. “Lily’s traumatized enough as is. She doesn’t need specifics.”

“Then maybe we should take this conversation elsewhere, because I want details, Jasper. I want to know what happened aboard the
Britannia
. Precisely.”

The papers had described a ruthless massacre. A blood bath. They’d blamed the Freak Fighters. It twisted Doc’s gut to think his brother had plotted and perpetuated a heinous crime. He didn’t want to believe it but he needed to hear it from Jasper. He also wanted to know what Lily had witnessed, exactly, and how she’d sustained her injuries.

“Without Patch, I’m down to a squad of four and they’re on recon and patrol just now. That leaves me to ensure Lily’s safety.”

“And me.”

Jasper quirked a taunting grin. “What are you gonna do, Blue? Strangle someone with your stethoscope?”

He didn’t need to glance down to know the medical instrument was still dangling where he’d automatically left it—around his neck. Standing strong and crossing his arms, Doc eyed his brother’s holstered arsenal. “Killing ain’t the only means of defense.”

“No, but it’s the surest one.”

Just then P.J. burst into the corridor, winded and flushed. “Red alert!”

Jasper pushed off the wall. “ALE?”

“Bounty hunter. Joey and Viper intercepted and took him on a merry chase, but our cover’s as good as blown.” P.J. sleeved sweat from her brow, eyed Doc, then focused back on Jasper. “It’s Crusher McGee.”

“Shit.”

“Snoop’s firing up the
Crusader
. You know Crusher. Joey and Viper need backup. If they can’t outwit or outrun that black-hearted sod … he’ll be gunning for us next.”

Doc didn’t know of Crusher, but he knew Jasper. “Let me guess, this particular bounty hunter has a bullet with your name on it.”

“Since the attack on the
Britannia
, the reward for my capture has quadrupled.”

“Wanted dead or alive,” P.J. added. “Crusher tends to opt for dead or maimed. He’s mean that way.”

“Plus he’s got a personal beef with me so he’ll be looking to crush any one or all of my associates. Literally.” Jasper loaded his Blaster while glancing toward Lily’s cabin door. “Did you fix her?”

“Lily’s a person, not a thing,” Doc snapped. “If you’re asking if she’s healed—not completely, but physically she should be right as rain by tomorrow.”

“Don’t have till tomorrow. Can she see?”

“No.”

“Hell’s fire, Blue.” Jasper holstered his weapon then whirled and slammed both hands to the wall. “Son of a bitch!”

Doc moved in front of P.J., just in case Jasper lost control.

The fool woman nudged him aside. “Time’s ticking, boss.”

Jasper nodded then dipped his head in thought.

P.J. bounced from one booted foot to the other, primed for action.

Doc near bout choked on the tension. He’d been anxious to see his brother for three long years. Now, after less than an hour in his company, he wanted the man gone, along with P.J. and his other associates. Far away and out of the clutches of a mercenary who crushed his prey.

“We’re moving out.” Jasper swiveled toward Lily’s cabin.

Doc grabbed his brother’s arm. “Leave her with me.”

“I’m taking you both.”

“We’re not part of this, Jasper.”

“Crusher won’t see it that way. ’Specially if he learns you’re my brother.” He turned to P.J. “Partner with Snoop, and escort Blue and Lily to the outpost.”

“But—”

“That’s an order, Darcy.”

“So you’re piloting the
Crusader
alone?” she persevered. “You know she’ll draw attention.”

“That’s the point, short stuff. Alert Snoop and man up.”

P.J. grumbled under her breath then took off.

Doc tightened his grip and took one last stab at separating Tuck’s sister from the unpredictable Freak Fighters. “I’ll keep Lily safe, Jasper.”

“Don’t doubt you’d try, Blue. But then who would protect you?” Jasper wrenched open the cabin door, and Lily fell into his arms.

“I’m ready to go,” she said. “But not with you, Jasper. I’m with Doc.”

Lily had stirred from a dreamless sleep the moment Jasper hauled Doc out of her bed. She’d known it was Jasper, even though the man hadn’t uttered a word. She knew his scent. But she’d been disoriented, and the Freak Fighter had been quick. Before she knew it the brothers had left her cabin, although not her vicinity.

She’d heard them shuffling and talking just beyond her closed door. Doc’s agitated tone intrigued and worried her, and before she knew it, she’d pushed herself upright. Experiencing only minor discomfort, she’d slid quietly from the bed, astonished that she could actually stand on her own two feet. The brace on her broken leg proved a hindrance but she was afraid to remove it. What if the bones weren’t fully mended? Just how powerful was Doc’s HE?

Shocked by her accelerated recovery, Lily’s heart sank when she realized Patch had definitely misdiagnosed her blindness. If she’d had a contusion, the swelling would have diminished along with her other ailments. Eyes wide open, Lily looked all around the room … and saw nothing.

Surrounded by darkness and a plethora of sounds
.

The hissing of the steam heat generator.

The creaking of floorboards.

Doc and Jasper arguing about drugs and the
Britannia
.

Then P.J. storming into the corridor, alerting the men about a killer named Crusher McGee.

The moment Lily realized Doc was in danger, she felt her way around the tiny cabin, grappling for clothing. She located Doc’s leather medical bag, his soft derby, and his wool greatcoat. Touching his things helped to soothe her rattled senses and when she couldn’t locate another piece of clothing she didn’t hesitate pulling on Doc’s coat. She knew he’d insist himself instead of allowing her to leave the cabin in nothing but her thin unmentionables. Time was ticking, as P.J. said, and Lily felt every second dragging them closer to bloodshed.

Fingers trembling, she managed two buttons before grabbing Doc’s hat and bag. A memory flashed as she hobbled across the room. Fleeing her passenger cabin aboard the
Britannia
in order to ascertain the source of the explosion and the reason for the sirens. She’d left everything behind—her baggage, her reticule, her sketchbook. She hadn’t known what she was stepping into.

The chaos
.

Panic welling, Lily blocked the memories and wrenched open the door. Hindered by the heavy brace, she tripped on the hem of Doc’s coat, falling forward into Jasper’s arm. He reeked of herbal-smelling smoke and acrid gunpowder. He felt strong and stable.
Dangerous
.

Wrong
.

“I’m ready to go,” she said. “But not with you, Jasper. I’m with Doc.” She’d almost blurted “
King
.” But she’d promised to keep his first name secret. She remembered at least that small portion of her anxiety attack. And she remembered Doc’s kindness. She remembered his touch and how he’d soothed.
Healed
. He was a miracle worker.

Just before she’d drifted off, she’d asked him how he came by the name King. He’d flushed and said his father had named him after a twentieth-century civil rights activist, a man he’d greatly admired. A man who’d preached tolerance and inspired hope. Ray Bluebell had believed his first-born son capable of great things. Lily didn’t doubt that prediction. She couldn’t endanger Doc’s gift or his life by allowing him to encounter this Crusher person. That Doc was willing to risk his life to protect Lily warmed her as deeply as his healing energy.

“You said she’d be up and walking by tomorrow,” Jasper said.

Doc relieved Lily of his bag and hat and then took her hand from Jasper’s arm and gently squeezed. “Heart and will works magic beyond my powers.”

“Gumption,” Jasper said. “It’s about time. Although it will be difficult fitting her into the
Bullet
with that brace.”

Lily nudged Doc’s arm. “Take it off.” The longer they dawdled, the greater a disastrous meeting with Crusher.

“Too soon to stress the bone,” Doc said as he started releasing straps and bolts. “I’ll have to carry you.”

She didn’t argue. The brace thudded to the floor and Doc swept her into his arms.

“I’ve got your bag and I’ll lead the way,” Jasper said. “Haul ass.”

Lily held tight as Doc whisked her down the corridor and up a set of stairs. She marveled at his strength and balance and the erratic beating of her heart.

Besotted
.

Lily was fascinated with the sensual impulses tugging at her mind and body. She’d heard of love at first sight, but love at first touch? From the moment Doc had pressed his healing hands to her forehead, she’d been overwhelmed with foreign yearnings. Yearnings that overrode dark thoughts and good sense. Instead of focusing on their dire situation, Lily was consumed with the thrill of Doc’s possessive embrace and whispered reassurances.

They breeched the open air and Lily winced. Frigid winds and icy rain. Even though the deck had to be slick, Doc never faltered or fumbled. Lily buried her face against his warm neck, feeling powerfully guilty for seizing his coat. He had to be freezing.

At once she was aware of growing activity. Footfall and muffled voices. A rush of bodies. “What’s going on?”

“Looks like the town’s breaking up and setting for sail. Could be ’cause a storm’s kickin’ up. Could be … Jasper!” Doc hurried his steps and Lily clung tighter. “Any of this ruckus due to that bounty hunter?”

“I’m not the only name on Crusher’s list and there’s a lot of riffraff in this particular skytown. Only fair to warn ’em.”

“So now you’re a champion of outlaws everywhere?”

“Sometimes a man breaks the law because he has no choice. Doesn’t mean he deserves to have his head crushed like a grape.”

Lily cringed at the image, shoved it away.

Doc held his tongue.

She wondered what he was thinking. She wondered how two brothers could be so different—one who fought crime alongside a United States Air Marshal, the other theleader of a gang of cutthroat Freak Fighters. Only Jasper didn’t seem like a coldhearted killer. Neither did P.J., Snoop, or Patch. Even though she knew they’d instigated the attack on the
Brittania
, she couldn’t reconcile the people who’d saved and nurtured her with the carnage Doc had cited via the newspapers.

“You’ll both have to squeeze into the front cockpit, Blue. P.J. needs full mobility in the pilot’s seat, and Snoop will be riding rear shotgun.”

“Don’t recall seeing a third seat on this dig,” Doc shouted over the mayhem.

“It’s more like a throne on the tail. Snoop will be heavily armed and watching your backs. Give me Lily and climb in,” Jasper said. “She’ll have to sit on your lap.”

“Freezing rain and wind,” Doc said. “She’ll catch her death.”

“So will you,” Lily said close to Doc’s ear. “I have your coat.”

“I’m fine, angel. Don’t fret.”

“There’s a thermoplastic shield,” Jasper said while prying Lily away from Doc. “P.J. didn’t utilize it on your flight in?”

“No, she did not.”

Lily weathered a face full of wind and rain. She did not want to take refuge in Jasper’s arms. She didn’t want Jasper at all. Even though she sensed a decent heart, she didn’t trust him. She trusted Doc. Still and all, when gunfire sounded in the distance, she gasped and clutched Jasper’s coat sleeves.

“It’s all right, darlin’.” Jasper gave her a reassuring squeeze then lowered her into a cramped space, onto Doc’s lap. “Need to blindfold you, Blue.”

“Forget it.”

“It’s for your own good. If you know the location of the Freak Fighter outpost—”

“No blindfold, Jasper, and handover a weapon. Hurry up. Here comes P.J and your other man. And that gunfire’s getting closer.”

“Thought you opposed violence.”

“I’m against dyin’ too.”

Jasper grunted. “Reckon you can handle my Disrupter 29?”

“Reckon I can.” Doc slicked rain from Lily’s face then palmed her cheek, infusing her with heat. “Got a reason to make the effort.”

Sensitive to Doc’s protective manner and the exchange of the gun, Lily’s heart pounded with wonder and dread.

“If I don’t make it back …” Jasper looked away.

“Make it back,” Doc said. “We’ve got unfinished business.”

Lily’s breath caught as something snapped into place, shutting out the wind and rain. Shutting out the world. “I can’t hear anything.”

“It’s the thermoplastic shield. Baffles the sound,” Doc said while readjusting Lily’s legs in between his own. “Can’t make out her words, but I can see P.J. giving Jasper an earful.”

“About the blindfold?”

“That’d be my guess.”

“I’m sorry I got you in this fix,” Lily said, fiercely conscious of their intimate and highly inappropriate position. Arms and legs entangled. Her backside pressed against his groin.

“I’m here on account of my own actions, angel. I promise I’ll get us both out.” He shifted and squeezed her waist, pulling her even closer. “Jasper just ran off. Guess he’s heading for the
Crusader
. Don’t know what that dig looks like, but she must be flashy or big. P.J. said she’d attract attention.”

“What’s this dig look like?” Lily asked.

“Let’s put it this way. It’s called the
Bullet
.”

“Sleek and cylindrical.”

“With wings and a tail and some sort of rocket booster. P.J.’s firing up now.”

Lily heard the rumble clean through the shield. The cramped dirigible vibrated and shimmied and Lily braced for takeoff. “Are you scared, King?”

“You forget I’ve been riding with your brother for the past few years. If we weren’t chasing and apprehending outlaws, we were clashing with sky pirates and ALE. This is nothing. Although P.J’s flying ain’t for the fainthearted.”

“I’m not fainthearted.” Lily licked her lips. “Not usually.”

“I believe you, but flying blind is discombobulating. Focus on my voice,” he said close to her ear as the vessel lurched forward. “I’ll talk you through it.”

For a minute she was breathless, speechless. Her mind and body reeled with the forceful launch and the sudden unexpected speed as they shot through the air. Just as he’d promised, Doc described everything. The three ships that constituted skytown breaking apart and heading in separate directions, several other smaller digs shooting off every which way …

“Ah, the
Crusader
.”

“Flashy and big?” she asked, holding tight to Doc’s hands.

“Beauty of a zeppelin wrapped in an intricate iron grill. Topside propeller and rear rocket thrusters. Gondola’s loaded with cannons and the zepp’s fitted to carry small fighter digs like this one.”

“How … how can you be sure it’s the
Crusader
?” Lily asked as the Bullet lurched right.

“The big S welded into the intricate grill work.” Doc sighed. “Caped Crusader. Man of Steel.
Superman
. A twentieth-century superhero. Pa used to liken Jasper to the fictional icon. Thing is Superman used his powers for the greater good.”

“For Jasper,” Lily said as she struggled with a dizzy spell, “emancipating Freaks
is
the greater good.”

“You’re a good soul, Lily Gentry.”

Doc kissed the back of her head and the dizziness intensified. Only it wasn’t from the topsy-turvy ride. Cannon fire exploded in the distance and Lily burst with a fierce need to live in the moment.
This
moment. “I’ve never been kissed.”

“What?”

“If this ends badly, I want something good to remember when I meet my maker.”

“Don’t talk nonsense, angel. P.J.’ll get us out of here. If nothing else, her pride demands it.”

Ignoring the ache in her ribs and the pain in her leg, Lily swiveled round best she could. “Kiss me proper-like, King.”

“Lily.”

She could feel the warmth of his breath. His mouth, so close. His body tensed as she leaned in, but she didn’t pull back. She waited … and when the
Bullet
shook with the blast of return fire, she took what she wanted. A kiss. Though her mouth glanced off Doc’s, she tasted a hint of peppermint and slice of heaven.
Bliss
.

He groaned then, cradled her face, and pressed his lips to hers—firm and true. He kissed her proper-like. The kind of kiss she’d read about in dime novels. The kind she’d seen stolen between lovers in the park. Heat radiated through her body, her skin tingled, and her blood burned. He teased the seam of her mouth with his tongue, and Lily’s lungs near about burst through her ribs.

Inspired by their precarious circumstance and her uncertain future, she parted her lips and welcomed Doc’s tongue. The awfulness of the world faded away as the compassionate healer gifted her with sizzling passion.

The
Bullet
bucked then arced, and Lily’s heart followed.