Only With Your Love (Vallerands #2)(69)

“So they’ve pieced ye back together again,” Risk observed. “Soon ye’ll be as fit as before, I’ll warrant.”

Justin gestured with his cane. “The leg isn’t good.” He sent a brief grin to Aug. “But for your handiwork I might be balancing on a wooden peg right now.” He turned his attention back to Risk. “Tell me what’s happened.”

“Ye won’t like it,” Risk said gloomily. “With the navy gunboats crawlin’ all over the water, there’s been idle time aplenty for Legare an’ all his rovers. Legare’s claimin’ Crow’s Island as his own. We’ve been tryin’ to empty the last of our warehouses before he gets his paws on our spoils. I’ve got goods stashed right an’ left—God knows what to do with most of it.”

“What about the crew?”

“No one knew if ye were dead or alive. The men have scattered, some o’ them layin’ low, while others…” Risk paused, then continued grimly, “They went to throw their lots in wi’ Legare, rotten bastards. Ye’ve got to take matters in hand, Griffin, an’ soon. Our tidy little business has got its guts ripped out, an’ all its legs in the air. A bit o’ resurrectin’ is needed.”

Justin contemplated the situation. Shadows from the trees played over his averted face. He was surprised by his own hesitancy. A month ago he would have thrown himself wholeheartedly into preserving his small kingdom of rascals and scavengers. It was all he had ever had, all he’d wanted. Before, he wouldn’t have needed to think twice. But now…

“Maybe we shouldn’t resurrect it,” Justin said slowly. “Maybe we should just clean up the remains.”

“An’ then what?” Risk asked, puzzled. “Start from scratch?”

Justin looked at him then, and grinned recklessly. He felt an unexpected lightness and freedom, as if he were casting off a burden that had been strapped to his back for years. “The Vagabond is yours, Jack. Take it with my blessing.”

Risk’s mouth dropped open, and his one eye squinted in surprise. “Sweet Jesus, man, do ye know what ye’re sayin’?”

Justin nodded firmly. “I’ve tweaked the devil’s nose one too many times. I’m not fool enough to think my luck will hold forever. I’ve enjoyed the hell out of our roving, but it’s time for me to stop.”

Risk stared at him wildly. “Come to yer senses, man! Ye were born a wanderer, a rover, like the rest of us. What else is there?”

Justin shrugged. “Even if I wanted to continue as before, it wouldn’t be possible. My leg will never be what it was.”

“Ye can’t stay here. Is that what ye’re plannin’?”

That provoked a low laugh from Justin. “I’m not a fool. After I even the score with Legare I’m going to disappear.” He laughed. “God, I never thought I’d take to the idea of settling somewhere, but suddenly it holds a strange appeal. I’m beginning to want things I’ve always had contempt for. I can see you don’t understand. Well, you will someday—if you live long enough.”

Risk stared at him incredulously. “What’s happened to ye? Aug, damn yer scaly hide, say something to him!”

“It is finished,” Aug said quietly, his ebony eyes fixed on Justin’s face.

Justin nodded briefly, knowing that Aug understood the nature of the change inside him. It boiled down to a matter of caring whether he lived or died. Now that he had begun to care about his own life, he would stop taking chances, his instincts would soften, his aggressiveness would be tempered by a concern for safety and self-preservation. The crew would not want to follow such a man. They needed a ruthless leader, one with no vulnerability.

“There’s only one thing I have left to do,” Justin said. “I’m going to repay Dominic Legare for what he did to my brother.”

Aug replied with no hesitation. “I will help you.”

Justin looked at Risk questioningly.

Risk swore. “So will I,” he said sullenly. “That’s three of us against Legare’s hundreds.”

That brought a smile to Justin’s face. “Any other malcontents who’d care to join us?”

“With luck we could gather p’raps a dozen. ’Tis a nasty business Legare runs, but the profits are tidy an’ the men follow him like sheep.”

Justin nodded matter-of-factly. “Then we’ll begin by—” He stopped, his instincts warning him of someone’s approach even though there was no sound. His gaze flickered around the area. There was a rustle from the woods behind them. Someone was about to intrude on their gathering. Justin signaled for Risk to creep behind their uninvited guest, while he and Aug slipped back into the shadows. The cautious steps drew closer.

A dim shaft of light fell across Celia’s white face and pale hair. “Justin?” she called softly, bewildered, turning in search of him. Suddenly she heard feet trampling the underbrush behind her. “Justin?” There were footsteps all around her, closing in rapidly. She gave a sob of fright. Wildly she ran a few steps, only to stop short at the sight of Aug’s threatening visage. Gasping, she backed away, her pulse racing. “Jus—”

“I’m here,” his voice interrupted, and she turned toward the sound. Justin was a few feet away, wearing an expression of annoyance. “Right here.”