His thumb grazed her knuckles. Surprised by the intimate gesture, Rune glanced up to find his eyes asking a wordless question.
Trust me.Gideon’s voice echoed in her mind.I’m a man. I know what he wants.
Was Gideon right? Had William brought her down here to seduce her?
Rune stared at his hand on hers, feeling uneasy.
But if it got her into the cargo hold…
I might not get another chance to investigate.
What other choice did she have? If she wanted to smuggle witches aboard theArcadia, she needed to see inside that cargo hold. To do that, she needed to play along.
It wouldn’t be hard; this was a game she excelled at.
Rune looked up at him through her eyelashes. “I’m sure my husband doesn’t even know I’m gone.”
The corner of William’s mouth lifted. “Then let’s—”
Behind them, a voice roared like thunder. Louder than the engine’s noise.
“What thehelldo you think you’re doing with my wife?”
William flinched.
Rune spun to find Gideon materializing from the steam,storming toward them. His massive frame filled the narrow alley, and his eyes were black with rage.
Gideon lunged for William, grabbing the lapels of his jacket and shoving him up against the bulkhead wall. William winced at the impact.
“Stop!” Rune grabbed Gideon’s arm before he did further damage. “He was only—”
“Andyou.” Without letting go of William, Gideon threw her a dark look. “What were you thinking? Coming down here alone? Withhim?”
I warned you about this guywas the furious accusation.
But what right did he have to be angry? Rune wasn’t his actual wife. He’d made it clear the very idea of being married to her appalled him.
And he’d been flirting with Abbie all evening.
The latter made her hands clench.
“Do you have to be such a brute?” Rune took William’s arm and pulled him from Gideon’s grasp. “What’s wrong with you? He’s just giving me a tour.”
“It’s true,” said William, innocently lifting his hands. “I’ll bring her right back when we’re done. I promise.”
“You’re not bringing her anywhere.” Gideon’s hands were fists at his sides, mirroring Rune’s. “She’s coming back with me.”
Rune crossed her arms. “I’m not going anywhere with a man who behaves as abhorrently as you do.”
“As yourhusband, I insist.” He prowled toward her, reaching for her.
“Insist all you like,” said Rune, twirling out of his grip. “I’m refusing.”
He was standing over her now. Head bent. Inches away. Hisgaze bored into hers as they seethed at each other. “Listen, you demon: I will carry you out of here if I have to, and you know it.”
“That’s precisely my point!”
William cleared his throat. “I really don’t think this is—”
