Free Davies, Corinne - Steam-Driven Seduction [Steampunked Lust 3] (Siren Publishing Ménage Everlasting) by Corinne Davies Page B

follow up, but his thoughts centered on why Miguel had come to Atlantis . Hedon Dubrova’s contract wasn’t the first on Julien’s head and he could think of a variety of reasons political and mercenary but not personal. Julien was well aware of Dubrova’s political views. He didn’t want anything to do with either the New or Old Worlds. The man was a mercenary who took care of himself and his family. His focus had always been on money and the lure of treasure. Ordering an assassination was so completely beyond his typical behavior that Julien was having a hard time coming to terms with the possibility.
    A sharp knock at his door scattered his thoughts like the papers on his desk. “Come.”
    Grizz walked in leading a thin man before him. “Captain, I found this man snooping around the corridors.”
    “Let me go, you big oaf.” The man jerked his arm and tried to break the hold that Grizz had on him. It was almost comical to watch, but Julien wasn’t going to insult the man’s pride by laughing.
    “Your name?”
    The man glared at Julien. “Where’s my captain?”
    That took him aback for a moment. “And your captain is?”
    “Kass, of course. You’re holding her prisoner somewhere up here. It’s not right I tell you. She’s a proper officer and you’re treating her like a common whore.”
    Julien narrowed his gaze at the offensive little man. Grizz looked like he was about to snap the man in half. “Your name.”
    “Walter.” The man sneered at Julien, showing his rotting teeth through thin lips. “Walter Miller, and we demand that you return our captain to us.”
    Julien was surprised that Kass would employ such an offensive person, but then he wasn’t surprised that she would instill such loyalty in her crew.
    “Mr. Miller, I assure you that my wife is being treated with every bit of respect and honor. As her husband I take offense at your choice of words to describe her current position. Now, you and your crew will be placed back on board the Aphrodite and taken to a safe port, where you will find work on another vessel.”
    “That’s not right, taking her ship from her and condemning her to living in an underwater tomb.”
    “You have no say in the matter, Mr. Miller.” Julien flicked his gaze to Grizz. “Take him back to the Aphrodite and have the crew taken back to their home ports.”
    Grizz nodded and then left. Julien sat there staring at the closed door wondering why his instincts were screaming. There was something very wrong going on, and he couldn’t quite put his finger on it.
    The clock struck the half hour. “Dammit. Where did the time go?” He looked at all the information on his desk and considered having a plate brought to him in here as he worked. He allowed himself a rare fantasy of sharing the stress involved in running Atlantis . Between Miguel, Kassandra, and himself he knew they would make a formidable force if they were to band together. But could they learn to trust each other enough to bring about that kind of future?
    After demanding Kassandra be at dinner and not hide in her rooms he figured he’d better be ready as well. A large part of him looked forward to dinner with the two of them. The sooner they all figured out what was going on the better.
    Twenty-five minutes later he walked into the dining room. Miguel was already seated at the head of the table with a glass of sherry dangling from his fingers. One leg was hooked over the arm of the chair, and he reclined, his arm braced against the opposite arm. He wore a cream-colored shirt that was laced partially up the front, putting a great deal of his muscular chest on display. A wide belt fitted across his hips with a sword attached to the side. Julien’s heart pounded under his vest, and his cravat felt like it was strangling him. He casually licked his dry lips and tried to swallow, but his mouth had dried out.
    Miguel’s mouth kicked up on one side in a grin. The man knew exactly what he was doing and no