Drake Sisters 07 - Hidden Currents

jail?â€
    â€œThat’s pretty much the plan.â€
    It was Damon who answered. “I might have a better one. Why don’t you sit down and hear me out. I’ve been giving this a lot of thought and while I don’t have al the details worked out, I think we can get rid of him without anyone going to jail. While I have to agree with Jackson on wanting the man dead, I’m not too keen on losing a brother-in-law. Jonas, if you think it best you don’t listen, maybe you should go inside and see if Hannah needs anything.†He looked around at the others. “If any of you don’t want to hear what I have to say, now’s the time to walk away.â€
    Jonas shrugged. “I can’t exactly be a hypocrite. I just don’t want Jackson in trouble. I went out to sea to kil the man threatening Hannah.
    And if I got to Gratsos, I’d kil him. I may be hardheaded, Damon, but I know arresting Gratsos isn’t going to stop him.â€
    â€œWel , I’ve got a plan.†Damon sounded smug. “Or at least the beginnings of one.â€
    â€œLet’s hear it,†Jackson said, and sat on the rail, slamming up a barrier so El e couldn’t read his mind. He needed to stay in hers, but he couldn’t have her knowing what they were discussing.
    El e felt it the moment Jackson put up a shield between them. He hadn’t been subtle about it either. She glanced toward the deck where the men huddled together around Damon. Frowning, she looked at Sarah for an explanation. “They’re up to something.â€
    â€œDamon has a very level head,†Sarah reminded her. “He’d never be involved in anything crazy. He’s always the voice of logic and reason. He’s probably calming everyone down. We have a few hotheads in the family.â€
    Hannah grinned at her. “You wouldn’t, by any chance, be referring to my husband, would you?â€
    They al laughed and began to arrange the candles around the room as they talked. “Jonas is never going to change,†Joley said, “but we love him the way he is, Hannah.â€
    â€œHe’s gotten so bossy since we’ve been married.â€
    The sisters burst out laughing and Hannah put her hand on her hip. “What?â€
    â€œHe’s always been bossy, you dolt. You’ve just stopped blowing his hat down the street,†Abbey pointed out. “Jonas comes with a label, ‘Dominant Male Right Here.’ â€
    â€œWel , I rather like it and he’s not as bad as Ilya.â€

    Joley blushed a deep crimson. “I get around him.â€
    â€œI’l just bet you do,†El e said and nudged her sister with her foot.
    â€œSo what about Jackson?†Libby asked. “Sarah says you’re getting married in a couple of days. Are you real y, El e? Are you sure that’s what you want? Jackson has always put your back up. Are you prepared for what it’s real y going to be like living with him?â€
    Abigail glanced out to the deck to look at Jackson. With his scruffy beard he looked like a fierce mountain man. She knew he often went undercover for other counties. He was at home in the role he played, but sometimes he was intimidating. “You’ve suffered a terrible trauma. It might be better to make huge, life-changing decisions when you’ve had time to recover.â€
    El e found herself the center of attention, in the middle of her sisters with al of them watching her closely. She pul ed her sweater closer around her, suddenly wishing she’d worn more clothes. They couldn’t see the lash marks crisscrossing her body, but she was acutely aware of them, of the trail around her breasts and even over her sex. The inside of her thighs burned and for a moment she couldn’t breathe.
    Baby, do you need me to come in there and rescue you? Jackson’s voice was a velvet rasp in her head. She felt instant warmth pouring through her and hadn’t realized how cold she’d become. She was shivering and she made herself take a deep breath.
    She looked through the window and he was looking at her. He put his hand up in the air, palm out, fingers spread wide. She put her hand up, palm facing him and felt the brush, first skin to skin, then his lips as if he’d pressed them into the center of her palm. She closed her fingers around the spot, holding the sensation to