“And I know that you don’t—”
“I’ll follow orders. I give you my word on it,” Burke promised.
He was right about her needing the help, and though her men remained silent, she knew they thought the same. She had always considered their suggestions when an escape was planned and she had no doubt they agreed with Burke.
“You promise you will obey my every command—” She held her hand up to prevent his quick response. “My every command, even if it means you leave me behind.”
The shock on his face answered for him, but she had to admit he was quick to rein it in.
“I’m not saying it would be an easy thing for me to do. My first response would be to protect you and get you the hell out of there under any circumstances. But I respect your command and will respect your orders. I can’t promise, however, that I won’t object now and again.”
“But you will follow my orders,” she confirmed.
“I give you my word.”
“Then we appreciate your help in rescuing William and Philip.” Storm moved aside, making room for Burke to join them at the campfire. “We need to find them before they reach the prison.”
“I thought the same,” Tanin agreed. “We should leave immediately.”
“We’ll need to be careful of any soldiers that may have been left behind in hopes of finding the rest of us,” Burke offered.
“True, and we’ll need to split into two groups and cover the two possible paths they could have taken,” Storm explained. “We’ll reunite where the two paths converge. And if anyone should be captured, it will be up to the other group to free everyone.”
“Hear that, Malcolm?” Tanin teased. “Don’t make us free your sorry ass again.”
“Watch it, Tanin, or I might be tempted not to rescue you when you get caught.”
Angus gave a hardy laugh, his wide girth rolling with the timbre. “Tanin has never been captured.”
“There’s always a first time.” Malcolm grinned.
Storm let the men have their fun. It was their way before a rescue, teasing one another, yet knowing each one of them would do whatever was necessary to help the others. Her small group had formed a bond that had strengthened with time and would no doubt grow even stronger.
Her instincts had been right about each man she had chosen. Their personalities had varied, but they possessed equal strength and determination and were willing to work for a common cause—the betterment and equality of the Scottish people.
“Ready yourselves,” Storm informed them. “We leave in ten minutes.” She turned to Burke. “Go with Malcolm. He will show you what weapons are available for your use.”
“Do you trust him?” Tanin asked when Burke was out of sight.
“I see no reason not to, though sometimes it is what we don’t see that can harm us.”
“It’s odd, don’t you think, that William and Philip should be captured while on a mission concerning him?”
The thought had crossed her mind briefly, but she had dismissed it. Should she have? Should she be more vigilant about Mr. Longton? Or had her character judgment been correct? Was he truly an honest man?
“It may be a coincidence, and I got the impression that you favor Burke Longton,” Storm said.
“He is a skilled man, but he’s not a Scotsman.”
She smiled. “So are you saying he can’t be trusted?”
“I’m saying that he has skills that can help us, but we should still be cautious until we can determine for a fact that he can be trusted.”
“I would not place the group in jeopardy.”
“I know that, and I know if it proves necessary you will rid the group of Mr. Longton,” Tanin said. “Now it’s time for me to get ready. I will take Burke in my group.”
“No,” Storm said. “You and Angus will take the creek path. Malcolm and Burke will travel the northeast path with me.”
“As you say,” Tanin said with a nod.
It was easy for her to tell when Tanin disagreed with her decisions. His manner became rigid, his responses curt. “You don’t agree. Speak your mind, Tanin, I expect it of you.”
He didn’t waste a minute. “Malcolm has yet to rein in his overzealous enthusiasm when on a mission and Burke is still a stranger to us. Leaving you to—”
“Teach Malcolm the finer skills of fighting and learn more about Burke. Trust me.”
“I always have or I wouldn’t follow you. But know this—if either one gets you in trouble, they’ll be answering to me.”
Storm smiled. “I’d have it no other way.”