A Tale of Two Airships (Take to the Skies Book 2) Read Free

knew contained alchemical bombs for cuff-links. He wouldn’t leave without his long sweeping trench to hide his weapons from view. Isabella slipped daggers in the space between her chemise and bodice, into the hem of her skirt, and of course had one for each boot. After all, the girl’s greatest asset was stealth. Jack patted down his pistol at his side, the one he’d been awarded the day we took him on as one of our recon team. He’d been so proud when he received the thing I swore he slept with it.
    Wind blew my curls past my shoulder, and I squinted to battle the bright mid-day sun. In the distance lay Shantytown, a location I’d only been to once—in the past, Morris avoided any British locale due to his long held grudge. Ex-soldiers had very long memories. Me? Our ship needed a payday.
    The rafters of the airship docks appeared in view, more like matchsticks than timber and not inspiring the greatest confidence. Docks like these, our men had to keep watch with our guns at ready in case of boarders. These were the sections where shoot first, ask later reigned.
    Spade stood at the helm, accompanied by Adelle who had created a perch for herself by his side. She leaned towards him to give him the occasional direction shift, and the wind tried to tug strands from the constant braid she began wearing once she realized how ferocious the winds became up in the skies. Spade pointed to the aether manipulator below, and she hopped down before going to work with an assuredness about her I never expected from the bruised and cowering girl we once took aboard. Together, they guided us into the port.
    The Desire descended, and a slight bump shook the ship as we glided onto the water, heading straight for the space between rafters.
    Geoff’s presence behind me announced itself before he even spoke. His long shadow gave him away, and even more so the cinnamon breeze confirmed it—he couldn’t quit chewing those damn sticks. His arms slipped around as he pulled me into a tight embrace. I leaned back into it, indulging in his warmth for a moment as our bodies connected.
    “I see how it is. Fall into the arms of any stranger, will you?”
    Turning around, I draped my arms around his neck. “Obviously. I’d never get laid otherwise.”
    His crooked smile made my heart skip a beat every time. “Be careful.” His chestnut eyes held all of his seriousness inside. “I don’t have a good feeling about this.”
    “Me neither.” I let out a sigh. “I’m waiting for the day we’re independently wealthy and don’t have to worry about these types of missions.”
    He snorted. “You’d be bored in a heartbeat.”
    I grinned. “Got that right, boy-o. Keep the midnight oil burning for me.” I stood on my toes and planted a kiss on his lips, basking in the shiver coursing through me. All those years of dodging around this—I’d been damned stupid. Even the thrill of danger fell short in comparison to the fires he lit inside. I wasn’t used to having someone I missed as much as Geoff. Throwing myself into outmatched fights and powderkeg situations used to be effortless before all this responsibility to him and my crew. Now I fretted over the stupidest details before tossing the whole well-constructed plan out the window. Though, some things never changed. I’d do anything to protect my home and family. Anything.
    Several of the crew loitered topdeck, awaiting orders. Now that we were landed, Spade made his way to our team. He’d be purchasing whatever he and Seth needed to keep our girl running steady while the rest of us dangled ourselves into danger. Even though Geoff could and should be doing the recon missions in my stead, I had better aim, and he had more of the level head for people management. Besides, I’d grown greedy for field time. If I had to stay aboard this ship any longer, I’d ram us into port to find ourselves some trouble.
    “One quick meeting with the contact and we’ll be back,” I