Chapter 64

The morning sunlight streamed through the windows as Evelyn Carter entered the dining hall. She selected a delicate porcelain teacup from the counter, its floral pattern reminding her of better times. The buffet spread offered an array of colorful fruits and pastries, which she carefully arranged on her plate.

With her breakfast balanced in one hand and steaming tea in the other, she turned toward her private quarters. The scent of bergamot from her Earl Grey tea mingled with the crisp morning air.

Just as she reached her door, Evelyn froze. Liam Blackwood stood there, his raised fist paused mid-knock. Their eyes met, and an electric tension crackled between them despite the awkward silence.

"Let me help you with that," Liam offered, already reaching for her teacup.

Evelyn instinctively pulled back. "I've got it, thank you."

But Liam's military reflexes were quicker. Before she could protest further, the teacup had changed hands. The warmth of his fingers briefly brushed against hers, sending an unexpected shiver down her spine.

Swallowing her pride, Evelyn turned to unlock the door. She could feel Liam's presence behind her, solid and unyielding as a fortress wall.

Inside, Liam placed the teacup on the small dining table with deliberate care. His sharp eyes swept across the room, taking in every detail from the unmade bed to the open book on the nightstand.

Evelyn's fingers tightened around her fork. Being alone with him always set her nerves on edge - a confusing mix of apprehension and something far more dangerous.

For seven endless days, she'd ached for his presence. Now that he stood before her, all she felt was the sting of betrayal.

"That's hardly enough for breakfast," Liam observed, nodding at her modest plate.

Evelyn speared a strawberry with unnecessary force, refusing to meet his gaze as she chewed.

Liam's expression darkened. He settled into the chair opposite her, his muscular frame making the furniture seem suddenly inadequate. "Are you planning to ignore me all morning?"

The audacity of his question made the fruit turn to ash in her mouth. She washed it down with a scalding sip of tea, her golden-brown eyes finally lifting to challenge him.

Something flickered in Liam's stormy gaze at her defiance, but he remained silent, waiting.

Evelyn wanted to scream at him, to demand answers. But one look from those piercing gray eyes could still render her speechless. When she finally spoke, her voice was barely above a whisper. "I thought Hawkeye never missed his mark."

Liam's brow furrowed. He clearly expected anger about the escaped pirates, not this... whatever this was. The realization that Evelyn might be jealous of Victoria hadn't even crossed his tactical mind.

"Leaving one alive was strategic," he explained patiently. "They'll lead us straight to their nest. How else would we recover all the stolen goods?"

Evelyn's fork paused mid-air. Was this his plan all along? To track them back to their stronghold?

The pieces clicked together with sudden clarity. She stabbed another piece of fruit, her lips pressed into a thin line. "You're worried about accidentally hitting Victoria, aren't you?"

Liam actually laughed, the sound rough and unexpected. "What does she have to do with any of this?"

Evelyn's fork made tiny holes in the apple slice until it resembled Swiss cheese. She bit her lip hard enough to draw blood, determined not to reveal the storm of emotions beneath her calm exterior.

Leaning forward suddenly, Liam rested his elbows on the table. "How do you know Valtorian? It's a dying language from a war-torn country."

The question caught Evelyn off guard. She didn't know why she understood Valtorian any more than she knew why her hands sometimes moved as if painting invisible canvases in the air.

Perhaps from serving international clients? A professional courtesy to make them feel at home?

The explanation made logical sense, but something told her it wasn't the whole truth. She couldn't share even this much with Liam though.

Her eyes darted to the watermelon slices. In a sudden burst of courage, she picked one up and extended it toward him. "Would you like some?"

The moment the words left her lips, Evelyn stiffened, shocked by her own boldness.