Butler Gary stood like a statue. Impossibly still and gloriously livid.
But the moment a pirate lifted his gun and shoved it into the side of a teenager's head—one who had tried to shield their sibling with their arms—the butler's knuckles cracked.
Even Duke Leander turned. Just slightly.
They didn't speak, not needing to do so after years of developing their tacit understanding.
But before they could move, they noticed the pirates stirring relentlessly.
It was because one frazzled rescuer couldn't stand what was about to happen.
Luca's breath caught in his throat.
They were almost there—barely a few meters from the main corridor leading into the passenger lobby—but everything changed when they rounded the corner.
What they saw froze him in place.
Civilians. Dozens of them. Huddled in the center of the room, arms around each other, shielding children with trembling bodies.
And the pirates.
