Please Understand

      "Well, good luck, Mace," Nick sighed, clapping one hand on the other man's shoulder and giving it a squeeze before walking back to join his brother.

      Mason watched him go before dropping his gaze to the dark stony ground as his mind whirled.  When he looked back up, it was to find Ilona already approaching.

      Even as he dreaded the conversation to come, he couldn't stop his heart from making the happy little leap in his chest it always seemed to do when he saw her -His beautiful pirate captain.

      When she got to him, she grabbed his wrist and pulled him deeper into the dark tunnel and out of earshot of the men.

      "What's going on?" Ilona whispered urgently, "What happened?  Why were you with Pierce and his men?"

      "Ilona, I..."