Page 102 of Stilettos & Secrets on the 7 Seas

“At least Rowan wants to keep Mortas far away from Max.”

“Rumor has it that once we find the gold, half the ship’s crew is joining up with Vane.”

“They are?” This was not good news.

“I heard it through the cook’s grapevine. It’s amazing what they talk about thinking I’m a nobody.”

“You are definitely not a nobody.”

Ace smiled wide. “You can say that again. Who’d of thought I’d be cooking for a bunch of pirates?”

“Smugglers.” I reminded him.

“You can tell yourself that, but they helped Vane snatch plenty of stolen booty before we made our great escape. The talk of signing up with vile Vane gave the crew a gleam in their eyes that they didn’t have when they were hiding tobacco and sugar.”

“Yeah, Vane’s got in their heads.”

“Captain Vane also has a stash of the Spanish treasure in his footlocker.” Ace examined his nails and frowned.

“If he already has Spanish treasure, why is he sailing for more?”

“Maybe he only has a little bit.” Ace held his fingers apart an inch.

“But he would already know where to find it.”

“Maybe he didn’t find it. Maybe someone gave it to him.” Ace shrugged his shoulders.

“Like Lidiya, along with the piece of her map.”

Ace raised his eyebrows. “Why would she do that?”

“To protect her family from Vane.” A prickly tingle skittered up my spine. “And now, Mortas has promised him so much more, but only if he gets the King’s key.”

“And based on Vane’s history, he’ll never allow Mortas to leave with something so valuable. I smell a double-cross.”

“Damn. Max will never leave Rowan if Vane takes all the gold and half his crew. Rowan won’t be able to give up smuggling.”

“If only we could find something that would entice Max to leave this hellish life and come with us.”

“I can agree to marry him.”

Ace chuffed. “What will yer betrothed think about that?”

I chewed my lip at the deceptive idea. There was no way I could follow through. What would my parents think? “My betrothed is locked in a cell. I’m surprised he hasn’t bothered to free himself.”

“If I know McGregor, there’s a plan in the works.” Ace sat in the chair across from me.

“It would be nice if he’d include me in his planning.”

“Did you tell him you were planning to bring the boy home with you?” Ace’s lips pulled into a smarty pants smirk.

“Not yet.” I scowled at his wise-guy assessment. “I need to figure out a way to convince Max first.”

“True, gurl. No sense upsetting the Scot before you ’ave the boy committed to our cause.” Ace tapped his fingers on the table. “You need to encourage Max.”

“Like how?” My tone reflected a big negative at anything sexual.

“I didn’t mean play footsie with ’im. I meant Max would be enchanted by our technology. Entice ’im with something that will make him want to go. Leave Rowan.”

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