Page 76 of Stilettos & Secrets on the 7 Seas

“I’m not a witch.” I glanced at Caiyan. His lips pressed together, and he shook his head slightly, warning me not to continue. I lifted my chin. He couldn’t tell me what to do.

“Go on.” Vane sent a warning glance of his own to the pudgy man.

I stepped forward, my shoulders back and my tone firm. “I’ve had a vision. The new governor of Providence Island is sailing here with many ships. He’s going to offer every pirate on the island a pardon.”

The men laughed. “A pardon, did ye hear that?” One of them mocked me.

Vane didn’t laugh. “We know this already.”

“His ships will blockade the harbor; if you refuse the pardon, you’ll die. He’ll hang the lot of you.” I gave myself a mental fist bump for sounding very piratey.

The men grew quiet.

“What does this witch know?” Hornigold was the first to speak up.

“We should take the pardons.” Mortas shook his fist of solidarity in the air.

“We could be free to go about our business,” another pirate added.

“What business will that be?” I stared around the table, meeting each man’s eyes. These men didn’t have a plan after they took the pardon. They were scared shitless. Saving their hides sounded better than starting a war. “You’ll no longer be able to plunder and pillage ships. What will you do? Farm? Grow grass?”

The pirates looked dumbstruck, all except for Captain Vane and Max. They were going after treasure, and a blockade would slow their adventure until all pirates were pardoned or hung by the neck.

“When will these ships arrive?” Vane asked.

I took a deep breath and released it slowly, hoping Ace got his facts straight. “Tonight.”

Loud rumblings between the men circled the table, some for, some against the pardon.

“Sit, Captain Smith.” Vane gestured toward the empty seat. “Weel discuss the message yer betrothed brings ta us.”

Max motioned for me to stand at the far wall, away from the men’s discussions. Where Caiyan currently stood.

I walked to the alcove, knowing the look on my face threw daggers at Caiyan.

The trim he had the last time I saw him was gone. His vessel had transformed his hair into sexy waves that curled around his face and trailed into dreadlocks. I squinted to identify tiny seashells woven into each braid.

He appeared aloof, leaning against the wall, not a care about the blockade. But I knew him. His muscles were taut, ready for action.

“How?” I started, keeping my voice low. Before he could answer, I shot an angry, “Why?”

“Those should be my questions.” Caiyan balanced his forearm on the wooden post next to me.

“I came for Marco.”

“Yer supposed to be at headquarters.”

“So it was you who had the transporters locked up.” I rammed my finger into his chest. “I knew it. You rat bastard!”

“Careful, yer drawing attention from yer admirers.”

I glanced over my shoulder at the table of men. Rowan and Max lifted their heads, eyebrows raised, and stared at us.

I gave them a thumbs up. Their expression of concern changed to brow-knitted confusion. Thankfully, Vane drew their attention back to the table.

Caiyan chuckled. “Yer oot of yer element, Sunshine. Go home and let me find Marco.”

“He’s not your top priority. You’re after Sasha. Or a key. Or both.”

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