Page 80 of Stilettos & Secrets on the 7 Seas

“That’s where I’m in charge.” His tone teetered on the edge of danger. “Besides, Ferrari already changed history with his tales of Long John Silver and buried treasure.”

True. Marco had screwed up history, but I wasn’t going to agree with my enemy. False that Mortas was in charge, with power-hungry Mahlia barking at his heels. And another false that he’d follow through with his promises to Caiyan.

“What about theSea Storm? What happens to her?” I asked.

“There is no recounting of the ship.” Mortas looked out at the ship anchored closest to us.

“’Tis possible theSea Stormtook a hit from one of Rogers’ cannons and sank in the harbor,” Caiyan mused.

After Marco stayed behind and changed the past, I’d read Vane’s new curriculum vitae. Instead of being left on a deserted island by a mutinous crew, he made his fortune in treasure, gave it all away to the Jacobites in their support of Bonnie Prince Charlie’s return to the throne, slept with some governor’s wife, and lost his head.

My problem was even in Vane’s new days of disrepute, he still refused the pardon, set theLarkon fire, and escaped from Woodes Rogers. Now, Mortas was trying to change the screwed-up history by convincing Vane to take the pardon, and Caiyan was helping him do it.

“Why is Charles Vane involved in this?” I turned toward both men, trying to read their poker faces, knowing neither would allow me access to their emotions.

“As you know”—Mortas wrinkled his nose at me—“Sasha was last seen boarding his ship.”

I remembered. It was the last time I saw Marco.

Noise scuffled behind us. Shrug, stationed nearby to prevent my getaway, moved aside, allowing entrance to Vane and the men from the meeting.

Vane snatched the spyglass from Caiyan and held it up for a second look, as if he needed it. You could see Rogers’ ships with the naked eye. “Rogers is sending a skiff to the shore.” He collapsed the spyglass with a forceful smack. “Make haste.”

Hornigold muscled me out of the way, speaking to Vane. “Captain Vane, yer outnumbered. There is no way to win against four man-o’-wars. Rogers has the upper hand. He’s got ye by yer loins. We must take the pardon.”

“Our council has voted. The decision stands. My fleet willnae take the pardon.”

Yay! Victory for history.

Mortas scowled at me. “I suggest a battle from the fort and the ships. You can outgun them.”

Bullshit. No way would Vane beat the Royal Navy with his twelve-gun sloop. And during the chaos, Mortas would tear Vane’s ship apart looking for Sasha. Of course, I’d be doing the same looking for Marco.

Vane turned. “We’ll fire against them until they stand down.” He reached a hand to Hornigold’s shoulder. “I know ye wanted to take the pardon. Ye can man the fort. Protect us from above. Weel take back our island.”

Jeez. We’d be lucky if Hornigold didn’t blast a cannonball at Vane’s main mast.

“Captains, man yer ships. Crew, prepare for battle.” Vane shouted orders at anyone in his vicinity. “Fill ’em English full’ah day light!”

Battle? Where was the fire ship and the sneaky exit? Isn’t this the moment he has an epiphany? Maybe he needed a little help. I glanced at Caiyan.

He mouthed the word “no.”

I opened my mouth to enlighten Vane, but Max pulled me aside. “I’ll have Shrug take ye to my plantation. To safety.”

I saw Vane dash down the stairs from the corner of my eye.

“But—” Before I could finish, Max planted a big, mushy kiss right on my unsuspecting and open mouth.

“Go now, before ’tis too late.” A pink-faced Max turned on his heel and left me standing speechless.

One of Vane’s messenger boys motioned to Caiyan. “Captain Vane wishes for ye to accompany him.”

“I was wrong,” Caiyan said in my ear. “Maybe Max could teach ye a few things.”

“Oh, shut up.”

Shrug was instantly by my side, pushing me with his rifle.

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