Page 89 of Stilettos & Secrets on the 7 Seas

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Climbing up the ladders,I stumbled onto the upper deck. A crosswind blew, bringing with it a creepy, cold chill. The bright, round moon hung high in the dark sky, mirrored on the emblem on theSea Storm’s flag. Not a pirate flag with skeletons and swords, but a full moon with a spooky fog of clouds.

I found a spot near the railing to watch what would become one of the most talked about pirate escapes in history. Under the cover of darkness, theLarkmoved into position behind a shield of ships. TheSea Storm’s crew hung onto the masts above me waiting for the signal to drop sails.

I didn’t know what lies Vane had told the other pirates in the cove. Did they think he had a change of heart? That he was sending theLarkto accept the pardon? I shrugged off my useless assumptions. My concern was the safety of the captain and crew of theSea Storm, Ace and Marco and Caiyan. The men I’d risk my life to bring home.

Inky black water smacked against theLarkas she pulled forward, cutting a wake into the pitch. Only moonlight illuminated the white flag hanging from her mast.

This had to work. It was written in the history books.

Rogers’ ships didn’t move, but their cannon flaps opened. He wasn’t a fool, he’d prepared for any shenanigans. I rubbed the spot on my forehead where Sasha smacked me with the broom. I had to admit, she had good aim.

“I hope your plan works since you ruined mine.” Mortas balanced a hip on the railing beside me.

“Are you referring to keeping Vane on schedule to preserve the past or telling Sasha your father ruined her life?”

“You play hardball. I respect that.” Mortas shifted, leaned toward me. “It wasn’t my father who ruined Sasha. He knows nothing of our gifts. He only followed orders from my grandfather. Adhered to the family code, like he always does. Elma stole Lidiya away. She would have become one of us.”

“I doubt that.”

“My plan to keep Vane in port would have saved valuable time.”

“Your plan changed history. Mine keeps us on the correct timeline.”

“The correct timeline.” Mortas huffed. “My grandfather was always afraid of myths and legends. Don’t mess up the timeline. Go back and do my bidding. Steal the keys for me.”

“Careful, you shouldn’t speak of the dead with such bitterness.” It sounded harsh, but I knew there was no love lost between Gian-Carlo Mafuso and his eldest grandson.

“I’m the better choice to lead my family. My father is weak and my sister is, well, a woman.”

Man, I hated this guy.

“I’ll find the King’s key and my family will step aside, respect me.”

Whoa. I doubted his family would respect him after he booted his father out of the Don’s seat at the mafia table, exposed his sister’s lies, and treated his youngest brother the same way his grandfather had treated him.

“How exactly are you going to do that?” My unimpressed tone leaked sarcasm.

“I have a map.”

“I know about the map.” He didn’t look shocked that I knew about the secret map. “You don’t have any of the pieces.”

“Wrong again. I believe all the pieces of the map are here.” His eyes studied mine as if questioning if I knew about Elma’s map. If I held the final piece in his search of the King’s key.

Mortas glanced across the dark water at theLark. “McGregor and Ferrari know those maps like their own birthmarks. That is, providing McGregor lives to rescue you. Which he will. The guy’s been a blister on my backside since he was born.”

“Once you have Vane’s piece, do you think they’re going to just draw out theirs for you?” I gave an “I don’t believe it” snicker.

“I’ll take the King’s eye from Sasha. Marco can have his girlfriend. Vane can have his treasure. McGregor can have his identity. And you?” He paused and turned curious eyes at me. “What do you want?”

I thought about that for a minute. What did I want? Indoor plumbing, silky panties, a caramel macchiato, my Tempur-Pedic mattress, a mani-pedi, a wax, a hot bath?—

“Well?” He interrupted my mental list-making.

I’d never give him my map. “My life to return to normal.”

Mortas threw his head back and laughed. “You’re a time traveler. Your life will never be normal. Perhaps I can lure you away from the Scot, become your lover. We’d make a good team.”

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