Page 98 of Stilettos & Secrets on the 7 Seas

“’Tis Silver aboard?” Rowan moved to stand between me and Vane. “He knows part of the map, does he not? I want to see that you have him before we begin this journey.”

Vane snapped his fingers and Rackham ushered Marco out on the deck of theRanger. My heart constricted and I felt ill. One eye was black and swollen shut. His hands were bound, and chains clinked around his ankles with each step. He found me and mouthed Sasha.

I gave a baby nod, and relief washed over his face. Although I had no idea if Rowan had found her, I knew she was on theSea Storm. He looked more bedraggled than when I’d tried to smuggle him off yesterday. And was that blood on his torn shirt?

Vane’s eye’s locked on mine. He’d noticed my interaction with Marco and absorbed it like a poisonous sponge waiting for the right moment to release his deadly spores.

“The captain would like Silver to be placed in our hold until we reach the treasure.” My voice shook only slightly, but my tone sounded firm. Rowan cut his eyes at me.

My inner voice held up her quill, ready to scratch more items off my list.

“No.” Vane scowled, but he snapped his fingers.

I blew out a frustrated huff, and my inner voice lowered her quill. A commotion caught my attention. Vane’s pirate crew parted. Ace was shoved to the front.

His hands were bound, and his shirt sleeve was torn, exposing a gash across his forearm. By the snarling grimace and flaring nostrils, I’d guess he was more agitated than frightened.

“Ye can take this one.” Vane gave a nod at Ace. “He causes more chaos than I desire aboard my ship.”

Rowan grunted, which was Rowan speak for yes. “He’s the cook, and I’m hungry.”

I rushed to Ace and halted short of throwing my arms around him, thankful he was in one piece. Better not show too much enthusiasm for my manservant.

“Are you OK?”

“Bloody ’ell, I’m not OK. Do ye see the size of this cut?” He lifted his arm to show me. “I need stitches. The medical on board theRangeris less than spectacular.”

“I thought the doctor was dead.”

“Exactly.” Ace shuddered.

“C’mon, I’ll take you back to my cabin.”

Rowan gave a head nod to someone behind me. Mortas, with hands bound, was pushed at Vane. “Ye can have this one. He causes problems I care no about.”

I assumed he was removing Mortas so Max couldn’t question him once he recovered from the jump. “We have minor repairs to mend, and weel be on our way.” Rowan turned to dismiss Vane.

“Captain Vane, so good to see you again,” Mortas said with a confidence that made me queasy. Vane pulled his knife. Ace and I gave a synchronized gasp.

“He’s going to stab ’im.” Ace’s voice seemed almost giddy in my ear.

“Stop!” Someone yelled, then I realized it was me.

Thirty-Two

Vane strode toward Mortas with murder in his eyes. I threw myself in Vane’s path. He couldn’t kill Mortas. My inner voice stomped on my moral compass and addedThe Matrixmovie’s iconic beckoning hand gesture. I agreed with her. It would solve many problems but killing him was wrong.

Rowan grabbed me around the waist and swooped me out of the way like I was an annoying bird shitting on the freshly swabbed deck.

Vane stopped in front of Mortas. In one swift movement, he cut the ropes from the beastly brigand’s wrists.

Ace let out a disappointed, “Bullocks.”

“Thank you, Captain.” Mortas rubbed his wrists and gave me a searing look before joining the angry pirate’s crew.

I was dumbfounded. “I thought?—”

“Dinnae have thoughts.” Rowan released me. “Thoughts weel get ye tossed overboard.”

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