Page 107 of Stilettos & Secrets on the 7 Seas

“That may prove harder than you expect.” My inner voice acknowledged that keeping my secret might also prove harder than expected. “Speaking of hard, how long will Shrug be unconscious?”

“Long enough.”

Thirty-Four

Daylight came earlier than I anticipated. I cracked open an eye to let it in. “Shiver me timbers,” I cackled like Shrug, then laughed at my own joke. Caiyan had snuck out about halfway through our cuddling session. Spending the night with him and the things he did to me on the swinging bed were worth the risk.

I stretched with satisfaction from our secret tryst and because, for the first time, we’d made a plan, together. My job was to convince Max and Rowan to go along with it. His job was much more dangerous.

My musing was interrupted by a loud banging on my door. “Arise witch. ’Tis daylight yer burning.”

Shrug. Dang, when this mission was over, I wasn’t going to miss that guy. I pulled on a dressing gown over my shift and yanked open the door. He wouldn’t stop hammering on it until he saw me up and at ’em. “Can I ask you a question?”

Shrug eyed me apprehensively.

“How did theSea Stormescape the naval blockade?” I mean, I had to ask. Did the crew know about Max’s abilities? Did Shrug know about time travel?

“The cap’n steered us clear of the battle.”

“About a hundred yards clear.” I searched his weathered face for an answer.

He lifted a defiant chin. “The cap’n ’tis a fine navigator.”

Did Shrug really believe theSea Stormoutmaneuvered Woodes Rogers’ fleet of ships?

“Can you please inform Captain Smith I’d like to have a meeting?”

Shrug wrinkled his nose. “The cap’n ’tis a busy man.”

Jeez, Louise, you’d think I was asking for a meeting with King George. “I just need a quick word.” I paused and sent him my most pleading look with an extra helping of Southern suck-up. “Pretty please?”

“I’ll alert the cap’n ye’ve requested an audience.” He stepped back and looked me over. “Ye best be gettin’ yerself to rights.”

I assumed he meant my appearance needed work. One look in the mirror, and I agreed. My inside was satisfied, but my outside was frightening.

The cabin boy, this time not Sasha, informed me the fruit was gone, so I had hard biscuits, a boiled egg, and tea. I’d seen the chickens in the hold and was thankful for the egg and not a roasted chicken leg.

I dressed quickly, sat in front of the wash basin, and tied my hair back with a ribbon. A triple tap, tap, tap sounded on the door. “I hope this works,” I said to the mirror.

Max entered the cabin, followed closely by a scowling Rowan. The giant didn’t trust me.

“You wished my presence?” Max seemed skittish, almost as if worried I was asking for his virginity instead of a simple favor. He was all about playing plucky pirate, but he was only a boy. A boy a bit afraid of the witch.

“Are you well?” I turned toward Max, ignoring Rowan’s absurd-sounding grunt at my obvious question.

Max straightened, puffed his chest. “As ye can see, I’m in good health.”

Rowan leaned against the wall, keeping a watchful eye on the witch. Max moved to take my hand. “I’m no angry with ye for spinning the lies about my da.”

“But—”

Max didn’t let me finish. “I know we’ve not known each other a long time, but I’d like a chance to win yer affections.”

Rowan grunted. I wasn’t sure if it was a grunt of approval, a grunt of disapproval, or just gas.

“I’ll have my treasure soon enough, and then we can be married.” Max’s smile didn’t reach his eyes, and a flush of what I’d label as dread heated my palm. Max didn’t want to marry me.

“Max, uhm…”

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