Page 38 of Crossbones
“Oh, that’s the easy part,” I grin. “He’s currently detained—”
“Detained,” Van echoes.
“—in the De’Vero dungeons,” I finish smugly.
“I thought that was a rumor…” Flynt mutters in shock.
Van runs a hand over his face with a sigh and fixes me with a resigned look I’m very familiar with.
“You know, being your quartermaster is never dull,” he says dryly.
Flynt barks a laugh. “That’s an understatement. You certainly keep us on our toes, Captain.”
I chuckle. “Good—I take that to mean you’re in?”
Van and Flynt exchange a quick look before they nod. “What’s the plan?”
“I need you two to go to Carmine,” I say. “Find Harrison, Blackwell’s quartermaster, and sail theTempestto that little cove a ways up the coast—you know the one?” At their nod I continue. “Here’s the Captain’s sword and pistols—that should help appease the brute. I’ll meet you at the cove.”
Van takes the sword and pistols from me. “And you’re sure he’ll agree to this? Blackwell I mean.”
“Oh, I’m sure,” I smirk. “He’s curious enough and he’s not one to pass up a hunt.”
I spend the next twenty-four hours making preparations and avoiding the urge to go down and see Blackwell in the dungeons. Between that and staying away from an already suspicious Aldric, I’m ready to leave this cursedplace by the time I get word theTempesthas arrived in the cove.
Van and Flynt row me from shore and the minute my boots hit the deck, Harrison crowds me, a scowl on his face.
“You have some fucking nerve, Fox,” he hisses. “Coming back here like you’re one of our crew now. Giving orders like you’re the Captain—”
Van appears over the rail and takes a step forward as the tension grows and a crowd gathers. I hold up my hand to him, halting him in his tracks.
“I’m not—” Harrison doesn’t let me finish. He lands a solid punch to my face. I straighten, eyes sharp as I spit out blood at his feet. “You want to do this now?”
Rage burns in his eyes and with a growl he lunges for me. We clash in a flurry of fists and grunts. I land a few good hits, enough to give him a taste of what he’s getting himself into. He staggers, catching himself on the mast and I hear the gathered crew murmur. Unfortunately, I know I’m going to have to throw this fight. I can’t have him looking like a fool. Humiliating him in front of his crew is not the best course of action if we’re to work together efficiently. No matter how badly I want to put him on his ass.
Harrison growls and pushes off the mast. His shoulder slams into my ribs and we fall to the deck. My awareness narrows as everything becomes fists and rage—on his end—he’s sloppy with it and I have to remember not to fight dirty. I absorb his hits and land a few more to make it look real—but otherwise I let him control the fight. We roll across the deck and with one last blow to my ribs, he drives his knee into my chest and closes his hand around my neck.
Chest heaving, I sputter at the sips of air he’s allowing me. He leans in close, panting as he catches his breath.
“Fuck Blackwell, I should kill you right now and save us all the trouble I know you’ll cause.”
I huff a laugh, gulping in as much air as I can. “You can try—”
I tap his leg with a blade I have in my hand. Because of how we’re situated, it’s concealed from the rest of the crew but the message to Harrison is clear. His grip tightens as anger overwhelms him.
“This isn’t over,” he snarls.
He shoves off me and gets to his feet while I stash the blade back in my belt. I prop myself up on my elbows, catching my breath. I fix Harrison with an amused look.
“Thanks for the warm welcome, Blondie.”
“Fuck you, Fox,” he growls. “Stay out of my way.”
I accept the hand Flynt offers me and dab at my cheek where I can feel the sting of a cut. I make a show of brushing myself off.
“Now that we’ve gotten that out of the way,” I shove my hair out of my face. “Why don’t you go get your Captain so we can be underway?”
JAMES
