Page 57 of Escaping Pirates
He leaned forward. “Don’t play coy. It would be such a shame if you walked away and I was forced to reveal where Prince Jameson is located. Mercenaries would pay a pretty penny for that sort of information, and Ebora is full of the sort of people who would love to ensure a body double stays on the throne.”
“You must be mistaken. I’ve never met any Prince Jameson, and I don’t know what you mean by a body double.”
He clicked his tongue several times. “Let’s not play games with each other. I thought we were past that.” From a drawer within his desk, Tyrone pulled out a horribly familiar corked bottle. The wax seal had been broken, but the majority of the crest was still visible. “A clever idea, but it isn’t just royalty that recognize his crest, you know. Where did he hide the ring to seal it? I believe my brother searches all those he takes aboard.”
“I have no idea what you’re talking about,” I answered. Each word was becoming more and more difficult.
Tyrone ignored my comment. The corner of his mouth curled upward. “Rather convenient that a common sailor just happens to have extensive knowledge of laws, negotiation, and trade routes, and has skill in combat and dancing, don’t you think?” He touched his nose where Harlan had broken it. “You can tell me, love.”
I remained silent. I had to protect Harlan, no matter the cost. How could I protect him against someone who already knew his identity?
“What do you want from me?”
“Barely anything at all,” he told me, his smile broadening into a leer. “Tomorrow night, you and I are going to a ball. If you help me close a few deals I need without any trouble, I will ensure that Harsh doesn’t harm Jameson in any way. But if you so much as breathe a word to anyone, Jameson dies. Have I made myself quite plain?”
Chills rippled through my body. “Yes,” I whispered.
Tyrone’s smile was all too shrewd. “There will be rules, of course.”
I balled and unballed my fist, hidden in my skirts. “Tell me.”
“You’re to stay at my side to help me close the deals. It’s just a few trade negotiations. I think you could vouch for my trustworthiness. Ebora is a pirate’s dream right now,” he went on. “They claim that they have a new government, but it is run by rebels, mutineers, and pirates just as trustworthy as myself. Their loyalty is bought cheaply.”
“I’ll help you,” I told him. “I’ll do whatever you say.”
It wouldn’t matter what I told Tyrone or any of his business associates. If I made it to the ball and alerted the guards, they would be able to move on rescuing Harlan immediately. Tyrone thought he could control me, but once I was on land, I would be able to run. I would be free. Icould help Harlan if I could get away and get the navy out looking immediately. Their ships had to be quicker than Tyrone’s.
Tyrone continued to watch me with an all-too-knowing smile on his face. “Do you recall how fast my flares burn?”
My dream of escaping faded. “I do.”
“So elegant,” he said. “A quick strike, a trail of smoke, then my accomplices miles and miles away know exactly what needs done. You see, light travels faster than any ship could, and I’ve already informed my brother of the situation, so he is perfectly placed to act.”
Goosebumps crawled up my skin.
“Imagine what would happen if things tomorrow don’t go exactly the way I intend them to.”
I tried to swallow, but my throat had become sticky. Would I be able to alert anyone while on land and have them arrest Tyrone before he could send the flare?
He spun one of his rings around his finger. “If I don’t return from the ball tomorrow,” he said, once again exhibiting his ability to somehow read my mind, “my crew will send up the flare. If you double-cross me in any way”—he snapped—“the flare goes up. You remember what the colors mean?”
“Gold is war, and red is secrets.”
“It’s so much more than that.” His voice was calm. Too calm. “Red meanstoact immediately. No questions, no hesitations. The second they see red, they finish the plan. Clean up any loose ends. Dump any bodies so they’re never found.”
My breath caught. “You wouldn’t.”
He stepped closer, his smile pleasant, as if we were discussing nothing more consequential than weather. “I don’t need to.Unlessyou give me reason. Like I said, you arefree to run. But you can’t choose the consequences. How many lives will you risk to save your own? It’s more than just Harlan’s life at risk. Your parents will pay as well.”
My head snapped up. How did he know my family? I couldn’t recall ever telling him anything about my past.
“You don’t remember me, do you?” he asked, running his finger around the rim of his goblet and watching me closely. “I met with your father, and he turned down one of my business propositions, but he introduced you and your mother to me before sitting down to negotiate.”
I was going to be sick. He knew too much about everyone. I didn’t remember him at all. Father had always introduced me in passing to those he met, but I couldn’t keep them straight.
“You’re bluffing,” I said, watching for any flicker of unease in his eyes, but they stayed just as dead as they’d always been.
“I don’t bluff,” he said gently. “I bargain. And I suggest you start holding up your end. You charm those buyers in port. Play nice with the right merchants. You say what I need said and you never,ever, run.”
