Page 83 of Escaping Pirates
Korth chewed his tongue. “Let’s make sure you’re paid, then. Come on.”
He led her away, the two of them disappearing into the captain’s quarters. When they re-emerged minutes later, Gil had a self-satisfied smile and a small chest in her hands, its weight unmistakable.
She tested the weight and gave Korth a short nod. Then, turning back to me and Harlan she grinned.
“You know,” she said, jerking her head back at Korth, “people get real particular about where their gold comes from. But at the end of the day, it all shines the same whether it was ill-gotten or hard-earned.”
I raised an eyebrow. “You have enough there for a lifetime. Do you plan to ever stop?”
“I did a job and got paid, and no, I have no intention ofstopping.” Gil’s eyes glinted. “I’m not here to save the world. I just make sure I’m on the winning side when it counts.” She paused and smirked. “And today? That side happened to be yours. Enjoy.”
With a casual salute, Gil turned and strode off toward the stern, her jacket catching the wind like a flag.
CHAPTER 31
Harlan and I were questioned until almost dawn. We answered everything we could: names, places, orders we’d overheard, and every deal Tyrone and Harsh had coordinated. After the questioning, I’d been offered a bed, but instead elected to take the longest bath I’d ever had, during which I painstakingly removed every bit of tar and blood from my body.
I stood on deck near the railing, looking out at the sea, which looked pale pink in the early morning as the sun rose. For the first time since my capture, it looked tranquil and beautiful. At my side, Harlan spoke with Korth, his voice calm but firm.
“I want the prisoners taken to Berkway,” he said. “They’ll stand trial there.”
Korth didn’t argue. “I assumed as much. The transfer paperwork’s already being drawn up.”
My chest tightened at the words.Stand trial.They would finally be held accountable for their actions and face judgment.
Justice was coming.
I hadn’t realized how deeply I needed that or how much I’d feared that none of this wouldend. For so long, I’d dreamed that we would crawl out of our nightmare, but each time I’d begun to hope, it seemed like the world had turned a blind eye, the way it always had for men like Tyrone and Harsh. But not this time.
I let out a breath that carried the weight of all my months of captivity. It felt like laying down a burden I’d carried too far and for too long.
Korth left, leaving just Harlan and me in the quiet of the deck as the ship sailed on toward Berkway. Toward freedom.
The sea stretched out in all directions, an endless, glittering canvas, brushed in hues of rose gold and pale lavender. Dawn had just crested the horizon, and the world felt hushed. It was all so peaceful and calming.
I drew in a deep breath, letting the salty air fill my lungs. My hands rested on the railing, fingers spread wide against the weather-worn wood. The deck beneath my feet shifted gently with the movement of the waves, steady and predictable. There were no shouting voices, no angry orders, no footsteps pounding overhead.
Behind me, the hum of crewmen carried softly on the wind. Orders were called out in calm tones, boots moving with purpose instead of anger. Somewhere to the stern, a sailor was whistling a cheerful tune.
It felt like waking up from a nightmare and realizing the world still existed.
Harlan stood at my side, close enough that I could feel the heat of him through his coat. He didn’t say anything at first, just leaned on the railing, his expression relaxed.
“Look,” he said quietly, nodding toward the horizon.
I drew a breath.
There, faint but real, was the curve of land. Jagged cliffsinterspersed with green hills. Berkway. For a long time, Harlan and I watched hungrily as the shore grew closer and more distinguishable. Enormous stone arches supporting massive aqueducts ran from the mountains to the villages below. The capital gleamed in the distance, castle spires just catching the sun. Flags fluttered from the highest turrets.
“We’re really almost there.” It all seemed so surreal.
Harlan followed my gaze, his expression unreadable for a moment. Then he nodded. “We made it.”
A burst of angry shouting came from below deck. Korth had packed all the pirates into all his ship’s brigs more tightly than Father packed goods into his crates. The one time I’d peeked in, I’d seen arms and legs sticking out between the bars.
“Sounds like they aren’t enjoying their captivity very much,” I said with a small laugh.
“Good,” Harlan said with relish. “I hope they have the worst time of their lives. I hope Sugar and Blossom have their noses wedged into Steele’s armpits.”
