Page 19 of Of Magic and Rum
Harnessing my sliver of dignity, I push to my feet with my head held high and move toward the ladder. A hand bunches the back of my dress, and Jack slowly pulls me to the bench seat next to him.
“Vane, I’ve had a change of heart. I think—” Jack announces. “—we shall take most of your supplies instead.”
With precise timing, the sounds of numerous flintlocks cocking behind Vane and his crew echo against the wooden floorboards.
“What—” I blurt out, my stomach growing heavy.
Jack flings hair from my shoulder and grins. “I always have a plan, Anne. And I’m eternally grateful for you being such apivotalpart of it.”
“Youusedme. Made me think you were—” Heat flushes my chest, my fists rising still within the confines of the rope.
Jack presses a hand over both of mine and lowers them to my lap. “You make it sound so volatile. It would’ve never worked if you knew the plan. Think about it.”
“You’re done, Rackham. Fucking.Done. After this, I’ll make your life a living hell on the seas.” Vane stands at the ship’s edge with no sword or pistol at his waist now, his palms held up like the rest of his crew, surrendering.
Meanwhile, Jack’s crew rummages the deck, grabbing crates and bags to haul onto the approaching Revenge.
“Perhaps you will, Chuck. Perhaps you will. But it won’t be today, and it won’t be tomorrow. I’m leaving you with enough supplies to get back to Nassau. But it’snotenough to follow me and find another place to resupply.” Jack rests his chin in his palm. “Think that gives me a decent head start, wouldn’t you say? Especially since you have no clue where I’m headed.”
“I’ll be the last thing you see before you leave this world, Rackham. Mark my words,” Vane hisses, balling his hands into fists.
Jack puts a hand on the small of my back, ushering me to the bench across from him before plunging the oar into the water and turning us around. “If I had a ruby for every time I’ve heard that one, I’d not need to be a pirate.” He pauses, catching my gaze. “Still would, though.”
Vane roars into the wind, the sound so ear-splitting we can still hear it from the other side of the Revenge. Jack holds the dinghy steady near the rope ladder and yanks a dagger from his boot, pointing the tip of it at my wrists. “You going to try something foolish if I let you out of those?”
The universe knows I want to more than anything.
“I won’t. You have my word.” I lift my hands to shield myself as Jack lurches forward. “But, Jack. Since you’ve made it clear you have no intention of hurting me, I won’t hesitate to protect myself should that decision change.”
That kiss still burns against my lips, and I fight the urge to touch them. I force my focus on his eyes even though Iwantto look at his mouth.
“The same can go both ways, sweetheart. Do not take my generosity as a sign of weakness. And it’s why we’ll need to chat when everyone’s back on board.” With one quick tug of the dagger, Jack frees me from the binds.
“Everyone?” I rub my wrists and grab the ladder.
“It’s not only my decision whether you join our crew.” Jack holds out his hand. “Need a lift?”
His crew.
“I don’t need you—” I start, but his palm cups my ass and hoists me. When I toss him a glare, he grins at me like a damned fool—far too handsome for his own goodfool.
The deck is a flurry of activity, with everyone carting supplies to store away. I rub my sweating palms down the skirts of my dress, unsure what to do with myself. Mary appears within the sea of bodies, hurling burlap sacks, and I make a beeline for her.
“You,” I yell, pointing at Mary.
Mary drops the bag, her blue wide with remorse. “Anne,” she shouts, pushing past the grunting crew to get to me.
“What was all that talk about having each other’s backs?” Haughtily, I fold my arms.
Mary rests her hands on my shoulders and winces when I brush them away. “Youcantrust me, Anne. But the world of piracy is an entirely different world. You need to adapt. Wasn’t sure you could.”
Confusion and remorse settle over my brain like a dozen meddling gnats.
“You were testing me? How did you know Jack wouldn’t go through with it?”
Mary pulls on her hat’s brim. “Because it’s Jack. I was ninety percent certain he had something else in mind.”
“Ninety—” I flick my hands and turn away from her.
