Page 25 of Pirate's Intent
Big Devil peered at him in distrust for a moment before he waved several rats forward to escort Thomas to him. Though Charles went to stop them, Thomas stayed him with a sharp shake of his head and went to their foe.
“Here it is.” He handed over a brooch similar to the one Big Devil sought then pulled out a small scroll. “Ye will need this too, of course.”
Big Devil inspected the brooch, which was a touch more glamorous than the real one, then frowned in confusion at the scroll. So Thomas explained. “It is a royal seal of authenticity for the brooch.” He gave Big Devil a look that said he should already know this. “You understand that without this, the brooch is worthless.”
Big Devil looked from him to the scroll before he snatched it from Thomas. “Aye, I know that.”
He unrolled it and looked it over as though he understood what he was looking at. As though he could actually read. Then he handed it off to the beady-eyed man from the tavern who read it over and nodded with approval.
“What about your holdings and worldly goods?” Big Devil went on. “Where are they, and what proof do I have that ye gave them to me?” His eyes narrowed. “And what of yer brother? What will he say about all this?”
“I do not care what he has to say.” He kept his eyes purposefully deadpan as if perhaps he and Luke had a falling out. “All I care about is keeping the woman and my men safe.”
Big Devil teetered a bit, definitely drunk, which was a blessing. Everyone knew he got especially greedy after too much rum.
Thomas handed over another scroll, larger than the first. “This gives you rights not only to the few ships I have left in New Providence, but my various holdings and treasure stashed about.”
Big Devil’s brow inched up. “Treasure ye say?”
“Several years’ worth actually,” he revealed.
“Ye don’t say,” Big Devil murmured, again scanning over a document he could not read before handing it to the man who could. Again, his rat nodded with approval after reading it over. He winked at Big Devil and grinned, signaling that they had struck gold.
“Aye.” Thomas nodded. “I am leavin’ ye a very wealthy man, indeed.” He shrugged. “If that is, ye agree to the terms.”
Big Devil took several long gulps of rum, eyeing Thomas all the while before he lowered the bottle, and his gaze swept over his and Thomas’s men. “I could just as easily take all of it from ye.” He shrugged. “My men outnumber yours.” A deviant leer curled his mouth. He scanned the area for signs of Rose. “And that is a luscious wee poppet ye stole from me.”
“Doyer men outnumber mine, though?” Thomas cocked a brow then raised his arm to signal it was time. Dozens of men formed on the ridge above. “And I’ve plenty more where they came from.” He winked. “Don’t believe me? Next time ye see Blackbeard, ask him how many of his men’s loyalty I won over in a card game when last I was on this island.”
It was a truly risky thing to cross Blackbeard. So would Big Devil call Thomas's bluff? Or was the risk too great? Thomas could only hope for the latter. Because as it stood, those were hired men all.
Big Devil took another long swig, considered the men above for a stretch then shrugged. No doubt, thanks to the booze, he gave in easy and raised his bottle in the air. “Salute then, Thomas. I accept your parlay. We have a deal!” He wiped rum from his mouth with the back of his hand, belched, and shrugged again. “Ye killed a few of my men and cost me a ship,” he slurred, a callous lout until the end, “but bloody hell, we’ve made a good deal, so come drink with me!”
“Sorry, Cap’n.” He shook his head. “Thanks for the invitation, but me and mine will be setting sail soon to get the wee lass home, aye?”
Big Devil barrel laughed and shook his head the whole way back down the dock, roaring, “Who cares where the bloody hell the wench ends up!”
Thomas clenched his fists, wishing he could have sliced a blade across Big Devil’s throat but knew this was the best way it could have gone. This ensured Rose’s safety down the line rather than just right now. Because their enemy had a long arm and rumor of this would reach pirate ears. Best that it stop here. Let Big Devil have the final say, so to speak.
So Thomas headed for the woodland again only for the last thing he expected to happen. Something that could remind Big Devil what he was giving up and change his mind.
ChapterTen
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THOUGH SHE HAD THOUGHTbeing captured by pirates was the most terrifying thing that had ever happened to her, watching Thomas fight then walk right up to Big Devil was even worse. So the moment he strolled away from the monster and headed her way, Rose raced over and threw her arms around him.
“What are youdoinghere,” he growled, scooping her up. He strode into the woodland. “Where thebloodyhell are the men I had watching you?”
“It is not their fault.” She offered a devious little grin. “As it turns out, I really am very good at what I do.”
When he frowned in question, she shrugged. “I had to make sure you were all right, so I became a spy and snuck out the window.”
“And are you satisfied?” he grumbled, still upset. “Anything could have happened to you, woman.”
“But it did not,” she murmured, understanding that his anger came from caring about her. He had always cared. She wrapped her arms more firmly around his neck, content with him carrying her when she could walk just fine. “What you did with that brooch was very clever.” She eyed him curiously. “And quite premeditated, I’d say.”
“Luke and I tried to account for everything.” He plunked her down near a small pond surrounded by red cedar trees, goldenrod, cattails with flowering spikes as well as a variety of vine-covered bushes. “I wish to wash away the battle. If you want to bathe as well, I suggest you do so now. It may be your last opportunity for some time.” He pulled off his shirt. “The men are loading the ship with fresh supplies. It is best that we move along lest Big Devil change his mind.”
