Romancing the Pirate (28 page)

The door swung open suddenly and Sam strode in, followed by Luke.

“Oh,” she said, stumbling to a stop. “We’ll just wait outside.”

She turned to grab Luke’s arm but Blake moved faster.

“Don’t bother,” he said, his hard gaze slapping Alicia. “We’re finished anyhow.” He turned to Luke. “What time do you want me on the ship?”

Luke looked from Alicia to Blake. “I want to get there before he does. Come early.”

Blake nodded. “I will.”

“And come armed,” Luke added.

Blake nodded. “I’d planned to.”

And without another look or word to Alicia, he stepped out of the door and out of her life.

Evening couldn’t come fast enough for Blake. With Nate and Vincent gone, and his crew enjoying the last of their time onshore, the
Blue Rose
had been painfully quiet all day. Blake had been left with far too much time to think and too many memories to haunt him. He couldn’t take a step anywhere on his ship without seeing Alicia standing there. He’d heard her voice in the breath of wind that swirled between the masts, and when he’d leaned over the gunwale, it wasn’t the sea he smelled, it was oranges.

Every breath he took hurt, a pain he’d only ever felt once before. When he’d carried Eric’s body home.

Now he’d lost yet another person he loved. He’d been so sure he’d finally found someone who understood him, understood his tie to the sea.

What he hadn’t expected was to find a woman who made him feel complete, only to have her turn away. Turn away and rip his heart out in the same swoop.

“She knew who I was, dammit,” he reasoned, slapping his hand against the side of his ship. The gull that was perched down the gunwale from where Blake stood ruffled its feathers and took flight. Blake watched the bird glide over the gently rippling bay as though it hadn’t a care in the world.

Then, because he couldn’t stand his own company any longer and it was close enough to the time to leave, Blake gathered his weapons, climbed into the boat, and rowed toward shore. Joe, Aidan, and Luke were waiting for him.

“I see you’re prepared,” Luke acknowledged, nodding his head toward the pistol and sword that Blake carried.

Blake couldn’t help grinning at Luke’s arsenal. Luke’s sword hung from his side; he had two pistols tucked into his sash and a musket in each hand. Luke ran his tongue around his teeth, clearly enjoying himself.

“It’s been a while, mate. I’m looking forward to this. In fact, you don’t need to come at all.”

Blake shook his head. “I want to be there. This isn’t only about Samantha. He threatened Alicia as well.”

“Fair enough. Joe and Aidan will row us there. That way there won’t be any boats tied alongside to scare him off.”

“And if he’s watching us now?” Joe asked.

Luke shrugged. “I trust he’ll be greedy enough to come anyway.”

Blake helped push the longboat out, chuckling at the extra arsenal that lay in its bottom.

“How will we get back?”

“I’ll light the lantern at the bow when we’re finished. Joe can come get us then.”

The row across was made quickly and soon the boat tapped the
Freedom’s
side. Luke went first, the chains around his neck jingling as he stepped out and climbed on his ship. Blake was right behind him. Joe and Aidan passed the extra weapons up to Luke before climbing onto the deck.

“Are ye sure ye don’t need me to stay? Aidan can take the boat back.”

Aidan glared at Joe.

“Thanks, Joe. But we’re all right.”

“Best watch yerselves, then. We don’t know who this is, or how far he’ll go to get what he wants.”

“Let me tell you just how far I’ll go,” a voice said from the quarterdeck. The hatch slammed open and four huge black men, all carrying pistols, stepped onto the deck. Luke spun around at the same time as Blake, weapons raised and ready. Blake’s eyes cut to the man who walked easily off the quarterdeck. His head spun at the reality.

“Lewis?”

“Miss me?” Lewis asked, looking smug as he stood beside his men, who, as far as Blake could tell, had no necks to speak of.

Luke didn’t move his head, nor his weapon.

“Blake, who is this?”

Lewis spoke before Blake could answer. “Allow me. My name is Lewis Grant. I believe your lovely wife knew my father, Oliver Grant. In fact,” he added with a laugh when Luke growled, “I believe they knew each other very well.”

From there, it all happened in the blink of an eye.

Luke and Blake cocked their pistols. Joe lunged for the weapons at his feet. Aidan screamed a warning.

A shot pierced the air.

“Aidan!” Joe yelled.

Luke spun around. Blake’s stomach fell to his knees. Luke dropped his weapon and raced to the boy, who lay deathly still and pale on deck. Blood stained his shoulder.

“Son,” Luke said, placing a hand on his uninjured shoulder. “Aidan!” he yelled.

Aidan’s eyes fluttered open. Luke’s heavy sigh matched Joe’s. His hands pressed against the boy’s cheeks, lingered, then moved to his shoulder. He untied his sash from his waist and the pistols clunked to the deck.

“You’ll be fine, son,” Luke promised.

“Step away from him, Bradley,” Lewis ordered.

“He’s hurt,” Luke answered, not moving from Aidan’s side.

Blake saw Lewis nod to one of the men he’d come with. The man lifted his musket. Blake ran to Luke, yanked him upright.

“What the blazes? Let go of me, man!” Luke demanded as he shoved at Blake.

Blake held fast to Luke’s arm, pulled him closer, and spoke low. “He threatened Samantha, Luke. If something happens to us, who’s to stop them from going after her and Alicia?”

Luke’s mouth tightened, but he nodded and stopped struggling. Blake let him go. Luke turned to Joe, pushed the sash closer with the toe of his boot.

“Keep pressure on it, Joe.”

“Aye,” Joe agreed.

“Tell me, Bradley. Did you show this much concern when my father lay dying at your feet?” Lewis asked. Unarmed, save for the group of men that had his back, Lewis strode casually toward Luke. He stopped when they were nose to nose. “Should I show you the same mercy you showed him?”

“He deserved everything that happened to him,” Luke growled.

Blake’s breath knotted in his chest. What the hell was Luke doing? They couldn’t afford to be stupid, dammit.

But Lewis only laughed. “Luckily, Bradley, I agree with you. Still,” he said, reaching down and taking Luke’s weapons from the deck, “I suppose it should be a son’s duty to avenge his father’s death.”

“I didn’t kill him.”

“Nor, I’m sure, did you mourn him.”

Blake cringed. Don’t say it, he begged silently. Please don’t say it.

Luke’s lip curled. “I danced over his body.”

“As I thought,” Lewis said, turning from Luke.

Blake released the breath he’d been holding. But it was premature. Using one of Luke’s own pistols, Lewis spun around and brought the weapon down hard across Luke’s face.

Luke’s head shot back from the force. He staggered, one hand on his cheek and the other searching for support. Blake reached for Luke. He dropped his hand when Lewis’s cold gaze met his. Luke fell to his knees.

Lewis looked from his men to Blake. Blake understood and made no further move. If he did, Lewis wouldn’t hesitate to hurt him as well, or rather, one of his men would. Blake wouldn’t risk it. He knew they were in trouble, and it was going to intensify once Lewis realized they hadn’t brought any gold along.

They had hoped to come early, to catch the blackmailer unaware and instill enough fear, or pain, into him that he’d go back where he came from. With Nate posing as Steele, there was no real threat to Samantha’s freedom any longer. Coming here tonight had really been more about taking a stand and letting whoever it was know that Luke and Samantha, and by association, Blake and Alicia, wouldn’t lie down when they were threatened. They’d been prepared to do battle, but they hadn’t anticipated that there was more in play than greed. They certainly hadn’t planned on being caught unaware. From the moment they’d stepped on deck, they’d been at a disadvantage. And with Luke and Aidan hurt, the disadvantage was growing at an alarming rate.

“I’m tempted to shoot you now,” Lewis said to Luke, “but it would ruin the rest of my plans.” He knelt down, forced Luke’s head up by pressing the pistol under his chin. “And I have such wonderful plans. Plans that involve your lovely wife.”

Luke muttered oaths. Lewis grinned and stood. Then with a snarl, he pulled his foot back and kicked Luke solidly in the ribs.

Luke collapsed to the deck.

“Mother of God,” Joe cursed.

Blake held his tongue, though his hand tightened around his pistol. He didn’t dare use it, however, not when he had only one shot.

Lewis laughed and the sound slithered down Blake’s spine. As though he sensed it, Lewis moved to stand in front of Blake. Arrogance poured from Lewis’s gaze as he glared at his former captain.

“Underestimated me, didn’t you? Thought I was nothing but a useless deckhand. Well, if I haven’t proven you wrong yet, let me assure you that I will before the night is through.” His teeth looked small in his mouth when he laughed, and it took all of Blake’s will not to lunge for him. Only the thought of what lay ahead, what Lewis was capable of with those four men behind him, kept Blake silent and rooted to the deck.

“Nothing to say, Blake?” He tsked. “You disappoint me. Thought after all the bullying you did on your ship that you’d have some words for me. But you’re not so confident now, are you?” He leaned forward, eyes narrowed. “You owe me. And I’m not going anywhere until I collect
everything
that’s coming to me.”

He stepped back, inhaled deeply. His hands came to rest on Luke’s pistols, which he’d tucked into the waist of his trousers.

“Now,” he said. “Where’s my gold?”

“Sam, stop pacing, it’s making me dizzy.”

Her sister stopped long enough to spare her a glance. “Well, if you’d try the food I prepared for you, then you’d be too busy eating to watch me pace.”

Alicia sighed, looked down at the melon, oranges, and apples her sister had cut for her. It was all beautifully arranged and very colorful, yet Alicia had no appetite. She set the plate onto the side table.

“I’m not hungry.”

“Alicia, you didn’t eat supper. You need to feed the baby.”

Because she knew Sam was right, she took a wedge of apple and sank her teeth into it. Sam nodded her approval, then went to the window and pulled back the curtain.

“It’s too dark to see anything.” She turned to Alicia. “How do you suppose it’s going?”

“I wish I knew.” Alicia finished her fruit and went to the window, taking the curtain from Sam and drawing it open farther. The darkness prevented her from seeing anything but her reflection and those of the candles that Sam had lit around the parlor.

“I thought Sam Steele was long gone, that it couldn’t hurt me anymore,” Sam said.

The distress in her sister’s voice tugged at Alicia. Sam was always so strong, so sure of herself.

Alicia let the curtain float back into place and took Sam’s hand. “It’ll be over soon. Then you needn’t worry any longer. Luke and Blake will take care of everything. And with Nate being Steele, it’s over.”

Sam shook her head and something in her eyes made Alicia’s belly clutch.

“I don’t know, Alicia. I have a very bad feeling. Right here,” she said, pressing a fist below her heart.

“They’re fine,” Alicia repeated, as much to reassure Sam as herself.

Lewis’s nostrils expanded along with his chest. “What do you mean you didn’t bring me any gold?”

Though Blake kept his gaze firmly on Lewis, he could see Luke out of the corner of his eye. Luke struggled to stand, and though he wavered and cursed, he managed to stay on his feet. Blake could only hope that they’d all be so lucky before this was through.

“It’s not here,” Blake said, trying for extra time. If they were going to get out of the mess they were in, then Blake needed time to think of a plan. “It’s on my ship.”

“Really?” Lewis asked in a syrupy voice that Blake didn’t trust. “Shall I simply wait here while you fetch it?” Laughing, he turned to his men and gave a sharp nod. One of them strolled forward.

“Show this man what happens when I’m lied to.”

Blake braced for it, but the fist that connected with his face felt like a cannon blast. His head rang with it, and a fiery pain ripped across his cheek. For a moment the deck of the ship rose and fell on a wave of dizziness.

“I’m through listening to your lies. You show me the gold I came for or not only will you regret it, but so will your precious Alicia.”

Night had fallen fast, and though the lanterns hadn’t been lit, the huge moon cast enough light for Blake to see the man wasn’t lying. The problem was Blake was out of ideas. He looked to Joe. He still had a thick fist filled with sash pressed into Aidan’s shoulder. The boy’s eyes were closed and Blake wasn’t sure if he was resting or unconscious.

“Restin’,” Joe confirmed without being asked. But his face was drawn, and in it, Blake read the urgency. Aidan needed a doctor.

“I wouldn’t bother keeping the wound from bleeding. None of you will be leaving this ship alive.”

Blake’s blood ran cold while sweat beaded on his upper lip. There had to be a way out. They couldn’t let Lewis get to Alicia and Samantha. Despite their argument earlier, Blake loved Alicia and he’d give his last breath protecting her. He looked to Luke. The former pirate had a trail of blood running from his temple, his face was pinched, and he couldn’t quite stand upright. He didn’t look as though he could manage another fight.

“We’ll get it, whatever you want,” Blake said with his attention once again on Lewis.

Lewis grinned. “Oh, I’ll get what I want, what I came for, and what I deserve. I’d always planned to. Your mistake, Blake, is thinking I need you alive to get it.”

“We know where it is,” Luke said.

Lewis turned to Luke. “So does your wife, I’m sure.”

Luke snarled. “I’ll kill you before I let you get near her.”

“You won’t have a choice,” Lewis answered. He pretended to yawn. “This is getting tedious. You and you,” he said, pointing to the two biggest men, “stay here. Feel free to hurt them, but leave them alive. I’d like to witness their final moments. I can’t think of a better way to end a day. You two,” he said to the remaining men, “come with me.”