“Someone’s gutted the captain!” one of the naval officers screamed.
More shouts and shrieks rent the air as the naval crew flew into a panic.
There was no hope for it. He spun his head to shout at her over his shoulder. “Run!”
His palm tight against hers, Percy ran, cutting down any pirate who dared get in his path. Butcher stood against the bulwark at the fo’c’sle, his broad back to them. He couldn’t hesitate. He had one chance to make this plan work, or they were all dead, Heather—and perhaps his unborn babe—included.
Fuck. His gut twisted. Heather was going to hate him.
On swift feet they neared Butcher, and Percy set his plan into action. In a smooth series of movements, he released Heather’s hand to retrieve the blunderbuss he’d tucked into his slops, then tossed his satchel to the deck. Without a moment’s hesitation, he swept forward to tuck his blade beneath Butcher’s chin and his blunderbuss to the bastard’s temple, the man well and truly caught.
He sucked in a deep breath and let out a shrill whistle, garnering the attention of the men directly around them. “Ring the bell,” Percy bellowed.
A growl went through Butcher, his body taut as a bowstring and veritably vibrating with the force of his fury. “I know you,” he rumbled.
Percy ignored the bastard, feeling the other pirates’ gazes burning into his back. But they didn’t dare interfere when their captain’s life was in Percy’s hands.
Bong, bong, bong, bong.The bell rang, and the sounds of battle subsided as all eyes turned Percy’s way.No hesitation.
Percy’s grip tightened on the blunderbuss as Butcher gripped his shirtfront.
Bang!
Percy pulled the trigger, the blunderbuss backfiring in his hand with a flash of light. But Butcher went down. His head whipped sideways, propelling his body overboard and tearing Percy’s ill-fitting shirt from his frame. Percy let him fall to the ocean with a heavy splash, while he remained on board, entirely bare-chested.
Fuck.
A low murmur went through the conscious men, while those nearby took several steps back.
“There will be no more fighting!” Percy hollered, his voice carrying. He gritted his teeth against the surge of fear and trepidation that threatened to overtake him at what he knew must come next. “Some of you know me. But for those of you who do not, I am Percival Baxter, and I am taking over this ship.”
CHAPTER 10
It’s him.
Heather’s heart slammed against her ribs, her pulse drumming in her ears and throbbing at her throat as she stared at Percy’s bared skin.
It may have been dark, but she’d seen those tattoos before—the anchor and rope that stretched across his broad, muscular chest and abdomen, surrounded by swallows in flight. And when he’d turned around that night, the moonlight had clearly delineated a skull and bones, inked over the entirety of his back… Indeed, she would recognize them anywhere.
Heat suffused her cheeks, even while a cold chill raced down her spine. Did Percyknow? If he didn’t, surely she must tell him… Her heart hiccoughed, and her stomach grew fraught with nerves.
Hell’s teeth, she’d had sex with Percy.
As though he’d heard her thoughts, his gaze swung to meet hers over his shoulder. And it was there, in the heat of his dark glance, the way his gaze dipped to her toes and raked up her body, as though seeing through her clothes to the blushing skin beneath.The cad. Her inner muscles clenched as though in memory of their tryst, and she cursed her body’s reaction.
The blackguard had known all this time, and he’d said nothing to her! While the opportunities hadn’t been plentiful, they’d spoken privately several times over the past weeks, and yet he’d said naught.Why?
He broke their heated stare with a wink, and to Heather’s irritation, warmth gathered at the apex of her thighs. To her credit, the man was decidedly stunning in the midday sun, his suntanned skin glistening from the exertion of battle and his muscles bunched with tension, as though prepared for attack.Blimey.
No, Heather! He lied to you, drat it.
Indeed. She ought to be displeased. A sigh escaped her, and the tension that had suddenly gathered in her shoulders eased a little. His revealing the truth would have served little purpose. She’d gotten what she’d wanted: an anonymous tryst at a masquerade.
“Now—and only now—will I give you a choice,” Percy boomed. “The pirates that don’t wish to sail under my command may leave. And any of Sir Willard’s crew that wish to join mine may do so now.”
Both crews were captivated by Percy’s speech, their eyes wide with a mix of astonishment and horror. He’d implied the men would know him as Percival Baxter, and while she’d been made aware of his prior position at sea, Heather failed to comprehend the significance of the announcement.
There was a low murmur from the men before Percy’s voice cut it off. “But…if I hear even a breath of mutiny, I’ll slit your fucking throats.”
