Yeah, I’m probably moments away from getting skewered. I don’t need to know Silverbeard personally to know he’s weighing how much pain he can squeeze out of me before I break. But here’s the thing—I don’t care. Not with Gypsy standing right next to him.
Ah, Gypsy. That look in her eyes? She thinks she’s hiding it, the way she stands there all stone-faced, arms crossed like she’s just watching another fight play out. But I see it. That flicker of worry, the brief flash of fear she can’t quite bury. She’s always trying to act like I’m some reckless fool she couldn’t care less about, like all the sex between us means nothing. But no one’s that cold. Not even her.
And that’s the kicker, isn’t it? She can pretend all she wants that she’s got nothing to lose, that she doesn’t feel anything when I walk into sure death, but that spark in her eyes tells me everything. She doesn’t want me dead.
Silverbeard’s still grinning, taking his time, like he enjoys watching me sweat. But there’s no sweat. Not on me. I meet his gaze with that same cocky smirk, as if I’ve already played this hand and won. He doesn’t know that the one thing sharper than his blade is my nerve. I’ve walked through hell before, and I’ll do it again if it means keeping her from drowning in this mess.
“Silverbeard,” I say, tipping my head like I’m greeting an old friend, even though I’m ready for that sword of his to flash any second. “How about we skip the theatrics, yeah? I’m not here for a fight. Just came here to talk.”
“Talk?” He grins wider, a cold, empty smile. “Didn’t I just hear you spill everything I need to know? You’re the damn scurvy dog sneaking around with my daughter.”
The entire tavern seems to shift, as though the walls themselves are leaning in to watch. It must look worse than bad. I don’t even want to think about the mayhem that will result from what I’m about to do. A Marauder openly admitting to sleeping with Silverbeard’s daughter.
Fuck. If I don’t die here, then Roche is bound to kill me instead. There’s no easy way out for me anymore.
But I keep my smirk, eyes locked on Silverbeard. “Sneaking?” I scoff, stepping forward just a bit. “You make it sound like something shameful. But I suppose your idea of sneaking looks a lot like mine of having a little… fun.”
Gypsy tenses, arms still crossed, but her eyes are wide with panic. She glances between me and her father, knowing full well what I just did.
Silverbeard’s grin fades, his glare sharp enough to cut through bone. He’s deciding whether gutting me here would be worth the bloodshed.
“I’m just a man, Silverbeard,” I say, casual as you please. “You’re free to kill me if that’s what’ll settle your nerves.” A lie, of course. I’m not going down without a fight. “But your daughter? She’s as wild as the sea itself.”
His eyes narrow, and I know better than to compare her to The Lady. He’s touchy about the topic.
“Pick your next words wisely, boy,” he warns, voice like a razor’s edge. “Or I’ll cut out your tongue before I gut you.”
And there it is, the moment of truth. If these next words don’t get me killed by Silverbeard, they’ll surely have Gypsy seeing red.
“I’ve got a proposition,” I say, glancing her way. Her eyes widen, cheeks flush crimson. She’s already gripping her pistol, but it’s when she raises it to aim at me that I know she’s onto my plan.
“Silence your tongue, Zayan Cagney,” she snaps, “or I’ll silence it myself.”
Now we’re talking. Her little outburst just made this even more interesting. She doesn’t realize it, but she’s just sweetened the deal.
“Think you’re in a position to bargain, boy?” Silverbeard growls. His eyes flick to Gypsy. “Don’t kill him, girl.”
“Maybe,” I say, my tone unwavering. “I’ve got something you might find… useful.”
“Don’t listen to him, Silver,” Gypsy snaps. “He’s a Marauder. Lies are what he does best.”
The crew mutters in agreement, but I chuckle.
“How about you let your captain decide that, eh?”
The growls die down, all eyes turning to Silverbeard. But I’m not watching him anymore—I’m watching her. Damn it, I should be proving myself to him, but I can’t take my eyes off her. That fire in her eyes, the way her lips press into that tight line… it’s maddening.
She’s had me on a leash ever since that night I snuck aboard the Serpents’ ship. Any other pirate would’ve turned me in. Hell, any sane one would’ve run a blade through my gut. But her? She ordered me to please her. And I did. Not because I was caught, but because I wanted to. Now? I’d risk Roche’s fury, the fragile truce between our crews, all of it... for her.
Not that she’s ready to hear it. She wouldn’t even believe a fraction of what I feel.
“Speak, then,” Silverbeard’s voice booms, snapping me back to reality. I tear my eyes off her, finally meeting his gaze. “But waste my time, and I’ll have you feeding the fish before the tide turns.”
“This is ridiculous,” Gypsy mutters, her frustration pouring out in every movement. I see the twitch of her fingers near her gun, doubt flickering in her eyes. She’s probably cursing herself for ever trusting me. I can’t blame her. But it’s too late to change a damn thing now.
Silverbeard’s watching her too. He knows. He’s seen the cracks, the way she hesitates. That’s why I’m still standing here, breathing. He hates the Marauders, no doubt, but he’s willing to hear me out—for her. The fact that she might want me dead is the very thing keeping me alive.
“I think we’d better talk in private,” I say, lifting my chin. He’s not surprised. A man like him doesn’t get blindsided.
