She twisted her fingers together.Say yes.
He frowned. “I have a meeting today with the governor. I don’t like the thought of you sailing out for it without me.”
She held her breath while he turned to Griff. “In and out?” Griff nodded and her uncle faced her. “Don’t make me regret this.”
She dashed over and threw her arms around his neck with a little squeal. “I promise!”
“And Griff will be captaining.”
It didn’t matter. Tommy could captain for all she cared. The chance to find Read’s Revenge, to steal it out from under Thorne, was reward enough.
“We’re going?” Tommy looked between them all and Griff nodded. With a whoop, the boy threw his fist into the air.
“Go gather the crew. Tell them to meet at the docks. We sail in an hour.” Griff turned to her. “Do you have another rapier?”
She scoffed. “Of course.” Not as fine as the one she lost during Thorne’s attack, but it would do.
“Go get it.”
Minutes later, she sat next to him on his wagon. He slapped the reins and glanced over at her. “People may recognize you.”
She twisted her braid and tucked it up under her hat. How exhilarating it must have been for Mary Read back in the day. To stroll into town with no disguise. To not care if people recognized her.
“Thorne’s men may be watching us as we speak. If he follows us...”
“If he follows us, we lead him astray. Post extra men in the crow’s nest. We’ll need the extra eyes.” She stared ahead as they rode through town, refusing to meet the shocked gazes of onlookers as they careened by. “And we’ll have to be quick.”
He pulled the horses to a stop and gave instructions to a dock hand to take them to one of her uncle’s warehouses. Jumping to the ground, Samantha headed toward the great wooden docks and took in the ships there. Her uncle leased the spot at the end, his ships always ready to sail at a moment’s notice.
A large sloop floated there today. Similar in size to the brigantine and single-masted with fore and aft sails. She would handle similarly. Only seven guns per side. Didn’t matter. Even if outfitted with more cannons, the ship wouldn’t stand a chance against theReckoning.
Griff shouted orders and the men aboard jumped into action. Chaos marked the next half hour as crew poured onto the ship. Samantha did a walkabout, checking sheeting and rigging lines, inspecting pulleys, and running her hands across weathered wood. She was an old ship, but sturdy and sound.
Samantha glanced at the navy ships anchored in the river. Three brigantines. Not as flashy as theFalcon, but no surprise there. The government hadn’t many ships to spare these days. These three were likely commissioned from merchants.
Three ships. At least a hundred men each. Possibly double. Together, they would destroy any pirates they came across. Even Thorne couldn’t possibly stand a chance against that fleet. And what of her uncle? Could he continue to keep his anonymity?
She turned away from the scene and took a steadying breath. No use worrying about it right now. He’d spent the last decade evading capture, keeping his identity hidden. He’d have a plan.
He’d better.
Chapter Twenty-Four
Samantha adjusted herhat, pushing damp tendrils of hair from her forehead. Fair skies and steady winds had brought them to their destination ahead of schedule. She checked her map again and squinted at the shoreline.
“There.”
A small inlet. Same as on the map.
No need to track through the underbrush with the whole map in hand. They would go straight to the treasure. Less than a quarter mile from the beach.
Once the anchor dropped, the crew lowered both longboats. If—when—they found the treasure, they would bring it all back in one trip. In and out, just like Griff had said.
A barebones crew of three stayed aboard while the rest of the men piled into the boats. The energy buzzing through them filled the air as they rowed to shore. They dragged the boats high on the beach and Griff set a hand on her shoulder.
“After you.”
Her heart pounded. “I wish my parents were here.”
