Her eyes narrowed and she yanked her arm free. “We didn’t come this far to turn back. Not when it’s within grasp.”
“And where might this fabled treasure lie?”
With a grin, she pointed out over the water. To a cave. If one could call the dark cavity a cave. Barely room enough for a head to fit through. He shuddered.
“You can’t seriously think to go in there?”
One copper brow arched. “Afraid of the dark, Lieutenant?”
She had no idea.
Red didn’t wait for his answer and climbed down the bank. “Griff, bring the supplies.”
The old man picked up a rag-wrapped torch and handed it to her along with a little box. She pulled a bit of twine from her pocket and attached the box to the top of the torch.
When she stepped in the water, Christian shifted on his feet. Too many variables could go wrong.
“Red.”
She twisted to face him. “Feel free to join me, Lieutenant. I’m feeling generous enough to share.”
His gut twisted. “No thank you.”
With a shrug, she began to wade out. “Your loss.”
The cabin boy clambered down the bank and splashed into thewater. “Can I go?”
She nodded. “We have to move fast. There’s only a small window before the tide rises and the passage is underwater again.
Griff pursed his lips together. “Be careful.”
The water reached Red’s shoulders and she held the top of the torch out of the water. She swam to the steep wall of limestone and peered into the cave.
“Wish us luck.”
He didn’t miss the way she nibbled on her bottom lip.
Thorne glared at her from his spot at Isaac’s side. His first officer nodded toward the cave as she ducked her head into the shadows. “They shouldn’t go alone.”
Clearly.
When Christian didn’t move, Isaac met his gaze. “Should I go, Lieutenant?”
Damn it. He should let the officer go. Isaac would keep her safe. Still...
“No. Stay here with the prisoners.”
Red and Tommy disappeared from view, and his stomach gave a little lurch. Now or never.
Christian unbuttoned his jacket and threw it to the ground. Before he could talk himself out of it, he scrambled down the bank and splashed into the water, sheathing his sword into his scabbard. When the water lapped against his chest, he turned back.
“If we’re not back in a quarter hour, send someone after us.”
Isaac nodded and Christian pushed off the bottom and kicked out to the crevice. “Red?”
Her name echoed back.
Tilting his head to the side, he slipped under the rocky overhang. The soft lap of water against the walls reverberated in his ears and his pulse began to pound. Shadows gave way to pitch black as he edged deeper into the cave. Treading water, he lifted a hand and brushedagainst the stone overhead. So little space.
