Chapter Eleven
Agentle rockingwoke Samantha. She rolled to her side with a groan, taking a deep breath. The scent of stagnant water and mildew hung heavy in the damp air and her eyes watered. Darkness cloaked her and she blinked, trying to get her bearings.
The faint light from a lantern swinging in the corner of the small room reflected off the bars of a cell. She pushed to a sitting position. Good God, she was in a brig. Sucking in another breath, she choked on the pungent air.
She pulled herself up and shook the door. Locked. Her fingers trembled around the cold iron. Whose ship was she on?
Stumbling back, she looked around the cramped cell. Nothing but an empty bucket in the corner. Another cell connected to hers. Her chest constricted and she pressed her eyes shut.Don’t panic.
Exhaling slowly, she let the vibrations speak to her. The ship cut through the waves with heavy confidence. Each swell rolled straight up through her feet. A subtle groan came from deep within the hull and she reckoned all the sails were set. They were moving fast, and this was a big ship. Perhaps a frigate.
Her brow furrowed. Who else had frigates other than the navy? Had Christian’s men captured her? Perhaps he had guards on his property. But why take her to sea? It didn’t make sense.
And the man who had grabbed her, his voice had been coarse, thick with a West Indies accent. Doubtful the lieutenant would even be allowed to hire on foreign nationals with his government position.
Samantha skimmed her fingers over the side of her head andwinced at the tender bump there. Whoever had her, they were not friends. Which meant she needed to get out. Her fingers continued into her hair and she frowned. They’d taken her hair pins. So much for picking the lock.
The thud of footsteps came from overhead and a trapdoor above a ladder swung open. Samantha swallowed and backed away from the bars, her heart slamming in her chest. A boot came into view, followed by a giant of a man.
“You’re awake.” His deep voice shook her.
She stared. How could she not? His head nearly hit the ceiling. And he was shirtless. The lantern light shone off the deeply bronzed skin covering one of the most heavily muscled torsos she’d ever seen.
When her gaze made it to his face, a gasp lodged itself in her throat. Pitch black lines snaked in heavy swirls over his cheek and forehead. The tattoo continued down his shoulder and ended wrapped around one huge bicep. A gold hoop shimmered from one ear.
“Capt’n wants to speak with you.”
Samantha’s throat had gone dry and she couldn’t form any words. The man shrugged and pulled out a ring with two keys. She shrank against the wall while he unlocked her door.
He swung it open and raised a black brow as she stood frozen in place. “I don’t mind throwing you over my shoulder if I must.”
His laugh boomed through the room and Samantha forced her feet into motion.
“Who is your captain?” Her voice didn’t waver and she drew strength from that. She was a pirate. Whatever this captain wanted with her, she could negotiate.
The man laughed again. “You’ll find out soon enough.”
She narrowed her eyes. “And what about you? What’s your name?”
His eyes darkened. “I have no name.”
“Surely—”
Without letting her finish, the giant turned and climbed the ladder. “This way.”
Samantha followed him through a narrow corridor past a kitchen and bunk quarters. Another ladder brought them to the cannon deck and this time, she couldn’t help her gasp when the men shining the great cast iron guns turned her way.
Each one sported similar tattoos and gold jewelry. Each one flexed great muscles. And each one scowled at her, white teeth flashing in the sunlight streaming through the open hatches.
Here was a crew that would strike fear into the heart of any man.
When they climbed onto the main deck, and she received the same reception, her blood began to go cold. She spun around, taking in the lay of the ship, and her eyes settled on a huge black flag whipping from the mainmast. Only one man would be bold enough to fly a pirate flag in the open. Her breath caught, sharp and shallow. She didn’t need to see the nameplate to know which ship she sailed on.
TheReckoning.
Her skirts billowed around her and she slid her stance a little wider to keep her balance. She’d never felt a ship move so fast. Extra sails sang in the wind, the high-pitched whine buzzing in her ears. The sun rose on their left and she pressed her lips together. South. They sailed away from the United States.
Boot heels clicked on the deck behind her and Samantha swiveled. She blinked and whatever preconceived picture of the dreaded captain she had imagined vanished. He stood with his arms crossed and she took in his height, impressive, but nothing compared to the giant at her side. A cocked hat perched atop dark brown hair shot through with silver.
