“You’ll be needing that, Captain.”
Christian’s lips lifted into a snarl.
Her hands began to shake and she tried, and failed, to slide the wire into his lock. “I can explain.”
“Get. Away.” He pushed the words through clenched teeth.
“You’ll die!”
“I’d rather face death than align myself with the likes of you.”
“You don’t mean that.”
Tears burned the corners of her eyes and she tried to pick his lock again. His hand swept out and he ripped the wire from her grasp and threw it across the room.
“I mean it.”
She shook her head as he pointed to the ladder. “Go. And hope to God our paths never cross again.”
The air rushed from her lungs.
“Captain? We need to leave. Now.” Griff disappeared through the hatch.
“Christian—”
“Don’t ever say my name again.” He turned away.
Damn it.
She slid the mask on and started up the ladder. Before climbing through the hatch, she looked back. She couldn’t help it. But the lieutenant kept his back to her.
“I’m sorry,” she whispered.
Griff grabbed her arm and yanked her up. He lifted a finger to his lips and pointed into the darkness. They pressed against the wall and slowly made their way to a hatch leading to the main deck. Griff went up first and, after a tense moment of silence, beckoned her up.
As soon as she climbed through, boots sounded on the quarterdeck above. Griff took her arm and tugged her behind a stack of crates. Two giants came down the steps and walked the main deck. Samantha held her breath as they passed by. It would be a miracle if they didn’t notice her pale blue skirts.
“Did you see that?” one said.
Her heart slammed, but they walked to the railing opposite them.
“I swear I saw a light.”
Griff breathed out and picked up a coiled rope. He rushed to the railing and tied one end to it. Samantha followed him, keeping one eye on the two pirates as they stared into the darkness.
“I say your mind’s playing tricks on you.”
Griff motioned Samantha down and she clambered over the railing. The giants continued their patrol. Any moment, they would turn toward Griff and her. She grasped the rope and dropped. The rough cords burned her palms as she jerked to a stop, and she bit her cheek to keep from crying out.
A tiny rowboat floated below her and, one hand after another, she lowered herself to it. Griff followed a few seconds later and untied theboat. He unfolded a piece of dark canvas and threw it over her.
“Stay down.”
She wrapped the oiled cloth around her and peeked her head out. Griff maneuvered the boat along the ship’s hull until they reached the stern. Captain Thorne’s balcony jutted out above them and she shuddered. The clouds broke and moonlight shimmered off the waves.
A dark form rose from the water a few hundred yards away. The island. But how would they make it that far without being spotted? She rubbed the raw skin on one palm and pulled her knees to her chest. Water seeped through her skirt as the little boat rocked on a swell.
Griff lifted a lantern.
