Flipping the lid open, she brushed a fingertip across one. Rendering the dreaded captain unconscious would surely help. But how to get him to drink it? She plucked the vial free and rolled it between her thumb and index finger. Skip had said the captain kept a strict schedule.
And then she knew what to do.
She tucked two vials into her pocket and grabbed her hat from a hook on the wall. Outside, she strode to the helm and took the wheel from Griff.
“Have the men switch the sails. We don’t need anyone talking about the ship that arrived with black sails.”
She took his compass and checked it, making a slight adjustment to the wheel. “Also, I need an inventory of our supplies. We need to sell or trade as much as we can, make it look like we’re just a ship in need of funds passing through.”
After he gave the orders, she called for Tommy. He ran up the steps and grinned. “Good to see you, Capt’n.”
She returned his smile. “You as well. I have a favor to ask.”
*
“He’s not amongthem.”
Samantha shifted in the bushes and took the spyglass from Griff. She focused on the group of prisoners being led down the dock and let out a soft curse. He was right. Christian was nowhere to be found. Hershoulders curved inward as her stomach roiled. Had Thorne already disposed of him?
The thought sent bile up her throat.
“It’s for the best.” Griff’s soft reassurance was anything but.
Samantha jerked the spyglass down and took a shaky breath. She needed to focus. Pulling out a pocket watch, she checked the time. Not that she needed to. The sun had begun to dip below the horizon. Which meant it was almost half-past six.
Time to get moving.
After waiting most of the day and beginning to worry that Thorne had decided against making port in Tortuga after all, Samantha had nearly given up and agreed to return to Savannah. But the tall masts of theReckoninghad appeared a few hours ago and once anchored, wasted no time offloading cargo. Nearly half of the hulking crew were ashore.
It made her plan only slightly less dangerous.
Getting onto the boat would be the hardest part. At least, that was what she kept telling herself.
They made their way to the docks where two other crew members waited for them. One of the men cocked his head at her disguise and laughed.
“Just make sure no one sees you from behind, lass, ain’t no way they’ll think you’re a boy if they see that view.”
Her ears burned but she ignored him. Men saw what they wanted, and those giants would be no different. Roughly the same size and build as Skip, she should be able to pull off the ruse in the dusk.
Should.
She climbed into the longboat and Griff threw a tarp over her. The little boat rocked when the sailors climbed in, the sounds of water slapping the hull amplified beneath the canvas.
Samantha huddled in the darkness, cringing with each stroke of the oars. This was madness. Pure madness.Turn back. She wanted toscream it aloud, but her chest constricted to the point where even taking a breath took effort.
“Ho there!” Griff shouted the greeting and every muscle of hers went rigid. Her stomach churned and she took several short breaths. If she vomited, she’d blow their cover.
The little boat slowed and she pressed against the frame, willing herself to be as small as possible. Preparing herself for what came next.
Still, she flinched when the booming voice of one of the giants answered. “State yer business.”
Now, it was up to her crew to put on the performance of their lives. The longboat wobbled as someone stood up. Griff.
“We hail from the Golden Lantern.” A rowdy tavern they’d scoped out earlier. “A round of drinks has been purchased for your crew.”
She stilled, waiting for the man’s answer. It was true. Griff had sold a barrel of whiskey to the proprietor for a handsome discount, with the stipulation that Thorne’s crew got free drinks tonight. The man had barked out a laugh and agreed. Without haggling.
A frown pulled her lips down and her pulse sped up.
