Arrogant man.
She fidgeted on her feet and turned to the sea to hide the nervous movement. Her fingers itched around the spyglass and she couldn’t help raising it again. Before she could put her eye to it, Christian’s hand closed over her own, tugging it down.
“Why are you so worried? Thorne has no reason to want to catch up with us. Or does he?” His eyes sharpened when she jerked around and he pulled out his compass. “How did you get this?” When she remained silent, he took a step closer. “While I’m flattered you found it in your heart to free me, I find it odd you paid Thorne a visit as well. Why risk it?”
She swallowed and stared at the compass as he flipped it open.
“What am I missing, Red?”
“I . . .”
His brows rose and he leaned closer. “You what?”
Words formed, then caught in her throat. If she told him...
If she told him, what did it matter?
So she straightened and met his emerald gaze. “I may have taken something of his.”
He stepped next to her and leaned over the rail. “What did you take, and why do I have a feeling this is going to make me regret coming along?”
She pulled her lip between her teeth as she mulled over the best story to tell him. In the end, she settled for the truth. Best to lay it all out in the open.
“You know that he was after my uncle’s map?”
When he turned toward her, his eyes had gone a fraction wider. “Don’t tell me...”
She hung her head. “I stole his half of the map.”
“Christ.”
He took a few steps away and pivoted back to her. “What were you thinking?”
Her hands balled into fists. “He doesn’t deserve that treasure.”
“Of course he doesn’t. That hardly warrants spiting him to ensure he comes after you. Only a fool would steal something like that.”
“A fool that has the other half of the map in her possession.”
A dark brow rose. Twitched. “You have it? Here?”
She nodded and he cursed, raking a hand through his already mussed locks. “So, you planned to take me on a treasure hunt with you?”
“Of course not. I’m not that foolish. We need to return to Savannah. Restock. Bring extra ships. Extra men.” She paused and threw his words back at him. “Only a fool would attempt to retrieve a treasure with Thorne on their trail. May as well hand it to him on a silver platter.”
“And where do I fit into your grand plan?” He spoke flatly, staring out to sea.
She crossed her arms. “You’re a pirate hunter. Why not take down the biggest name out there? Your notoriety would increase ten-fold. Imagine,Lieutenant Thompson takes down Captain Thorne. You’d be famous.”
He went still. The sounds of her life—her passion—filled the silence. Boards creaked and sails whistled over the slap of ropes and crashing waves.
His fingers drummed an unknown tune against the polished rail and he turned to face her. “And what of you, Red? What am I to do with you?”
Her throat went dry under his green gaze. “Leave me be.”
He laughed then, the sound brittle. “Leave you alone?” His hand left the rail and reached for her. She held her breath, unable to move as he angled toward her face. At the last moment, he halted the movement and let his hand fall aside.
The momentary spell over her broke and she took a step away from him, out of his reach. “I’ll promise not to pirate in American waters. If it helps.”
