Finishing off his ale, Cadan lifted his hand, snapping for the wench to bring rum, then leaned toward One-tooth.“Word is, you sail with Captain Allard on occasion.”
“Aye, that be true.”His shoulders rose as if he was proud to be associated with the blackguard.“One o’ ’is top men, I is.Helped ’im acquire a bit o’ wealth, says I.Did I ever tell ye about the St.Croix raid?Was me idea, it were, an’ when we—”
“I have a message for Allard,” Cadan interrupted, annoyed with the man’s theatrics.
One-tooth glanced at Cadan’s men.“I’s be happy to tell ’im.”
The barmaid returned with glasses of rum, setting one before One-tooth.
He reached for it, but Cadan stayed his hand.“There’s more than rum in it for you if you do precisely what I say.”
One of One-tooth’s eyelids twitched as he raised his gaze to Cadan.“Like what?”
Cadan nodded at Pell, and the quartermaster reached into a pouch and tossed a velvet sack onto the table.The clinking of coins could be heard even over the curses and continuing chime of blades.A few men glanced their way.
One-tooth licked his lips, greed glimmering in his eyes, along with Durwin’s, whose gaze had not left the bag.
“There’s ten doubloons for you now and double that when you complete your task.”
Picking up his rum, One-tooth tossed it to the back of his throat with one flick, then slammed down his glass.A wide grin split his lips, revealing that stubborn tooth yet again.“I’d cut out the man’s liver an’ feed it to ’is mother fer that price.”
Durwin chuckled.Groaning, Pell sipped his ale.
“Perhaps another time.”Cadan grinned.“But for now, tell Allard that you shared cups with one of my men right here at the Slippery Eel.”
A fly landed on One-tooth’s periwig, feasting on whatever scraps of food remained there.“That’ll be the truth, seein’ I’m wit’ yer men now.”
Cadan shook his head at the man’s stupidity.“Indeed, but you will tell him that the man in his besotted stupor gave away the location of the cove where we will be careening theResolute.”
One-tooth inched his hand toward the bag of coins.“What will that be to ’im?”
“It will be everything to him when you also tell him that Captain Hayes has his mistress and unborn babe.”
Chapter 5
Gabrielle ran through the ship’s narrow hallway, heart pounding, splinters pricking her bare feet.The deck lurched to larboard.She crashed into the bulkhead.Pain etched up her arm.Ignoring it, she raced onward.Lanterns swayed above her, casting ghoulish specters over the walls.Sweat slid down her back.Her breath slammed against her lungs.She was nearly at the ladder!She reached to grab it, But no!It sped backward.Grabbing her skirts, she dashed toward it once again.But every time she stretched forth her hand to touch it, it retreated into the distance.
“Nay!”Stopping, she leaned against the bulkhead, tears filling her eyes.
“There you are,ma douce.”A voice, a familiar, repulsive voice echoed down the hallway.
Terror squeezed her throat.She couldn’t breathe.Clutching her chest, she backed up slowly, her mind intent on one thing.Get as far as she could from the sound of that craven voice!
She bumped into something warm and solid.
Leaping, she spun about.
Captain Damien Allard, dressed in black silk with silver lace, cocked his head and grinned at her like a panther.
“You monster!”She raised a hand to slap him, but he caught it, tightening his grip until she begged for mercy.
He released her.She gripped her belly.
Flat.It was flat!“My baby!What have you done with my baby?”Horror pierced every nerve.She had no recollection of giving birth.
“You meanmyson?”He sneered.
“What have you done with him!”She pounded his chest with her fists, tears pouring down her cheeks.“What have you done with him?”
