Docks stretched out to the rising sun like baby tongues awaiting their morning milk.
Rays of gold rippled over the incoming waves as the scent of fish, salt, and fresh baked bread swirled in the air around them.
The masts of ships poked high into the gray sky like boney fingers, reaching for heaven.
Cadan sought out theResolute.
He’d purposely anchored as far from town as possible should he need to set sail quickly, but even from this distance, and even in the remaining shadows, he spotted flashes from muskets and pistols, and could hear the faint shouts and groans of men at battle.
He should forget the women and row out to theResoluteas fast as he could, save his ship!Though he trusted Moses and the men he’d left, good fighters all, no doubt Allard had sent a swarm of pirates to overwhelm them.
But Gabrielle?His gaze sought her out as Allard and his men disappeared around the dockmaster’s station.He could not forget the fear in her eyes nor her willingness to sacrifice herself to save their lives.What kind of woman did that for her captors?For a man who used her as bait?
Creeping out from the fish house, he followed, stopping behind the dock house and peered around the side.Allard and his men lumbered down a wooden dock toward a jolly boat tied at the end.Cadan swung his head back and glanced at Pell.
“The men must sheath their weapons when they enter the boat.That’s when we’ll get them,” he whispered.
Pell and the others nodded.All save Smity who fingered the pearl in his ear and stared off into town.
But Cadan had no time to ponder why.Timing was everything.
“Pistols at the ready, men,” he whispered, plucking his flintlock from his belt before peering once again at his nemesis.
As he suspected, each of the pirates put away their weapons, and with moans and groans, clambered into the boat.Omphile was all but shoved onto a seat.She let out a squeal that nearly sent Cadan charging forward.
Finally, after Allard cast one last glance behind him, he sheathed his knife and held out a hand for Gabrielle.
The lady shoved it aside and must have said something rude, for he scowled, grabbed her hand, and roughly pushed her onto the thwarts beside Omphile, a good two yards from where he stood.
Now!
Hefting his flintlock, Cadan charged down the dock, his men behind him, pistols at the ready.
“Halt there!”Cadan yelled.“Halt or be killed!”He stopped at the edge of the dock and glanced down at Allard and his men.For a brief moment, his gaze locked with Gabrielle’s and surprise and relief appeared on her face.
On the contrary, alarm squealed across Allard’s—alarm and then fury.He had no chance and he knew it.His men would have no time to draw their weapons before Cadan and his men shot them all.
“Release the women and the babe and I’ll let you live!”
A knot traveled down the snake’s throat, the only indication of his fear before he leapt toward the women, grabbed Gabrielle, and shoved her in front of him.
Cadan had no shot!Even if he did, and even though he was a good marksman, flintlocks were not always accurate, and he would not risk the woman so close to Allard.
She wrestled against his fierce grasp, but he tightened his grip.She cried out in pain.Cadan longed to dash to her aid, but the boat was full of Allard’s pirates, and they were looking angrier than ever.
At least she prevented him from pulling his knife.
“If you fire one shot, I’ll slice her!Now, row!”Allard shouted.
“Always hiding behind a skirt!You coward!”Cadan growled.
“Do ye want us to shoot the rest?”Durwin asked.
“We can kill the rowers,” Smity added.
“We’d have to kill them all.”Cadan shook his head.And he was not prepared for a bloodbath, nor to risk the women.But what to do?
The men put oars to oarlocks and plunged the paddles into the water, all staring anxiously at Cadan and his men.
