“No.” He sighed. “Blackbeard did.”
“But how would he know?” He could almost see the pinch of her brows, the way her head no doubt tilted ever so slightly to the side.
Time for the fun part. “He’s our father.”
Tink was silent for a moment before her screech rang through the air. “What?” She flailed, her arms slipping.
“Tink!” He grabbed her arm to help her regain her hold.
“Sorry. Sorry.” Her arms wrapped around his neck, and she nestled close, nearly pushing him under. “I just…wow. I never…”
“Me neither.” Exhaustion tugged at him, willing his eyes closed. His skin had gone cold. He could barely feel his legs.
Hook had gone days with little food and water and lost too much blood. He wouldn’t make it much longer. But he had to try. Had to be strong.
For her.
“Captain! Tink!”
His heart swelled as his eyes snapped open. He’d know that voice anywhere. “We’re here!”
“That way!” Smee’s voice carried across the water.
Clouds parted, and moonlight illuminated theJolly Roger.Bloody hell, has there ever been a more glorious sight?
A rowboat bobbed their way, his stalwart first mate and best friend at the helm. They really were going to live.
Beyond, the moonlight caught another ship. He squinted into the night. TheSiren? He nearly groaned. He’d owe Cressida a fortune.
“Almost there, Captain. Hang on!”
“We’re safe. We made it,” Tink whispered, almost too quietly to make out.
Aye, we did. Against all odds, his love, his crew, his ship, they were safe. He’d give a fortune for that. His good hand. His own life.
As Smee and Barley pulled them into the boat, Hook took one glance in the direction the ship had gone down. Perhaps Blackbeard lived. But the burning coal that had lodged in his chest all those years didn’t burn quite so badly. He had everything he needed, everything he loved, and no specter of his past would make him lose sight of that again.
Chapter 43
Tink
Clear skies, calm seas, and no sign of unfriendly pirates were just what the doctor ordered. Or Tink, in this case.
“Sit still and let me get this bandage on.” She smacked James on the arm as he tried to pull away from her ministrations.
“I’m a bloody captain, not some child in need of coddling,” he whined for maybe the millionth time.
Tink rolled her eyes and blew at the lock of hair trying to fall across her face. “Just…let me…” She tied off the end of the bandage covering the vicious wound on his side, one he claimed was a little cut.Nonsense. The deep gash nearly had her spilling her stomach the first time she got a good look at it. “There.”
He shook his head, frowning at the cloth bound around him. “Smee’s going to take my job if I’m not careful.”
Tink huffed as she carried the dirty bandages away and went about cleaning her hands. “He’s just about the last person that would ever commit a mutiny. Besides, if you don’t rest and thatwound gets infected, then he really might have to take over for you—permanently.”
She jumped as Hook slid his arms around her. “Well…” He placed one kiss on her shoulder, then another. “Can’t let that happen now, can we, love?”
“Insufferable pirate.” She glared at him over one shoulder.
“Mischievous pixie.” He slid his hand down her side, raising gooseflesh across her skin. “Got me half undressed. Care to finish the job?”
