“It’s your first kid, man.”
“Aye.” Barley sipped at his own drink. “But I can help him best by getting these storms off our backs.”
Hook nearly groaned. Stubborn lot, pirates. “Think on it.” He glanced across the room, catching sight of the empty chair Tink had occupied. Where did she—
“Reya had some news too,” Barley said, pulling him from his thoughts. “The Royal Navy set up an intelligence post in Rochland.”
His shoulders hunched. Could they never catch a break? “Looking for us?”
“Worried that too, but it seems they’re after Blackbeard. Searching for his hideout.”
The place where his hand used to be tingled. Blackbeard’s hideout—one of the most closely guarded secrets on the Cerulean Seas. Seemed the old croc had finally pissed off the Gamorean royals enough for them to stretch their reach into the free waters. Didn’t bode well—for any pirate or free folk.
“If we could acquire what information they have…” He stroked at the stubble on his chin with his hook.
Barley grinned. “Aye. We could finally track down the bastard.”
Taking care of Blackbeard might get the Gamoreans to back off too. Hook clinked his glass against the other man’s. “Excellent.”
He’d be sure to thank Reya and her sisters personally before the night was done. They kept home running smoothly for everyone while the crew was away and never failed to pick up some helpful information when they went into town. Which, hopefully, Reya wasn’t doing in her condition. He’d have to ask after that as well, make sure she stayed home—her sisters too, so they could look after her and the babe.
Speaking of… He resumed his search of the room, unable to find the petite pixie.
“I do believe she went outside, Captain.” Barley grinned.
Heat coiled in his chest. “Right, well.” He coughed. “I should make sure she doesn’t try to flee.”
The other man sipped his drink, his grin never fading as Hook went for the door.
*****
Tink sat on the edge of the porch on the far side of the house, her legs dangling in the air and her wings unbound. The gossamer things floated behind her, catching the tiny bits of moonlight that slipped through the palm and lofty fig trees to land upon her.
A small sniffle slipped into the air, barely audible over the crash of waves on the shore and mass of conversation seeping from within the building. Somewhere near the beach, people laughed. A splash echoed up the hillside. Hook grinned. An evening swim in progress, perhaps?
But the grin faded as he watched Tink sitting there in the shadows. She rubbed at her face.Homesick? Bloody hell, she’d scream at me for sure if she knew what I saw.Still…something nagged at him, her words from the hot spring and her desperation to find the black pearl and fix herself. He frowned. She didn’t seem broken.
He slipped back around the corner as quiet as a thief—he’d had a lot of practice over the years. A safe distance away, he made a show of stomping in her direction. A whistled tune accompanied his heavy steps as he rounded the corner to where she sat.
Tink startled and twisted in his direction. “What are you doing here?” she blurted. Dainty hands wiped at her face, then took their time tucking hair behind her ears, as if that’s what their purpose had been.
“Can’t a man get some air?” He stretched his arms over his head, a casual gesture in contrast to the tension running through his stiff muscles.
She pulled her legs up and hugged them against her chest. “I want to be alone.”
The hollowness of her words wrenched his heart. Hook claimed a seat near her—close, but not too close. “No one wants to be alone, love.”
“I’m not your love,” she spat back.
He grinned. That word never failed to spark her temper. “You’re homesick.”
“Go away.” She turned her head away from him, pointing that perfect little nose toward the palms above.
He stifled a yawn. “Care to tell me how you got banished?”
“No.”
A tough one to crack, but if they were to be allies, he preferred to know what danger she might be dragging along with her. “You knew of theKraken.”
