“I’m waiting,” Colin called out and the man nodded before disappearing below deck. Colin studied the ship. Even though it had been taken over by force, it still looked in good shape. The traitorous crew had been taking care of it. For that, Colin was thankful. He was hoping to not destroy the ship in taking down Storm, but if it came to that, he would.
It would be nice to be able to add the ship to his own fleet. He could think of one or two men on his crew that would make an excellent captain for her.
It was at that time that Storm came forward, a sneer crossing his face as he studied Colin.
“Captain Harris!” the bastard boasted. “My apologies.” He dipped into a low bow, sweeping his black feathered hat off his head in greeting. “I hear ye’ve been looking for me.” He stood straight and splayed out his arms. “Now that ye’ve found me, pray tell, why the chase?”
“Ye have something that doesna belong to ye.”
Storm feigned shock and clucked his tongue. “Such accusations. Ye should watch yer tongue else I make ye eat yer words, Cap’n.”
His threat did nothing but convince Colin his gut feeling was correct. “I invited ye to come aboardThe Hella. Ye have my word that no harm will come to ye during our conversation.” How Colin wanted to slice him down right there, but he was a man of honor, pirate or not.
A plank was brought out and placed between the two ships. Colin held his breath to see if Storm would cross. The bastard seemed to be contemplating his next steps, but after a long moment, he pushed his lanky body off the rails and stepped onto the plank. His boots thumping across the wood with every step he advanced.
Colin’s crew parted and allowed Storm to come aboard. He approached Colin and held out his hand. As repulsed as Colin was to accept, he did so and gave it a firm shake.
Storm looked around the deck. “Shall we sit and have a drink? It sounds like ye’ve a lot ye’d like to discuss.”
Colin didn’t trust the bastard as far as he could throw him, so he refused to take him below deck. He snapped at Derrick and he and another crew member left and then reappeared with a small table and two chairs. They set them down and put a flask and two mugs on the top of the table and backed away.
Colin extended his arm, offering Storm a seat.
He narrowed his eyes at Colin for a moment, then sat down.
Colin poured ale into each mug and offered one to Storm.
The bastard eyed the mug warily, then said, “Take a sip first.”
Colin sighed and took a long pull of the ale and then refilled it before handing it back to Storm.
“Believe me, if I was going to kill ye, poison wouldna be my weapon of choice.”
Storm shrugged. “One can never be too careful nowadays.” He looked into the mug and then took a sip before setting it back on the tabletop. “What do ye want, Harris? I know this isna a courtesy call.”
“Ye’re right about that. What happened to Sean Ruane?”
“Ah, my former captain.” He placed his hand over his heart. “May god rest his soul.”
Colin slammed his fist on the table. “Tell me what happened.”
Storm ran his tongue across his teeth in a sneer. “Those bastard French pirates attacked. Killed our dear, beloved captain. It mattered naught what we tried to do, we couldna save him.”
“Ye’re a lying bastard!” Sean called from behind him.
Colin frowned at the lad. What the hell was he doing?
Storm turned to look at the boy and gave him a sinister smile. “Weel, weel, weel. What do we have here?” He addressed the lad with familiarity. “Seonag. What the hell are ye doing dressing like a lad?”
What?
What the hell was Storm talking about?Dressing like a lad?Colin looked between Storm and Sean, his mouth pressed into a firm line as he processed the information he’d just learned.
“Judging by the surprise on yer face, Harris, I believe ye didna ken ye had a lass on board.” He pushed his chair back, the legs scraping loudly against the floor of the deck. “I’ll be getting back to my ship now. Ye let me know if ye have any questions.”
“Ye killed him!” Sean cried out.
Storm spat at the boy. “Ye dinna know what ye are talking about. And I suggest ye hold yer tongue before I remove it from that pretty little mouth of yers.”
