Teach shut his eyes, picturing his hands closing on Pelham’s throat and choking the life out of him.
“Steady,” Easton whispered.
Pelham made a tsk. “You need to choose your friends more wisely, Edward. A father is cursed because of a bad son.”
Teach blinked against the black dots swimming in his vision. Those black dots coalesced into figures scurrying into the courtyard. “If anyone’s cursed tonight, I dare say it would be you,” Teach said, grateful for the steadiness of his voice.
For the first time since he’d confronted them, Pelham frowned. “Why?”
“Because you’re surrounded.”
Pelham and his men turned, just as Teach’s and Easton’s men opened fire. Several of the soldiers fell to the ground, their own muskets going off haphazardly.
Teach grabbed the cutlass of a downed soldier nearest him, as Kitts and Easton did the same. The soldiers who hadn’t been hit started toward them. Kitts hesitated, and Teach lunged, barely managing to block the sword thrust at Kitts’s side.
Kitts gave him a grateful nod, before raising his own cutlass and fighting off the oncoming rush of soldiers. The clash of steel on steel rang throughout the courtyard. Teach and Easton fought back to back, lunging and parrying with their swords.
“We have to go,” Easton said, his breathing labored. “Before more soldiers arrive from the fort.”
Not until I finish Pelham. Using his size to his advantage, Teach took the legs out from under his opponent with a vicious swipe of his cutlass. The man fell on his back, hitting his head and stirring no more. Teach attacked the next soldier, and the next, cutting through them like a knife through butter. His rage gave him added strength as he stalked his target.
“Teach!” Easton called.
Jerking around, Teach saw Easton motion to the docks, but Teach wasn’t ready to leave just yet.
Charging yet another opponent, Teach slammed through two additional soldiers, but Pelham rushed through the throng and into the house, slamming the door shut behind him. Teach started toward the house, but Easton grabbed his arm. “If you want to get out of here alive, then we need to leave now.”
With a muttered curse, Teach rushed after Easton, the rest of their men falling in behind. They raced toward the gate and the darkened streets of Nassau. Shouts burst from the courtyard as Pelham’s soldiers attempted to rally and give chase.
Teach followed the men darting down side alleyways and passages, breathing through the stitch in his side. As much as Teach wanted to see Pelham suffer and save Alastair, his biggest concern now was to get back to Anne. It was too dangerous to stay in Nassau.
Easton held up a fist and the group slowed to a stop, hiding in the shadows of a warehouse along the docks. Hillel stood beside Easton. Teach glanced at Kitts, and noticed that he was bleeding, his left arm hanging limply down his side.
“Kitts is hurt,” Teach said.
“It’s not bad,” Kitts insisted.
Easton peered through the darkness. “Did you find a ship, Hillel?”
“Aye. It’s right there.”
The ship in question was a long, slender craft, renowned for its speed. Teach had only seen one once before. It was armed with big guns at the bow and several swivel guns mounted along the side rails. The figure of a woman rested under the bowsprit.
The pirate grinned. “Reva will love it.” He led the way, and several of the men followed, crouched low. Hearty laughter drifting from the waterfront tavern nearby drowned out their footsteps. Once they were safely on board, they provided cover for the next group.
Teach and Kitts were some of the last men to leave the shelter of the warehouse. They’d only taken a few steps when several shots rang out as soldiers barreled toward them, their footsteps echoing along the wharf.
“Move!” Easton yelled as the soldiers reloaded their muskets. The ship was already pushing off from the dock, under the control of oars.
Teach and Kitts both ran headlong toward the escaping vessel. Taking a flying leap, Teach soared over the clear water below, hoping he hadn’t misjudged the distance due to the gloomy night. Landing on the deck with a grunt, he rolled and came to his feet. He grabbed the weapon Easton shoved at him and took aim, holding the wooden stock flush with his shoulder. The rifle cracked and a soldier on the wharf dropped where he stood.
Kitts wasn’t so lucky. With his injured arm held against his chest, he barely cleared the water. His chest slammed into the railing and as he started to fall backward, Easton grabbed hold of his shirt. Several of his men rushed forward and pulled him on board.
The distance between the dock and the ship grew as they continued toward the entrance of the harbor. Soon they were out of gunshot range of the wharf. A cannon fired from the fort but the ball fell short, the command given much too late. The stolen ship drew alongside the Fortune, but they didn’t stop. Easton shouted at his men on the Fortune to ready for sail. It didn’t take long before both vessels were streaming toward the open water of the sea, and Easton yelled for more canvas to be raised.
Panting, Teach leaned against the railing, the rifle still in his hands. The weapon was smooth and well made, much more accurate than the muskets the soldiers had used. The owner of the ship they’d just stolen was obviously wealthy.
Easton crouched low and patted a hand on Kitts’s back, the moonlight illuminating his features. “I’m sorry you got hurt, lad. But better you than me.”
“Sod off,” Kitts choked out.
For all the things Kitts wasn’t, he was a man of honor and good intentions, and Teach was glad he’d survived. If only they’d been able to rescue Alastair and the rest of his crew. Just thinking about them caused Teach’s fury to rise. “That’s not very sporting of you, now is it? Go and have one of my men take a look at that,” Easton said.
“It’s nothing,” Kitts insisted, blood pouring down his shoulder.
“Excellent. So you won’t mind if you lose the use of that arm. Then, by all means, stay here and enjoy the view. Did you enjoy your time in Nassau?”
Kitts muttered something beneath his breath, but Easton simply waited, a serene look on his face. Rolling to his feet, Kitts headed off in the direction of the stairs leading belowdecks.
Once Kitts was gone, Easton looked back at the lights of Nassau. “As soon as they get a ship ready, they’ll be coming for us.”
With his breath at last under control, Teach stood. “I know.”
“We’ll be ready for them.”
Teach said nothing as he stared down at the deck, clenching the rifle in his hands, his knuckles white. He felt guilty at the number of lives lost. He wracked his brain, thinking of things he could have done differently, but there was no guarantee any of them would have worked. And now Teach had to return to Anne and tell her he’d failed.
“I’m sorry you lost your friends back there. I know what that’s like.”
“You know nothing,” Teach growled, his head snapping up as he rounded on Easton. “My men were innocent! They died because they placed their trust in me and I let them down. I told them I wouldn’t abandon them, and that’s just what I did! You and your crew chose this life. The life of a pirate.”
“And yet here we are, sailing on the same ship, having just worked together to bring a corrupt man to justice.”
“There’s a big difference between us. I came back to Nassau to try to save lives. You merely came back for revenge.”
“Don’t you dare judge me,” Easton said, his voice low. “You have no idea what I’ve been through or why I’ve made the choices I have. You asked once if the rumors about me were true. Like I said, I’m not innocent. When Webb agreed to work with us, he wanted Nelson to take the lead because Nelson had the same merciless streak as the governor. But most of the men followed me. Nelson was bitter and angry and often took it out on the victims of the ships we attacked.”
“Why didn’t you stop him?”
“I tried. When you figure out a way to be on two ship
s at the same time, then please let me know the secret to your success.”
Loosening his hold on the rifle, Teach averted his gaze.
“Listen, I understand your guilt. And your anger. But just because we got rid of Webb doesn’t mean this fight is over.”
“It is for me,” Teach said. “At least until I can speak with Anne. Together we’ll figure out what to do. We’re through taking orders from others.” First Teach’s father, then Captain Murrell, and finally Governor Webb. Teach was ready to take matters into his own hands. He wanted to go after Pelham and save Alastair, but it would be dangerous to get involved, and Teach wouldn’t make any decisions until he’d spoken with Anne.
Easton nodded, giving Teach’s words some thought. “Now that Pelham knows who you are, he won’t rest until he sees you dead.”
“If he can find me.”
“I’m afraid that won’t be a problem for Pelham,” Easton said. “You might be able to disappear for a while, but you won’t be able to escape forever. Believe me, Reva tried once.”
“What’s the story between Reva and Pelham?”
“They have a long and ugly history together, which is precisely why she’s going to help us stop Pelham and his associates. He killed her father, and she’s made it her life’s mission to make him pay.”
Teach guessed Reva couldn’t have been much older than twenty. Pelham was responsible for a lot of suffering in the world.
“You didn’t tell us your papa was rich,” Easton said.
“Does it matter?”
The pirate’s eyes widened. “Apparently not to you.”
“If you’re thinking of using me for ransom, you’d be wasting your time.”
“Ah. Let me guess. You and your father had a disagreement.”
“Do you ever stop talking?” Teach looked around, wondering where he could go to get away from Easton’s endless chatter. Jumping into the sea was one of his options.
“Was it because of her?” Easton asked, clearly unperturbed.
Teach fingered the rifle in his hands and Easton took a step back.
“All right. Don’t tell me. But your silence says more than you know.” Easton took a few steps before turning back to Teach. “Oh, and you needn’t worry. Your money is safe from me. Reva is typically flush with coin if I need anything.”
“Does that mean she’s a better pirate than you?”
Easton smirked. “Don’t be ridiculous. Nobody’s better than me. Reva came from a wealthy family. Spanish aristocracy.”
Teach was astonished at the man’s ego. “One day you’re going to overestimate your abilities, Easton. I almost wish I could be around to see it.”
“Yes, well, don’t hold your breath,” Easton said. “Tomorrow we can plan our revenge. Right now, I have something to show you.”
What Teach wanted most was to be alone with his anger and his grief.
Easton must have sensed Teach’s hesitation, because he motioned for Teach to follow him. “We have a guest on board.”
“Who is it?” Teach asked.
“A friend of yours.”
With heavy steps Teach followed Easton across the moonlit deck, but he stopped when he saw the familiar blond hair. It was Cara.
CHAPTER 37
Anne
Strong fingers circled Anne’s throat, threatening to choke the life out of her prone figure. Sweat dripped down her face and neck as she glared up at her opponent where he straddled her. Her fingers curled in the warm sand beneath her as she scooped a handful.
John caught the movement and he released his hold immediately, sitting back on his haunches. “That’s not playing fair, Anne.”
“I didn’t throw it,” she said, a guilty flush spreading across her cheeks.
“All you had to do was roll your hips like I taught you and bring your hand like this.” John thrust his hand, palm up.
“I thought it was a brilliant move,” Reva said. She lay in a hammock, a few feet from where Anne and John sparred, using her hat to fan her face. “I would have done the same thing.”
“Besides, I didn’t think you wanted me to break your nose again.” John had shown Anne a few sparring moves, ones that would work in her favor, especially for her size, but she’d broken his nose the third day. Apparently her elbow was an effective weapon.
John scowled. “I do want you to take our sparring seriously.” He rolled to the side and helped Anne up. “It’s a good idea with the sand, but you need to learn to fight without any added props. You won’t always be on a beach.”
“I know. I’m sorry,” Anne said, looking automatically in the direction of the bay, where the gentle waves kissed the sandy shore. The evening sun sank low, giving everything it touched an amber glow and leaving the horizon dipped in a thin line of silver.
John sighed, following her gaze. “Don’t worry, Anne. They’ll be back soon.”
It had been twelve days since Teach and Easton had left and Anne was restless. And irritated. And worried. She shook the sand from her hair with several sharp flicks, unwilling to give in to her melancholy. “I think it’s time for you to teach me how to load a cannon.”
She’d lost track of the number of times she’d asked John to show her how to fire a cannon. Each time his answer was the same.
“Teach wouldn’t want me to.”
“Do you think Teach wants me to cower and hide in the captain’s cabin every time we’re fired at?”
John laughed. “Maybe not cower, but he wants you safe, and standing on the deck in a fire fight is certainly not in your best interest.”
“The cannons aren’t on the top deck. And he left me here, which proves my point that he won’t always be around. It’s better that I can take care of myself,” she said, her voice bitter.
“I’m not going to show you how to fire a bloody cannon, Anne. I value my life more than I fear your ire.”
“Let me show her again,” Reva said, a sly grin on her face. The pirate had been more than willing to show Anne how to load and fire a cannon, and the two girls had snuck aboard the Killorn one afternoon while the men were resting.
“You two aren’t allowed on that ship until the others get back.”
Anne shook her head at John. “You’re being ridiculous. We didn’t hurt anyone.”
“No, but most of us had to search for a clean pair of drawers after your stunt. Nearly scared us to death. And we can’t have you wasting our ammunition.”
“You let me practice shooting. Is that wasting ammunition?”
“Bullets are easier to come by than cannonballs.”
While her Queen Anne’s pistol from Teach was still her weapon of choice, thanks to John and Reva, Anne could load and fire a musket as well as a blunderbuss. And in a one-on-one altercation, she could manage to get away. What mattered most was that she’d mastered the loading of the weapons and could be useful in a fight without getting caught.
Reva strolled up to Anne, her hat in her hands. “They’re overprotective of their balas. Don’t worry, Anne. Once I get a ship, we’ll shoot cannons as much as we like. And we won’t have to ask for anyone’s permission.”
While Anne appreciated Reva’s offer, she wondered how long they’d have to wait. Frustrated, Anne walked away, her eyes scanning the horizon as she’d done so often since the Fortune had left. Reva returned to the hammock, swaying back and forth beneath the trees. Benjamin was out in the cay with a spear in hand, the crystal clear water reaching up to his chest. His fishing skills had helped feed them. Just the other day, he’d managed to catch a turtle that Anne had cooked.
She’d used the time during Teach’s absence to her advantage, and the days had passed quickly, including her birthday. She’d been in no mood to celebrate. Her back was healing and Reva had removed her stitches. With Benjamin’s help, Anne had learned how to swim somewhat. She preferred the mobility and freedom she had wearing trousers to the constraint she felt in skirts.
They’d repaired the Killorn and it stood ready for
action, its smooth lines bobbing gently in the water. Two storms had hit and they’d been forced to take shelter in the vessel. Anne had almost come to think of it as home, but she knew how ridiculous that sounded. The only people who spent the majority of their time at sea were either pirates or sailors, and Anne was neither.
She stood on shore as the waves lapped gently around her ankles, the sand sifting away beneath her feet as she watched Benjamin track a dark object beneath the surface. He’d explained to her that fishermen needed to change fishing spots to avoid sharks. Once the Fortune returned, they too would need to move on.
The only question was where would they go? So much depended on what happened with Webb. Had they managed to bring the governor to justice and free their friends? Were they now on their way to England, to testify in a trial against him? Would anyone believe them? After all, Easton was a pirate, and the soldiers were more likely to fire first, ask questions later. What they’d done was dangerous, and she couldn’t bring herself to even address the issue of whether or not Teach was alive.
The constant barrage of questions and uncertainty kept Anne awake at night. Physically, she was exhausted, but different scenarios of what might be happening in Nassau plagued her until she reached for her pistols and practiced loading them by the light of the moon, determined to never be left behind again.
An excited shout broke into her reverie, and Anne looked up. The topsails of a ship floated into view and soon the smooth lines of the Fortune entered the cay. Easton’s Jolly Roger, with its white skull and crossed swords, was visible for everyone to see. Anne scoured the line of men striding across the deck, preparing to drop anchor, but she didn’t see the tall figure or broad shoulders of the man she loved.
A second vessel came into view, this one smaller and sleeker than the Killorn or the Fortune. Beneath the bowsprit at the prow of the ship was a glossy carving of a woman, with long dark hair and a bright red dress.
“Who do you suppose that is?” John asked, walking up to her side.
Anne felt her chest tighten. “I have no idea.”
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