by Smith, Bobbi
"Wait a minute. What's going on? Where are we going?"
"After Shark."
"Shark?! What's he got to do with this?"
"He's got Lianne and Becky! Come on, I'll explain everything on the way!"
Sarah caught up to him and grabbed him by the arm to stop him from leaving without some kind of explanation. "Where are you going, Mr. Adam? Where are Miss Lianne and Miss Becky?"
"They've been kidnapped by some friends of Suzanne's and Shackelford's," he explained. "We're leaving right now to get them back."
"What should I tell Alex?"
"Tell him to try not to worry. We'll be back just as soon as we can, and we'll be bringing Lianne and Becky with us," Adam vowed.
Sarah nodded and watched in tense silence as the two men headed off to rescue the women.
Becky had a lot to think about as she sat alone, still tied and gagged, in the small, dark cabin aboard Shark's ship. She'd been separated from Lianne as soon as they'd been brought aboard. She had heard Shark tell the other man that he was taking Lianne to his cabin, and she had been worried about her friend's fate ever since. Becky shuddered now as she imagined what the pirate might do to Lianne.
Becky prayed for rescue, but she knew it would be hours before they were discovered missing, and then God knows how long after that before Adam could figure out what had happened to them. She realized that their only hope for rescue was Adam, Beau, and the Sea Shadow, and she said a prayer that they would come for them soon.
Thoughts of Adam and the Sea Shadow caused her to remember Lianne's confessed knowledge of Spectre. Becky knew her brother had never confided in Lianne, so it was a mystery how she could know anything about him. One thing was certain judging from the way Lianne had talked, she had no idea Spectre was her husband.
Letting her mind wander for a moment, Becky wondered what was going to happen when Lianne found out. The prospect was an amusing one, and she knew she certainly wanted to be there to watch the explosion. A moment later, when the true danger of their situation intruded on her musings, Becky also wondered if Lianne would ever have the chance to make that discovery.
Lianne was tied in a chair in Shark's cabin. Her gag had been removed, but it made little difference now. She knew there was no one to hear her screams. The knife in her pocket was her only consolation. Though it wasn't much, it was better than being completely defenseless, and she hoped that she'd be able to get to it and use it if the chance for escape presented itself.
Shark had been sitting at his desk across the room from her studying her unblinkingly for some time now. His expression was so devoid of emotion, his eyes so black and cold, that Lianne thought his name most appropriate. He looked like the amoral killer from the sea . . . big and dangerous and extremely deadly.
"How is it that you know all about my old enemy, Spectre?" Shark asked in a smooth, cool voice.
Lianne lifted her eyes to his unflinchingly. "I don't know him . . . not really . . ."
"If you don't know him, why were you so eager to go to him?" Shark scoffed.
Lianne's color heightened, but she didn't answer.
The pirate's gaze hardened, for he thought that she was playing games with him. "Why, woman?" he demanded angrily.
"I wasn't eager to go to him! I just didn't want us to be hurt, that's all."
"When did you see him last?"
"It's been a week or so . . . He found me in the bayou and forced me to go aboard his boat. I tried to fight him, but it was useless. This time, I thought if I went agreeably . . ."
"So you've been with Spectre, have you?" he asked rhetorically, a thin smile curving the hardness of his mouth. "And you thought he might want you again . . .?"
"I—"
"Perhaps Spectre would be interested in knowing that you are mine now." Shark was already plotting how to use her to draw his enemy into a trap. Once Shackelford had had his fill of her, he would be free to do with her as he pleased. "And I can use you to draw him out."
"No . . . no. He's gone. I sent him away."
"So, that's the way of it. Well, at least I've made myself a small fortune by taking you for Shackelford."
"Shackelford!" Lianne gasped.
The smuggler chuckled mirthlessly. "Ah yes, that's right, you didn't know about Shackelford's involvement."
"What's Cyrus got to do with this?"
"Everything, my dear. Kidnapping you was his idea to begin with, and it's a good one. He can tell you all about it himself, later tonight, when he joins you."
"Cyrus is coming here?"
"Of course, that was part of the deal —one night, uninterrupted, with you. I've already sent a messenger to him with the news that you're waiting anxiously for him to come to you." He gave a cold laugh at the stark terror that showed in her face. "Shackelford's paying handsomely for the privilege, too, but I wonder if you're really worth it . . ." Shark rose from where he was sitting and came to stand before her.
Lianne trembled uncontrollably as he touched her cheek.
"I suppose he'll tell me tomorrow morning if he thinks you were worth the price. Maybe, if you're that good, I'll permit you to share my bed for a few nights of pleasure before I sell you and your friend to the slave traders," Shark told her, his eyes burning with a black fire.
"Slave traders?" Lianne whispered faintly.
"Ah yes, my dear. You'll both fetch me a good price. White women are a rather rare commodity, and I should do quite well with the two of you." Shark turned and left the cabin, locking the door behind him.
Lianne was pale and shaking as she thought of the terrible ordeal that was to befall them. She wondered if they'd been missed yet at Belle Arbor, and she wondered if there was even the remotest hope of rescue.
Thoughts of Cyrus and his cold-blooded plan unnerved Lianne. She'd known the man was angry with her, but she'd had no idea he would exact such a terrible revenge. It occurred to her that if Cyrus really wanted her that badly, she might be able to use his desire to her advantage and somehow convince him to save her and Becky from the auction block. The fact that she'd been able to figure out a plan that might work, no matter how remote the chance, left Lianne feeling a little better, and she girded herself for the upcoming confrontation.
Chapter Thirty-nine
As they boarded the Sea Shadow at the rendezvous point, Beau listened incredulously to Adam's explanation for Lianne's and Becky's disappearance.
"I can't believe this . . ." he muttered, stunned.
"Believe it," Adam answered tersely.
"Suzanne teamed up with Shackelford and together they got Shark to kidnap the women . . . What did she hope to gain?"
"Me," Adam told him with a grimace as he gently massaged his sore shoulder, "but Cyrus had plans for me that Suzanne didn't know about."
"So Cyrus's revenge would have been complete . . . You'd be dead and he'd have Lianne," Beau repeated. "If that was what he wanted, why did they complicate things even more by taking Becky, too?"
"That's not all they wanted Beau," he added solemnly. "Their ultimate goal was for Shark to sell Lianne into white slavery after Cyrus had had his fill of her. When Shark went after Lianne, Becky was probably with her, so he took her too. I'm sure he thought she'd bring him a good price. Becky's a very pretty woman."
"Becky's beautiful!" He declared vehemently, stricken by the thought of the woman he loved being sold into slavery.
Adam looked at Beau questioningly and for the first time he saw revealed in his expression the true depth of his feelings for Becky. "So you're in love with her, are you?" Adam asked perceptively.
"Yes, and I intend to marry her, Adam, just as soon as we find them," Beau declared himself. He was half expecting Adam to argue with him.
"Good. Becky's been in love with you for years. It's about time you came to your senses." He smiled slightly at Beau's obvious surprise. Their gazes met and held in solemn understanding as they thought of the women they loved.
"We've got to find them," Beau vowed
passionately.
"I know. Shark will be waiting at Pelican Passage until he finds out Cyrus is dead. We've got to hurry. If we miss him there, we'll be combing the gulf for him again . . ."
"Let's sail!"
Shark was growing impatient as he paced the deck of the Banshee. Shackelford was supposed to have met them long before sundown to claim his prize and pay up. As per their plan, Shark had sent two of his men to meet the banker in the arranged place and row him out to the ship, yet it was already dark, and there was still no sign of them returning.
The absence of O'Mally and Morley troubled Shark, too. If everything had gone according to the way it was set up, they should have been back to the ship by midafternoon at the very latest. But there was no word from them, either.
"Keep a sharp watch, Will," Shark instructed, becoming more and more uneasy as time passed. He sensed that something was not quite right, but he didn't know what.
Another two hours passed before the call went up that the skiff had been sighted. Shark went to the rail to meet Cyrus, eager to get his full payment for taking Lianne. He was puzzled when his own two men climbed back aboard without him.
"Where the hell is Shackelford!" Shark demanded angrily, irritated over the banker's absence.
The two crewmen exchanged worried looks before the braver of the two answered. "He's dead, Captain."
"Dead?" Shark eyed them both suspiciously.
"Yes, sir. When he didn't show up, we went into town looking for him. That's when we found out."
"How did it happen? What did you hear?" The fact that O'Malley and Morley were still missing was beginning to take on an ominous meaning.
"Word was out that someone named Trent shot him in self-defense."
Shark exploded in fury, cursing O'Malley and Morley vilely at the news. "Damn them! They didn't kill the bastard!"
"Who, sir?"
"Never mind. If Trent has found out about Shackelford, the odds are he knows about Suzanne and her connection to us, too. We'd better make sail now. Tell Will to head for the Gulf."
Shark quickly began issuing orders to get the ship under way. When the sails had been raised, the clipper caught the night breeze and started to move.
Once they were under way, the tension Shark had been feeling eased a little. He was furious that Shackelford's demise had cost him a lot of money, but he took consolation in the fact that he still had the two women. They were worth a good deal on the market, and he was looking forward to having some private showings aboard the ship for his more preferred customers.
Satisfied that everything was under control on deck, Shark headed below to relax for a while and to start making new plans. He wasn't sure yet how he was going to use Lianne to lure Spectre out into the open, and he wanted to come up with a scheme that would guarantee him victory over his enemy.
Can't we get this thing going any faster?" Adam snapped as he stared out across the night-shrouded water.
"Sorry, sir, but this passage is tricky in the best of times, and at night, it's downright dangerous," the helmsman, Carson, told his captain.
Adam stifled a groan of frustration, but did not argue, for he trusted his helmsman's judgment. Striding across the deck, he joined Beau who was scanning the darkened horizon for some sign of the other ship.
"Nothing?"
"Nothing."
"Damn! We've got to be close!" Adam slammed his fist against the rail.
"The moon should be up soon. Maybe then we can catch sight of him. If he was scheduled to meet Shackelford here tonight, he wouldn't have left without him or at least word of him."
Adam grunted his agreement as he strained to watch for a glimpse of white sails against the black sky.
"There!" The word erupted from Adam excitedly as he pointed to the pale, distant vision of the Banshee, sails unfurled, heading out away from them toward the freedom of the Gulf. The image of that boat had been seared into his consciousness long ago, and this time Adam knew there was no mistake. It was Shark. There was no doubt in his mind.
"That's him! Damn him, he's heading straight for open water!" Beau swore.
"Carson, follow them at top speed! Beau, see that the guns are manned and tell everyone to be ready! We're going to catch that bastard this time. He's not going to get away from us again!" Adam vowed as he started belowdecks to don his Spectre garb.
Shark was sitting in his cabin at his desk contemplating Lianne where she sat still tied to the chair before him. She was certainly a lovely wench, and he was going to enjoy tasting of her charms. Once they'd safely made it to the Gulf, he was going to sample what Shackelford had missed.
"Shark!"
Will's shout was so alarmed that Shark was on his feet even as he called out for this man to enter the cabin.
"What is it?" he asked. "What's wrong?"
"It's another clipper, Shark, and she's comin' up on us mighty fast."
"Why the hell didn't you see it sooner?"
"It just seemed to come out of nowhere!" Will said as he led the way up on deck. "That ship is flying . . ." he told him a bit in awe.
"Tell the men to get ready," Shark remarked with considerable calm as he turned to glance back at Lianne who was watching them anxiously. He gave her a feral smile. "I've got a feeling I know exactly who this is. It looks like we won't be needing a plan to catch Spectre after all. He's coming to us!" With that he turned and was gone.
Lianne felt the color drain from her face as she watched him leave the room. Shark thought it was Spectre who had come after them! But how had Spectre known of their predicament? How had he known where to find them?
Her heart raced at the thought of being rescued. Then, with some excitement, Lianne realized that Shark had forgotten to lock the cabin door when he'd gone. Now was the time to use the pruning knife, if she could just get it out of her pocket! Awkwardly, she began to struggle.
Adam stood at the helm of the Sea Shadow issuing orders hard and fast to his crew. He knew his ship as well as he knew himself, and he intended to get every ounce of speed out of her he could. This was the moment he'd been waiting for —his final confrontation with Shark. There was no way he was going to act cautiously and give the pirate the opportunity to slip away. Shark was his!
Adam's expression was fierce and deadly as he kept an eye on the other boat. Every move Shark made, he countered with a better one. He was going to catch him, and he was going to see that Shark paid the price for all his murderous ways. Adam smiled grimly as the distance between them narrowed.
"We're almost on him, Beau! It's only a matter of time now . . ."
Shark watched the closing clipper with growing apprehension. He'd always believed the Banshee to be the fastest ship around, but Spectre's boat was definitely giving him a run for it. Shark remembered one night in a bar when a sailor had told him of how swift Spectre's craft was. He'd scoffed then, but now he realized how wrong he'd been to underestimate his enemy.
The pale light of the newly risen moon glinted off the massive guns that protruded threateningly from the sides of the Sea Shadow, and at first sight of them, a cold, gnawing fear clutched at Shark's chest. Panic threatened. He had never known a real challenge. All the ships he'd raided had been slow, lumbering merchants, not well-armed clippers like the one swooping down upon him now. Barking orders to Will to get to top speed from the Banshee at all costs, he watched nervously as the other ship drew ever closer.
"All right! Bring her about!" Adam shouted, his blood pounding fiercely in his veins as he prepared to do battle. "Aim to disable, not to sink!" he commanded his men. With Lianne and Becky aboard, he knew they had to be careful.
Beau and the others hurried to do as he ordered. This was what they'd waited for during all these months of searching, and they were more than ready to wreak their own vengeance. Most of the Sea Shadow's crew had been on the Windwood, and they remembered Shark's lack of mercy in dealing with them. They were going to take great pleasure in boarding his vessel.
Aboard the
Banshee, Shark was preparing to take the initiative. It was obvious that he would not be able to outrun Spectre, so he planned to maneuver shrewdly and fire first. His guns were easily the equal of the other ship's, so he had no fear that his firepower would be any less deadly.
Shark's determination came just a little too late, though, for Spectre's cannon were already targeted. Though they were still just a little out of range and the first volley fell a bit short of its intended mark, the speed with which Spectre was closing left Shark's men frightened for the first time in their lives.
"Hold your positions and prepare to fire," Shark snarled, trying to gauge the Sea Shadow's distance so they would be accurate in their aim. "Now!" he roared.
The Banshee and the Sea Shadow fired their weapons simultaneously, with the Banshee getting the worst of the exchange. Adam cheered along with his crew as their second barrage strafed the Banshee's rigging and sent much of it crashing to the deck, taking most of Shark's weapons out of commission at the same time. The Sea Shadow suffered damage to only one mast, leaving her completely maneuverable and ready to sail in for the kill.
"Fire another broadside and then take her in!" Adam commanded, wanting to make sure there was no way the other ship could flee. Pistol and sword in hand, he stood ready to board. If he had to fight his way from one end of the ship to the other to save Lianne and Becky, he was going to do it.
Adam's dark gaze was riveted on the other vessel, watching . . . waiting. It appeared that chaos reigned there, but he didn't allow himself the luxury of believing it. No matter what condition their ship was in, Shark's men were killers. No one knew that better than Adam did.
"Prepare to board!" Adam ordered, and then turned to Beau. "Stay here and take command."
"No, Adam, I'm going with you. Becky's on that ship and I'm going to find her. If she's been harmed in any way, I'm going to find whoever did it and kill them!"
Adam could tell by his friend's determined expression that there would be no convincing him to stay behind with the Sea Shadow. "All right, but be careful, damn it!"
