Paid to the Pirate by Una Rohr
Chapter 12
Colt
Why did you kill Maurice? Where is the Crimson Eye? What happened to the gold?
Pertinent questions to ask. Instead, like an utter fool, I demanded, “What were you thinking when you saw me in the tavern? Us,” I corrected, gruffly. “Saw me and the crew?”
Surprised as much as I was by the question, Charlotte blinked her wide, hazel eyes, then narrowed them, suspicious.
The question threw her. Fine. Good. Yes, that was my clever intention all along.
“Thinking?” she repeated. “I was… um… frightened?”
“Obvious,” I dismissed, though it wasn’t. For all I knew, feigning fear was a part of her plan. Maybe she wanted to get caught, to get back onto my ship for some reason. Except this was no longer the same ship… so maybe she wanted to speak with someone in my crew? Maybe she had worked with one of the men and was secretly coordinating… I shook my head. It didn’t make any sense. None of this made sense. Coordinating what, after two years?
“I was,” Charlotte searched the brig, as if the answer lay somewhere around her, “surprised to see you.”
Again, it came out like a question. I frowned.
“You agreed to tell the truth for one question. Not to play the lady act. What exactly was going through that pretty little head of yours when you walked blithely into the tavern? Why not hide? Did you think to shock me?”
“I – yes.” Charlotte lifted her chin. “I thought you’d be stunned to see me, but I didn’t count on being stunned by you. You’ve changed.”
I searched her face for the lie. I had cut my long hair. Allowed the stubble on my face to grow without scraping it for several days.
“You knew I’d take you, punish you,” I insisted. “Why not run? Why play like you’re a lady who’s never been aboard a ship before?”
Charlotte shut down, I could see it as I watched her face smooth into indifference. “You said one question. May I please be released from this hold now?”
What game was this? I fisted my hands at my sides. I could break her. She knew it. I could torture her until she talked. So why did she willingly place herself in my hands? Why under the guise of a ladyship?
None of it made any sense. Every action of mine own felt like it played into her diabolical plan.
I needed to do what she wouldn’t expect.
I smiled, baring teeth as I unlocked the cell door and stepped aside.
“My lady,” I bowed with a flourish. “My ship is yours. During the day, you’re free to roam as you will and do as you please.”
Not missing my implication, she asked, “And the night?”
“At night I’ll do I will and as I please. You’ll return to my cabin. We’ll have our discussion again. And when I’m through with you, I’ll deposit you here, to sleep in your cell.”
“You call beating a lady a discussion?” she said, snarling the accusation.
“No,” I replied, stepping close so that she had to look up to meet my eyes. “Beating a lady is a despicable act. Last night involved neither a beating nor a lady.”
The corners of her pretty mouth turned down, affronted.
“The journey to Nassau is several days. That’s many evenings for us to discuss matters. The power to stop anytime is all yours, Miss Charlotte. Just say the word.”
I held her gaze, almost afraid she’d fold and end the game I didn’t want to admit I might enjoy playing.
“I don’t know what you mean,” she said, brushing past me.
A grin I shouldn’t have allowed crept across my face.