Page 80 of The Swan Syndicate
Cheval pointed it at the man tied in the chair. The shot was quick, and the man grunted as the bolt pierced his right shoulder.
Her eyes snapped wide. Was he going to use that on her? She wanted to struggle against the ropes but that would only show weakness—and her terror. Her gaze flashed to Cheval.
“Oh, don’t worry. I don’t intend to use this on you. This is a teaching moment.” He picked up another bolt and rolled it around in his fingers. “I’ve found that my most loyal men remain loyal because they know the penalty for crossing me. Yet, the promise of riches from others sometimes makes them forget.”
He set the string and bolt in place, and as horrified as she was to what would happen next, she watched each movement he made.
The second bolt hit the man in his upper thigh and this time he screamed. She expected a huge spurt of blood, and while the wound bled, the crimson drops seeping into the wood floor, he’d missed the femoral artery. Did he know if he’d hit the right spot the man could have bled out in minutes?
“I trusted this man. He’d found someone on MacDuff’s ship willing to share a bit of news for a few crowns. That’s how I found out about you. But MacDuff found out and paid my man more—” he nodded to the man bleeding from two bolts, “—in an attempt to give me false information. It would have worked.”
He picked up another bolt, and she glanced at the injured man. His grimace of pain had morphed into terror with his widening gaze, and then he closed his eyes in acceptance as his ragged breaths slowed. He knew he was going to die. The question was how many more bolts he would suffer before that happened. One. Two. Or would Cheval fill him with several then leave him to bleed out on his own?
“Do you know why it didn’t work?” His gaze bored into hers as he rolled the next bolt in his fingers. He was apparently going to hold off until she answered, which only built the horrid tension to an excruciating level.
“No.” It was all the words she had strength for.
He smiled. “See how quickly you’re learning?” He slid the bolt in but held the crossbow so it pointed to the ceiling. “I don’t trust my men.”
She snorted. She couldn’t help it.
He grinned. “It’s the business, I’m afraid. If you haven’t had that problem yet it would only have been a matter of time.” He scratched his stubbled jaw. “I never send one spy. I always send two. The second is to spy on the first. See? I can’t tell you how many times I’ve caught my men trying to double-cross me. You’d think the rumors of torture and death alone would deter them. But they’re greedy men.” He shrugged. “That’s why they’re smugglers.”
This time the bolt struck the man’s chest. His gaze went wide before his body slumped the few inches his restraints allowed. His eyes never closed as his face slackened. It wasn’t the first time she’d watched someone die, and it didn’t get any easier.
Cheval dropped the crossbow to his side and marched toward her. It required every last bit of strength not to flinch. He bent to her ear. “Remember this. Not that you’ll be leaving this ship anytime soon. But if you think you can talk any of my men into helping you, remember the punishment.”
He pulled her head back and studied her.
She tried to reflect both understanding and fearful respect. Whatever he read in her expression seemed to satisfy him.
He turned to his men. “Cut her loose. She won’t be causing any problems.” He turned back and considered her. “Take her to the hold next to my cabin.” He grinned. “Tomorrow you’ll beput to work scrubbing the deck. Everyone works on this ship.” Before he left, he added one last order.
“Put a blanket or two on the floor of my cabin. Let’s see how long she’ll sleep on a hard floor after a long day of work. I’ll wager two crowns she’ll willingly come to my bed in three days.”
The men laughed as they began placing their own bets. One strode toward her, removing a knife from his belt to cut her free. She glanced at the other man. Their belts were adorned with a sheathed dagger and gunpowder cartridges. Their pistols were stored in holsters either on their thigh or underneath their jackets.
Weapons within easy reach. She just needed the right moment. A single question made her smile.
What would Beckworth do?
26
Beckworth startled when someone shoved his shoulder. He jerked around to find Lando grinning at him. “What?”
“You’re sleeping on your feet.” He pushed Beckworth out of the way and loosened the lines.
“I’ll stay if you stay.”
Lando shook his head. “I’ve just come from a rest. Jamie’s making everyone take one before we catchThe Horseman.”
Beckworth wiped his eyes and leaned over the railing. The other ship was still far off but could easily be spotted without a spyglass. “We’re catching up.”
“Jamie wants to be on top of them when we reach Langland Bay. Do as you’re ordered. You’re no good to us as you are.”
Beckworth glanced at the sailor next to him and noticed it was the sailor he’d relieved earlier.
The sailor grinned at him. “Your turn, mate.”
