Page 60 of Scourge of the Shores
Hagen nodded and stood. “Lead the way.”
But Danna wasn’t going to let them take control of their meeting. “I’ll take ye to them after we’ve done here.”
Frank glanced between Danna and Robert, as did Lucas, noticing the intensity of their locked gaze.
Robert lowered his head and readjusted his hat. “What else did ye wanna discuss, Captain?”
Hagen sat at Robert’s question.
“How much longer do ye think ye’ll be here?” Danna asked, forcing her voice even. “Given our progress.”
Robert held her gaze and answered, “Maybe three more months.”
Danna nodded. “So we’ve cut yer time in half then,” she said, pushing back from the table and standing. “Ye should be happy.”
She tore away from Robert to address Hagen.
“We’re holdin’ to our end of the bargain.”
Her gaze flicked across the other pirates. “Ye’ll get back to the sea sooner than expected. That’s what ye wanted, aye?”
Hagen nodded in approval.
“Aye,” William and Larc said with a nod.
Robert’s jaw flexed, but he stayed silent.
Danna returned her attention to Robert. “So let’s finish the job.”
Hagen drummed his fingers on the table and opened his mouth to speak, but Danna held up her hand to silence him. “I’ll take ye to see the tar and pitch now, Captain Hagen.”
“Thank ye, lass,” Hagen said, but shook his head. “Captain,” he corrected himself with a polite smile.
She led them out, allowing the island guards to trail behind her and her guests. They inspected the large tar and pitch barrels. Frank raised both eyebrows, impressed, when she explained how they produced such large quantities at a time. She heard his whisper to Robert, “She’s a smart lass.”
Danna glanced at Robert, who only nodded his head as he eyed her.
As they neared the eastern shore, Danna’s stomach knotted. Ships filled the waters, hundreds of pirate banners rippling in the wind. Too many. All pirates, with no reason not to plunder them for all they had. All except one.
Robert had been the only thing keeping them from tearing her island apart.
Hagen spoke to Frank, but his gaze kept flicking to Robert.
Waiting. Holding back.
Her chest tightened.
Even now, after everything, Robert was keeping them in line.
She glanced at him, walking beside Frank, and sensed the silent declaration of his respect for her and her home.
She inspected the work as she was supposed to and counted the logs. Seventy-eight, as Frank had said.
“All’s in order,” she finally announced. “We should all get back to it.” She turned to Robert and Frank. “Be seein’ ye next week.”
“Next week,” Robert echoed. His jaw twitched.
Danna took a deep breath and tore away from his presence with Lucas by her side and the island guards following close behind.
