Page 60 of Paid to the Pirate

There’s nowhere to hide in this small settlement and you can’t think I’d run away now, could you?

For a few seconds we stared in a tense stalemate until Johnson burst through the door.

“Captain,” he called, hurrying over to us.

I froze.Had they caught Daniel? Did someone know what I was up to?

“You’re needed back on the ship. There’s been an issue with the rigging and a dispute has broken out.”

“I’ll be there in a moment,” Colt gritted out. “When Charlotte is ready.”

“No,” I quickly protested. With a feigned smile, I said, “Please. Go on. I need to take care of myself and then I’d like to speak with Mrs. Penningham and collect my things… half your crew is here, I’m quite safe.And I’m not going anywhere.”

Don’t you trust me?I asked with my eyes.Where would I escape to anyway?

“Johnson can escort me back once I’m ready,” I added, helpfully.

It was difficult not to wither under Colt’s hard, dark stare. But he said nothing as he turned to Johnson and gave a curt nod. My whole chest sank in relief with the breath I released. It would be easier to speak with Daniel now. Smiling, I gave Colt a quick kiss.

“Please trust me,”I whispered in his ear as I hugged him. “I’m not trying to give you the slip. Where would I go?”

“Wait for her,” Colt said to Johnson, tilting his head in my direction as he turned to leave.

Walking slowly and with purpose, I slipped through the door from the tavern’s main seating area and into the hall leading to the privy, the kitchens, and the rear of the building. Stepping through the darkened hall, I saw no one.

“Daniel?” I whispered.

No answer.

Forced to travel further, I walked all the way to the back of the tavern and slipped out the door.

“Daniel?” I asked again, this time a little louder.

From my right he appeared, grabbing and hugging me.

“Daniel!” I cried, annoyed at the lack of propriety.

But why was I so shocked when I’d promised to consider his proposal? Why was I outraged when Colt had done far worse, far faster?

I had no time to consider as Daniel leaned in to kiss me and I was forced to push him away. What in the world made him so bold?

I remembered the possessive caress of Colt’s fingers, low on my back as we sat. I’d grown so accustomed I hadn’t thought about it at the time. But surely, Daniel had spied the intimacy.

“Stop,” I demanded, holding him at arm’s length.

“Are you unharmed?” Daniel asked. “Did he hurt you? Touch you? What have you learned?”

A barrage of questions followed, but I was only half-listening. My stomach knotted as I prepared to confess the truth.

“Daniel,” I began. “Know that I’m sorry for everything I’m about to tell you.”

Quickly,I thought.Best to get it over quickly.

“But I cannot marry you and I – I don’t know anything that might help us bring an end to Colt’s piracy and… and… I’m not sure he’s as bad as we all thought…”

Perhaps the truth behind my words was obvious as I averted my eyes. It didn’t take Daniel more than a moment to accuse me. Perhaps the truth was obvious in whatever he saw between Colt and me as he spied on us from the kitchens.

“He’s had you, hasn’t he?” Daniel spat, fighting a sneer.

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