A Hidden Queen

Chapter 61

Scotty tenses at the words. He gradually turns himself about, looking up at Charlie towering over him. Charlie's face is stoic, the dread clearly building within Scotty's green eyes.

"How many are to be joining our little soiree?" Scotty finally speaks, erasing the emotion.

Charlie glances over at Danny who leans against the bulkhead, keeping his ears attuned to the commotion beyond.

"Two. Three at the most." Danny confers.

"That's evenly matched." Hawthorne states obviously. "What weapons did you bring?"

Charlie silently pulls the anchor dagger from his beltline, displaying it for the prison occupants. Alex furrows down his brow, looking at him with dumbfound disbelief as Hawthorne's sigh morphs to a pitiful groan.

"That is all you brought? What type of pirate brings a knife to a gun fight?" Alex quips, crossing his arms.

"The kind that did not want to draw undue attention to himself with shot and powder." Charlie snaps, tucking the weapon back under his sash. "We needed stealth not brute force that would end in loss of life."

"Attention is inevitable. And your logic is flawed as that dagger is of no use unless in close quarters." Alex frowns sourly, sending glaring daggering at his friend.

Charlie narrows his eyes threateningly at Alex. He knew he was correct; the dagger was of little use unless in hand-to-hand. But the need for silence was imperative and it was better to be poorly armed than not at all. But now was not the time to be mulling over and arguing such points. Charlie scoffs, forcing air from his nose and turning away from the prison.

"Danny, how close are they?" He questions the bigger man.

"Hard to discern with the door shut. A few meters at best. We have a minute, maybe two tops before they reach the door. What do you want to do Charlie?" Danny pushes.

Charlie pauses rubbing the stubble on his chin. His first instinct was to grab the two men and hide themselves in the darkness just beyond the door; silently praying that the men passed by without a glance. But Scotty needed to continue his work on the lock. Picking it was a tedious task, and any time lost hiding could not be regained. And that was unacceptable as it would expose them longer than necessary. They must deal with the men. One minute. Charlie exhales deeply. There was no room for errors.

"Austin?" Scotty presses becoming uncomfortable with the dragging silence.

"Keep working." Charlie instructs, walking over to Danny and placing a hand on the much taller man's shoulder. "Danny and I will handle this."

Danny freezes, glancing down at him. He fixates a rather lethal glare on Charlie who hastily pats the seething midshipman's back before turning to study the door.

"And what pray is this plan you have concocted Austin?" Danny whispers harshly, inching closer.

"Get that thing unlocked Scotty." Charlie instructs sternly, ignoring the question.

"Austin."

Danny's words smartly end with Charlie slapping his hand over the gaping hole. The young pirate tilts his head. They were close. Very close. He discerns, ushering Danny not to speak. He gently drives him against the bulkhead behind the door, gesturing for him to stay put. Danny dangerously narrows his eyes, pinching his lips into a thin line giving the midshipman the appearance of a disapproving parent.

Charlie pinches his lips, biting back the snickering. The look was out of place, even comical on the bigger man. Under normal circumstances, it would have prompted endless teasing, but this was not normal. Such niceties were nothing more than a distraction.