When Whitley winds up on the top of a pirate hit-list thanks to her con-artist father, she must hide her identity and board another pirate ship, trusting in one shape-shifting pirate named Bluff to help her escape. Too bad you can never, ever, trust...
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Bluff
My whole body sinks into the chair when Timmons finally tells me the terms of our ransom. It makes sense. Total sense.
As much as it didn't shock me, this idea that a pirate crew I loved like family could betray me—I also knew it would take a lot.
I assumed it was something more than gold—black mail. A promise of power. Something they couldn't resist.
The life of Rosemera... well that was more than enough.
I don't even blame them, not one little bit. Especially since she's only in this predicament because of me. She wouldn't have been in New York, she wouldn't have been connected to us, if I hadn't pulled her in to help.
My stomach aches to think what could have happened to her. She's strong, stronger than most the men on her crew. But that doesn't stop me from wondering. From worrying.
Ink was right. Woman are always a man's downfall. Even if you're not in love, or lust, with them—they still have a way of pulling your heart in. Making you feel things. Making you weak.
Rosemera is no different.
I'd die for her. Which is why, this just got a whole lot harder. Now I have to worry that if Whitley and I do find a way to escape, that it'll cost Rosemera's life. Something I'll never forgive myself for.
I press my eyes closed for a long minute.
"So that it?" Timmons asks after a bit. "You giving up?"
He must have noticed how limp my body went, how my soul seeped from my body, sinking into the sea.
"As he well should," Ink says with a gravelly voice.
"Maybe." I whisper.
Their footsteps recede away from us but return not long after, untying us each and dragging us over to The Freedom.
"Good riddance," one of the boys shouts at me as I'm prompted to climb aboard. I don't respond. I don't fight. I just move.
One glance behind me tells me Whitley follows suit, without a word. Quietly climbs the rickety ladder like a pro. Girl learns quickly, at least.
Once aboard the ship, the rest of the crew watch mostly silently, only the occasional whisper floats through the air as I'm pushed against the main mast, arms pulled behind me and tied in several of their tightest knots, so tight it cuts off my circulation. There's little they can do that I can't untie with enough time. It'll just take me all night, is all.
Whitley is guided to the same spot but there's discussion as to whether she should be tied as well. A few derogatory suggestions are thrown out and I realize her safety is in jepordy on this ship for the first time. If I'm not an ally any longer... why not take advantage of the situation?
