“Notpleasant things, I’m afraid.” Something sounded in the hallway andPleeman peered over his shoulder nervously. “I must go now. But,Miss, I would watch out around the men. And take special carearound the captain. They’ve all been on the ship for far too long.It’s taken their minds.”
I wanted toyell after him as he fled the brig, but I didn’t want to get myonly possible ally in trouble. He’d told me he wasn’t supposed tobe down there. Or was that all an act? I had no idea. But one thingwas for sure. I had to find a way out before it as too late.
Before I metCaptain Cook.
Quietly, butswiftly, I rummaged my cell for a tool. Anything small and sturdyenough to pick the lock. But there was nothing aside from dry grassand a ton of dirt. Desperate, I began to search myself, pattingdown my pants and searching the pockets of the jacket.
My heartskipped a beat when my fingers touched the piece left from thetelescope that I’d tucked in an inside pocket. I couldn’t believeit took me that long to realize it was there. I pulled it out andexamined it. Two thin, metal rings looped around the shaft and Iskillfully pried them off. Thankfully they were pliable enough tostraighten out, providing me with two thin strips of metal. I justhoped my plan worked.
I stuck my armsthrough the bars and poked the two metal bits in the keyhole of thelock. After several failed attempts, I was about to give up whenthe giant lock clicked, and something released on the inside.
“Yes!” Iwhispered to myself and sneakily removed the lock from itsplace.
The doorof bars was loud as I swung it open. But I knew opening it slowlywould only createa long wail ofrusty cries. I stopped and waited, listening for any sounds above.Nothing. I then crept along the plank board wall and stopped rightas the hallway began, peering my head around. It was clear. So, Iscampered down the hall in hopes it would lead me to a hatch. Butthe further I went, the more disoriented I got. This damn ship washuge, and I soon became lost in a maze of crates and ropes andother collections of things.
Finally, thesheen of the moon changed the lighting of a space up ahead and Iknew I was close to a ladder hatch. Excitement filled my body as Idarted across a large open space toward the moonlight.
“Goingsomewhere, sweetness?”
I let out agasp and stopped in my place. “Jesus!”
Benjamin leanedagainst the wall, a nonchalant aura about him. “I see you’veescaped. I’m impressed. How you got out, I have no idea.” He took afew wide steps toward me, blocking my path. “Let’s find out, shallwe?” He advanced, and my eyes widened.
“No!” myhand shot out, knife pointed at the man. “Stay back.”
Benjamin eyedthe tiny blade and chuckled. “What do you plan to do withthat?”
I shook theknife. “More than you think. Now stay back.”
He reached tohis side and gripped the hilt a massive sword before slowly pullingit out and tipping the point in my direction. His brooding stareglared at me, challenging. “Drop the knife.”
I narrowed myeyes. “No.”
He inchedcloser, the blade’s tip just hairs away from my belly. “I said dropthe knife, Dianna.”
His tone, whichhad been fairly easy going until then, dropped into a pissed offgrowl of impatience. The sudden change in the pirate shook me and Ireluctantly dropped the small blade. His sword was too close tobaby for my comfort and, I had to admit, I was no good with a knifelike that.
Lottie was,though.
The image of mybest friend flashed through my mind and a sudden rush of emotionsflooded my body. I squashed them down as fast as I could. BeforeBenjamin noticed.
“Now,turn around and face the wall,” he ordered, sword still shoved atme.
I stood indefiance, my mind racing for a way out. But there was none. He wasjust too big, and I was no match for him. With a defeated sigh, Iturned and placed my hands on the wall. Benjamin pressed up againstmy back as his arms reach around my front and felt for objects. Icould feel his hot breath in my hair and it made me cringeinwardly. When his palm pat the small bump of my belly Ijumped.
“What’sthis?” he asked and backed away. “Are you with child?”
My nose pokedover my shoulder. Should I say yes and beg for mercy? Or keep mysecret and protect the baby? “What does it matter?”
“Itmatters a great deal if I’m keeping a pregnant woman locked up andforcing her to sleep on the bloody floor,” he replied.
I turned aroundthen, facing him. “So, it appears you’re one of the few with aconscience.”
Benjamin lookedconfused at my words and slightly offended. “I’m a pirate,sweetness. Not a monster.”
“So, doesthat mean you’ll let me go?” I asked.
The piratelaughed and took hold of my arm, pulling me back the way I came.“Not a chance. Keeping you locked up is probably for your own good.No one can touch you but me.” He held up the key ring.
I struggledagainst his grip, my feet threatening to trip over each other as Itried to keep up with him. “So, you’re keeping me all to yourself,then? Is that it?”
He came to aviolent stop and brought his face down and close to mine. The hairson the back of my neck stood on end and my stomach toiled. Ishouldn’t push him too much. I had no idea what he was capable of.The warm air from his open mouth covered my face as his lips slowlybrushed along my cheek toward my ear and whispered, “You wish.”
My throat wentdry and words escaped me. I let him haul me back to the brig andlock me inside before he stomped off in anger. I didn’t knowwhether to cry or sneak out again before anyone returned. But wherewould I go? I only had the island. Would there be a cave somewhereI could seek refuge? If so, that didn’t help me create a signal formy crew. I was stuck.
The only hope Ihad was to talk some sense into the captain. I’d charmed my way tosafety on The Devil’s Heart.
