“A wise man would take the money and bolt. A wise woman would question why any man wouldn’t.”
Ian stared at her, willing her to recognize what neither of them could put into words.
With all the hazards surrounding them, he couldn’t leave her.
It was an easier argument to swallow than admitting he was indulging his selfish desire to keep Diana close.
Birdie’s whistle sounded from the bow deck of the ship.
“They’re watching,” Diana said in a rasp. “Let’s convince them of your loyalty.”
She took his free hand and cupped it between both of hers in a firm grip. “Do you, Ian Genaro Holt, in devotion to the memory of your parents, pledge your fidelity and service to the passengers and crew of theEver Hart?”
Her small hands squeezed his in a surprisingly strong grip, and Ian fought off a smile. “I do.”
“And do you also vow that while onboard theEver Hart, you will make no plans or overtures to intimidate or persuade others to steal the emerald necklace? That by doing so, you would risk your own life?”
“I do,” he echoed softly.
A black-bordered envelope was waiting for Diana in her cabin.
Amelia accompanied it, but before Diana could tell her what had transpired with Ian at the tavern, Birdie joined them.
“No one saw this being delivered?” Diana lifted the envelope between two fingers.
Both women shook their heads.
“That does not inspire confidence in our security.”
Birdie slouched against the wall with her arms folded over her chest. “My best hands were watchin’ over other villains.”
“Then make sure everyone else gets another lesson on our protocols.” Diana kept her tone cold, which she’d found much more effective than raising it. “We’re bound for San Sebastian. But now we have another extraction we’ll need to transport with the Melbourne cargo. A gentleman wants to pay us a small fortune to rescue his two daughters.”
Amelia’s forehead wrinkled. “Who’s the target?”
“Enrique da Costa.”
Birdie let loose a curse. “He took over Clementi’s operations for Il Corno. Word is he’s twice as unhinged.”
“He’s the one who auctions women, isn’t he?” Amelia said in a low voice.
Diana curled her lip. “We’ve wanted to take him down for years but can’t work a scenario where we don’t all lose our hides.”
Birdie issued a choked noise of protest. “We don’t have time to plan for this.”
“No, we don’t,” Diana agreed calmly. “That’s why we won’t disrupt the auction. We will only extract the cargo.”
“And leave the other women to the mercy of those shagbags?”
When Diana and Amelia exchanged a quiet look, Birdie sneered. “It’s a stupid move. Any action with that lot’s a declaration of war. What makes these girls so special? Why should we leave the others behind and risk so much?”
“Money,” Amelia replied.
“Their father is paying us to get them out,” Diana added. “We will put the funds toward rescuing other women who don’t have rich families willing to pay a ransom.”
They contemplated this staggering reality for a tense, quiet moment before Birdie asked roughly, “So what’s the play? Standard shell game?”
“It’s the only thing we have time for,” Diana replied. “Our source in San Sebastian should be able to supply us with wardrobe and an extra hand or two.”
