Which leads me down another familiar rabbit hole—why isPeterignoring me? Why hasn’t he flown here and taken me back to the cave? When he found Coy … My thoughts stray back to that night, but I shut them off again. I can’t function if I think about Coy.
I reach out and stroke Sally’s back feathers. “Anyway, I’m curious to see what this pirate party is all about.”
“Never you mind that, lass.”
I whirl, losing my balance when I try to put my weight on my bad leg.
Hook catches me, his hands on my upper arms as he sets me back on my feet.
I back away and startle Sally off the windowsill as my back hits the shutter beside it.
“Didn’t mean to scare you.” He looks down at me, his gaze on mine.
Now that I know he’s Hook, I look at him with different eyes. No longer a handsome pirate who takes orders from a power-hungry tyrant—heisthe tyrant. A clean-shaven one today. In fact, he looks … Well, I think if I didn’t know who he was, I’d find him handsome in a fierce, sharp sort of way. Dark hair, tan skin, blue eyes. He’s tall and strong, his body well muscled and his gaze sharp. An aristocratic nose with high cheekbones, and a scar along one cheek that ends at his square jaw. His age is a mystery, but if I had to guess, I’d say early thirties. No longer a boy—or a fuckboy for that matter—he’s all man. White shirt open to his lean stomach and black pants with leather boots, he’s dressed the same as always, but his shirt seems to be pressed and his boots have a shine to them instead of bog mud.
Hook is nothing like the dandy Wendy described, and he hasbothhis hands. No wonder I didn’t recognize him.
“Is there at least a crocodile with a clock in its gut?” I blurt.
He cocks his head to the side. “Pardon?”
I throw my hands up. “Lies.” That was one of my favorite parts of her tale. Ofcourseit was bullshit.
He straightens. “I only came to check on you. I would’ve come sooner, but Blackbeard was being a right twat about it because of Huran.”
“I’d rather you didn’t come at all.” I try to coat the words with venom.
“That so?” He only smirks.
“Are you slow? That was aninsult.”
“Aye, lass. I know you were certainlytryingto insult me. But that’s neither here nor there. I only came to check on you. And to tell you one thing.” He steps toward me.
I shrink against the shutter despite myself. I want to be tough, but it’s hard when a pirate captain who’s twice your size and has no qualms about killing your friends is coming after you.
He puts one hand against the wall beside my head and leans forward.
I hold my breath and fist my hands, ready to do my worst if he tries to hurt me.
Again, he glances at my lips.
A puff of breath escapes me, and I suck it back in.
“Stay here during the meeting, lass. Don’t leave this room no matter what you hear.”
“What will I hear?”
He makes ahmmnoise. “Pirates aren’t exactly amenable to reason.”
“I’m aware.” I glare at him, my spine returning.
He breezes past my implication with ease. “Which means even a calm dinner could turn ugly. I don’t plan on that happening, but I don’t plan against it, either.”
“That doesn’t even make sense.”
“You understood me, lass.” He moves even closer, our bodies almost touching. “Do what I say and stay put. Lock the door when I leave. Don’t let anyone else in here unless it’s me or Huran.”
“You don’t get to tell me what to do.” I try to keep my voice from shaking but fail. Still, I continue, “I don’t care what sick plan you have for me. You aren’t mycaptain, and I don’t have to listen to you. Now if you would kindly fuck off, I’d appreciate it.”
