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He smiled back, the moonlight reflecting in his large, dark eyes.
Having finished their duties, the rest of the crew joined us on the deck, unrolling their mats. I sat among a dozen people, all dressed in similar long-sleeved tunics and hats. The boat gently swayed on the water, a reminder that I’d done the impossible. I only had to remain anonymous, just another member of the crew. My uncle and Mr. Hayes walked toward us, greeting the pilot and cook. I held my breath and kept my face turned away, hunching my shoulders to hide behind the other crew members.
But I heard every word that passed between them.
“All in order?” Tío Ricardo asked.
Someone replied in the affirmative.
“We seem to have acquired a new crew member,” Mr. Hayes said slowly. “Weren’t there only twelve?”
I tensed, my breath trapped in my chest. I waited for him to recognize me, to hear his insolent voice call out my name. But no such cry of outrage came.
“It’s fine. We need the help,” Tío Ricardo said impatiently. “Is everyone here? I want to depart at dawn.”
“Yes, yes.”
My uncle thanked whoever had spoken. The sound of footsteps drew away from the deck. I exhaled slowly, my hands interlaced tightly in my lap. I relaxed a fraction. They all must have moved away, probably to theirrespective bedrooms. But then a familiar voice, spoken lazily, remarked, “Funny no one talked to you about adding someone to the team.”
“Abdullah will hardly quibble about the extra hands,” Tío Ricardo said. “You never gave me your report about this afternoon.”
I chanced to turn my face halfway in their direction, peering up at them through my lashes. Kareem sat motionless next to me. My uncle and Mr. Hayes leaned against the railing.
“I can confirm Sterling has the ring and is wearing it in public,” Mr. Hayes said.
“But you were unable to retrieve it.”
My breath caught at the back of my throat as I waited to see what he’d say. Would he inform my uncle of how I’d snuck out of the hotel?
“It was… crowded, unfortunately.”
“Damn it,” Tío Ricardo seethed.
My jaw dropped. Confirmation that Mr. Hayes truly hadn’t betrayed me. I still didn’t understand why he’d protected me. He barely tolerated my presence, and he could have gotten me in even more trouble with my uncle. But then he might have decided it wasn’t worth it since I was well and truly gone. I exhaled slowly, through my nose, like Papá had once taught me. He always knew how to calm me down, especially after an argument with my mother.
Mr. Hayes tilted his head, studying my uncle with a keen eye. “That’s not the only thing bothering you, is it?”
My uncle averted his gaze. “I don’t know what you mean.”
“Yes,” Mr. Hayes said smoothly, “you do.”
I curled my toes within my boots. After a long beat, my uncle finally responded. “You should have seen the look of loathing on her face.”
“I daresay she’ll get over it.”
“I don’t know her well enough to know.” Tío Ricardo glared at Mr. Hayes. “Neither do you.”
Mr. Hayes’s lips pressed tight, as if stifling amusement. “She was certainly… plucky.”
“Her curiosity is bothersome.”
“She was bound to have questions about your tall tale.”
“If Cayo hadn’t lied to me, he would still be alive,” Tío Ricardo said in frustration. “He was a dishonest fool who knew better than to cross me when I want something.” He ducked his head, the line of his jaw hard and unforgiving. “This is all his fault.”
“You shouldn’t speak ill of the dead.”
“I can when it’s deserved.” A sharp gasp climbed up my throat. I ruthlessly tamped it down, biting my lip. He was talking about my father. My eyes burned. What the hell was going on? My mother’s letter swam across my vision. Panic edged closer and I fought to keep my breathing even.
