AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Three hours ago, maybe? I showered and stuff. Answered some emails. Tended to the dogs. Then I let them out one more time when you guys rolled up.”
“You think she went out to that ship?” Royal asks.
I nod gravely.
“I have a boat,” CJ says.
“Are we just going to board a pirate ship?” Royal asks.
“Rambo over here can handle himself,” Ryan says.
We gather weapons and a few supplies then set out in the darkness. My pulse keeps pace with the boat as it flies over the water.
CJ cuts the engine when we get close and paddles to the brigantine. Up close, it’s enormous with splintered wood and truly tattered sails. It’s a surprise the thing still floats and isn’t a relic at an island attraction or part of a movie set.
I gesture to the guys before realizing they likely have no idea what the gestures mean. CJ, eyes sharp, seems the most equipped to deal with whatever happens.
I listen carefully over the water lapping the hull. I’m just about to fire my grappling hook and climb aboard when I hear a softplop.
CJ motions aft and I squint into the darkness. Night vision would be handy right now. All my covert equipment is still in a gear locker.
A cloud shifts from in front of the moon and a figure takes shape. A slender figure with curly hair glides through the water away from the ship.
I want to shout at her through the night. Ask her what she thought she was doing. Scold her for how dangerous this is—kayaking at night, getting on a ghost ship.
It isn’t nearly as calm as it was when we took the tour earlier and the boat rocks in the waves. Lally bobs like a cork in the water—like a living breathing message in the bottle. One I refuse to listen to right now. But at least she’s out here and not smuggled into the faraway unknown aboard the Dark Seas.
My chest burns with anger, relief, and something else. If anything happens to her... I send up a prayer.Take me instead. I’ll sacrifice myself ten times over rather than her be in harm’s way. Then again, that’s the exact thing I’ve been trying to avoid.
CJ took control of the situation and jets over to the kayak.
In the moonlight, Lally’s eyes widen.
He angles so we’re parallel.
“Nice night,” Ryan says. “Do you come here often?”
“Oh, hi guys. What are you doing out here on this lovely evening?” she asks, fluttering her eyelashes.
“Lally,” I say more sternly than I probably should, given the way she slits her eyes.
“Sorry. I was in character. But I got you the goods.” Lally moves to pull something from under her arm when the waves toss the kayak and nearly capsizes. “It’s getting a little rough out here.” Her voice quavers.
I’m about to dive and wrestle her into the boat if I have to when CJ helps her aboard. Her sweet coconut scent wafts my way. The flare and flag wage war inside.
For the first time in our lives, CJ gives me alook. The kind of look I’d get from a superior if I needed to take a knee.
The boat ride to shore is silent.
The walk to Lally’s cottage is like the grave.
She stops in front of her door and says, “Sorry. Not sorry. But I got this. Thought it might help with your great adventure.” Her voice is small, defeated as if she knows it’s over.
I have about a million questions, but take the bottle containing the fragment of a map in hand, marveling at it.
“And I know things between us are—” But she doesn’t finish. Just goes inside and closes the door behind her.
My brothers wait for me back at the cottages.
