“You want to do what?” Charles asked, staring at Flint as though he’d misheard him.

  “I want to hunt pirate hunters,” Flint repeated evenly. “I want to hunt those who prosecute us.”

  Charles barked out a short laugh. “Are you mad? You’d bring the full weight of England down on us.”

  “Why wait for the fight?” Flint countered. “Let’s take it to them.”

  There was a fire in Flint’s eyes that Charles hadn’t seen before. It was focused, unyielding, almost frightening in its certainty.

  “I want to become a legend, Charles,” Flint said. “If I have to become the devil himself to do it, I will. For Nassau.”

  Charles shook his head slowly. “And how, exactly, do you plan to do that?”

  “We start small. We hit the tradesmen, not just their ships, but the men themselves.”

  “That’ll cut Nassau off from supplies,” Charles said. “You know that.”

  Flint nodded, already anticipating the objection. “Not if we take everything. Admit it! So far, all we’ve done is barter. We steal it, Eleanor sells it, then we steal it back. The only real prize anyone’s taken lately is my Urca gold.”

  Charles held his tongue, choosing not to mention the Carolina girl.

  “We gather information,” Flint continued. “From ships. From men. England will notice us. When they do, we use the gold to prepare and to fortify Nassau. To defend it when they come.”

  Charles studied him. “Is that what you wanted the treaty for?”

  “I want them to hear us,” Flint said when Charles didn’t immediately respond. “I want them to feel us.”

  “As do I,” Charles said quietly.

  Flint’s expression darkened, his resolve sharpening into something almost inhuman.

  “What will you do for Nassau?” Flint asked.

  Charles wasn’t as devoted to the island as Flint seemed to be. But there was something, or rather someone, whose future mattered to him.

  “Fuck it,” Charles said at last. “Let’s make ourselves legends.”

  “It won’t be easy.”

  “I said I’m with you,” Charles growled. “Don’t insult me by doubting it.”

  Flint nodded once. “You’ve heard we won’t make landfall until tonight.”

  “I have.”

  “I’ll send men to bring Rackham to the beach. We’ll negotiate there. But if he denies me that treasure…” Flint’s voice dropped. “I’ll gut him where he stands.”

  Charles snorted. “If he had the nerve to steal from you, he’s earned the storm coming. I might not let you kill him. But I won’t stop a beating.”

  “Good. Then we can move on to the last matter.”

  Charles raised a brow. “You’ve had time to plan more?”

  “I spoke with Silver,” Flint said. “Emma can stay in Miranda’s old house, but on the condition that she cares for him while he heals. We’ll need Silver’s mouth, and he won’t be of use until he’s recovered away from the sea.”

  You might be reading a pirated copy. Look for the official release to support the author.

  Charles opened his mouth, but Flint cut him off.

  “And before you protest. I have no objection to you spending what time you can with her. But hear me clearly, Charles—if you ruin her, I will gut you.”

  The terms were acceptable. Emma would have security, and that was what mattered. Charles nodded.

  “Is that all?” he asked.

  Flint nodded in return, and they parted ways.

  Charles went to find Emma. He spotted her seated with Silver, the two of them laughing together on deck. He might have felt a twinge of jealousy, but he didn’t, not with Silver. It was the ease between them that told him everything. Friendship. Nothing more.

  If that ever changed, he’d gut Silver without hesitation.

  When Emma noticed him, she smiled. She didn’t object when he sat beside her, didn’t question his absence, didn’t press him for answers. She simply accepted him there. It was a rare peace for a pirate to be unguarded with someone.

  Eventually, duty pulled him away. He left her with a kiss as night settled faster than he expected.

  When the skiff was readied, Flint, Silver, Emma, and Charles shared the crossing. Charles kept his eyes on Flint, whose temper visibly worsened as the shoreline drew near.

  Rackham and Bonnie waited with a handful of men, some Flint’s, some Charles’. Scouts. Collectors. Survivors.

  The moment the skiff grounded, Flint leapt into the shallows. Charles expected him to charge Rackham, but instead, he turned back to help with Silver. A stretcher had been prepared. Together, Flint and Charles braced it against the skiff and eased Silver onto it, carrying him ashore, where Billy took over.

  Emma lingered behind them, staring out at Nassau’s shadowed shape. While Charles checked on Emma, Flint made his move. He crossed the beach in a fury and struck Rackham hard enough to send him sprawling.

  “You thought you could steal from me?” Flint roared, raining blows until Charles dragged him back.

  Rackham spat blood and stood on unsteady feet. “I don’t need to ask who told you.”

  “Who gives a fuck?” Flint snarled. “I’d have hunted you across the seven seas.”

  “Where is it?” Charles asked as he approached.

  “Safe. In the fort. The five of us have much to discuss,” Rackham said. Then his gaze found Emma.

  “Weren’t you meant to return a woman, not bring one back?” he asked.

  “As far as you’re concerned,” Charles warned, “you and Bonnie are the only ones who know she exists.”

  Rackham gave him a strange look but wisely stayed silent.

  “Let’s go,” Rackham said. “Back to town.”

  “You know I can’t,” Charles replied.

  “As I said, we have much to discuss.” Rackham sounded too confident.

  Rackham had men with horses waiting. Emma rode with Charles, unaware of how closely he watched the town emerge around them. He waited on bated breath for enemies that didn’t strike. As they approached the fort, there was no call for a fight. Rackham led them straight to the gate, and it was opened with his command.

  They dismounted, and Charles helped Emma down before taking her hand in his and following Rackham. Lying eyes on the gold was a sight. Chests full of gold and jewels were laid out in a vision of paradise on Earth.

  “Of all the sights. It sure is a wonder, isn’t it?” Rackham asked.

  Charles looked at Flint. The man looked at the gold with such intensity that it was almost as if it were a living, breathing enemy before him.

  “What the hell happened?” Flint as he approached the gold. Taking a piece in his hand.

  “Hornigold’s turned hunter for England. His first prize was Eleanor.” Rackham explained. “She was carted off the island almost the moment you all left.”

  Charles wished he could feel relief. Eleanor was gone from the island, but she wasn’t dead. Hornigold had turned, which didn’t surprise him, but it presented more problems than solutions.

  With the gold matter settled, it was time to transport Emma and Silver. They found a wagon for them both to ride in to ease the passage for Silver. Charles rode beside them and listened as Silver pointed out Nassau’s highlights to Emma as they passed by. Charles was slightly relieved he didn’t have to.

  A knot in his chest began to form as the house came into view. It was a simple house, but strong. He’d never had reason to come here before, despite knowing of it, so he took his time looking over it. It was something Emma could build upon to begin her life. A good start for her.

  Flint lingered in the road, visibly unsettled.

  “Say your goodbyes quickly,” Flint said as he turned the horse around. “We’ve work to do.”

  Emma had climbed out of the cart and was waiting for him on the porch.

  “You’re leaving?” she asked with a quiet strength. Her eyes were a little glassy from tears she was holding back.

  “Yes,” he said gently. “But I’ll come back when I can.”

  He wouldn’t promise more than that.

  “I’ll make sure a portion of the gold is brought here,” Charles added. “Buy anything you need with it.”

  She nodded, unable to meet his gaze.

  He stepped forward and placed a kiss on her forehead before he stepped back and away from her completely. He didn’t look back at her as he mounted his horse. He didn’t want to give her any false hope. What he would be doing would be dangerous. He might not come back at all.

  For the first time, he was worried he might meet his end out on the sea he loved, but he wouldn’t let her or anyone else see it.