Chapter Sixteen
“Celeste!” James rattledthe bars. Silence drifted back to him as his men paused.
His grip tightened around the iron, pulling and pushing, but it would not budge. They were locked inside the vault. She had locked them there. He swore repeatedly, shouting and cursing long after she’d disappeared down the corridor.
“Captain,” one of his men said, daring to interject at such a perilous moment.
“What?” he growled as he whipped around to face the small party.
His men stood with full bags, their eyes brimming with fury and betrayal. He felt their pain as keenly as they did, if not more. Her betrayal stung like a wound full of sand and salt. She’d led them here and then abandoned them.
“I can try to pick the lock...” The pirate stepped forward, lock-picking tools in his hand. “It may take a while...”
“Do it.” James stepped aside, allowing the young man to work. “The rest of you, ready your loot. As soon as the door opens, we return to the Raven.”
The rumble of his voice shook the walls. He sank back against the stone, watching his men and waiting. But his mind was fixed on the golden-haired siren who had brought him to this earthen tomb. From the first moment he met her, she’d played him, strategically shifting him from one position to another. Gently nudging him, guiding him like a queen with a pawn. He swore again, garnering stares from his men.
“You two.” He pointed to two men who stood with overflowing sacks. “Search the room for another exit.”
“Aye, Captain.” The men scuttled off with a lantern.
It was futile; he knew it. There was only one way into this room. It was a treasure vault after all.
He stooped down, snatching a gold coin from the dust by his feet. Holding it to the light, he admired the glint of it. The same burnished shine as her hair in the sunlight.
James tucked the coin into his pocket.
How could he have been so blind? So naive? Swayed so easily by a pretty face and a sharp tongue? Celeste enchanted him with not only her wit and her beauty, but the fight inside her made her irresistible. Determined and brash, she pushed and challenged him.
He’d let her use him for her own ends. Even after they struck a bargain. Had she somehow discerned his hesitation to save her sister? Such a feat would have put him square in the sights of law and risk both their necks. It was not that he did not wish to do it, but self-preservation trumped even the most tempting proposition.
True to his nature, he’d sacrificed for the good of his crew, choosing treasure over his bargain. Willing to betray her, even if it meant saving her life. Ungrateful wench.
“Almost got it, Captain,” the lad picking the lock exclaimed.
The two who searched for another escape returned, their faces grim, their heads shaking.
“Gather as much as you can.” He turned toward the door. “The moment we are free, return to the ship.”
“Are you not coming?” one man asked.
“Aye, but there is something I must do first.” James took the lantern and strode through the vault, his gaze skimming the mountains of gold and shimmering jewels.
After taking a small sack from his pocket, he scooped a handful of coins and gemstones into the bag. With a satisfied smirk, he tucked it into his pocket and continued his search.
Tucked in the back of the vault stood a small pedestal. He held the lantern aloft, allowing the light to catch the jeweled facets of a coronet. The sapphires absorbed light while the diamonds reflected it. A crown fit for a queen.
Without hesitation, he snatched it from its perch and tucked it inside his vest for safekeeping.
A loud click echoed through the vault, and cheers rose in celebration.
Weaving his way back through the room, James watched as his men hoisted the treasure on their backs and filed out the door.
“Move quickly,” he shouted. “Take the boats. Have Smee ready the ship.”
“What about you, Captain?” The lad with the lockpicks turned.
“Your name, sailor?” James asked.
“William, sir.”
“William, fine job with that lock.” James clapped his hand on the man’s shoulder.
“Thank you, sir.”
The final man slipped through the door, leaving James alone with William.
“I shall find my way to the ship, mark my words.” With a firm pat, he pushed the man out the door. “Now go, step quickly.”
William threw his bag of treasure over one shoulder and trudged after the rest of the crew.
James stood in the corridor, watching the retreating shadows dance on the wall. When they faded into darkness, he turned to assess his options.
While his conscience told him to save her, his wounded pride wanted to leave her for the sharks. Her uncle wanted her captured, dead or alive. If her uncle found her, there would be no hope to save her. It would only lead James to a prison cell and an appointment with the hangman.
He growled at the indecision ripping him apart. He should hate her for what she’d done to him and his crew.
But he could never live with himself if he allowed her to die.
The guards stirred at his feet.
Damn it to the depths.
He managed to arrange the fallen guards in a row on the dirt floor and used irons hanging on the wall to secure them together with the final man bound to the open vault door.
A rustle of movement in the tunnel made him pause. He shifted into the shadows against the wall. His lantern shone from the post where he’d hung it.
Backing further into the darkness, he remained silent. Watching. Waiting.
The rustle came closer. Louder. Heavy breathing. Pounding footsteps.
He should have left with his men. Nothing was worth being caught and strung up.
His warring conscience lay silenced. Whoever came down that tunnel boded ill for him.
He swore.
She’d chosen her fate. Let her have it.