away. I knew Brogan would show up eventually.”
“I thought it was money you wanted. Not murder.” Moving only her eyes, Sam glanced around quickly, desperately looking for some weapon she might use.
“The bounty is good for Captain Nicholas Brogan dead or alive—and after all he’s put me through, I’ve decided that dead will be safer. I’m going to do what I should have done in the first place.” He smiled. “Rather appropriate, isn’t it? A nice funeral at sea for England’s most infamous pirate. I think I’ll let the African live, so he can testify as to his captain’s identity.”
“You told me once that you don’t kill without reason!”
“I’ve got ample reason,” he snarled. “And you’ve got your own life to worry about, Miss Delafield. Cooperate with me or you might not live long enough to be thrown in gaol.”
“You can’t kill us. You’ll never make it back to port.”
“Don’t judge me by appearances.” He nodded toward his empty right sleeve. “I spent half my life at sea. I’ve enough experience to manage a ship this size quite well.” He motioned her toward the door with a flick of the gun. “Now move.”
“You can’t do this,” she pleaded. “Nicholas isn’t what you think. He never was. You don’t know—”
“I know all I need to know.”
“But he’s no threat to you. He’s leaving England because he was willing to spare your life! And the reason he didn’t pay your blackmail demand is because he doesn’t have any money to pay you. He’s not rich. He has nothing. Nothing but this ship and... and me.”
“How sweet. And how creative. Save your lies—”
“But he’s not a ruthless killer! He was only a boy—”
He cut her off with a vicious curse. “Shut up.” He pushed her toward the door. “Let’s go above and find him. And keep your hands where I can see them.”
~ ~ ~
“Samantha?” Nicholas called curiously, glancing up from his work as a familiar blonde head appeared in the companionway that led up from below. He smiled. “What are you doing? Have you come back to—”
“Nicholas, it’s a trap!” she cried, scrambling up the last two steps in a rush.
Someone caught her from behind and shoved her aside with a violent push. She struck her head against a boom and crumpled to the deck.
Nicholas lunged toward her.
And froze when he saw the gun pointed at him.
“Hold it right there, Captain.” The intruder swung the pistol to encompass Masud. “And you, as well. Nobody move.”
“Who the hell are you?” Nicholas snarled, his eyes still on Samantha. She moaned and sat up, apparently unhurt. Thank God.
“I’m wounded that you don’t remember me. I certainly know you. I’ve been hunting you down for years. Step by step. Piecing your life together.”
Nicholas finally turned his full attention on the intruder—a slender young man with dark hair.
And only one arm.
“Foster,” he spat.
“Indeed. Pleased to make your acquaintance. Again.”
Seething with rage, Nicholas grabbed the first weapon at hand—a knife he used for cutting rope.
“Stay where you are,” Foster warned. “I’ve got enough bullets for you and your first mate and your little blonde mistress here.” He pointed the pistol at Samantha, who sat very still. “You’re not going to leave this ship alive, Brogan... but I could let them live. I haven’t decided yet.”
Nicholas leashed his anger. He slid a glance at Masud. Together, they could take him, but neither of them would risk Samantha’s life.
He returned his gaze to Foster. The gunman facing him was barely more than a lad. He could hardly believe that the blackmailer who had made his life a living hell was no more than eighteen or twenty. “If it’s money you want—”
“Oh, I’ll get money and plenty of it. Ten thousand pounds. And probably a commendation from the admiralty for bringing you in.”
“How did you find out I was still alive?”
“I didn’t have to find out,” Foster retorted hotly. “I was there! I was on the ship that went down. I saw you escape, saw your African friend here helping you to safety. And I swore right then that if I survived, I would devote the rest of my life to bringing you to justice. I vowed I would make you pay if it was the last thing I did.”
Nicholas frantically searched his memories of that night. “I don’t know you.”
“Of course not. Why should you? I was only twelve. I was a cabin boy on the navy ship you attacked that night. I worked for Captain Eldridge.”
Nicholas stared at him