Pirate's Promise (Sentinels of Savannah #5) - Lisa Kessler Page 0,9
do some digging.” He paused and finally added, “Be safe, Agent Henderson.”
Her thumb caressed the handle of her Glock. “It’s not my safety I’m concerned about. I’m not going to let a bunch of pirates blow this mission for me.”
“I’ll be in touch,” he replied.
The line went dead, and she pocketed her cell.
The salty wind stung her cheeks, whipping her dark-brown hair around her face. This was hardly the luxury cruise most people dreamed about, but she’d never been interested in relaxing, anyway. Work was her release, her therapy, and her best chance for redemption.
She made her way back to the helm of the ship, only stumbling sideways a couple of times. Hopefully her sea legs would kick in soon.
A tall man with a well-manicured copper goatee stared up at the riggings with narrowed eyes. Captain Ian Flynn. She’d studied their files on the Sea Dog crew during her flight to Savannah enough to know Captain Flynn was currently captain in name only. This replica they’d built of the original Sea Dog ship was captained by their quartermaster, Colton Hayes.
Colton cupped his hands around his mouth, shouting, “Drop the mainsail! Prepare to tack!”
She stopped beside Captain Flynn and followed his gaze. At the top of the sail, Greyson worked knots free, giving the sign to the ship’s carpenter, Drake, on the other side. Drake had blond hair and dark-blue eyes that rivaled the guy who played Thor. The sail snapped as it dropped, filling with wind. The wooden hull creaked as the ship gained speed.
Aura glanced over at Flynn. “Why aren’t you up there?”
“Because it’s not my job.” He smirked, his ice-blue eyes cutting over to her before he focused on the crew above them again.
She raised a brow. “As I understand it, Colton is the real captain of this incarnation of the Sea Dog, so I’m not sure what your job actually is.”
He crossed his arms, his full attention finally landing on her. She could almost feel the weight of his stare. “My job is looking out for my crew’s best interests. If Department 13 is sending an agent to represent their interests, consider me the crew’s representative.”
She brought her hand to her hip. “Are you saying you’re here to keep an eye on me?”
“Depends…” His brows arched before he broke eye contact, watching the men on top of the sails. “I’ll definitely be around.”
She chuckled, shaking her head as she followed his gaze. “How long has it been since you climbed the rope nets up there?”
“Rope nets?” He sneered, giving her a condescending smile. “They’re called ratlines, and I’ve climbed them longer than your precious Department 13 has existed.”
“You don’t think you’re a little rusty, now that you’ve been an honorary captain for a few lifetimes?” She shouldn’t needle him, but she was already in a mood from sparring with Greyson earlier.
“If you think you can goad me to perform for you like a testosterone-driven teenage boy, you’re going to be sorely disappointed.” The corner of his mouth quirked up in a crooked hint of a smile. “Unlike our gunner, I’m not swayed by a pretty face. I’m well aware you’re trained to stab me in the back.”
Greyson made his way down the ratlines like they were rungs of a solid ladder instead of ropes blowing in the breeze. It was fluid, like a dancer, his rhythm never faltering until he jumped down and landed back on the deck two seconds before Drake.
“Getting slow, old man.”
Drake chuckled, shaking his head. “Now that death is back on the table for me, I swore to my lady I’d come home in one piece.”
Aura raised a brow. Drake’s lady was renowned psychic medium Heather Storrey, and according to their records, Drake had taken another drink from the Holy Grail with the crew after they’d recovered it from a fanatical cult trying to regain entrance into the Garden of Eden. How was it possible that Drake was mortal again?
“Best you do.” Greyson clasped Drake’s shoulder. “I gave Heather my word that I’d watch your back. She’ll never forgive me if anything happens to you, mate.”
Aura looked over at Flynn. “I thought Drake drank from the Grail again.”
A muscle clenched in his cheek. “He did.” His gaze snapped to her face. “I’ll remind you again, I’m here to see that we are paid for our services in recovering your stolen goods. I’m not here to share information about my crew.”