Quinn squeezed Shea’s hand. “You’re safe now, Shea. I promise. I shall see you later, and then I will explain everything, but right now there is work to be done. We are all in danger from that man who took you.”
Tears came to Shea’s eyes. “I never stopped believing––” The tether yanked, and Shea continued across the deck.
Grace patted Quinn hard on the back. “Well done, Callaghan. I can see why Dragut wanted her in the first place. She is beautiful.”
“That she is.”
“Now, round up our men and get everraone back ta the ship. We sail as soon as the riggin’ is ready and all are on board.”
“Aye, Captain.” Quinn took two steps away before looking at Grace over her shoulder. “Thank you, sir.”
“No need. We O’Malleys always pay our debts. Consider us even.” With that, Captain O’Malley turned to oversee the twenty-two female slaves tied together, leaving Quinn to send word that the Malendroke was shoving off.
***
It took less than an hour to ready the Malendroke to sail. Just as Quinn was gathering the rest of the men with One Eye in tow, several of Dragut’s men started after them.
“Run fer it!” One Eye yelled, sprinting for the ship.
Quinn was right on his heels. She could feel the breath of hookah odor on her neck as she dodged through the marketplace crowds.
And just as they were ten meters from the gangway, One Eye was literally blindsided and tackled by a Turk on a cross street.
Down One Eye went in a tangle of arms and legs. Quinn pulled out her short sword and smacked the handle against the Turk’s head, knocking him out. Jumping to his feet, One Eye blinked away blood with his good eye. He had a nasty gash in his forehead.
Grabbing him, Quinn tossed him toward the ship. “Get help!” she yelled, turning to face eight armed Turks.
“Quinn! No!” Shea cried. Running down the gangway, no longer encumbered by the rope, Shea was a blur. Even as a little girl, Shea was quick on her feet. Being a slave had not changed that.
“Get back, Shea! I have this.”
One of the Turks cut away from the group and attempted to pull Shea off the plank when a man came from nowhere and hurled himself at the Turk, knocking him so hard to the ground that the Turk did not get back up.
Kwame.
Kwame had shot out of the shadows... and he wasn’t alone.
Eleven other Africans now stood behind Quinn with makeshift weapons of rakes, butcher knives, and smithy tools.
Quinn pulled her long sword out, and the wall of her men between the Turks and the Malendroke stood poised and ready for battle.
“Callaghan?” one of the crew said, looking at her questioningly.
“They’ve reneged on the parlay, fellas. Looks like we’re gonna have ta fight our way back ta the ship.”
Thud.
Thud.
Thud.
Three arrows landed in between the Turks and Quinn’s men.
Quinn smiled to herself––Connor.
“Are ya here at the behest a’ yer no-good, piece-of-shite, word-breakin’ captain?” Captain O’Malley called out from the top deck. “Yer pasha? Because if ya are, I’m afraid yer gonna be dead men soon enough.”
Kwama repeated the question in Turkish.
The men froze.
“Ya make yer pasha appear ta not be a man a’ his word, so if he did not send ya, I suggest ya go see him at the tavern before he punishes ya fer that misperception.”
The Turks slowly lowered their weapons.
Quinn and the Africans tentatively backed away toward the ramp.
Thud.
Thud.
Thud.
More of Connor’s arrows landed on the ground between them.
“Like I said. If ya are here on his orders, prepare ta die. If not, save yerselves and back the fuck away.”
The Turks looked at each other before backing away a few steps.
“That’s what I thought. Be gone before I order my men ta kill ya all.”
Thud.
Thud.
Thud.
Each arrow landed closer to the feet of the Turks, who finally turned and fled.
“Now get yer arses on board!” Grace yelled. “We gotta get this ship outta here!”
Quinn extended her hand to Kwame. “Thank you, my friend.”
Kwame did not take Quinn’s hand. Instead, his eyes locked onto Shea, never moving from her face.
Following his gaze, Quinn patted his shoulder. “Aye. She is a beautiful woman.”
“Is she... does she... ”
“Have someone special? Only one way to find out, but now is not the time.”
Understanding precisely what Quinn’s meaning was, Kwame shielded his eyes from the setting sun as he shouted up to Captain O’Malley, “Need another strong back and able hands, Captain?”
To Quinn’s surprise, Grace O’Malley deferred to her. “If Callaghan believes ya can pull yer weight, then come aboard. He seems ta know how ta collect good men.”
Quinn nodded enthusiastically. “Aye, Captain.”
Kwame lowered his head to Shea before running up the plank. At the top, he turned and motioned to the other eleven. “They wish to come aboard as well. Their families and tribes were killed. They have nowhere left to go. We would be honored to serve you, Captain O’Malley.”
Quinn looked up at Grace, who nodded once. “Verra well. Bring them aboard and tell them they are all welcome aboard the Malendroke as crew, not as slaves. They work and fight like everra other man on here.”
Kwame then spoke in hushed tones to the first three men closest to him. They all nodded and then relayed the information to the others in languages Quinn could tell were different from each other.
“Welcome aboard,” Quinn said, clapping Kwame on the back.
When everyone else had boarded, Quinn stepped up to Shea, emotions bubbling over inside her chest. She knew tears were coming, but she still had a façade to maintain, so she threw her shoulders back and forced a grin. “This must seem so incredibly strange to you, my dear, sweet Shea.”
Shea’s eyebrows shot up. “Strange would be a huge understatement, Qui—” she hesitated. “Callaghan, is it?”
Quinn smiled. Shea was much thinner than the last time they were together, and her cheekbones were more prominent, but the sparkle returning to her eyes was all Shea. “Aye, and I need you to commit it to memory, Shea. I am known as Callaghan. Quinn Gallagher is no longer.” Quinn touched Shea’s cheek. “Come. We have much catching up to do, but not here and not now. Are you... are you well?”
Shea closed her eyes. When she opened them, there were tears. “As well as I’ve been in a very long time.”
“You’re safe now, my friend. I promise.”
Quinn started across the deck when Shea took her arm.
“You have no idea of the hell you saved me from, Qu––Callaghan.”
Quinn gently pulled Shea to her and held her a moment before backing away. “Oh, but I do. I have seen something of the world now, Shea, and I know what things men are capable of. Go on now; I’ve arranged with Murphy the cook for you to work the kitchen. You’ve always been a wonderful cook.”
Shea blinked. “Cook? But I... I... ”
“Not as a slave girl, Shea. Everyone on a ship has a job to do. No one rides the seas for free, not even us. I chose a duty for you I hoped you would enjoy.”
Relief washed over Shea’s face. “Thank you. I... I don’t––”
“Later. We must hurry to get the ship back on the sea and away from this port. We will speak this evening.”
With that, Quinn hustled over to help Captain O’Malley and Innis prepare to sail.
***
“I tried to tell them I was not African, but none of the corsairs believed me.”
After several hours on the open sea, the crew had worked hard with the wind and the sails in order to put more distance between them and Dragut’s men. For a while it had looked like Dr
agut’s men were going to be able to keep up, but Grace’s crew were second to none and they had proved it as they pulled further and further away from the Turkish ship.
Having outrun Dragut’s only chasing ship, Quinn and Shea finally sat together on the top deck of the bow, awash with nothing but moonlight. A peace settled in Quinn’s chest as she sat next to her friend, holding her hand almost too tightly. Disbelief still hovered like a mist slowly being blown away by a gentle wind.
She had done it.
She had kept her promise and found her friend... a diamond amongst the coal that was men.
“When they finally interpreted for me, Dragut said he did not care that I wasn’t African. That I was his and... ”
Quinn squeezed Shea’s hand. “And no one ever need know if you were or not.”
“Qu––” she paused. “Sorry. It... all of this is a wee bit more than my mind can take in right now, with you dressed like... like this.” Shea waved her hand in the air. “You look like Patrick, only much more handsome.”
Quinn blushed. “It was the only way to secure a vessel to take me to you.”
Shea reached up and lightly fingered Quinn’s hair, which had grown almost to shoulder length. “You’ve shorn your beautiful locks for me?”
Quinn chuckled.“That is the least of what I have done, my friend. I made a promise all those years ago. Hair grows back. Lifelong friends do not.”
“You seem... ” Shea turned her head from side to side as she examined Quinn, “more... comfortable in this skin. Like you finally found where you belong.”
Quinn sighed. “I am. This is the first time I have felt like myself, odd as that may seem.”
“It is both odd and normal all at the same time. Well, you make a dashing young pirate. I’m quite certain the women clamor all over you.”
This brought a wry grin to Quinn’s face. “You have no idea. Men are pigs, Shea. They are simple creatures who lust for wine, women, and wages... not in that order. I cannot say that I have not had my moments where I have devolved into one.”
Shea laughed. “You have always contended as much, though I am surprised you have fallen into a barrel of ale with these hooligans.” Shea leaned closer, peering into Quinn’s eyes. “You are so different. Confident, bold... and Grace O’Malley seems to have taken a shine to you.”
“She is... I can’t even describe her. But without her and these sea dogs, I’m afraid I would never have found you, Shea.” Quinn gazed out at the moon. “Nor myself.”
“I shall be sure to thank her, as will Father. He must be brokenhearted.”
One of the men yelled something over to Quinn about always getting the woman. Five others laughed as they worked.
“Do you... do you have a girl?” Shea asked.
“A girl? No. But there is a woman who possesses my heart.”
Even in the moonlight, Shea’s face lit up. “Finally! Oh, Quinn, I am so happy to hear that.”
“It’s Callaghan, and alas, she is too high born for a lowly seaman. Besides that, she is now betrothed... as much to relieve herself of me as to bolster her family fortune. You know how that works in noble families.”
“Oh. Then I am so sorry. I never realized... never mind. It is her loss.”
Quinn squeezed Shea’s hand again. “We had so little understanding of the rest of the world when we were girls, Shea. Now we both bear the scars of that world... and though your pain hurts me, I am better for the scars and the wounds I carry. I would rather hurt and feel than live a life with no action or adventure.”
Shea reached up and gently stroked Quinn’s scarred eyebrow. “It would appear some of that action came too close for comfort.”
Quinn took her hand back and held it tightly between both of hers. “I would not trade these scars for anything.”
Shea sighed with contentment. “I don’t believe you should.”
They sat in silence awhile before Shea whispered, “Every night, I prayed someone would sink our boat so I could at least have a chance to be free... and every night, he had me brought to his quarters, where he did unspeakable things to me.”
Quinn closed her eyes and fought back tears.“There are some images I would rather never have, and like I said, no one need know.”
Shea nodded. “I learned very quickly that doing what I was told would prolong my life. So I did.” She shrugged. “I’ve had plenty of practice doing what men tell me.”
Quinn felt her stomach tighten. “He will pay for this one day, and when he does, it will not be a pleasant way to go. I can assure you of that much.”
They sat in silence for a few moments before Shea kissed the back of Quinn’s hand. “Such rough hands now. How can I ever repay you for all of the risks you’ve taken for me? You... you gave up your easy life for one filled with... well... one can only imagine what it has entailed. I imagine that eyebrow scar is not the only one you carry.”
Brushing her hair back, Quinn inhaled the salty air through her nose. “In truth, Shea, your captivity freed me to be this... this scurrilous and devilish pirate whose new friend and ally is none other than––”
“The Scourge a’ the Seas?” came Grace’s voice from behind them. “Go ahead, Callaghan, ya can say it.”
“Grace O’Malley!” Shea leapt to her feet and then curtsied. “Ma’am.”
Grace chuckled and waved the curtsy away. “No one bows or curtsies on my ship, little one. Please, resume yer seat.” Grace looked out over the bow. “And it’s ‘sir.’”
Shea sat back down, her hand reaching for Quinn’s.
“Callaghan, I thought ya should know Innis and I have let the crew know she is off limits, but it would be more convincing if she shared my quarters this night.”
“Your qua––”
“As ya well know, a woman on a ship is in peril from those unabated male compulsions. It is best if ya do as I instruct. Enna man actin’ untowardly ta yer little friend will be tossed overboard, but I’d rather not put them in a position where they might do so.”
“Yes, sir.”
“Good.” Captain O’Malley knelt in front of Shea. “Yer brave friend here has gone through the gamut fer ya, little one. He must love ya with everra fiber a’ his bein’ ta have taken such risks. Just know... ya are an incredibly lucky woman ta be loved thusly, and I fully expect ya shall spend the rest a’ yer lucky life makin’ sure no harm comes ta my Callaghan. Are we clear?”
Shea nodded, big-eyed.
Grace rose. “Excellent. I’ll be out here, Callaghan, within the hour. I want ya both gone by then.”
“Yes, sir.”
When Grace was gone, Shea turned, but Quinn replied before the question could leave her lips. “She has always been called sir. It removes her gender from the equation.”
Shea nodded, her eyes closing slowly.
“You must be exhausted.”
“Sleeping with one eye open every night for weeks on end will do that to a person. I have never been so tired.”
“Not this night. Tonight, you shall sleep in safety knowing that tomorrow, when you wake, it will be a new day—and you are going home.”
Sighing loudly, Shea rested her head on Quinn’s shoulder. “Home. I sure like the sound of that.”
Unfortunately, home was going to have to wait.
The sea had other plans, as a storm the likes of which Quinn had never experienced battered the Malendroke about like a leaf in the wind. The crew worked for hours, trying to keep the ship upright. The angry winds pushed their vessel around the western tip of northern Spain and into the Bay of Biscay, one of the roughest seas in the area. The shallow waters helped contribute to some of the Atlantic Ocean’s fiercest weather, which was at its strongest now.
It was all the crew could do to keep her upright, and they fought hard to preserve the masts from ripping completely from the decks. The only good news was that the ship chasing after them did not manage to beat back the winds and lost a number of her sails.
By the time the wi
nds and rain had died down, they’d been blown so far off course that they found themselves heading right toward an island off the coast of Portugal. It took the entire crew and a commanding presence, but Captain O’Malley was eventually successful in setting the ship to shore on the small island.
Once the ship pulled into a tiny port town, the crew scrambled to secure it further so that it would not beat against the dock or be tossed against the rocks. It was an exhausting endeavor. When the storm finally abated, the torn sails were dropped down, and the repairs on the ship began.
As Quinn finished taking the rigging down, Shea approached. “Can I help?”
“Almost done. Everything okay below?”
“That was the worst storm I’ve faced, but yes. We’ve cleaned up and are willing to help up here if you could use a hand. To be honest, Callaghan, we’ve been chained for so long that movement and physical labor are a treat. ”
Quinn paused to glance up at her. “You speak as though they are your people.”
“And you speak as though the crew were yours.”
Quinn smiled softly and rose. “Point made. It appears both of us have changed a great deal in not even four months.”
Shea laid her palm on Quinn’s cheek. “More than you could ever imagine, my friend.”
Quinn glanced down at her own attire. “Oh, I believe I can imagine.”
They both laughed, and Shea pulled Quinn to her. “If we can get away, I need to talk with you in private.”
Pulling out of the hug, Quinn nodded. “We’ll be here a couple of days while we make repairs. Don’t leave the ship alone. My friend Tavish will look after you should you need to go ashore.”
“Tavish. The big block of a man with no neck and eyes that burn into your face? He is never far from you, as if he is stalking you.”
Quinn chuckled “That’d be he, yes.”
“He watches you like a mother watches her child. It’s disconcerting.”
“He is here at the request of the woman I love. For protection.”
Shea’s eyebrows rose. “Oh? Then she returns your affections?”
“I like to believe she does. Sending Tavish as my protector is her way of showing it. It may be the only way she has of showing it.”
“Does he... know?”
The Pirate's Booty (The Plundered Chronicles Book 1) Page 28