Chapter 28

“The moment of truth, Shane.” Victor said stepping up beside Shane as the Man-of-War closed in on the small fishing vessel.

“Don’t let them see you face.” Shane warned as she plucked a large tricorne hat up and positioned it on her head, casting large dark shadows across her features. Enough so that she wouldn’t be immediately recognized and Victor fallowed suit and went one step farther to throw a jacket onto his large frame.

“Ahoy!”

Shane swallowed and turned toward the owner of the voice. A few men were crowded around the Man-of-War’s bulwark, staring down at the small fishing vessel as more sailors on deck went about slowing the ship down enough to come to a stop beside them.

“Ahoy! I’d give you my gratitude if for a little bit of assistance!” Shane yelled up at the ship as Victor held a pistol out of sight at one of the fishermen’s head, a silent threat to keep their mouths shut.

“What seems to be the problem, gentlemen?” The man said, a proper air to his voice. He was the Admiral, no doubt, judging by the many bright yellow stripes along the sleeves of her red coat.

“It would seem we’ve run aground on the reef a few hours back and our rudder’s is of no use any longer. Would you be so kind as to tow us back to shore?” Shane made sure to keep her nerves in check as the Admiral gave a curt nod of his head and made a motion with his hand to summon more men onto the main deck in preparation to tow the smaller vessel.

Shane bit her lip ever so slightly the moment the Admiral turned away, she moved her hand across the lantern in her hands twice, blocking the light momentarily from reaching Kukulcan.

Carmen waited anxiously across the waters aboard Kukulcan. She bit her lip in her usual nervous habit as she watched the two ships come close together, and her eyes continued to scan the many small lantern lights aboard the small fishing vessel. Any minute now and she would give the command that could very well kill her lanky lover.

The men aboard Kukulcan all knelt down next to the cannons with sulfur torches in hand, awaiting the signal from Shane. They all knew it could very well mean the end of their lives but only hours out on the open sea and away from the whip was enough to convince the newly freed men, that to die would be a better fate than to surrender.