Kidnapped by the Pirate

Hawk wanted to spit on Walter’s face, but he only stepped back and reached blindly for Nathaniel’s hand, breathing deeply when Nathaniel’s warm fingers grasped his.

At Hawk’s side, Nathaniel peered down at Walter. “Goodbye, Father.”

In their wake, Walter screamed curses, left behind in the muck and utterly ignored.

If any further alarm had been sounded, it didn’t echo across the water as Essa’s Fate headed west, what was left of the colony fading from view. The sails of Captain Taylor’s ship could be seen in the distance, and they kept a wide berth.

“Can it really be over?” Nathaniel whispered, standing at the stern. He held Hawk’s hand, his thumb rubbing idly, gaze on their wake and the ripples soon swallowed by the sea. He’d already stripped off his stockings, shoes, and cloak.

“We are due some winds of fortune, wouldn’t you say?”

Nathaniel’s eyes met his, a tentative smile on his lips. “I would say yes.”

Content to let Snell issue orders, Hawk struggled for the right words. “I… I feared you dead. On account of saving my sorry hide. It was…” His chest tightened. “Never do anything that foolhardy again. Promise me.”

Nathaniel shrugged. “No. It would be a lie. Because I’d risk anything for you.”

Hawk swore softly, yet he couldn’t deny the warmth flowing through him. “Clearly, since you did it again tonight.”

“I knew you might turn me away—may still. But I had to try. I couldn’t live with the regret. At least this way I’ll be certain.”

“Turn you away? From rescuing me from execution? Surely you don’t think me daft in my old age.”

Nathaniel’s gaze skittered away. “No. I mean from…this. Us. You said…”

Hawk gripped his fingers. “A great many things.” With his free hand, he lifted Nathaniel’s chin, brushing his knuckle over the little divot, not needing to see it to know exactly where it was. “Lies for what I believed to be your benefit. On that island, when I saw you soaked in blood… I only wanted to protect you. Now here you are, safeguarding me once again. Why? After everything I’ve done.”

“I meant what I said. I love you.” Nathaniel gazed at him and hitched his shoulders. “Maybe it’s dunderheaded, but I’ve never been that bright.”

Hawk let go of his hand to cup Nathaniel’s cheek. “You are no man’s lesser. Least of all mine. And the love I have for you is like no other.”

He was filthy and had to smell foul, but Nathaniel kissed him deeply, sighing into his mouth, tugging him close, eager and precious and perfect. The salt tang in the air filled Hawk’s nose, coupled with a scent that was all Nathaniel—musky sweetness.

Then Nathaniel stiffened with a gasp. Before Hawk could ask, he assured him, “It’s nothing. The wound is just a bit sore.” With a rueful smile, he ran his fingers over Hawk’s cheek. “Don’t look so guilty. As I said, it’s nothing. You must keep kissing me.”

Although Hawk didn’t think his regret and shame over the stabbing would ever abate—even now, he had a vision of Nathaniel throwing himself into the blade’s path—he could only acquiesce, bringing their lips together once more, tongues softly exploring.

“Ahem.”

Hawk and Nathaniel turned to find Snell a few feet away, wearing an expression that comprised exasperation, fondness, and resignation. He asked, “Where would you like to be delivered?”

Hawk raised an eyebrow. “You aren’t going to try and convince me to stay on as captain?”

Snell snorted. “I know a lost bloody cause when I see it.”

Hawk smiled. “Should we say Port Royal? Nathaniel and I can gather supplies and plot our course. What is left of the ransom?”

Snell huffed. “Well, we’d already suspected most of it was counterfeit, with the true thing on top for good measure. Mr. Bainbridge here confirmed it.”

“Ah,” Hawk said. “And the payment to Captain Taylor?”

“Mostly counterfeit, with the true thing on top for good measure.”

They all laughed, and Hawk reached out his hand. “Thank you, my friend. For everything. And for letting me go.”

Snell clasped his palm. “Well, if you insist on this nonsense, who am I to stand in your way?” He yanked him into a rough embrace, and Hawk gripped him, throat too tight to speak.

Clearing his own throat, Snell stepped back and eyed Nathaniel. “I suppose the young lord has proven himself.” He offered his hand, and Nathaniel took it, grinning. Then Snell spun away, grumbling and returning to the helm to bark more orders.

God, Hawk would miss him.

When Hawk and Nathaniel turned back to the rail, the waxing moon caught the gleam in Nathaniel’s ear. Hawk ran his finger over the golden hoop as Nathaniel huffed out a laugh and said, “I thought I should look like a proper pirate to rescue you.”

Hawk followed his gaze over the ship’s wake, their only pursuers a flock of birds swooping across the night sky as one. “And rescue me you have.”