Laughter and catcalls yowled from the road. The marines. She twitched away, but Knigh’s fingers flexed against her scalp, holding her mouth against his.

Hiding in plain sight. Right. That’s all this was.

“Did you get a good look at her?” A deep voice pitched for the other marines, not her and Knigh.

Her skin prickled, ice cold. Buggeration. She was the only ‘her’ around. If they came closer …

Her chest tightened. Knigh’s hand on her waist stiffened. Their breaths blew together, harsh. Should they break off and run or—

A set of footsteps approached.

They were nearly at the ship. Running would only take them further from that promised escape. She needed to get back to the sea, back to Arawaké and, hopefully, back to Perry.

Maybe if she gave them a good show, they wouldn’t want to interrupt …

Groaning as if this were the most erotic experience of her life, she wrapped her legs around Knigh. He tensed, but took her weight, cradling her.

More laughter. “Ooh-hoo-hoo! Looks like they’re getting frisky, lads. Better leave them to it, eh?”

The footsteps stopped.

“Come on—let’s not spoil their fun.”

The guffaws grew quieter as the main body of marines must’ve drifted away down the street. But that single set of footsteps that had come close didn’t start up again. He had to be deciding what to do.

Piss off.

Knigh pressed her against the wall, hand running up her leg and pushing up her skirts. Good, he’d got the picture.

Her pulse pounded in her chest, her throat, her head. Never had she focused so hard on listening whilst kissing someone.

“Hmm.” Footsteps again, but fading. “Give her one from me, mate!”

At last, they pulled apart with heavy breaths. Her heart was going to explode, it was beating so fast, part-fear, part something she couldn’t place.

He lowered her to her feet before wiping his cheeks. Hers were wet too. Frowning, she knuckled it away. They were both just tired. So, so tired.

In silence, they stood there, not meeting each other’s gazes while they waited for the marines’ footsteps to disappear entirely.

Just hiding in plain sight. That was all.

Attempting to distract herself, she peered out from the alley in time to see the marines go around a corner.

Barnacle settled back on her shoulders, and with Vice’s tight nod, they continued on their way in silence. Despite adjusting their course to avoid the patrols, Knigh had directed them well, because they emerged directly opposite the jetty where the Swallow was moored.

With a quiet greeting, Knigh hailed a tanned young man with round, dark eyes.

“You’re early.” From someone else, it might have been a rebuke, but the way he smiled so broad, so open, he clearly didn’t mind. “Well, we can get underway—the tide’s with us already.”