Madwulf held up a hand, staying the man with the blade. “You have nothing left, Bennett. Nothing to barter. But tell me this. Why would the Feral Priest surrender his life for the woman who killed his father?”

The truth. I still had that, and it would work in my favor. “Priest Farrell is my husband. And he loathed his father.”

Madwulf narrowed his eyes, sharp and disbelieving.

“What are you doing, Bennett?” Priest growled behind me. “Shut up and let me handle—”

I talked over his fury and told Madwulf how I arrived in this unfortunate position between my lover and my husband. I explained Priest’s infidelity, his two-year hunt for me, how I came into Ashley’s custody, and ultimately fell in love with him.

The one crucial detail I left out was my ruse on Jade. I led Madwulf to believe that my crew tossed me overboard and fled without looking back. I did not want him to know that my galleon was waiting for me on the opposite end of this island.

“So you’re married to the libertine.” Madwulf paced in front of me. “You love them both. They both love you, and if I dinna kill them, they’ll probably kill each other?”

“Probably.”

Maybe. Maybe not. The question of how they knew each other still clawed in the back of my mind.

With a disgusted expression, Madwulf stared me up and down. “If the libertine loves you, why would he expose you to syphilis?”

“I already had it, and truly, Captain, that’s the least of my concerns.” I poured the sincerity of that declaration into my voice and eyes. “I would die for them. Spare their lives, and I will give you more wealth than you would ever acquire with Blitz under your command.”

“Where is your wealth, lass?” Madwulf looked around, laughing. “You have nothing!”

“I’m the daughter of Edric Sharp, you ignorant tar. Where do you think all his spoils went?”

“She’s lying!” Kneeling beside me, Priest bellowed and jerked against the hands that restrained him. “Don’t believe anything she says.”

Stillness fell over Madwulf as he watched us closely. I had his attention.

“There’s an invaluable compass attached to Mr. Farrell’s person.” I pulled in a deep breath and released it. “Relieve him of it, if you please. It belonged to my father.”

“With pleasure.” Madwulf nodded to one of his men.

Everything inside me stopped as my most cherished possession was wrenched from the body of my seething, snarling husband. My gaze clung to the polished brass casing while it passed from one hand to the next, ending with Madwulf.