“Yes, Captain.” He bowed his bald head. “Will there be anything else?”

“No, Doctor. I believe that will be all.”

I gave the bed-ridden men a parting glance and stepped into the passageway, closing the door behind me. A few yards away, Jobah stood with a shoulder leaning against the wall, his hands clasped behind his back, and the whites of his eyes glowing in the dark.

“Doctor is not…” He rolled his lips together. “Pleasant.”

“He’s the worst. I should run a sword through him.”

“But he helps many people.”

“He follows orders.” I approached him and mirrored his pose, staring up at him. “I’m sorry we were too late to save the ones who weren’t on that ship.” Too late, too often, I thought, sick at heart.

“We saved two.” He smiled softly, his gaze drifting to the door behind me.

It wasn’t enough. Then again, I never claimed to be a savior or a hero of any sort.

When a slave ship crossed my path, I sank it. But I wouldn’t risk Jade or her crew in an attack against an entire island like St. Christopher. Jobah knew my purpose when he joined me, and he never tried to persuade me to change course.

I squeezed his strong shoulder, stretching my arm way up to reach it. His quiet, towering presence intimidated me sometimes. I respected that. It meant he intimidated our enemies, too.

“What about the other one in irons?” He crossed his arms.

“What other one?” I dropped my hand.

“Your mate in the bilge.” He winged up a brow. “When will you save him?”

My breath stilled.

Jobah had been with me throughout my courtship, marriage, and fallout with the king of libertines. Along the way, he and Priest had formed a staunch friendship.

“He doesn’t need saving.” My tone turned icy. “If you intend to free him—”

“I will not interfere. But I’ll tell you this.” He leaned in. “Hear him. Listen.”

“I do, Jobah. He speaks in lies and manipulations.”

“Listen to what he’s not saying.”

I narrowed my eyes. “What do you know? Did he tell you—?”

“I visited him this morning.” He held up his hands. “But if I knew his secrets, you would, too. You have my loyalty, Captain.”

I nodded, trusting him implicitly.

“Whatever you have planned for him, be gentle.” Jobah straightened, his expression somber. “Hurting you has already caused him the greatest pain.”

13

Every surface of Jade was lifted, scoured, and replaced until my hands and nerves were chafed raw. Planks, doors, walls, ladders, sails, clothing… Even bodies. Every man on board was subjected to a thorough inspection by myself or Reynolds.

The compass remained hidden.

Days bled into a week, and I lost myself in the search, so I might forget the real reason my boots carried me down to the bilge every morning.

My longing for Priest refused to abate.