Read Online Call of the Sea by Rebecca Hart - Free Book Online Page B
Authors: Rebecca Hart
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the ragged hole in his shoulder, then the wider one on his chest.
The shot had gone clean through.
A sigh of relief slipped past her lips. “You’re going to be okay, Nelson, I promise.” She pressed the wad of torn fabric against both seeping holes. “I’m so sorry.”
Nelson grunted as she pushed at the edge of the bloody hole with the front half of his ruined shirt. “What the hell are you sorry for?”
“I should have warned you sooner. Stopped him.” The only friend she had, and because of her inaction he could’ve died. Tears stung her eyes. “I should never have come.” She swallowed hard. “Maybe having a girl aboard really is bad luck. I’m a terrible sailor.”
Nelson let out a raspy chuckle. “Hogwash, El. You may be inexperienced, and even carry bad luck in your pocket.” His brown eyes sparkled and a smile pulled at his lips. “But you’re going to make one hell of a pirate.”
Her chest tightened at his words. I’m sure Papa will be thrilled to hear that bit of good news.
Part One
Chapter Nine
Port of Gibraltar - August, 1665
Daniel followed Captain Winters down the crowded streets of Gibraltar, heading for the Taylor mansion at the far edge of the city. After months of finagling and strategic palm greasing, they’d earned themselves a face to face with their target, who was purportedly providing large amounts of weapons to the Dutch.
Winters dodged to avoid a man on horseback travelling up the road in the other direction. “General McTavish said Jashir would meet us at the auction to discuss the final arrangements. I hope he doesn’t delay things. We’ve already spent longer on this than I’d planned, and we need to get back to searching for Ellie.”
“I still don’t understand how selling a shipment of guns to a man we know will only sell them to a country we’re at war with makes any sense.”
“McTavish wants to find out who his Dutch contact is. He’s decided he doesn’t want to just cut off an arm by taking out Jashir, he wants the monster’s head too.”
Daniel skirted around a slow moving group of men. “I still think it’s an asinine idea.”
“Well, when you make general, you can give the orders. Until then, shut your pie hole about it. I don’t like this any more than you do.”
“Aye, Captain.”
The columned mansion sat at the top of a hill overlooking the infamous Gates of Gibraltar. If it weren’t for the seriousness of the situation, Daniel would have enjoyed the breathtaking view of the narrow gateway into the Mediterranean Sea.
“Just remember why we’re here. Stay sharp, lad.”
Daniel wiggled his fingers, as if he could release all of his pent-up apprehension through their tips. “Aye, Captain.”
Captain Winters knocked on the ornately carved door of Gabriel Taylor, a notorious smuggler with a head for making money. Each summer Taylor held his annual inventory clearance auction, and the guest list included a collection of the most nefarious privateers and pirates on the seas. Pirates like Jashir.
The portal swung open to reveal a squat man who appeared to have no neck; his head merely sat atop broad shoulders. The man inspected Daniel and Captain Winters from head to toe with no concern for speed. “Password,” he grumbled finally.
“Herring smells like shit,” Winters said.
The doorman grunted and stepped aside.
Daniel followed Captain Winters into the grand mansion.
They entered through a large open foyer. A staircase leading to the second floor stood on the far end of the space, and two wide archways led to rooms on each side of the hall. Light twinkled down on them from the mammoth crystal chandelier hanging above them. I’d hate to be the one to have to light all those tapers.
The doorman swung a fat arm toward the second arched entryway on the left. “Bidding will be held in the grand ballroom.” He twisted his round torso and fingered toward the other side of the hall. “Food and
The shot had gone clean through.
A sigh of relief slipped past her lips. “You’re going to be okay, Nelson, I promise.” She pressed the wad of torn fabric against both seeping holes. “I’m so sorry.”
Nelson grunted as she pushed at the edge of the bloody hole with the front half of his ruined shirt. “What the hell are you sorry for?”
“I should have warned you sooner. Stopped him.” The only friend she had, and because of her inaction he could’ve died. Tears stung her eyes. “I should never have come.” She swallowed hard. “Maybe having a girl aboard really is bad luck. I’m a terrible sailor.”
Nelson let out a raspy chuckle. “Hogwash, El. You may be inexperienced, and even carry bad luck in your pocket.” His brown eyes sparkled and a smile pulled at his lips. “But you’re going to make one hell of a pirate.”
Her chest tightened at his words. I’m sure Papa will be thrilled to hear that bit of good news.
Part One
Chapter Nine
Port of Gibraltar - August, 1665
Daniel followed Captain Winters down the crowded streets of Gibraltar, heading for the Taylor mansion at the far edge of the city. After months of finagling and strategic palm greasing, they’d earned themselves a face to face with their target, who was purportedly providing large amounts of weapons to the Dutch.
Winters dodged to avoid a man on horseback travelling up the road in the other direction. “General McTavish said Jashir would meet us at the auction to discuss the final arrangements. I hope he doesn’t delay things. We’ve already spent longer on this than I’d planned, and we need to get back to searching for Ellie.”
“I still don’t understand how selling a shipment of guns to a man we know will only sell them to a country we’re at war with makes any sense.”
“McTavish wants to find out who his Dutch contact is. He’s decided he doesn’t want to just cut off an arm by taking out Jashir, he wants the monster’s head too.”
Daniel skirted around a slow moving group of men. “I still think it’s an asinine idea.”
“Well, when you make general, you can give the orders. Until then, shut your pie hole about it. I don’t like this any more than you do.”
“Aye, Captain.”
The columned mansion sat at the top of a hill overlooking the infamous Gates of Gibraltar. If it weren’t for the seriousness of the situation, Daniel would have enjoyed the breathtaking view of the narrow gateway into the Mediterranean Sea.
“Just remember why we’re here. Stay sharp, lad.”
Daniel wiggled his fingers, as if he could release all of his pent-up apprehension through their tips. “Aye, Captain.”
Captain Winters knocked on the ornately carved door of Gabriel Taylor, a notorious smuggler with a head for making money. Each summer Taylor held his annual inventory clearance auction, and the guest list included a collection of the most nefarious privateers and pirates on the seas. Pirates like Jashir.
The portal swung open to reveal a squat man who appeared to have no neck; his head merely sat atop broad shoulders. The man inspected Daniel and Captain Winters from head to toe with no concern for speed. “Password,” he grumbled finally.
“Herring smells like shit,” Winters said.
The doorman grunted and stepped aside.
Daniel followed Captain Winters into the grand mansion.
They entered through a large open foyer. A staircase leading to the second floor stood on the far end of the space, and two wide archways led to rooms on each side of the hall. Light twinkled down on them from the mammoth crystal chandelier hanging above them. I’d hate to be the one to have to light all those tapers.
The doorman swung a fat arm toward the second arched entryway on the left. “Bidding will be held in the grand ballroom.” He twisted his round torso and fingered toward the other side of the hall. “Food and
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