To Catch a Pirate Read Online Free PDF Page A

saying. On the one hand he seemed intelligent, on the other … well, he was stupid enough to become involved with pirating.
    “You’ll be hanged,” she stated sternly.
    “A rather ghastly way to go, I suspect.”
    “Indeed. It is not pretty, nor is it pleasant.” Not that she’d ever actually witnessed a hanging, but she had a vivid imagination.
    She gave all that she’d said a moment to sink in, to let him ponder the ramifications of the life he’d led and the destination to which he was sure to arrive.
    She cleared her throat. “I have the power to grant you your freedom.”
    He cocked his head to the side, his eyes narrowing as he studied her. It was evident he didn’t quite trust her. He was smarter than he looked.
    “You went to a great deal of trouble and expense to capture me. Why offer me my freedom?”
    “I’m not offering you your freedom, but I’m willing to trade you for it.”
    He stepped nearer to the bars, his cocky grin back in place. “My freedom for a kiss?”
    “You vastly overestimate your charms. Freedom for information — as long as that information bears fruit.”
    He narrowed his eyes again. “What information?”
    “The whereabouts of the island where Crimson Kelly buries his treasure.”
    “Even if you found the island, you’d not find the treasure. Have you not heard how he secures his secrets? By blinding those who help him bury it, leaving them to roam over the island for the rest of their days. They say that when you get near enough to the island you can hear their souls weeping in misery.”
    Annalisa shuddered with the thought. She shored up her resolve to get through this en- counter without revealing any squeamishness. “If I can find the island, I can capture Crimson Kelly there when he returns to it. I’ll force him to tell me where he buried the treasure.”
    “It’s in the Bahamas. Now set me free.”
    He rattled the door, and she despised that the unexpected action startled her. She was striving to be the one in control. Being so easily undone was not a good sign. Touching her mother’s necklace, she gathered courage.
    “The Bahamas is a vast area, with more than a hundred uncharted islands. I need more information than that. I need coordinates, longitude and latitude. I need a precise location.”
    “Surely you jest.”
    “I assure you, Mr. Sterling, on the matter of the treasure entrusted to my father, I never jest.”
    “I can’t help you. Crimson Kelly would have my head on a silver platter and my blood poured into his golden goblet.”
    “Are you afraid of him?” she taunted.
    He laughed. “I fear no man … or woman.”
    “Then help me find him.”
    “In exchange for my freedom?”
    “Yes. I promise you that you will be set free.”
    He barked out his laughter, the sound echoing between the planks. When his laughter quieted, he slowly let his gaze roam over her, as though he were measuring her worth.
    “Do you think me a fool?” he asked. “A promise is easily given. I’ve never known one yet to be kept.”
    “I’ll keep mine. You have my word on it.”
    “Your word ?” He looked to the rafters, then slowly turned in a circle. “Where is it? I don’t see it. It has no substance.”
    “Many a thing with substance can’t be seen.”
    “And I trust nary a one of them. The same as I don’t trust you.”
    The frustration ate at her. How could she convince him? “I owe you. You didn’t kill me or take me captive when you had the chance. I’ll return the favor now, but you must help me find Crimson Kelly.”
    “Ferret owed me his life as well, yet he struck a bargain with you quickly enough. You’ll do the same when a better offer comes along.”
    “I won’t. I swear —”
    “Save your swearin’. I have no interest in promises. Nor have I an interest in helping you.”
    “When we reach New Providence it’ll be too late.”
    He scoffed. “Like I said. I’m not a fool. It’s already too late.”
    “I’ll give you