Chapter 9: [9] Checkmate, Idiot
"Halfsies, huh?" She tapped the flat of the blade against her palm. "You know what? Sure. I could use a big strong and handsome man like you to carry all this treasure to my escape boat."
She slowly sheathed the dagger at her thigh and leaned back against the captain’s desk, arching just enough to pull her shirt taut across her chest.
"It’s quite heavy," she said, gesturing toward the bulging sacks with a tilt of her head. "I was wondering how I’d manage it all myself."
Pierre’s eyes flickered to her cleavage before returning to her face. The corner of his mouth twitched upward.
If I didn’t already know she was planning to ditch me with an empty sack that little display might have worked.
Might have.
Probably.
Okay, definitely would have worked. But that’s not the point.
"Happy to help," he said, keeping his voice casual. "Though I’m curious about this escape boat. I didn’t notice one when I came aboard."
Raven’s smile never faltered, but something shifted in her eyes—a quick calculation.
"It’s on the far side of the ship. Small rowboat, easy to miss in the dark."
"Smart," Pierre nodded appreciatively. "The Navy patrols these waters. They’ll be here soon, responding to the distress signals."