wanted the man to say he had no information so Jake could have his physical release, but Andre came through. “Your box is in the King’s quarters on the third floor west wing. And, you’re in luck.”
“How so?” Jake questioned.
“The room has been empty since the deaths of the King and Queen,” Andre smiled proudly. “No soul ever steps foot through the doors. You shouldn’t be interrupted if you’re stealthy.”
“Good work, Andre,” Jake tossed a small bag of coin in front of the man as payment.
“You seem disappointed,” Andre muttered absently as he counted his bounty.
Jake ignored the remark, walking out of the bar and into the storm once again. He was pleased with the information, especially since he knew the room of which Andre spoke and the large tree he would climb to reach its private balcony. However, Jake still felt restrained. He wanted a fight; a method of release. Pulling his collar up to protect the skin at his nape from the cold rain, Jake focused on what needed done.
He would go to the castle that night, during the royal summer ball the Prince was hosting. The guards would be busy with guests and distracted, so none would pay mind to an odd individual walking the grounds. With all luck, Jake should be in and out in a matter of minutes, then on his way out to sea before anyone noticed something was amiss. Not that notification was an issue if, as Andre said, the room hadn’t been touched in years, but Jake was cautious.
Once back in his quarters aboard the Crimson Jewel, Jake changed out of his sodden clothes and into a fresh pair of pants. He left his chest bare as he lay on his bed in an attempt to get some rest before his heist. Jake hadn’t slept well in days, his dreams filled with images of a brown haired woman with innocent, sad eyes.
It was a week since he watched Anna walk away from him, knowing he would not see her again. During his waking hours, Jake knew he made the right choice in not pursuing her. His dreams, however, wouldn’t allow him to forget her eyes when she told him of the loss of her family. Jake excused his ache to see her in the dark of night as the want of helping a sweet, innocent woman find her way home.
He knew it was best she hadn’t taken him up on the offer of returning her home. Not that she would have agreed to travel with his mates once she found out the truth. And, she would find out the truth. Jake’s status as a Pirate would be clear the moment she stepped on board his Crimson Jewel. The thought of her disappointed and perhaps even disgusted expression when she learned the truth upset Jake more than it should have. He enjoyed the look of admiration he’d seen in Anna’s eyes when she called him a good man. Jake preferred to remember her that way, untouched and unspoiled by the truth.
Chapter Six
The rain and wind cleared, but the clouds remained, making the night of the ball dark and hazy. The guests arrived in droves, dressed in the finest gowns and suits Anna ever saw. She hid in her bedroom, watching from the window as they arrived in carriages, on horseback, in strange vehicles and some by flight. Music began to play through the castle, echoing down hallways and through every room.
“Anna,” Friga spoke from the doorway. “Are you ready?”
Anna turned and looked at the woman, dressed in her normal grays. “As I’ll ever be,” Anna answered quietly.
“Oh, child, you look absolutely stunning!” Friga fawned.
Anna’s blue and sapphire gown clung tight to her torso, the narrow bands around her shoulders looking the part of narrow sleeves, but serving no purpose. Silver stitching gave the dress the impression of shimmering as it flared out at her hips, cascading in a flowing swirl to her ankles. When Friga brought her the garment, Anna believed the dress far too elaborate. After seeing some of what was worn to a royal ball, Anna understood why Friga insisted.
“Thank you, Friga,” Anna offered with a shy
“How so?” Jake questioned.
“The room has been empty since the deaths of the King and Queen,” Andre smiled proudly. “No soul ever steps foot through the doors. You shouldn’t be interrupted if you’re stealthy.”
“Good work, Andre,” Jake tossed a small bag of coin in front of the man as payment.
“You seem disappointed,” Andre muttered absently as he counted his bounty.
Jake ignored the remark, walking out of the bar and into the storm once again. He was pleased with the information, especially since he knew the room of which Andre spoke and the large tree he would climb to reach its private balcony. However, Jake still felt restrained. He wanted a fight; a method of release. Pulling his collar up to protect the skin at his nape from the cold rain, Jake focused on what needed done.
He would go to the castle that night, during the royal summer ball the Prince was hosting. The guards would be busy with guests and distracted, so none would pay mind to an odd individual walking the grounds. With all luck, Jake should be in and out in a matter of minutes, then on his way out to sea before anyone noticed something was amiss. Not that notification was an issue if, as Andre said, the room hadn’t been touched in years, but Jake was cautious.
Once back in his quarters aboard the Crimson Jewel, Jake changed out of his sodden clothes and into a fresh pair of pants. He left his chest bare as he lay on his bed in an attempt to get some rest before his heist. Jake hadn’t slept well in days, his dreams filled with images of a brown haired woman with innocent, sad eyes.
It was a week since he watched Anna walk away from him, knowing he would not see her again. During his waking hours, Jake knew he made the right choice in not pursuing her. His dreams, however, wouldn’t allow him to forget her eyes when she told him of the loss of her family. Jake excused his ache to see her in the dark of night as the want of helping a sweet, innocent woman find her way home.
He knew it was best she hadn’t taken him up on the offer of returning her home. Not that she would have agreed to travel with his mates once she found out the truth. And, she would find out the truth. Jake’s status as a Pirate would be clear the moment she stepped on board his Crimson Jewel. The thought of her disappointed and perhaps even disgusted expression when she learned the truth upset Jake more than it should have. He enjoyed the look of admiration he’d seen in Anna’s eyes when she called him a good man. Jake preferred to remember her that way, untouched and unspoiled by the truth.
Chapter Six
The rain and wind cleared, but the clouds remained, making the night of the ball dark and hazy. The guests arrived in droves, dressed in the finest gowns and suits Anna ever saw. She hid in her bedroom, watching from the window as they arrived in carriages, on horseback, in strange vehicles and some by flight. Music began to play through the castle, echoing down hallways and through every room.
“Anna,” Friga spoke from the doorway. “Are you ready?”
Anna turned and looked at the woman, dressed in her normal grays. “As I’ll ever be,” Anna answered quietly.
“Oh, child, you look absolutely stunning!” Friga fawned.
Anna’s blue and sapphire gown clung tight to her torso, the narrow bands around her shoulders looking the part of narrow sleeves, but serving no purpose. Silver stitching gave the dress the impression of shimmering as it flared out at her hips, cascading in a flowing swirl to her ankles. When Friga brought her the garment, Anna believed the dress far too elaborate. After seeing some of what was worn to a royal ball, Anna understood why Friga insisted.
“Thank you, Friga,” Anna offered with a shy
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