The Lost Prince by Matt Myklusch Read Free Book Online Page B

stopped short and stared at Rook’s hand on his shoulder. Rook withdrew the offending appendage, but the expression on his face remained angry and defiant.
    “How long have you been part of my crew, Rook?”
    Rook grunted. “Eighteen months.”
    “Eighteen months and you still don’t understand the way things work. Or is it that you just don’t want to? I’m tired of your insubordination. I didn’t ask for your opinion, and I don’t care to hear it expressed again. I’m a generous man, so I’ll allow you to survive this one final lapse of judgment.” He held up a finger. “One. Don’t mistake my good nature for weakness or I
will
make an example of you. Get to work.”
    Rook planted his feet. It looked to Dean like he might actually challenge Gentleman Jim, as foolish as that would have been. Dean didn’t do anything. He kept his mouth shut and watched the action unfold, just as a good spy should. Ronan got in between his captain and the insubordinate crewman, just as agood first mate should. “You hard of hearing? Your captain gave you an order, you pox-faced bilge rat! What’re you doing still standing there?”
    Rook pointed at the missionaries. “If I wanted to do charity work, I would’ve joined up with their lot. We can’t afford to turn our backs on any kind of loot. Not after the month we’ve had. The pirate king expects a real tribute this time, not more excuses.”
    “The pirate king will get his due,” Gentleman Jim said. “He always does. Are you suggesting I pay him with crates of rice and grain?”
    “Either that or the ship that carries ’em!”
    Gentleman Jim shook his head. “I’m not that kind of pirate. My crew steals from people who can afford it, people who deserve it, and if we’re lucky, both. That’s the Gentleman’s Code.”
    And that’s why it doesn’t pay to get attached
, thought Dean. His mission was now complete. Gentleman Jim’s fate was sealed. In less than a day, Dean had rooted out the reason the last few payments from the
Reckless
had been light. Gentleman Jim wasn’t skimming off the top, he was leaving money on the table. Not quite the damnable offense that One-Eyed Jack had suspected him to be guilty of, but that hardly mattered. Either way, he was costing One-Eyed Jack money, and would pay dearly for it once Dean made his report. Dean felt sick. He suddenly remembered why he hated his job enough to run away.
    “Gentleman’s Code?” Rook cackled. “Not that kind of pirate?Beggin’ yer pardon, Cap’n, but there’s only
one
kind of pirate.”
    Gentleman Jim’s cutlass flashed from his side. Its edge came to rest against Rook’s jugular. “I respectfully disagree. There’s all kinds.… There’s the kind that follow orders, the kind that swim home, and the kind that have their throats cut. Which one are you?” Rook shuddered and pulled his neck back from Gentleman Jim’s steel as far as he could.
    “I’d say he’s the kind who’ll button his lip if he wants to live,” Dean called out, surprising himself. The logical part of his brain had told him not to get involved with matters that didn’t concern him, but he couldn’t help it. Mutinous pirates were like an infection that had to be stamped out immediately, and the fact of the matter was, Dean liked Gentleman Jim. Even so, speaking up in his defense was an odd gesture considering what he was about to do to the man. If only there was some way to warn him without getting in dutch with One-Eyed Jack again.
    Rook looked around for allies among the crew of the
Reckless.
He found there were none to be had, and held his tongue at last. Gentleman Jim stared him down with hard eyes. “If you want to find yourself another ship in the Black Fleet, you’re welcome to do so. In fact, I highly recommend that course of action. But right now you’re part of
my
crew. I’m the captain here, not you. As long as that’s the case, you will obey my orders, or you will regret it for the rest of your