Shock jolted through Charlisse. Merrick's strong faith in God had always been a testament to her. His moral convictions and unflinching values in the face of trials had inspired her to seek refuge in the arms of a loving God who had the power to change an evil pirate into a man of honor.
Blames God … hooked up with Collier… turned back to piratingthe words spun through her mind, unable to land.
"Edward Collier? Isn't he one of the pirates Merrick's been hunting?"
"Aye, that he is, milady. Which is hows I knew he weren't in his right mind, to be sure."
A muggy breeze blew in from the sea, flapping the loose sails and driving a dark cloud over the moon, leaving only the lanterns at stern and bow to cast their shifting light across the deck. A bell tolled in the distance.
Jackson approac
