Merrick braced himself for the onslaught. So this would be how it ended for the great Captain Merrickmurdered by a pack of lowlife miscreants on board a villainous ship. Not exactly as he'd envisioned it.

Hanson swished his cutlass in front of him and licked his scarred lips. Two other pirates eased toward Merrick, drawing their weapons.

"If you kill me, you'll be left with Captain Collier when he comes to." Merrick inched his hand toward his cutlass while maintaining a ...