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resonating in her bones, but if she waited long enough, the rumble would pass. She knew it would.
    â€œIt’s okay,” Daniel said. “I can understand your caution.”
    Anne Bonny swung back to him. Her pulse was roaring.
    â€œYou’re not going to say you love me, fall on your knees, plead?”
    â€œWould it make any difference?”
    â€œHell, no,” she said.
    â€œYou already know I love you.”
    Anne knew it all right. For whatever it was worth.
    â€œIf it doesn’t work for you, I’ll give up the life,” Daniel said. “Take a job.”
    â€œOh, yeah. Go straight. Sure, Daniel.”
    â€œIf that’s what it takes for us to be together,” he said. “I wouldn’t hesitate for a second.”
    â€œYou should’ve warned me, prepared me a little. You throw me into this cold. Men waiting out on the dock. The boat running. What did you expect?”
    â€œI had hoped we would have more time. I could tell you in a more relaxed way.”
    â€œAnd why didn’t you?”
    â€œThe device in our room.”
    â€œWhat? The law’s closing in. We’re about to be arrested?”
    â€œPossibly,” he said. “I don’t believe we have the luxury of time.”
    â€œBut you bring your boat right here. You’re not worried?”
    â€œThe boat’s clean. If they had enough to arrest me, it would’ve happened by now.”
    â€œYou couldn’t work nine to five, Daniel. You’d hate it. And before long you’d start resenting the hell out of me for forcing you into it, and oh boy, what fun we’d have then.”
    â€œPeople change,” Daniel said. “I know I could do it, Anne. If that’s what you truly want.”
    Daniel’s eyes were quiet and exposed, nothing shifty, no attempt to turn up the volume, radiate charm. Glossy blue with those calm depths. At ease in his skin. In their weeks together he had shown her nothing but a steadfast courtesy, a gentility approaching shyness. Just that one flare-up of jealousy about Thorn. Even when both of them were dizzy with lust, Daniel was still reserved, dignified. An honorable man, an outlaw.
    Then again, she had little trust in her judgment. Bad training, corrupted genes, a flawed vision. Long ago she’d banished herself to solitary confinement, lived out the sentence she believed was her due.
    She watched the waitress returning to the table carrying the check in a padded leather folder. The woman was in her sixties. She wore no rings, and the creases in her face hadn’t come from smiling. She padded toward them carefully, as if walking a tightwire of exhaustion.
    At the nearby table the toddler flung his plastic drinking cup in the air, and it rolled across the patio. Daniel pushed back his chair and went over and retrieved the cup and took it back to the young family. The father set the newspaper aside and nodded his thanks. Daniel said a few words to the couple, and they laughed, then he returned to the table.
    â€œI’ll take that when you’re ready,” the waitress said.
    â€œWe’re ready now.” Daniel counted out the bills, leaving her a tip that would have been sufficient for a dinner of twelve. The waitress stared at the cash and Daniel said, “Thank you for taking such good care of us.”
    The woman gave Anne another look, then left.
    â€œI barely know you,” Anne said.
    â€œYou know more about me than anyone has ever known. This isn’t easy for me, either, Anne. But it’s right. I know that much. It’s real.”
    â€œAnd I’m supposed to step aboard that ship and just go riding off? Leave everything behind.”
    Anne watched the waitress refilling saltshakers.
    â€œIf you don’t feel the same way I’m feeling, Anne, you should stay here. I’ll respect your decision either way.”
    The man from Daniel’s crew came onto the patio and walked over to the