Huge Ajax's Arc

Chapter 373 of 619

Ajax could not send Marcus and his crew north blind. Marco read men close, but the four sailors had only spoken their oath by fire and left. Ajax wanted to see them again, in the light, before they carried his ship and his secret past every harbor. He told Tucker to bring them to the lodge suite at midday. Tucker herded them up the stairs like a man showing off a fresh string of horses. He knew what Ajax wanted and made a show of it. "Master wants a look," Tucker said. "Shirts off. Let him see what he's paying to keep quiet." The four sailors pulled their shirts over their heads. Silver chains lay against their hairy chests. Tucker leaned on the doorframe, gold catching the lamplight, and grinned like this was the best part of his day. Marcus came in behind them. He kept his own vest open, his silver chain bright on his chest, and stood apart. Where the four looked rough and eager, Marcus looked steady. He answered nothing until Ajax spoke to him. "Flex," Ajax said. The sailors raised their arms and swelled their chests. Ajax walked the line the way he swore men at his own fire. He laid a hand on each one. He felt the tall one's shoulder, the wide one's arm, the young one's chest under the chain. Strong enough to haul rope for eight days. Steady enough, he hoped. He read them with his hands the way Marco read them with his mind. Marcus watched from the wall. When Tucker looked at Marcus, he held his gaze. Tucker met the look and did not blink. Something passed between them, plain and easy. "Your men will hold," Ajax said. "They'll hold," Marcus said. Then he smiled, slow, and let it sit. "So will I.” As he flexed bicep hard and glanced at Tucker grinning Ajax caught it and laughed low. "There it is," he said. "Careful, Tucker. This one likes to flirt." "Only the ones worth it," Marcus said, still watching Tucker. Tucker felt the pull of it and let it warm him. Marcus wanted Tucker, and did not hide it. That was better than fear. A man who wanted you sailed harder to come back. Ajax told them to dress. The four filed out. Marcus went last. At the door he looked back, held Tucker's eyes, and winked. Then he was gone down the stairs with Ajax.