The tall pirate stepped closer, shoving Ethan down onto the bench with a firm hand to the shoulder. Another man yanked Liam forward, dragging him clear of the cabin wall. Liam stumbled, his heart hammering, the words tumbling from his mouth before he could stop them. “Please—I’m just a researcher, I don’t have—”
“Quiet!” the man barked, shaking him once like he was nothing more than a rag doll. Liam’s voice caught in his throat. Behind them, the other two pirates were already circling the deck, eyes fixed on the stacked crates. One bent low, rapped his knuckles against the side of a case, then shouted something back to the leader.