"Mr. Werther, what brings you here looking for a fight? You aren't planning to go to war with us, are you?
"Our boss does a great deal of business with Joker. For his sake, could you let us leave?"
Baccarat finished with a flirtatious glance at Werther, her long legs showing through the slits in her outfit.
Werther sneered. He knew exactly what sort of relationship Gild Tesoro had with Doffy. The two had made a few deals, nothing more.
Besides, Gild Tesoro had stolen the Gold-Gold Fruit from an Auction House under Doffy's control. Doffy had been generous not to settle that score. Trying to use that connection to escape was wishful thinking.
"You know Blackbeard and I are at war. You chose to trade with him, so you're my enemies.
"But you're right about one thing. Your boss does have a connection to Doffy."
Werther rummaged through his Pocket Watch and took out a Seastone collar. Bonney would have recognized it at once: she had worn it for six months.
Clack.
Werther tossed the collar in front of Baccarat, where it sank halfway into the snow. Her expression darkened at the sight.
"Thunder Swordsman, what exactly do you mean by this?"
Baccarat recognized the Seastone immediately. The collar also had a three-digit combination lock. Once it was on, taking it off would be no simple matter.
"Put it on or die. Choose. You decided to trade with Blackbeard, and that has a price."
Baccarat struggled with the choice.
Once she put it on, she would be at Werther's mercy. Whatever he told her to do, she would have to obey. But if she refused...
Baccarat glanced at her subordinates. There were four of them, and four people's worth of luck would be nowhere near enough against a monster