Page 82 of An Imperfect Scoundrel
Laughing, Mr. Evans leaned forward and pressed the lower portion of his face through one of the openings.
“I’m going to take you, Dubois,” he murmured, grinding his pelvis against the cage. “I’m going to take you like the captain did. I’m going to mount you, fuck you, and enjoy every moment that you scream. We may not be able to touch the female captives, but Captain didn’t say anything about the male prisoners.”
“Wh-Wh-What are you talking about?” Alana swallowed, her heart stuttering.
Mr. Evans must have heard them!
“Captain Shaw doesn’t get to be the only man to receive pleasure from your body. However, I must offer a warning. I won’t be as gentle as he... there will be blood.” Mr. Evans grinned and licked his lips. “I wondered why he kept you, with all your faults. Now I know the reason and demand the same satisfaction.”
“No!”
“Mr. Dubois,” clucked Mr. Evans, drawing a key ring from his pocket, “what makes you think you have any choice aboard this ship?”
CHAPTER SIXTEEN
CEDRIC
“Was he still alive when you left?” asked Cedric.
“Who?” Mr. Hayward, his eyes locked on the half-filled longboat that swung out over the water, didn’t glance over as Cedric approached.
“Dubois,” he replied, attempting to keep his tone disinterested.
“Yes.” Mr. Hayward turned. “Shouldn’t he be?”
“The crew seemed intent on killing him.”
“They are,” Mr. Hayward replied. “But if Dubois is innocent—”
“You think him innocent?”
“He was shoveling coal at the time Northcott’s bracelet was taken. Evans was aware of this,” Mr. Hayward replied before he jumped into the longboat, startling the four women who were being slowly lowered to the water.
Cedric followed, landing a bit more lithely than Mr. Hayward but earning the same number of shrieks.
“So, either Dubois had help, or someone wants him to look guilty?” Cedric said in a hushed voice as he joined Mr. Hayward at the bow of the longboat. “The second option seems more likely.”
Mr. Hayward nodded, giving no further information, and sat on the bench, wrapping his hands around the seat.
“Ladies,” Cedric addressed the four hostages. “Please brace yourselves, there’s going to be a short drop before we hit the water.”
No sooner than he’d spoken the words, the longboat was cut free, and they plummeted toward the water, screams echoing from several of the women.
A small wave sloshed over the side of the boat when they splashed down, leaving roughly an inch of water in the bottom of the dinghy.
“Row!”
The command was unnecessary. Misters Northcott and Miller had already dipped their oars into the water, pulling hard.
Cedric’s gaze slid over the hostages, trapped on the benches between four pirates. Despite the fear shining in their eyes, he could see a flicker of relief at the realization they would be returning to their families soon.
Would they ever sail again?
“Why are you concerned with Dubois’ welfare?” Mr. Hayward murmured, his voice so low, Cedric wasn’t certain he’d heard his first mate correctly. “Is it because he’s from Wiltshire?”
His gaze passing over Northcott and Miller, Cedric leaned over and whispered, “I discovered something peculiar when I searched Dubois.”
Mr. Hayward shifted position and waited for Cedric to continue.
