Page 34 of Pirate's Intent
The pirate shook his head. “Wench ye’re only worth what’s ‘tween yer pretty thighs.” He squeezed her cheeks and forced her lips into a purse. “And what this can do.”
When he tossed her on the bed, she tried to scramble off, but he was stronger than he looked. She knew she should be terrified, but all she felt was rage when he pinned her down.
Howdarehe?
Who did he think he was?
A bloody pirate, you fool, Luke would have said if he were here,and you best remember that before you get yourself killed. Naturally, that only infuriated her more, and she lashed out at the pirate to no avail.
Despite her struggles and getting in a few good punches and scratches, her wrists were tied to the headboard and her legs to the end posts.
“If I did not fear for my life touchin’ ye without payin’ first,” he grunted, clearly angry and aroused as he wiped blood from his lip, “I’d already be between yer thighs and punishin’ ye good for that.”
She nearly bit back with something scathing but ended up listening to Luke’s annoying voice in her head. Did he know their ship had been overtaken by pirates? That she and Rose were at the mercy of these blackguards? But then how could he. Just because he was a pirate himself didn’t mean he knew all the goings-on in this pitiful place.
“I will see ye in a bit,” the pirate promised. “For ye’re worth yer weight in gold ye little hellion.”
Then he left, slamming the door shut behind him.
Rather than focus on her terrifying predicament, she listened to what was happening outside the open-air windows to her right. What were they doing with Rose? The gentler, naïve, and certainly more vulnerable of the two, she feared for her younger sister. She could not handle what the likes of these monsters might do to her. So she prayed Rose fared better than her.
She had urged her sister to embrace the persona of one of the characters from the endless books she read. From what Hannah saw before they went in separate directions, she had too. Quite well at that.
Yet, what would they do with a deaf, dumb, and mute girl? What would they make of such a helpless creature? She shuddered to think. What could she do, though? How could she help? Especially bound like this.
“Bloody hell,” she cursed, using one of Luke's more colorful phrases. She tugged at her bindings, but they were tied fast.
The crowd grew rowdier outside, but she couldn’t make sense of what was happening.Please don't let it have to do with Rose.
“Put it from your mind,” she whispered, refusing to get teary. “Focus on what you can change, not what is set in stone. Youwillget things back in order. You always do.”
It was something she had told herself time and time again over the years when she could not control a situation. When she could not keep her sister safe. The control would return. She would find a way.
Honestly, it grew exhausting.
She was the older sister, though, and had sworn to always protect Rose, so that was that. For the most part, she didn’t mind either, just sometimes she grew tired of worrying. Not that her sister made things all that difficult with her nose buried in a book half the time. Regardless, Rose was her responsibility. Though their uncle provided for them, he was no worthy protector but a monster.
Eventually, the hooting and hollering quieted outside, and the day wore on, giving her far too much time to think. Which frankly, she never much enjoyed. Not unless she could share her thoughts with others. Quiet reflection was Rose’s device.
The sun was nearly set when a woman entered and sauntered over with a bottle. Though probably a decade older than herself, she could admit the woman was attractive with thick auburn hair and a curvy body. One that really should be contained beneath stays at the very least. Instead, little was left to the imagination beneath her long, form-fitting gown. If that were not enough, she highly suspected the shameless woman wore no undergarments.
“So ye’er her, aye?” The woman eyed her over with reluctant appreciation. “I suppose I can see it.”
“See what?” She frowned. “Who are you?”
“Ye wantin’ a sip then?” The woman ignored her question and gestured at the bottle. “He said ye might need somethin’ to calm yer nerves.” She winked. “Loosen ye up a bit before he takes ye.”
“Takes me?” she managed.Focus,Hannah.Focus on what you can change.What you can control. Might this woman provide her such an opportunity? “I have money. A lot of money. See that my sister and I are freed, and it is yours.” When the woman hesitated, she went on, grabbing at whatever she could. “If it is too difficult to get both of us out, then just her. Please.” She shook her head. “She will not survive here.”
“And ye think ye will?” the woman drawled, running her finger languidly along Hannah’s arm. “He said ye had a heroic streak along with being stubborn, foolhardy, uppity, and irritating.”
She narrowed her eyes.He?Who was she talking about? That litany of descriptions seemed awful specific. Perhaps a smidgetoospecific.
Her heart leapt.
Could it be?
Was there hope?
