Taken by Pirates

The Captain’s hand settled on my knee under the table. “I’m glad to hear that, lass, thank you. It means that we can get this done with much less violence.”

“Aye, that crew from the Devil’s Blue Sea is a ragged lot,” Dobbs said, shaking his head. “Murderin’ batch of bas–”

The Captain silenced him with a sharp glare.

“Sorry, sir.”

I knew that I should be nervous. That I should ask more questions and discover the entire extent of the plan. But all I could focus on was the heavy, warm hand on my knee, and the way his fingertips eased a half inch up my inner thigh.

I wanted the Captain to be proud of me. To let me stay as part of his crew.

And I wanted Levi to see that I was a brave woman, ready for anything and everything.

~ Chapter 12 ~ The Captain ~

* Head Over Tea Kettle *

There have been very few times in my life when I’ve actually felt nervous. But sending my sweet, beautiful Maggie out alone to run an errand when we knew dangerous men were about felt wrong. Like there was a beast standing on my chest, its claws digging into my ribs.

Sending her with a large man such as myself would draw attention. Willy was a smaller man, the kind to blend in. People never remembered quite what he looked like. He also seemed to have extra eyes in the back of his head, and threw a knife with astonishing accuracy.

I knew that he’d keep my Maggie safe.

My Maggie.

There was so sense trying to continue to keep our secret. The men weren’t idiots. Even Dwyer looked away as soon as Maggie and I were together so that we could have a little cuddle.

So it didn’t matter if I showed her how I felt in front of them. But it might matter to her.

As the Midnight Treasure approached the dock, I stood beside Maggie on the front deck and took her hand. Those huge, bright eyes looked up at me in surprise, then she smiled softly.

“What’s your mission, my lass?” I asked softly.

“Go to Elizabeth Wescott’s sister’s house. Willy knows the location of Biddy Smythe’s home from the town maps, and he’ll fall back when we get there. I’ll tell them they’re in danger, and send them to a neighbor’s house. They should hide, away from the windows, for the rest of the day, and not go into town.”

“That’s my girl.”

Maggie looked around again, almost nervously. The rest of the crew were back on the middle deck, politely looking away from us. As I slipped an arm around her, there was no mistaking my intentions.

“Women listen to other women,” I said gently. “This will be much easier on Mrs. Wescott than sending strange men to her door.”

She nodded, her brown hair shining with more auburn in the early morning sun. “You’re likely right. I would have a fit if a man just appeared and told me I was in danger.”

“Don’t be afraid to throw a fit if you need to make her listen,” I chuckled.

Her sweet grin warmed my heart. Pulling her toward me, I kissed her gently as the wind from the shore picked up, throwing pieces of her hair around my face. I loved it when she left her hair down so the breeze could tousle it around her.

“You’re so beautiful, my darling girl,” I murmured, “But you’re smart and capable as well. You have no idea what that does to me.”

“Mmm,” she hummed, snuggling into my arms like a contented kitten.

I wanted nothing more than to take her to my bedchamber right now and show her how much she meant to me. Hopefully, I’d be able to do that soon.

I kissed her lightly as the ship docked. “Be quick, be firm, and come back to my arms quick as a whip, Maggie,” I whispered into her ear.

“Yes, Cap…Levi,” she smiled up at me.

The warm pressure in my heart built to a point where I thought it might actually burst. This sweet, brave girl, off to assist with her crew’s mission. I was so proud of her.