Her Pirate Master (Entwined Fates) by Trista Ann Michaels Read Free Book Online Page A

one.”
    Haydrien didn’t answer. Instead, he kept his gaze on Jacquelyn as she stepped outside and stared at the surroundings. What did she think of his home or at least what was left of it?
    He frowned, wondering why it even mattered to him. She would be gone as soon as Marcone showed up to rescue her. He hadn’t been able to catch the son of a bitch any other way. He just hoped this worked and didn’t backfire in his face.
    He would have to plan carefully and really watch his back. He had no idea how many men Marcone would bring with him, so he would need to be prepared for any contingency. He was hoping for a trade, but would Marcone be willing to give himself up for his namesake?
    Jacquelyn walked over to the edge of the landing pad and studied the city below. The wind caught the tendrils of hair that had fallen from the clip and blew them around her cheeks. She absently brushed one aside and pushed it behind her ear.
    Haydrien’s fingers flexed at his side. What would her hair feel like sliding through his fingers? Did it curl? Or was it straight? The small pieces that had escaped curled. He imagined one wrapping around his finger.
    Shaking his head, he dislodged the thoughts and walked over to join her.
    “So much of it is…” she murmured.
    “Is what?” he asked.
    He knew what she was about to say. Destroyed. He sighed sadly as he stared down at the once vibrant city now in ruins.
    “It doesn’t really even look livable,” she replied.
    “It looks better than it did.” He pointed to the north end of the city, the section that had the most reconstruction. “We’re slowly working our way south and east.”
    “What about west?” she asked.
    “West was the most damaged. It will be the last repaired, I’m afraid.”
    “That’s so sad,” she whispered. “All those people without homes.”
    “We’re managing.” He shrugged and turned away from the edge. “People moved in together. We took care of each other. We believe it will get better and refuse to accept anything less, so when you see my people, do not look upon them with pity. They’re proud of what we’ve accomplished so far.”
    She looked at him as though she was offended. “Of course. I would never…” She shook her head and frowned. “Never mind. Like you would believe me anyway.”
    Haydrien didn’t bother to answer. “Lear is going to take you to my quarters.”
    She glanced at the mountain fortress and frowned. “Not there, I hope.”
    “Careful, sub. That’s my home.”
    He turned and walked away, leaving her in Lear’s care. Yes, it was falling down, but the backside and most of the eastern-facing walls were still intact. The fortress would be the last place fixed. His people and their homes came first.

Chapter Seven
    Jack stood inside Haydrien’s quarters and glared across the room at the doctor. He’d run every scan possible on her and declared her fit to sexually please his liege.
    Was he serious? She’d be damned if she would sexually please the arrogant ass, although she never said that out loud to him. She’d finally gotten at least some control of her tongue, for now.
    She turned her back to the doctor and walked around the oversize room, examining the walls. On the far side was his bondage area. She refused to look too closely at the toys that lined the shelf and the shackles that hung from the wall.
    Would he use those on her? Most likely.
    She shivered despite the warmth in the room and hugged herself as she walked to the double doors that opened onto a large balcony. Although the outside of this massive home had been built of stone, the inside was very modern and rivaled her home on Tilarus.
    According to Lear, all the rooms except for the ones they used regularly had been emptied and the furniture given to those who’d lost theirs. Jack hated to admit it, but she admired his loyalty to his people. Apparently he stole to take care of them. Did that make it any better?
    She stepped outside and stared over