Passion's Tide by Sarah West Read Free Book Online Page B

sound of striking steel rang clear on the deck of the Queen Charlotte as the battle wore on . Sailors and pirates alike lay bleeding, though the number of pirates injured was far less . Though the fighting continued, the Captain could tell that the sailors were growing weary, and he knew that the struggle was drawing to a close.
    Checking to ensur e that his hat was in place, he straightened his black coat and strode to the side of the ship . He felt a familiar rush of adrenaline, and his hand automatically moved to the leather baldric around his waist, his fingers resting on his pistol . As he quelled his boyish excitement, he climbed to the railing and jumped down onto the smaller boat, which lay flush against the warship’s side, pulled tight and secured with grappling lines .
    He glanced around him and with a curse noticed the body of Daniel, the ship’s carpenter, lying face down in a puddle of blood . He was bending over to turn the body when he saw movement out of the corner of his eye.
    With lightning reflexes he pulled out his cutlass and spun around, burying it to the hilt in his attacker’s abdomen . Surprise registered on the man’s dark face as he glanced down at the blood pouring out of the fatal wound in his stomach, his sword slipping from his hands and landing on the deck with a clang . With a gurgle he fell to his knees, swayed, then collapsed at the Captain’s feet.
    Looking up, the Captain saw he had gained the attention of everyone on board . “Tie them up,” he instructed with a nod at his men as he retrieved his cutlass and proceeded to clean it on the breeches of the dead sailor . He stood and replaced it at his belt, then glanced around at the pale faces star ing at him in fear . “Unless anyone else would like to take their chances with me?” The remaining sailors were quickly gathered and bound, their hands tied in front of them .
    The Captain began pac ing before his prisoners. “As I’m sure you know by now, I am Captain Logan Jeffries, also known as e l Tigre.” He smiled . “I’m sure my reputation precedes me . Despite what you may have heard, however, I can be a merciful man . Had you surrendered when I fired the warning shot, the lives of many of your crewmates , and unfortunately some of my own , could have been spared . And yet, I am willing to overlook this and offer you a choice: you may join my crew or you may remain on your ship, knowing that after we take what we desire it will be burned . The longboat I will leave, assuming you can get it in the water before the ship goes up. We may be close enough to the mainland yet, but are you willing to risk it? The choice is yours, gentlemen.”
    One man leapt to his feet . “I am with you, Captain!” he shouted, bringing his bound hands to his forehead in a kind of salute . Logan nodded and the man’s bonds were cut, allowing him to go stand by the other pirates .
    Of the twenty-five remaining sailors, seventeen opted to join his crew . The others decided they would rather take their chances with the longboat then serve under a pirate .
    The last willing sailor’s hands were being freed when two pirates burst forth from the hatch, a very surprising prisoner in tow . The men on deck were stunned into silence, while Logan himself reeled back at the sight of the beautiful redhead.
    “We found her in their Cap’n’s quarters!” announced Buck with a triumphant grin.
    “Oy, she’s a feisty chit, to be sure! Tried to shoot us, she did . Too bad for her the pistol had no bullets left!” Jean leered at the girl, tightening his hold on her wrist.
    Amber responded by stomping down on her captor’s foot as hard as she could . With a yelp he released his hold on her and she started running .
    To her dismay she did not get very far . During her quick attempt at escape Logan had crossed the deck in a few strides, and now she found herself faced with a hard wall of chest and broad shoulders . Her gaze traveled upwards and found the