Secrets of the Siren [Sirens and Sailors 5] (Siren Publishing Classic) by Bella Settarra Read Free Book Online Page A

all weather, although, given the luxuries on board his ship she supposed he didn’t have to spend too much time outside in poor conditions. “I need to find another of these first, though.” He waved the empty can in front of her. She didn’t take it from him. Best to keep his hands occupied.
    “Captain, I’ve got an idea. I know you and your men like beer. Have you heard of a drink called rum?” she asked in a conspiratorial tone.
    His eyes lit up. “Rum? You’ve got rum ?” He looked around as if expecting a bottle to materialize out of thin air.
    “I think that’s what it’s called,” she said with a frown. “And something called vodka?”
    He whooped. “Where, girl? Let me see!” He was excited now, and his voice was becoming even louder.
    “Well, they’re not here, exactly. You see, I’ve found a stash of stuff I don’t recognize in a cave on the rock over there. I don’t know who hid it there, but it’s not something we girls ever have.” She tried to sound innocent, and shook her head while she stared at him, wide eyed. “Maybe your men would like it?”
    “Like what?” Jared appeared at the captain’s side. She bristled at the sound of his voice and tried not to look at his face as she felt him leering at her angrily.
    “Never mind,” Sivan replied shortly.
    Ligia guessed he was hoping to have all the drink for himself. Not happening, fucker! “Rum and vodka? Do you know it?” she chirped at him, trying to look innocent.
    Sivan’s face turned red and his jaw tensed. Ligia gasped. He was so angry, and she hadn’t forgotten he also had a gun!
    “Well, well. So you have got decent drink here, after all?” Jared’s words were slow and slurred, but his voice was loud enough for the whole crowd to hear.
    “Is that what you call decent drink?” Ligia asked, trying to look virtuous. “I didn’t know what it was. I just found it the other day. We don’t use stuff like that.”
    The whole mob were on their feet, as well as they could manage. They were all shouting now, wanting to know where the drink was.
    “Shall I show you?” Ligia asked the captain.
    He grunted. He was obviously not happy with the situation but there wasn’t much he could do about it now.
    The men picked up their beer and followed Ligia as she led them over the island to the causeway. She was hoping that Kalliope and the girls would hear the rabble and keep out of sight.
    She stopped at the causeway and turned back to the crowd. “Can you all swim?” she asked in a loud voice.
    There were various moans and murmurs but nothing she could actually understand.
    “Some can, but most can’t,” Captain Sivan interpreted for her. “There’s not much need for swimming in our job. The ship’s pretty safe and if they go overboard it’s their own damn fault. I wouldn’t be throwing them a fucking rope!” He snorted derisively.
    “Not to worry. It’s just a causeway, but it’s getting quite wet now. I’d hate for any of them to fall in. It’s really deep here.” Ligia tried to sound concerned, but was secretly happy with the information. Not much chance of them swimming back to the main island once they are cut off by the tide, then!
    She led the way over the slippery causeway amid moans and complaints from the mob following her. Ignoring their protestations she carried on up onto the rocks and showed Captain Sivan the cave. The few bottles the girls had brought up earlier were just inside the mouth and the men grabbed them.
    “There are crates of the stuff further down,” she said, pointing to the dark hole. “When I saw what it was I thought it was useless so I didn’t bother to bring the rest up.”
    The mood of the men instantly lightened and they staggered into the darkness. It was evident when they found the “treasure” as there were whoops and cheers which echoed around the cave. Most of the men took their drink outside to enjoy in the dim light, while others preferred to stay close to the