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“Last night, you climbed onto the ship and acted like you’d finally been given leave to touch me. Today, you’ve hardly spoken to me, and now you’re trying to charm me into sharing secrets.”

He blinks, startled, and then he shifts closer. “I am not trying to—”

“Honestly, Corrick. If you’re not going to be forthright with me, just leave me alone. I’ll bring your evening dose to your quarters after dinner.”

“Tessa.” He leans close, but I’m done with this. I try to shove him away, but he catches my wrist.

His grip isn’t tight, but it’s secure, and my breath stutters.

A male voice speaks up. “Let her go.”

For a moment, I think it’s Rian, but it’s not. It’sLochlan. Brock is by his side, along with a few other members of the crew.

Corrick goes still. Any emotion in his eyes vanishes.

But he doesn’t let go of my wrist. His grip is too tight for me to break his hold.

I stare across at him.Cruel Corrick.That’s what people in the Wilds used to call him.

That’s whatIused to call him.

My breathing is tight and shallow. I don’t know what to do. He’s stronger than I am; I can feel the strength in his grip.

“Let her go.” Gwyn’s voice.

Rocco has drawn up from the shadows to stand near the prince.

“Now, Your Highness.” I don’t see the captain, but I hear his voice. I remember his comment from this morning.No one fights on my ship.

I guess we’re going to see in a moment.

But then Corrick speaks, his voice smooth and unaffected. “Miss Cade, perhaps you’ve forgotten that you have a needle in your hand.”

My eyes flick to my hand, to the needle that’s still clutched between my knuckles, almost invisible in the gathering darkness.

Corrick sets his plate aside, then reaches up to pluck the thin strip of metal from my fingers. He lets go of my wrist, and his eyes hold mine. “I didn’t want you to hurt yourself.”

I swallow hard. I don’t know what to say.

He offers the needle on his palm. “If you want to strike at me, at the very least I urge you to do it bare-handed.”

I take the needle, rolling it sheepishly between my fingers. He was right. It could have gone right through my palm.

We still have a bit of a crowd, but some of the tension has dissipated. “Is that offer open to all of us?” says Lochlan.

Corrick ignores him. “I’ll leave the food,” he says. “I know you’rehungry.” He stands. “Rocco, I’ll return to my quarters. Stay with Miss Cade.”

My heart is beating so fast. “Corrick,” I whisper.

His eyes finally meet mine. “I know people expect the worst of me,” he says quietly. “I didn’t realize you were among them.”

I shake my head, but he’s already turned away.

The crewmen yield a path, and the gathering darkness swallows him up.

CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE

The Outlaw