Page 49 of An Imperfect Scoundrel

There was little sympathy in Mr. Wickes’ voice, and she wondered if that lack of compassion was due to stoicism or greed for the dying man’s share.

Sitting on the indicated bunk, she lifted the blood-stained sheet that covered Mr. Carter’s chest, and gasped, dropping the cloth, her hands flying to her mouth.

“What happened to him?” She glanced at Mr. Wickes, unable to keep the horrified expression from her face.

“He was shot.” Mr. Wickes shrugged. “The risk of becoming a pirate.”

“Why didn’t you request my assistance earlier?”

“Captain said you were unconscious,” he replied with a smirk.

“At least you weren’t dead,” said the man occupying a bunk to her right.

“Why would I be dead?” she asked, swallowing as she shifted her gaze to the other man.

“He killed the last cabin boy.”

CHAPTER TEN

CEDRIC

Despite nearly being choked to death several hours prior, Mr. Dubois didn’t request to change his status from cabin boy to hostage. Instead, he stayed in the crew’s quarters after sewing up the men, waiting exactly as instructed.

Irked, Cedric stalked along the main deck, his eyes locked on the fluttering flags of the unlucky ship that crossed their path.

How much more torture could he inflict on Mr. Dubois before he actually killed the man?

“Something on your mind?” Mr. Johnson asked, his uneasy gaze shifting between the ship on the horizon and Cedric.

“Two attacks in one day will certainly earn the noose for every man aboard if we’re captured,” Wrapping his hands around the railing, Cedric glanced down. The morning sun glinted off the ocean, sparkling like hundreds of diamonds. Peaceful, as though they were sailing through the eye of a hurricane.

“They know.” Mr. Johnson leaned his forearms on the worn wood, his gaze dropping to the water eddying around the ship's hull. “Sailing with you already means the noose.”

“What would killing me get?” Cedric glanced at him.

“I’ll let you know after we drop off the ransom letters.” Shaking his head, he turned toward Cedric. “You’re the only man I ever met who was obsessed with his worth.”

“Every man is obsessed with worth. I just measure it differently than you.”

“Do you want to know how I measure my worth?” Mr. Johnson jerked his head at the ship on the horizon. “With gold.”

Cedric half-smiled and placed his hand on Mr. Johnson’s shoulder, squeezing tight. “Then, let’s get you some.”

“Captain.”

Cedric turned, his gaze raking down two men wrapped with fresh bandages.

“Wickes and I would like to join this raid.”

“Are you well enough to fight?”

He knew that wouldn’t stop them, even if they weren’t. Those that didn’t participate had no claim to the bounty gathered.

“Dubois said so,” Mr. Wickes replied, raising his cutlass and belting out a loud yell, which was repeated by his partner and the men working nearby.

Waiting a beat, Cedric took a menacing step forward.

“Well, why are you still standing there?” he growled. “We attack in less than an hour. Get to work!”