Page 96 of An Imperfect Scoundrel

Before he could react, Mrs. Parker screamed, her voice echoing like a banshee, and flung herself at Mr. Johnson, knocking him into the wall. She darted around his stunned body, raced into Mr. Hayward’s cabin, and slammed the door, locking it.

Knowing Mrs. Parker was safe did little to ease his mind, as they were still trapped, his first mate was slowly bleeding out, and Alana was about to experience the worst kind of torture allowed at sea.

“Mr. Johnson?” Cedric called through the hole, hoping to draw him back to the rope.

“Yes, Captain?” he growled, prowling back and forth in front of Mr. Hayward’s door.

Cedric glanced at Mr. Hayward, debating his words, then said, “The demon has trapped me in my cabin with a rope. I need you to cut the binding and free me.”

Mr. Johnson stood frozen in the corridor, apparently conflicted between pursuing the demon and assisting his captain, but duty won out. Tucking his pistol away, he abandoned Mr. Hayward’s door and picked up the knife. Sawing the rope, he lifted his gaze to the small hole.

“Once I free you, I’ll need your help to capture that monster.”

“We can’t have a dangerous creature running about on the ship,” Cedric replied, stepping away from the door as the rope snapped.

He drew his pistol and raised the gun over his head, waiting for Mr. Johnson to open the door. When his bleary gaze peered into the room, Cedric brought the pistol down, striking Mr. Johnson on the head and knocking him unconscious.

After collecting the knife, Cedric banged on Mr. Hayward’s door, calling out, “I’ve incapacitated him, Mrs. Parker.”

The door unlocked, and a moment later, her red hair appeared. “Permanently?”

“No, just until he’s sober.” Slicing through the other end of the rope, Cedric removed the cord from the outer door. “However, I need your help. One of the bullets struck Mr. Hayward.”

“I’ll see to him immediately,” she replied and scurried from the room.

Cedric followed, carting the rope with him. Kneeling on the floor, he wound the rope around Mr. Johnson, binding his feet to his hands.

“Save her before it’s too late,” Mr. Hayward panted, his eyes swinging to Cedric as Mrs. Parker peeled away his shirt. “We can handle Mr. Johnson should he awaken.”

Nodding, Cedric rose and raced down the corridor. He ripped open the main door and exploded onto the deck, his irate voice booming.

“I didn’t give permission to keelhaul the prisoner! Pull Dubois up right now!”

“Are you refusing to apply the punishment for theft?” Mr. Evans’ dark response floated over from the railing. He was threatening mutiny without stating the word.

“The punishment is too harsh!” Cedric glowered at Mr. Wickes, who nodded his head and began coiling the rope, drawing Alana out of the water.

“Do you show favor to a prisoner?” Mr. Evans asked, puffing out his chest as he strode across the deck. “Perhaps you have become too soft in your leadership.”

Cedric nearly exploded. He turned to the crew, pulsating with rage.

“The prisoner Dubois is a woman!”

Mutters whipped across the deck, men exchanging uneasy glances with each other as Mr. Wickes and Mr. Northcott lifted Alana onto the deck, gently lowering her unconscious body onto the wood.

Sliding her head onto his lap, Mr. Wickes held a cloth to a large gash on her cheek, his pale face oscillating between Cedric and Mr. Evans. Alana’s eyes fluttered open, a low groan escaping her mouth.

She was alive!

Cedric’s heart swelled.

“Evans!” Mr. Northcott pushed through the men. “Were you aware of this fact?”

“Captain Shaw searched her, not I,” Mr. Evans replied, swiping his arm at Cedric. “He should have informed us.”

“I should have done no such thing,” Cedric snarled, stepping to him. “I’m the captain of this ship, and it’smydecision to reveal information about the crew and the prisoners.”

“Are you denying her punishment?” Mr. Evans’ mouth turned up at the corners, taunting him.