Chapter Nine

“Fell?” He frowned. “Explain.”

“This is the first time since we met you have called me Miranda. And, you have done so twice. All these years, you called me ‘luv’ but no more.”

Not something he longed to address right now. “Goodbye, Miranda.” He dug some money out and pressed it to her palm. “Thank you.”

Her blue eyes glistened with unshed tears. “Goodbye, Pug.” Then, she retreated to the back.

He faced Sabeen, who remained standing there, arms laden with the parcels.

Taking some from her, he grinned. “Apparently, men are looking for you for kidnapping the kids.” She didn’t look surprised. He frowned and herded her to the side of the shop. “Something you should be telling me?” His senses became even more alert.

Her fingers flexed around the packages she held. “Mr. Stanton had a cousin named Rupert Twist who has always coveted the plantation. I have no doubt he killed the Stantons in order to get his hands on Stephen.”

“So, he is blaming you?”

“Probably.” There was no concern in her tone.

“We will just avoid the guards then as we head back.”

They vacated the shop and fell into step with one another as they strode up the street. Running into another of his men from the ship, Pug gave him the purchases before continuing on. He acquired some attire for the children and paid, ushering Sabeen swiftly out the door.

Sabeen stuck with him, keeping her head down and appearing pretty invisible. She never once asked him to slow down, not even carrying the parcels she did.

“Pug!”

The man hollering his name had him drawing up and glancing over Sabeen’s head. Pug hid his scowl. Dickers ran a local drink establishment that catered to more of the lower class of ruffians of which there were no shortage of in the port town.

“Wait here. I will be right back.”

Sabeen gave a slight nod, and so, he left her there. Striding across the street, he focused on the short, greasy man. Pug didn’t want to leave her; however, neither did he want to go to the ship, drop her off then return to deal with Dickers. None of his men were around. If the Royal Navy was looking for her, this would be the best place for him to step away because those men didn’t come down here too often.

“Dickers.”

The man sniffed and wiped a filthy sleeve across his nose. “You owe me, Pug.”

He narrowed his gaze. “I owe you nothing, Dickers. You would do well to remember I spared your life last time we tangled.” He wrapped one hand around the hilt of his rapier.

Apparently, Dickers had not remembered until just now. His beady eyes widened, and he took a step back.

“Stay out of my way, Dickers.”

A loud cacophony of raucous male laughter reached him, and he frowned as a warning tingle skated up his spine. As he whirled a low rumble of fury exploded from his throat at the scene before him.

Three men surrounded Sabeen, one of them foolish enough to be touching her. Pug fairly flew across the dirty street, dodging mud puddles until the tip of his rapier rested against the man’s filthy neck.

“Let. Her. Go.”

The color leeched out of his face as his startled expression flashed between Pug and Sabeen. But, his hand remained clamped around her arm. Narrowing his gaze, Pug pressed the blade deeper into his throat.

“She is just a who—“

“Mine,” Pug growled. “She. Is. Mine.You call her a whore, and I will end your meaningless, pathetic life where you stand.” Although his main focus remained on the one who’d touched his Sabeen, he didn’t lose sight of the other two. When one moved, he nudged his rapier farther into the one man’s neck. “They move, I kill you. You move, I kill you.”

“It were a mistake,” the man blurted out through a mouth of missing and stained teeth.

“Apologize.”

“S…sorry.”

Pug withdrew his weapon as he simultaneously hauled a still silent Sabeen flush to his side. The moment they scurried away, he turned all his attention to the woman he held. In a heartbeat decision, he kicked open the nearest door and propelled her in until her back was against the wall.

“Leave!” he snarled at the old man sitting there. He hobbled to the back. Pug reached past her and locked the door. “Look at me,” he said, trying to remain a bit more under control.

Sabeen lifted her head, meeting his gaze. It was like a punch to his gut. Had he ever seen such a clear brown before? Guileless. Absolutely breathtaking. However, in the far corners, he saw that familiar blend of fear and uncertainty.

“You are never to fear me,” he ordered. “Do I make myself clear?”

“Yes, sir.”

Somehow, his hand found its way into her hair. Her eyes widened, but she didn’t move. Acceptance of the inevitable filled her stare. He tightened his grip and put his face closer.

“I may yell or curse. Perhaps both. Hell, sometimes, I will even throw things, but I will never hurt you, never raise a hand to either you or the children. Think about it, Sabeen. You cut me, drugged me, left me alone in a cave. All I have done is help you. At some point, I am going to need you to trust me.”

“Yes, sir.”

He almost growled at her but let it go. As well as her hair. “We need to go.” Jerking open the door, he glanced up and down the street before setting off, ensuring Sabeen stayed close.

Sabeen trailed her new captain as near as she could. He had long strides, which covered a lot of ground. She still tried to figure out why he’d seemed so angry and possessive when that man touched her. It was a new experience having someone protect her.

The farther they progressed, she noticed someone—a few someones—following them. Unsure of what they wanted or if he was aware, she increased her pace a bit.

“Cap’n?”

“Aye?” He slowed and peered down at her, his blue eyes twinkling in the light.

“Four men following us. I do not recall seeing them on your ship.”

“Where?” She began to point, but he grabbed her hand, completely enveloping her smaller one with his larger, callused one. “Port? Starboard?”

She shook her head, not understanding. “Behind are two and one to each side.”

“Port is left. Starboard, right. Let me know if they get closer. We need to pick up the pace.”