The Red Drifter of the Sea (Pirates of the Isles #3) - Celeste Barclay Page 0,36

to O’Malley or trying to escape?”

“Escape. The alliance went against what the clan council wanted. None of the men stopped Dónal from intimidating me. The councilmen smuggled me out. That’s why there weren’t many men on board.”

“Where were you headed?”

“I don’t know all the details.” Which was true, just not the entire truth. “South.”

Moira said nothing Kyle hadn’t already suspected, but the confirmation was useful. And he appreciated that they’d crossed a major hurdle far faster than he expected after their fractious last few days. He was certain there was more to her story, but he wouldn’t press. Yet.

“I’m glad you’re safe now,” Kyle said.

“Am I, though? Will you turn me over to Dónal or Dermot if they find me?”

“And how would they do that when I don’t know where you are?” Kyle asked with a straight face. Moira shivered for a moment as she witnessed what an accomplished liar he was. Always perceptive, Kyle added, “I lie better than most. I’ve had to in order to stay alive. But unless it can’t be helped, unless it’s for your well-being, I won’t lie to you.”

Moira nodded. She wanted to believe him, wanted the trust that Kyle spoke the truth. But she wasn’t fool enough to trust the man just because he was handsome and made her body sing. She hadn’t lied either. It would take her time to trust him. Sensing they’d spent enough time in serious conversation, Kyle nudged her off his lap and stood.

Twelve

Wrapped in his plaid and a leine she swam in, Moira watched Kyle dig in one of his chests before sticking his head into the passageway and bellowing to someone named Braedon. It was only moments later that an adolescent boy bounded toward Kyle but was sent off to find a pair of his leggings and a smaller leine for Moira. When Kyle had warm clothes to offer Moira, he swapped the larger leine for one that fit her better.

“Put your boots on. It’s time you came above deck and met my crew properly. They know you’re here. They know you’re mine. But I would introduce you on my terms.” Kyle crossed his arms and set his jaw as he looked down at Moira. Once more captain and commander. “It’s the only way I can keep you safe, Moira. I may not always be a barbarian with you, but I must keep you safe among my crew. They must know they can’t touch you without losing their life.”

“I understand, Kyle. I don’t know if you’re possessive by nature. Maybe you are because you didn’t have much as a child or because you’ve always shared with Keith. But I do realize who I’m on board with. I may have avoided men like your crew when Dónal hosted, but I wasn’t blind or deaf. I’d rather you make it abundantly clear that I’m to be left alone than for you to neglect that.”

Kyle’s arms unfolded before he wrapped them around Moira’s waist. He lifted her off the floor and gave her a smacking kiss before spanking, then squeezing, her backside. She squealed and kissed him back. She was ready to make her first dignified appearance on deck.

Moira stood beside Kyle on deck, any traces of her earlier submission gone as she looked the crew in the eye, meeting their suspicious assessment with her own. She’d felt Kyle’s body shift, so they stood side-by-side rather than with his body angled in front of hers. She appreciated the small sign of respect. She knew he wouldn’t hesitate to defend her if any man made a move, but she didn’t appear to cower behind him. She didn’t intend to present herself as his equal, but neither did she intend to stand in his shadow. She hoped he would allow her freedom to move about the ship, and she railed against any pirate thinking she was still the meek woman some had met before. She was certain word had already spread about her; it was inevitable. But she could present herself in the way she wanted to be seen for once: brave.

The moments of fear she’d experienced as she slipped from the keep in the dark down to the pier, then into the dinghy that rowed her out to the ship with Grady and Malone had paled compared to the terror of realizing pirates attacked her ship. Since then, her emotions were in constant turmoil with Kyle. They vacillated from exquisite pleasure to doubt to worry, but as she stood beside