- Could be a little less temperamental and...
Three feet of steel were in Philip Morgan's throat. He swallowed hard. That's what happened when you cheated and blackmailed.
-Still bored?
-I? No. Lucky duels were banned by Muir in Chabone.
- Have pity, girl and...
-Captain. He left many honest people with no way to support themselves. He didn't expect to be welcomed after all… I don't think he turned out to be a great alpha wannabe. Although size is never proof of competence, is it?
- Cassie...
-You're going to blow up with Jackie, the idiot...
Coral woodwork...
Cassie looked at him with little interest, adjusting the gun belt at her waist. It had been a joke among pirates how the Black Coral ship had had termite problems. A tremendous cost to change part of the rail.
-I should have chosen good wood. Does he know? Copaíba, Braúna or maybe even Sucupira. Nothing like one day after another, right? Even more so for those who steal and cheat to gain advantages over innocent people.
-Some ships remained in the Armada...
-And the privateers lost all command. Courtesy of you, of course. Does it have to be a gift? You know, failed people like you! I think you can buy anyone.
- Damn, I tried to be your friend and...
-Which is? Even Jackie can't bear to look at his damn face.
- You're not going to bring me down like that...
- Bad people and scoundrels like you don't even need to. They can do it on their own.
-Ah, still bored by the story... Hell! I just told you that...
Cassie narrowed her gaze, taking a deep breath. By Hecate, annoying man. She was never going to know the difference between port, starboard and starboard.
-I have no interest in that, believe me. It was a long season on the high seas. She hoped to at least have fun and enjoy her stay. And not look at your miserable face...
-Has my list of qualities improved a lot?
- You don't even have a clue, scoundrel. The coup didn't go too well, did it? Bad family business? It happens.
Philip shook his head. Maybe the idea of joining forces with Thalagar and Cornner hadn't been a good one after all. He looked at the woman in front of him who looked nothing like the girl before docile with regret.
-Now, are you going to resort to emotional blackmail? I don't think tears move me, did you know that too? Or else raise people to your defence and try to convince me how good and helpful you are?
-Did I just make a goddamn proposal? - Philip's defence seemed reasonable. If it hadn't been the damn stalking and scheming and beatings.
-And I'm flattered. The devil has been cursing hell.
-I need help...
Cassie burst out laughing. It was almost hilarious to imagine the rogue expecting her to do anything to help him. There were all kinds of people in life.
-And why did you think that I should help you? Maybe because Jackie had threatened to punch him if she put her wretched face in those waters? Or did her lover get angry? The corner didn't much like you hanging around with courtesans. After all, he is a man. At least he has more pride than you. Typical coward.
Philip took a deep breath. Damn woman! Did nothing break her wall? It was a breastplate forged in the fire that shielded her. She didn't show any emotion or feeling. It was relentless and practical. Nothing else occupied his time but work.
-I didn't take you away from my brother...
Philip ran his hands nervously through his hair. Maybe, he just maybe had been hasty. The denunciations... The spreads and lies... Damn, spreading her documents around the Armada certainly hadn't helped her aloof temperament at all. It was dealing with a wild jaguar. Always keep your distance. She never let them get close.
"I didn't give you any damn right, rogue to talk about my life." Cassie raged and forced her way down the dock indifferently.
Garropuco's tavern had changed in those months. Only now she was looking around the room with disinterest, her high boots on the edge of the table as she adjusted the smoke.
-One more mug...
-Rum And not wine...
- Well, I still prefer wine. Don't forget to arrange for the purchase of barrels of rum to supply Revenge. We set out with the tide. I don't intend to stay in Chabone, not with the kind of scum that roams around.
The boatswain looked at the Revenge's captain with resignation. The crew expected to rest. And the girl always had a way of calming tempers and preventing riots. It was going to cost extra money to increase men's work hours despite the heated moods that celebrated the profits. She glanced at the woman as she stood and checked the pistols at the ready in her belt.
-Are you going out there without a security guard? - his surprise was visible...
After the last bombing... The girl could have died. A stroke of luck had kept her alive.
Cassie said nothing. She spoke little and fewer explanations of her life. She had business to attend to. Madame Lili...she needed to see Madame and Lili and find out how the children were doing.