Free Time for Love by Emma Kaye Page B

saw exactly what you were about to do, and it did not involve fetching me. You are lucky I do not just slit your throat right now. Instead, I shall allow the two of you to provide some entertainment for the crew before I settle on punishments for your crimes.” He ascended the ladder without another backward glance.
    Seeing he couldn’t expect any help from that quarter, Mr. Duff silently followed. Alex close behind. As she emerged from below, her eyes not yet adjusted to the relatively bright light above deck, he aimed a vicious kick at her head.
    She had expected a dirty trick and managed to grab his foot and send him sprawling onto his backside, giving her the chance to reach the deck unharmed.
    Evelyn’s scream had caught the crew’s attention, and the majority stood around watching. They gasped and muttered angrily at Mr. Duff’s underhanded tactics. His face flushed as he looked around at the large audience.
    Alex yanked off her shoes and socks, and then circled Mr. Duff as he struggled to his feet. The shaking of her limbs stilled, and ice water ran through her veins. She flexed her fingers and cleared her mind. Focus was the key. She thought of all she had learned in karate class. She could win this fight but would have to be very careful. Mr. Duff was no match for her skills, but he was stronger and larger. If he landed one solid punch, she’d be finished.
    No one made any sound as Mr. Duff mirrored Alex’s movements. They circled each other in silence until it became too much for Mr. Duff and his taunts began.
    Alex struggled to keep the rage from her face and making any rash moves as his words penetrated the preternatural calm that had descended upon her.
    “Worried your little whore wouldn’t want you anymore after she had a real man?” He laughed and seemed to regain his confidence with each word he uttered. “She sure was eager to try. You must notta been doin’ right by her. Shoulda slapped her round some. Bit of a hellcat that one. Wanted it rough, and I was willin’ to give it a go.”
    The thought of what he would have done to that poor child if Alex hadn’t been there drove every other thought out of her head. She attacked.
    She sensed rather than heard the indrawn breaths of the crew but gave them no thought as she reached her target. It should have been over quickly, but there’s no telling what will happen in situations like this.
    ****
    Nicholas watched the two men circle each other. He wasn’t sure it was the wisest course of action, but he had read the look in young Turner’s eyes and recognized his need to deal with this himself.
    He watched them closely. Duff had the advantage in height and weight—probably why he had selected the boy to bully in the first place. He appeared to pose no threat. But Nicholas had seen the way Turner handled himself in the hold. He was small but seemed to have some fighting skills. Nicholas hoped it would be enough to keep him from sustaining any real injury.
    Grayson appeared above deck, the girl beside him. She looked pale and weak but had a determined look on her face.
    “I believe I told you to bring her to my cabin, Mr. Grayson. This is no place for a woman.”
    “I tried, but as soon as she came to, she insisted on coming straight to you. She claims Mr. Turner did not assist her on board and only recently found her.”
    The girl lifted her chin and looked up at Nicholas. “I alone am to blame. Mr. Turner had nothing to do with…” Her words trailed off as she caught sight of the two men facing each other and realized what was happening.
    Nicholas was surprised to see a look of panic enter her eyes.
    “Stop this. You can’t let them fight!”
    She obviously felt something for Turner and worried for his safety, so he used a gentle voice to reassure her. “He will be all right. The worst he shall receive is a few bruises, maybe a broken nose or rib. I will not allow it go too far.”
    “But that man has a knife! He’ll kill her!” She