Free Bound by Decency by Claire Ashgrove Page A

heavy-handed discipline.
    Shouldering past, Cain let himself into the meager cabin. From a bunk in the far corner, light snores announced Drake still slept. The opposite bunk was nothing less than a shambled mess. For one so concerned with the cleanliness of muzzles, Reggie’s living space left little to be desired. “You’d do well to apply the discipline you expect of your crew to your bunk.”
    Reggie folded scrawny arms over an even scrawnier chest. Fair features morphed into a tight scowl. “Say your peace and take your leave, Cain.”
    Holding India ’s mug in both hands, Cain leaned one hip against a cluttered table. “What is the state of my gun deck? Are my men ready to revolt?”
    “Your men are the sorriest lot of gunners I’ve ever met. They cry like women. I never should’ve let you convince me to leave my crew with Alex.”
    A chuckle rumbled deep in Cain’s chest. “As I recall, you didn’t have much choice. Your crew—or shall I say Drake’s crew—went down with your boat. The men you commanded were Alex’s, and nothing short of the sea pulling them overboard would convince them to leave Triton’s Jewel .”
    Reggie’s chin thrust forward. Almond eyes narrowed. “I still had three who answered to me.”
    Cain’s chuckles grew stronger, until he couldn’t hold back a hearty laugh. “Three who came with you. Now what have you done to mine ?”
    With an indignant huff, Reggie stomped to the cluttered bunk and flopped on to the straw tick mattress. “Nothin’ more than what they needed. Your guns haven’t fired in so long they’d like to blow apart than shoot balls through ports.”
    That much, Cain could admit was true. In the two years he’d spent as captain of the merchant ship, The Kraken , he’d had no cause to light the wicks. His former position as a member of T he Flying Gang afforded a degree of respect, even amongst the most despicable rogues. When attacking him meant one could guarantee Alex, Royce, Drake, or even Edward would hunt them down and gullet them, his routes had stayed clear.
    “Did you get them cleaned?”
    On a sigh, Reggie nodded. “The larboard side is clear. I gave the crew today to rest. Tomorrow, all watches report at dawn. We won’t rest until starboard matches.”
    “So they’ve ceased their complaints, and I needn’t worry about revolt for another day?”
    Though Cain teased, Reggie’s tight scowl returned. “You won’t be havin’ problems with my methods when you go t’fire and your belly rips open.”
    “Easy, Reggie.” Cain held up an open palm. “You’re right. Just try to keep things to a dull roar down there. I have enough problems on my hands.”
    “How is Miss Prescott? Has she taken a tumble through your sheets yet?” From the opposite corner, Drake’s voice rumbled with amusement.
    Cain rolled his eyes. “She is ill , Drake.” He pushed away from the table. “And I must get this tea to her before it grows cold.”
    Drake sat up. His hawkish features twisted with a smirk. “Noble Teddy, if I should fall ill will you play nursemaid to me as well?”
    At the door, Cain swallowed a renegade laugh. He looked over his shoulder to meet Drake’s mocking stare. “If you should fall ill, the only nursing you’ll have is from the sharks.”
    He left the pair to their laughter. Though Drake had always tried Cain’s patience, one thing was certain—his presence brought entertainment. Even if in many ways, they were mirror opposites.
    As he opened the door to his room, his gaze fell to India . One look at the slender leg that folded over the covers twined his stomach into a tight knot. A groan rose to his throat. He squelched it with a hard swallow. Pretending he had not noticed the taunting call of exposed skin, he crossed the room and set the mug upon the floor.
    Though it pained him physically to touch her, he carefully disentangled the covers and slid her leg beneath. But the way her calf fit neatly in his palm had him curling