Free A Pirate's Curse (Legends of the Soaring Phoenix) by ML Guida

didn’t hurt him. Doc’s attending him in the brig.”
    “ He is?”
    “We are n’t barbarians. Doc has cleaned the brig and put blankets in there along with plenty of water and food.”
    “But…”
    “I’ll not have him wandering around the ship attacking me or my crew.” He traced his finger down her arm, feeling her tremble beneath him. “Or you,” he lowered his voice.
    Was it from his touch or was she thinking of her bastard father? If the man hurt her again, the bloody eejit would strip away the last pieces of Kane’s shredded honor. Kane would have him thrown over the ship to drown in a watery grave.
    “ Obviously, he was worried about my virtue,” Hannah whispered.
    “I assure you, stealing a British lass’s virtue isn 't my style. I prefer an Irish lassie—warm and wiggling below me.”
    She turned her head away and she wiped her face. Was she crying? Did she care? She just called him a lecherous pirate. “Hannah?”
    She whirled back . “What?”
    Her eyes were bright. Even with a swollen eye and a fat lip, she was beautiful. He wanted to run his fingers down her porcelain face, but kept his hands to himself. “Are you feeling ill?”
    “I’ m fine. Why…”
    She stopped mid-sentence . Her brown eyes grew large and her face paled, whiter than the full moon. Was she losing consciousness? She had been lucid. He gripped her arm. “Hannah?”
    She licked her lips and placed a shaking hand on top of his. She shook her head.
    “Lass, what is it? I promise I won’t let your father harm you.”
    She startled. “What? My father?”
    “Aye, he won’t hurt you aboard my ship.”
    She stared . His heart twisted at the fear brewing in her doe eyes. He wanted to wrap his arms around her and comfort her, chase away her fear, kiss her, stroke her passion, but he was a pirate and a cursed one. She deserved better.    
    “Ah, yes, my father, but I wasn’t…,” she whispered, her voice fading.
    He followed her gaze and frowned. Nothing. Her lower lip trembled. “Are you well lass?”
    “I don ’t know.” She released his arm and rubbed her temples. “No, I’m fine.”
    “ You’re rambling and don’t look fine.”
    She glanced at him. “My head hurts again. I think my mind’s fuzzy, can’t seem to focus.”
    He put his hand on her forehea d and she flinched. She was warm, but not hot enough to warrant hallucinations. “Not seeing…”
    A loud crash hit the floor behind them. Kane whirled around. Hannah jumped in his lap. She shuddered and he cradled her in his arms. The scent of jasmine teased him again. Her body molded against his as her fingers clutched his arms. His cock hardened and he gritted his teeth. An urge to kiss her washed over him, to make her forget her fear, but was it from wanting to comfort her or his aching need. “’Tis fine, lass,” he said, his voice strained. He rubbed her back.
    “Wh… what…what was it?”
    Kane scanned his cabin and murmured. “What the hell?” His father’s Celtic jade cross, heavy weighted with iron, was on the floor. Since he had been captain, the cross remained upright on his desk, never falling over once, even during the pounding seas. He frowned. “Blazes.”
    Her nails dug into his flesh. “What?”
    Fear resonated in her voice. Before he could stop himself, he kissed the top of her head. She didn’t flinch. He put his hand over hers and pushed her quaking hands off him. “’Tis fine, lass. Wait here.” He walked over to the cross and picked it up. Examining the heavy cross, he mumbled, “Strange.” He ran his fingers over the ornate surface, checking for damage, but the surface was smooth.
    He glanced at Hannah. Her face was paler, her eyes wider. The purple bruises on her right side stood out more. But she wasn’t staring at him. She was staring to the left of him as if she saw the devil himself. Once again, he followed her gaze, but only saw his trunk. What the hell was going on? Was she becoming