The Pirate's Reckless Touch

“So do I.” Rawden paused and then added sarcastically, “Bucko.”

“You looking to get hurt, matey?” Clegg threatened.

Rawden paced calmly into the alley, his hands still lightly resting in his pockets. As he neared, Juliana saw just how intimidating he could be. He was tall and dark-haired with piercing green eyes. His gait was sure and measured, as deadly as that of a pacing lion. He stopped when he loomed over Clegg, who had to look up to meet his eyes.

“I hope you’re not mistaking me for a dashing young dandy out to save a damsel in distress,” he said, his voice pitched low. “Because that would be a fatal error.”

“No disrespect, matey—but why bother us?” Clegg said, unable to keep himself from stammering slightly. “She’s just one little wench.”

“That’s my business, not yours.”

“I’ve got men here—”

Rawden interrupted him with a deep sigh.

“Look here, you rapscallion,” Rawden said, tapping the gold pin adorning the lapel of his coat. “Do you know this crest?”

Clegg squinted at the gold pin; a winged woman resting on a thin circlet of gold. It was a well-known symbol. He paled and stepped backward.

“Captain Rawden Wood,” Clegg rasped.

“Aye, then,” Rawden replied, his voice hard and dangerous. “So you do know of me.”

Clegg didn’t bother to answer. Instead, he waved a hand at his swabbies and backed his way out of the alley as quickly as he could, disappearing with the sound of scurrying feet. Silence reigned in the nearly empty back street as Rawden watched their shadows disappear around the corner. Juliana regarded him warily, her fingers still tight around her dagger.

“You can let go of that knife, missy,” Rawden grunted, his eyes sliding to hers. “I’ve no plans to hurt you just yet.”

Juliana didn’t so much as twitch. Rawden sighed.

“You have my money, girl.” Rawden held out a hand expectantly. “That’s what I’m here for.”

She raised a thin brow, her eyes slowly trailing down his body. His eyes were the most uncanny shade of emerald green, and they gleamed in the half light, making him look even more devilish than before. He had a hard-set, square jaw that was covered in light stubble, and his thick dark hair tumbled in messy curls around his temples. Though he wasn’t stocky by any means, he was tall and had sturdy, broad shoulders and a lean, muscular build. He was fairly well dressed for a down-and-out pirate, and his clothes were reasonably clean and neat. Yes, he would do. Juliana straightened, fixing him with a resolute stare.

“I will return your money,” she told him in a clear, unwavering voice. “If you will hear my request first.”

It was Rawden’s turn to arch a brow.

“Why should I?” he asked, curious.

“What have you got to lose?” Juliana countered.

“Time.”

“I will make it worth your while.”

“Do you think you are in any position to be bargaining with me?”

“Do you want your money back or not?”

“You realise that I can just take it from you, do you not?” he asked incredulously.

“You said you would not hurt me.”

“Yet,” he clarified pointedly. “I said I had no plans to hurt you yet.”

Juliana narrowed her eyes and planted her hands on her hips.

“You are an impoverished pirate at risk of losing your ship to decay. And any day, your gold-hungry gang of bandits will turn on you,” Juliana declared haughtily. “I think that you need to hear my offer.”

Rawden’s lips thinned as his patience waned.

“Not so innocent after all,” he muttered. “Well then, little lass, what is your offer?”

“I am looking for something,” Juliana began.

“What is it?”

“Not your concern,” she snapped before continuing. “I am looking for something of mine but I am also being pursued.”

“I can see that,” Rawden acknowledged. “And by some less than savoury characters, I assume.”

“So,” Juliana said with a quick nod of her head, “I need protection.”

“For how long?”

“Until I find what I am looking for.”

“Which is where?”

“I can’t tell you yet,” she said evasively. “But I require a ship to get there.”

“I see,” Rawden said curtly. “You’re looking for something—but you won’t tell me what. You are going somewhere along the coast—but you won’t tell me where. And you need me to be your personal bodyguard for an indefinite length of time?” He barked a laugh. “I think not, lassie. I’ll have my money and be on my way, thank you very much.”

Juliana remained impassive as she drew a small pouch of coins from her cloak. She tossed it in his direction, and he caught it deftly with one hand. Rawden chuckled as he dropped the pouch back into his pocket.

“Good luck finding someone,” he said as he turned away. “But I’m sure you couldn’t pay enough for anyone to—”

“A gold sovereign,” she cut in sharply.

He glanced at her over his shoulder.

“One gold sovereign is not nearly enough to—”

“One gold sovereign every day,” she announced, blank-faced. “Every day from today until the day I safely have what I am looking for.”

Rawden slowly turned on his heel, his eyes studying her serious expression.

“A gold sovereign every day,” he repeated carefully. His voice dropped to a deadly timbre. “That is quite the dangerous promise, young lady. How do I know you can deliver? After all, you did swindle me for just a few shillings.”