Revenge of the Siren Song (Rogues of Sea and Sky Book 1) by Michelle Stinson Ross Page A

the likes of these could hold me long anyway,” he taunted, as she walked away from him. “Why, Jameson here still owes me a pint o' rum. And not that swill he's taken to drinking, either, a pint of the good stuff.”
    The man holding down Liam's right hand averted his eyes from his captain sheepishly. Liam took advantage of his distraction and embarrassment and, with a flick of a powerful wrist, took Jameson’s knife from his belt and threatened the other guard with it before giving a gust of laughter. “Nay, lass, as you have already pointed out, this is not my ship. I’ll go where ye bid me, as I’ve peaceably agreed to,” he said, flipping the knife expertly in his hand and handing it back to Jameson.
    “Wise choice,” she growled.
    “You intrigue me, 'tis true.” He flashed another smile her way.
    “Watch and learn,” she said as she turned on her heels and exited the cabin.
    The men dragged Liam out on to the deck right behind her. She was already barking orders to the rest of her crew, so his captors just stood on deck with Liam in hand until she gave them further orders.
    “Helmsman, turn us to the south. I have a score to settle. And someone see to it this fool learns some manners.”
    “South, eh?” Liam chuckled to himself.
    “Hoist the mainsail! I want the wind in my face boys!”
    “Lass, why are ye heading south in the warm coastal water off the Florida shore…” Liam began to ask a question but the captain cut him off.
    “What is he still doing on my deck? Below with the bastard!”
    After Liam had spent several rather dull hours sitting in irons alone in the dark, smelly bowels of the hold, the lovely captain of the Siren Song finally visited her prisoner, alone. This time her tone was blunt but not unfriendly.
    “Liam, did you really think I'd tell you what was going on while you could still jump ship? That American bitch is making trouble for us all. And there's no way any of my crew would believe you'd come along willingly. Since you are the worst liar of any pirate I've ever met, you left me no choice but to kidnap you and explain later.”
    “Stealing and sailing requires little lying, I'm afraid. And my eloquent, dulcet tones are lost on most,” Liam grinned.
    “Trying them on me won't work either,” she scowled. “I assume your crew will eventually come looking for you?”
    “Unless they suddenly don't want their part of the treasure I've buried, you can assume so, Captain O’Malley.”
    “That hoard won't be worth a damn if we don't stop her.”
    “I'm mostly all ears for you... Mostly.”
    “And she will hang you from the yardarm and burn you as soon as look at you,” she continued without pause. “What you ever saw in her I'll never know. But now she's added my ship to her merry little game,” she fumed.
    “Look, what do you want me to say, Grace? That I made a mistake? I didn't, not about her, anyway. I made a lot of others since then, more than we have time to count. We both have. But what can be done about it, now? What can we leverage to take vengeance?”
    “She's been playing both sides. She thinks she's been so very clever.”
    Liam nodded his head and asked, “So, what's the plan?”
    “I'm not so sure I should tell you yet. I need to assess your loyalty.”
    “Is this an attempt to get me to swear an oath? Or are you just going to let me voyage in irons till your suspicions of me wear thin?”
    “Up to you, but I'm leaning towards the irons option.”
    A smile spread across his face as his thoughts tumbled through the bawdy options the irons might provide. “Just how do you intend to assess my loyalties?”
    “Now would be a good time to prove your devotion.”
    He stood up. “And how would you have me do that?” he asked. He took as many steps forward as his chains would allow and stood so close a stiff wind would have made her touch him. “Do you want me to drop to my knees, look up at you, and give you lip service?” he asked with a sly