• “Oy, you!” Let go of Miss Williamson!” yelled a soldier who had arrived with a group of them at the mouth of the ally.

    Drent let out a rather profane curse and moved behind Lily, drawing his dagger and putting it to her throat.

    “Didn’t really want this to happen, but circumstances change,” he murmured into her ear. Then he said to the officers, “Back off or I’ll slit her throat.”

    The officers paused long enough for Drent to make his way out of the ally, keeping Lily in front of him. Once out of their sight, he picked her up and started carrying her over his shoulder.

    Lily was unhappy, to put it mildly. “If my father catches you, you’ll hang!” she yelled, beating his back.

    “Darling, I’d hang with or without your help,” he said, making it to the dock where his ship was. A grin spread across his face as adrenaline coursed through his veins.

    “You’re a pirate!?” Lily cried, half in disbelief, even as her mind considered something.

    Drent set her down upon reaching his ship and bowed. “Captain Drent at your service,” he said.

    From the deck, Tomás called to him. “We’re all set, Capitan!”

    “And now, it’s been a pleasure, but I must take my leave,” Drent said, saluting Tomás.

    Lily stared, a wild half plan forming in her mind as she saw her father and Lieutenant Andrews storm the dock, followed by at least three dozen Navy men. “Wait,” she said as Drent turned, grabbing his arm. “You still need me. 'Else how do you plan to get out of here in one piece? They’ll turn the cannons on you the moment they see I’m safe!”

    Drent stared at her. He’d never seen a governor’s daughter volunteer to be a hostage. He knew she was right, but dammit… these aristocrat types were always such a pain in the a** when they were kidnapped. His mind worked quickly, and as Governor Williamson and Andrews appeared at where the ship was, he drew his dagger and grabbed Lily once more. “Your daughter is now in my possession, sir…” he said, holding Lily closer against him and pressing the silver blade to her throat. He slowly began to back up towards his ship.

    “Now don’t do anything rash…” Lily’s father said. “I’m willing to pay anything,” he added as Drent began to back up faster.

    Drent paused at the mention of money. “Anything…?” he asked, raising an eyebrow.

    Lily stepped backwards onto his foot, and couldn’t help smiling slightly as Drent groaned slightly. “Arrest, hanging, cannons… or maybe they’ll just shoot you and make it easier,” she murmured, barely moving her lips.

    Again, Drent knew she was right, and began to back up again, but had to stop again when the governor called out, “Fifty thousand!”

    Keeping his face as calm as possible, he began to wonder if he couldn’t get some serious money out of this. “One hundred fifty and she stays with me for security,” he said, finally reaching his ship. His crew quickly got rid of the gangplank as he smirked at the men. “I look forward to when we can exchange ‘valuables’…” he added, running the back of the hand still holding the dagger against her cheek.

    Lily glared at the hand and stepped backwards again, much harder, onto his foot. Drent groaned out loud this time, and Lily let a smug grin of satisfaction spread across her face for just a moment.

    “If you or any member of your crew harms Lilianna in any way, you’ll not receive a cent and I will personally hunt you down and kill you with my bare hands. Are we clear!?”Ashley called after them as the ship began to move.

    Drent finally let go of Lily to bow to Ashley. “You have my word as Captain; neither my crew nor I shall harm a hair on her head… or anywhere else for that matter,” he said, his eyes traveling Lily’s body in such a way that she felt like she was standing naked before him. “Oh… and just so we’re clear… don’t follow us!” he added, then turned, dragging Lily with him to the middle of the deck. “Crew! I have an announcement!” he yelled. “Gather round, as soon as we’re clear!”