Cash Remington and the Rum Run (Sexy Dreadfuls Book 2) by Celia Aaron

taught me that you take the good when it comes and revel in it.
    “This is amazing.” Despite the rain and the danger, Nere closes her eyes and smiles as we cruise through the choppy waters with ease.
    I’m still angry with her, and I need to know what the fuck is going on. But she seems to hear the song of the sea, the same one that’s played in my heart since I was a wee lad. So I let her enjoy it. If only for a few moments.
    The opening to the bay is ahead, and we fly past it, the sails in full bloom.
    Shade slides down from the crow’s nest and hurries to my elbow. “Can’t see a fucking thing in this rain.” She leans forward and stares at Nere, whose eyes are still closed. “We need to talk. Nere , don’t you agree?” she sneers.
    Nere opens her eyes and sighs. “I just wanted freedom. That’s all.”
    “What?” I steer toward starboard, heading away from Port Royal or any other populated areas.
    “She’s a Nereid. A daughter of the sea.”
    “Like a mermaid?” I glance at Nere’s legs, though I already know she doesn’t have fins. Seems like I would have noticed that when I was pounding her pussy.
    “No, she’s a daughter of Nereus, the most ancient of all sea gods. I’ve seen her likeness in Captain Lament’s books.”
    That explains her swimming ability, at least.
    Shade walks around me to stand next to Nere. “Why do you have the Kraken Stone?”
    Nere edges closer to me. “I don’t know what you mean.”
    A sharp slap meets my ears, and Nere falls into my side.
    “Shade!” I wrap my arm around Nere’s shoulders. She clutches her cheek as Shade glares down at her, murder in her amber eyes.
    “She needs to talk, Cash. Right now. Before the Kraken catches up or who knows what else comes for us.” Shade points a finger in Nere’s face. “Speak, sea witch!”
    I can’t say I disagree with Shade or her tactics. After all, I’d prefer that the Gloomy Lotus and I stay in one piece. But it will play better if I bring a hint of honey to play against Shade’s vinegar. I meet her eyes over Nere’s head and give her a slight nod. We’ve played this game before, many a time.
    “Nere, just tell us.” I kiss her wet hair and slide my hand to her waist. “We want to keep you safe. We need all the facts to do that.”
    She chews on her lip and stares up at me, her light blue eyes watering. “My father. He married me to Poseidon. I didn’t want t-to do what…” She glances up at me and her cheeks heat. “I didn’t want to do what we did. Not with him. He has many lovers. And he doesn’t excite me. Not like you.”
    Shade rolls her eyes.
    I grin. “So, you’re saying I stole you from the god of the sea?”
    “Yes.” Nere nods.
    I burst out laughing, my sides shaking as I lean on the helm for support . I stole pussy from the god of the sea . “This is, by far, the best day of my pirate life.”
    Shade crosses her arms over her chest. “This is no joke, Cash. The sea god won’t find it funny that you plucked his cherry before he got a chance.”
    “I plucked it, sucked it, and fucked it.” I howl with laughter.
    Shade remains unamused, and Nere’s face is now a particularly bright shade of red.
    “Okay, okay.” I try to calm my chuckles, but it’s difficult. “So, that doesn’t explain why you have the Kraken Stone.”
    “I took it. I thought that if I had it, then I could bargain with Poseidon to let me be free from him. Then I crept aboard the ship you found me on. But by then, Poseidon knew what I’d done. He sent a sea serpent to reclaim me and the stone.”
    I nod. “That explains what happened to the ship. I knew it wasn’t a pirate attack like you’d claimed.”
    “But it didn’t find me. I supposed that’s why the Kraken came. To finish the job.”
    Shade’s eyes narrow. “You’re responsible for many deaths, possibly even that of Captain Lament, all because you wanted to run away from home?” Her voice rises as she glares at Nere.
    “Calm down.” I