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

set her on the sunny deck.
    “Go and finish the rest of my instructions.” I wave the men away.
    Shade stands at the helm, her eyes scanning the water for any commotion.
    Nere shivers, and not because of the breeze. “He’ll send something horrible before he comes. You won’t survive.”
    “Don’t worry about me. Nothing’s managed to kill me yet.” Taking her in my arms, I press her close to my chest. “I’m sure Poseidon isn’t as bad as you’re making him out to be. Is he handsome?”
    “Not as handsome as you.” She clutches my back as Shade shoots me a sour frown.
    “Of course he isn’t. But is he nice?”
    “I’ve never spoken to him.” She shrugs.
    “How often would you see him?”
    “Not much. Like I said, he has several wives, husbands, and lovers. I’d just be one of many. But my father wants to keep his title as the Old Man of the Sea, so getting Poseidon’s favor is important to him. And, of course, Poseidon is desperate for my father’s approval.” She buries her face in my neck. “I’m afraid of him—Poseidon. I’ve heard he likes to do things, to tie up his lovers and, and hurt them.”
    He’s not the only one. “Yes, he sounds terrible. But I’ll talk to him. We’ll sort it out.” I can’t tell if I’m lying. I’m going to return the Kraken Stone to save the Gloomy Lotus and my own skin. But Nere is a separate problem. Sending her to a husband she fears doesn’t sit well with me.
    “Straight ahead!” Shade’s cry spurs me into action. I set Nere aside and sprint toward the foredeck.
    The water bubbles, and red tinges the ocean.
    “Heave to!” I yell to Shade.
    She turns the helm hard against the wind, killing the sails and losing all forward momentum. We’re dead in the water, waiting for what’s next.
    Tentacles appear, but smaller this time, and white. Crimson oozes toward the ship like red fingers.
    Nere comes to my side and covers her face with her hands. “Oh, no, not him. Not him!”
    “What is it?”
    “Poseidon has sent a Great Old One. Cthulhu. He will tear this ship to pieces and you with it!”
    “Hard port!” I shout.
    “Aye, Captain.” Shade turns the helm and the wind catches the sails again. Slowly, we cut through the water and turn broadside to the writhing mass of tentacles rising.
    “Heaving to, Captain.” She cuts the sails again.
    I dash to the main deck and watch.
    Nere sits on the stairs, a look of profound sadness creasing the skin around her eyes. “You’ll die, Cash. You’ll die.”
    “No. I’ll make a deal. And if that doesn’t work, I’ll take what I want, Poseidon be damned.” I grip the rail as the monster emerges. Its face is a mass of white tentacles. Two red eyes perch at the top center. Its body is covered in scales, something like that of a dragon or giant lizard, and it has webbed hands with clawed tips. About half the size of the Kraken, it could still easily destroy the Gloomy Lotus.
    “Steady, men,” I call.
    The two sailors below deck shout, “Aye aye!”
    The water stills as the creature examines the ship. Then, with a fierce roar, it slices through the water at a hellish pace. It’s on a direct path to the heart of the ship.
    “Cash!” Nere’s teary cry barely makes it to my ears.
    The monster picks up speed, its tentacles waving wildly and its claws at the ready.
    “Closer,” I whisper.
    It obliges, speeding closer. It opens its mouth wide, revealing more tentacles inside along with hundreds of fangs.
    When there is no escaping it, I yell, “Fire!”
    The strength of the cannons rock the ship and I hang onto the rail and watch as the creature is pummeled by seven cannonballs. It shrieks and slows, some of its tentacles blasted off. Green blood flows down its face.
    “Now the next!”
    I wait a few beats, but the men fail to fire. “The next!” I slam my hand on the rail, and the creature begins to move forward again, perilously close to the ship.
    No cannons fire. Something’s gone wrong. Fuck