Scandalous Liaisons by Sylvia Day Page B

merchant—fine French laces and brandy, Oriental vases and plates, rich materials, exotic spices, and chests of gold. We’ve not had a catch of such magnitude in the last year, and it may be just as long before another like her comes along.” The Frenchman turned a feral grin toward Sebastian. “If you refuse to share the wealth, my Judas friend, I may be required to come and get it myself.”
    “I should like to see you try,” Sebastian scoffed. “I’ll burn the ship and its cargo before that happens.”
    Dominique placed a restraining hand on his brother’s shoulder and eyed Sebastian speculatively. “You’re breaking the code, Phoenix. Slitting your own throat, I’d say. Is that what you want?”
    Sebastian laughed. “You’ve always had a flair for the dramatic, Robidoux.” He tossed two hefty purses onto the table. “Take your guineas and be happy. You should be grateful. I’ve saved you the trouble of disposing of the items.”
    Pierre snatched up his purse and hefted the weight in his hand. The gleam in his eyes betrayed his pleasure at the sum, but it wasn’t enough. “I want the woman too.”
    “No!” Sebastian said, far too quickly. He took a rapid, deep breath, damning himself for revealing an interest he should have kept hidden.
    Dominique’s eyes narrowed as he collected his purse. “Give him the woman, Phoenix, and we’ll call it even.”
    “She’s not available to you, gentlemen.” He took a step back, suddenly anxious to be with Olivia.
    “She has a maid,” Dominique drawled, his brittle gaze brightening with malice. “And her garments are costly. A devilish good piece that one. I’d wager she’s worth something to someone. Beauty like that is expensive, wouldn’t you say, Pierre?”
    “Yes, certainly,” Pierre agreed. “A small fortune for that bit of fluff.”
    Sebastian paused. “Leave the woman out of this. You have your shares. Our transaction is completed.”
    “But I feel as if I’ve pulled the short stick,” Pierre whined. Then he smiled. “I’ll pay you for her, Phoenix.” He opened the purse Sebastian had just given him. “How much?”
    “She’s not for sale,” he bit out, his forehead beading with sweat. The situation was rapidly slipping from his control.
    The barmaid came by, setting two overflowing mugs on the table.
    “Celia,” Dominique purred. “Your sister works at the inn, non ?”
    She eyed the pirate warily. “Aye.”
    “Hmmm. What tidbits did she share about the guests? More specifically, what did she say about the wom—”
    Sebastian drew his knife and stabbed it into the table with such fury the wooden surface cracked down the center. “There will be no more discussion of the woman!” he snarled. “Forget you saw her, forget you heard of her, forget she exists.” He grabbed the startled Pierre by the back of the neck and slammed his face into the table. The Frenchman stared wide-eyed at the knife, which was only a hair’s breadth away from the tip of his nose. Sebastian bent over him. “Have I made myself clearer this time, Robidoux?”
    “O-of course!” Pierre gasped.
    Sebastian shoved him to the floor with a grunt and yanked his blade from the ruined table. “I’ve finished here.”
    He backed out of the tavern, his heart racing. Turning, he ran to the Seawitch . The alert was given as he hit the gangplank, and the crew leapt into action. They cast off, catching the faint evening breeze and moving with torturous sluggishness from the quay.
    He didn’t relax until the island was a mere dark shape in the vast ocean. It wasn’t finished, he knew. The Robidoux brothers would make trouble, for when Pierre was upset he would not cease his harping until Dominique took action. And Dominique Robidoux was a man to be reckoned with.
    Sebastian made his way to Olivia’s cabin and undressed silently. He slipped between the silk sheets and curled around her sleeping back. At the first touch of her skin, he became erect and fully