Page 76 of Billionaire Protector

The host nodded. “Okay, truth. We’re pirates, so we do a lot of plundering and pillaging. Have you ever broken the law?”Before they could answer, he held up his hand. “We’re not talking about a traffic ticket. It doesn’t have to be murder, but it has to be something that could actually get you in trouble. Since we don’t want anyone going to jail, however, we don’t want any details. We’ll even give you the option of saying, no comment.”

Well, that would be an easy one for Cole since he hadn’t ever gone a single mile over the speed limit.Piece of–

“No comment.”

“What?” Sarah opened her mouth wide enough for a pirate ship to enter. She forcefully closed it. “That’s impossible.”

He turned to her and said evenly, “No comment.”

“But when? And how? And what?”

“Now let’s not get into details,” the announcer broke in. “He didn’t admit to anything, and that’s just how we like it. Nobody is getting hauled off to jail.”

“At least not me.” Cole folded his arms across his chest. “Is there anything you’d like to say, Sarah?”

She narrowed her eyes. Oh, yeah.His Miranda Rights.“So you’re not going to tell me what you did?”

“We’re going to leave it at no comment,” the announcer exclaimed cheerfully. “So, Sarah, what about you?”

The answer came automatically, “I haven’t committed any crimes.”

To most listeners, it was the obvious reply, the plain and boring response. Yet Cole stared at her, his features a juxtaposition of disbelief, suspicion, and, most of all, challenge. Obviously, he believed she was lying, but did he wonder why? She could’ve said no comment. Why hadn’t she?

Cole spoke lowly so only she could hear. “You and I are going to have a long conversation later.”

Her breath froze, but she kept strong. “Why? So you can give a confession?”

“No, so you can explain.”

“No whispering,” the announcer said jovially. “Anything you can say to each other, you can say before our audience. We promise we won’t say a thing.” He winked, and the crowd laughed.

“That’s okay.” Sarah lifted her lips into a humorless smile. “I have nothing to share.” At least nothing she would admit. Now the game needed to progress – and end – as soon as possible. “My turn, right? I’ll take dare.”

“Dare it is. In Renaissance times, a person often made a grand gesture to impress the object of his affection. So here’s your dare. You need to pretend – or not–” He waggled his eyebrows. “That you like this person. Come up with a way to court him or her. Sarah, you’re first. Woo him.”

Woo him?She blinked at Cole. “Would you consider it romantic if I arrested you?”

“It depends,” he drawled. “Are handcuffs involved?”

Oh, he didn’t just go there.

Not in front of an audience who would share every last tidbit with their friends and then their friends and then their friends until it hopped its way back to Harmony Creek, complete with an embellished story involving an actual demonstration of said handcuffspluswhipped creamanda cherry on top. Since she was screwed anyways, she might as well tell him what she really thought. She smiled sweetly. “There’s nothing that would give me more pleasure than seeing you in handcuffs.”

The crowd roared in laughter, but the pirate donned a serious expression. “Um, guys, that isn’t quite what I had in mind.” Then he grinned, and the crowd cheered louder. “Although I love it. But we were thinking something a little more traditional.”

“Are you sure I can’t arrest him?” Now even she smiled. “What if I say please?”

He shook his head. “Nope.”

Her smile faltered. What could be worse than wooing Cole in public? Maybe a trip to the dentist for a dozen root canals? Without anesthesia. Using industrial pliers.

Nope, this was worse.

“Come on, Sarah. I’m waiting to be wooed.” Cole grinned wolfishly. “What’s the hold up?” She gave him a warning look, which he ignored. “Maybe you need some help? I really like foot massages.”

“I’d rather give a foot massage to a stampeding elephant.”

“Is that a no?”

---