Page 37 of Paid to the Pirate

I managed to sit upright and rubbed my head as Colt knelt beside me.

“Are you hurt?” he cried, grabbing my biceps. His terrified eyes searched my face.

“I’m fine,” I whispered. “It’s you I’m worried about.”

Wait.I didn’t meanworried.Did I?

As if he’d been holding onto his last strength until then, Colt collapsed at my words.

“Youarehurt,” I declared, wide-eyed as I took in the gaping wound on Colt’s arm.

“Captain!” Johnson called, bursting into the cabin. His clothing was askew and blood-splattered, but a quick glance told me it wasn’t his own blood. Despite being unusually disheveled, he seemed unharmed. He flashed a wide, white-toothed grin.

“The day is won.”

Relief flooded me as I realized I could hear the cheers from above. I’d been so caught up in Colt I hadn’t noticed.

Johnson’s eyes widened. “You’re injured,” he declared. “I’ll fetch Miguel.”

Johnson quickly disappeared before Colt or I even had a chance to say anything.

“Is he your cookandyour surgeon?” I asked, with the hint of a joking tone as I tried to distract Colt.

He saved me,I told myself.I only care because he saved me.

Although I’d never have been in danger if he hadn’t abducted me in the first place,I argued.

Colt cocked a sloppy grin as ifhetried to sootheme.

“He’s good with his hands,” Colt replied, lifting one shoulder in an attempt at a shrug. “He and Conks both.”

Johnson and Miguel arrived moments later.

“Casualties?” Colt immediately asked, as Miguel examined the bleeding gash on his arm.

“All souls accounted for,” Johnson replied.

“Injuries?” the captain asked.

“Several,” the gray-haired man admitted. “None to be fatal.”

“Prisoners?” Colt asked.

Johnson paused. He shook his head. “Redhands and Sedge slew them all.”

Colt’s eyes fluttered shut. He sighed. “Perhaps it’s for the best. Is the crew seizing-”

Johnson laid a protective hand on his captain’s head. The move touched me. Whatever Colt was to me, he was something else to his crew.

“It’s all under control. Conks is taking stock of the booty as Redhands and Sedge unload her supplies. They’ll sail her to Nassau alongside us. She’ll fetch a nice price in port.”

Colt nodded, letting his head tilt back, relaxed.

Johnson stood. “I’ll come back and check on you after Miguel patches you up. Rest. You’ve earned it.”

“Wait,” Colt protested. “She saved my life.”

I froze.Me?

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