Page 85 of Paid to the Pirate

“He drew first.”

I’d repeated it so many times. It was true that I defended myself, but there was more at play than she understood. If I hadn’t killed him, I’d have lost the respect of my men. Maybe not at that moment, but eventually. And if, one day, they set upon a town without me to rein them in, who knew what slaughter they’d unleash? This was the life I was given, as she was given hers. And was it so much worse? Didn’t she see how ill-equipped her father was to take care of her? It was almost willful negligence.

“He was protecting me,” she countered, as I knew she would.

“He failed,” I said, a bit cruelly.

Charlotte’s lip quivered before she lunged, beating me with her small fists. “I hate you! I hope you burn in hell for your sins!”

Unbelievable.I’d just spanked her and she attacked me again.

Well then. If that punishment wasn’t hard enough to subdue her, I’d happily increase her discipline.

“Stop it this instant,” I ordered, “or I’ll spank you again.”

Fair warning. Your choice.

Charlotte’s eyes blazed and she fought not to snarl. Then, like the challenging little minx she was proving to be, she drew back her hand and smacked me across the face.

I grinned slowly.You brought this on yourself.And really, the men need to hear.

Charlotte flailed and shrieked as I picked her up and threw her over my lap once more. Since it wasn’t enough the first time, I yanked down her breeches, instantly meeting the sight of Charlotte’s bare arse.

She’s a girl,my mind repeated, stupidly. I knew when I was alone later that night, I’d still be echoing the barely believable truth in my head while drinking deeply.

Charlotte’s hand splayed behind her, attempting to protect her rear, so I pinned it to the small of her back.

Pull apart her thighs,came the thought,and see what truly lay between her legs.

I shook it away.

“I won’t scream for your pleasure,” she vowed. “Smack me all you desire but I will not give you the satisfaction.”

What a delicious little spitfire.She was also putting herself in a bad position, although, judging from the past year I’d say Charlie was probably good at that. Should she fake it and scream out her shame and pain more readily, I’d have little excuse to continue punishing her.

She was all but forcing my hand.

I had two choices. I could either bring her above deck and punish her in front of the men, or she needed to scream loud enough so they could hear that she’d been satisfactorily disciplined.

With one hand, I unbuckled my belt.

She brought this on herself,said a voice in my head.

As if she ever had a better option,argued another.

I folded the belt in half.

If Robert uses this fiasco to sway more men to his side, to rally them and overthrow my command… they’ll do far worse to her than dole out a spanking.

I raised my hand.

The more I hurt you, the safer you’ll be.

With that vow, I cracked the belt across her bare arse.

Charlie screeched and did her best to scramble from my lap.Now we’re getting somewhere.

I held her tighter and brought down the belt again on the fullness of her cheeks. I couldn’t wield full force from this close angle, but I didn’t want to either. Judging from her wails, it was enough.

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