Page 86 of The Worst of Them

She wondered if he could hear her thundering heart as his hands moved to her hips and began to lift the hem of her shirt, torturously slow. Her lips parted on a quiet gasp as his fingers met bare skin, but he held her gaze, pleased as he caught every emotion and thought as they passed over her face.

Sensation shivered across her flesh as his callused hands drifted over her back, wrapping another belt around her middle. The wide strip of leather was smooth and comfortable, and it fit perfectly when he buckled it above her navel.

As he fitted more knives to her, she stopped trying to keep count. By the time he lowered her shirt, his cheeks had turned a light shade of pink as well.

Jack Copson was not as unflappable as he tried to appear, but before she could tease him for it, he gripped her waist and pulled her to him. Weapons, both hers and his, dug into her belly.

“Armed to the teeth,” he said. “My girl will always be armed to the teeth.”

Cecily’s toes curled. Covered in knives and held in the arms of a pirate prince who was sharper than all of them, no one could touch her. No one would dare.

She ran her finger over the ridge of one of the sheathes stitched into his vest. “I’m not supposed to have sharp things.”

“I don’t care. And should you want a sword, use mine.” He set his hand on the hilt at his hip. “Until we find one you like. You’ll choose it.”

Oh, she loved him very much. She wasn’t ready to say it, though, in case he didn’t feel the same. Instead, she pulled him down to kiss her. It said all she needed it to.

When they broke apart, breathing harder, she muttered, “I have nothing to give you in return.”

He slid his hand along her neck to cradle the back of her head. “You’re all I want.”

How could everything change so much in only a few hours? Or perhaps nothing had changed at all, and Cecily’s discernment was merely delayed. It seemed everyone had known what was going on, even Hein, but she’d been too stubborn to see it.

Glancing at the window, Jack said, “The others are waiting. We should go before they come hunting for us.”

“Shouldn’t they be happy to find us together?” she asked, linking her fingers with his as they left the room. He locked his door, and they headed down the stairs.

“On a normal day, they’d likely lock us in,” he said. “But for the heist, they’ll bemoan us not waiting another night.”

Their smiles faded when they stepped outside and found Hector Hein waiting for them, having abandoned his uniform for plain clothes.

“Ah,” the officer chirped when they appeared, noting their clasped hands. “I’m happy to see you’re both alive and thriving.”

Jack inclined his head. “Hector.”

“You didn’t marry, did you?” Hein asked dryly. “I’d thought with all that unbridled passion last night, you’d have made it to a church. If not to marry, then at least to confess.”

“Didn’t have time,” Jack said. “Though I must apologize for what I did to your men. That was regrettable.”

Hein shoved his hands into his pockets. “Yes, though it’s not shocking. They attacked a Copson. The risks are known.” His expression turned grave, all traces of humor vanishing. “However, you’ll understand I must withhold my assistance from your plans tonight. I need to show some loyalty to my crew after I let you murder and maim so many, and it’ll look bad to call my men off one night only to distract them from your misdeeds the next. Should you be seen or caught, I can’t be involved.”

Jack nodded once. “Do as you must.”

He hid his disappointment well, and so did Cecily, even as her stomach bottomed out. Without Hein’s assistance, they’d have to completely revise their way into the mansion. The rest of the crew wouldn’t be pleased, but Hein had already done enough for them. Neither Jack nor Cecily would ask him for more.

The officer addressed her. “I’m terribly sorry to leave you, but I suppose you have a much more agreeable partner. It shouldn’t be too painful to move a few plans around.”

It wasn’t insurmountable, but it would be difficult.

She squeezed Jack’s hand. “It’s fine, Hector. And…I’m also sorry⁠—”

He held up a hand. “No need. All is how it should be.” His dark eyes sparked. “Though if you ever tire of Jack, I’d be happy to play our little game again. If it’s criminals you prefer, perhaps I’ll forsake my post sooner rather than later. You do make piracy look rather…” His gaze swept down her body, “attractive.”

Jack shook his head, his brows low. “You bold leech.”

“Oh, don’t look so put out,” Hein mused. “I played by your rules, and you won. I only came to wish you good luck tonight.” He started down the street, walking backward. “And all the other nights.” With a final wink, he strode off.

“Your rules?” Cecily asked when he was out of earshot.