Demons & Pearls (The Razor's Adventures Book 1) Read Online Free PDF Page A

Sold, indeed.” I sat back and folded my arms tightly across my chest. I felt as if I would burst wide open and kill them both, but I held my bum tight to the chair and awaited the rest of the tale.
    “I can assure you, Madame; he would have succeeded had he not been murdered. No bargain made with you, regardless of a vote or signed agreement, would have been honored. Barclay had no honor, of which I’m sure you know.”
    “That scum-sucking bastard! How long has he been stealing women and selling them? Why didn’t you put a stop to this sooner?” I shouted.
    “Enough a’ this, Shepard. We told ye we’d been plannin’ to get rid of him, and then ye show up swingin’ yer swords, shootin’ and slittin’ throats with yer damn razor. It’s done. And by tomorrow, this crew’ll be settled down and back to business- if ye just let it be.”
    “Why should I trust you, either? You allowed this to go on right under your nose and waited how long to do something about it? What sort of men are you?”
    “Lookie here, lass, ye have no idea what yer yappin’ about. Since we found out what Barclay’s been up to—why in the name a’ Christ am I tellin’ ye anythin’? It ain’t yer concern no more. Just be thankful ye still have yer honor…and yer head.”
    I went silent and looked away. Unfortunately, my thoughts were obviously written all over my frustrated expression, and Willy called me out.
    “What is it ye workin’ in that unearthly blond head a’ yours?”
    “I haven’t exactly figured it all out, but it would appear, according to that document…” I snatched it from beneath his face and then added, “I don’t believe a vote is required as to mine and my cousins’ well-being and…”
    “And?” Willy stood slowly and pressed his hands into his hips.
    “I want to sign the code. I want to join the crew. I’ll not be sold to some old horny bastard and neither will my girls. Nor will I allow any man to decide my fate, ever.”
    “I’m not gonna let that happen, and I’ll be damned if ye think yer signin’ on this ship!”
    “Then be damned, McCormack. It will be done. I want to help you find out who else is involved in the selling of these women and stop it. Why can’t you just thank me and my cousins for doing what it’s taken you far too long to do? Maybe you finally decided to try to stop it because you weren’t getting your cut of the gold.”
    “Now ye just hold on a minute, girl. You haven’t the faintest idea who I am. If ye knew what I’ve done ta’ protect girls like you…”
    “I was to do it,” Green interrupted. “That is why I was hiding during the taking of the merchant ship. I volunteered to kill Barclay during the raid. It would have been believed he died as a result of a shot during the battle, and the truth is, many of the crew are most likely pleased that he is dead. Yes, Madame, you stole that opportunity from me, and I accept that I am indebted to you for carrying out the deed. However, I assure you neither Master McCormack nor myself wish to accept payment for human beings—especially me.”
    “What in the devil’s name are ye squawkin’, Green? None a’ this is her concern.”
    “Whether she and her cousins are sold is most certainly her concern, as well as ours. She deserves to know the truth of why they are all even still alive, as well as what will happen once we reach the port.”
    “All things in due time, Mister Green. The fact that they’re all alive and in one piece should tell ‘em something of their value and the cost to keep ‘em that way.”
    “We are not cattle. I can’t believe you still intend on selling us to this old goat. You know I’ll kill him the second I’m alone with him.”
    “You’ll not be doin’ any more killin’ on my watch, and if ye let us do what we set out ta’ do in the first place, ye’ll reach the port without any of these men climbing up on ye. You’ll not be sold, either. Just to be safe, we’re gonna put