In the Arms of a Pirate (A Sam Steele Romance Book 2) by Michelle Beattie

Would you not want to hear it directly from him?”
    “Yes, I would. But I don’t believe he’d tell you the truth even if you asked, not after all he’s done to keep you from it. And, as I’ve already told you, repeatedly, giving him a chance to talk is a risk I’m not prepared to take.”
    Her blue eyes shot daggers. “You say my father is heartless and cruel? From where I’m standing, you’re not so very different.”
    Because he was starting to care about her and her situation, because he’d had a moment, even if only a fleeting one, when he’d considered her request, Aidan crossed the floor to stand toe to toe with her.
    “I’m trying to save lives, unlike your father, and if I believed he’d tell you the truth I’d consider your request. The answer is no and arguing won’t change my—”
    The front door suddenly burst open. Aidan had his pistol in his hand before he spun and recognized Jack.
    “He’s coming, Cap’n.” Jack wheezed as he struggled for breath. “Roche is coming.”

Chapter Seven
    A idan’s heart kicked hard in his chest. The moment had finally arrived when Roche would pay for his sins.
    “How long?”
    “The Revenge just dropped anchor. We made it ashore before they’d finished lowering the longboat.”
    “Then we have to move fast.” Despite the hammering behind his ribs, his head was clear and he knew, to the last detail, what needed to happen and in which order.
    “No, you don’t,” he said and grabbed Sarah as she tried to run past him. Then, anticipating her, cupped his hand over her mouth when she opened it to scream. “Shut the door, Jacques, and tell the others it’s beginning. I’ll secure her with the servants in the cellar.”
    She fought him hard, kicking and squirming and clawing at his arm as he maneuvered her across the parlor. Flinching when one of her bites sank into his palm, he circled her waist with his other arm and lifted her off the ground and marched into the kitchen. Sarah jerked, thrashed, and screamed as Chunk—who had Jacob in a fierce grip—stood by the open cellar door. Her muffled screams would gain her nothing but a sore throat as Aidan had no intention of giving her a chance, any chance, to warn her father or his crew to what awaited them in the house.
    At the door to the cellar, Aidan twisted her in his arms, slung her over his shoulder, and carried her down the stairs into the dimly lit cellar.
    She screamed as he knew she would—the sound sharp and painful in his ears—but he felt confident it wouldn’t carry far enough to alert anyone. The dirt walls absorbed most of it. He set her down, tried his best to ignore the fear and hurt in her eyes and ran back up the stairs.
    “Curse you and your black heart!” she yelled before Chunk locked the door behind him. Before he heard the tears in her voice.
    No matter what Roche had done to him and his family, and even to Sarah, the fact remained he was the girl’s father and clearly she loved him. Put yourself in my shoes, he remembered her saying, and imagined being shoved in a cellar knowing his parent would be killed while he were unable to help.
    Aidan scoffed. He had been in her shoes. Perhaps he hadn’t been locked in a cellar but what he’d done to her was kinder than what Roche had done to him. At least she wouldn’t be forced to watch her loved one die while being helpless to stop it. But this wasn’t about Sarah. It was about Roche and what the scoundrel deserved.
    Ignoring the pounding on the locked door behind him, Aidan grabbed his pistol, gave Jacob a hard look before signaling Chunk to take the man outside.
    “It begins,” Aidan said as he locked the front door then took his position.
    *
    With Simmons unwilling to divulge anything, despite Chunk’s shoving and threats, Aidan had turned to Jacob for information. The guard had not only witnessed what they were willing to do to accomplish their goal but it was clear he had feelings for the maid, Sophia. Aidan hadn’t