Eespite the lewd comments tossed her way, Elisa felt safe leaning on Merrick's arm as he escorted her to the docks. At least her breathing came steady now, and the trembling in her legs had ceased. For several terrifying moments, she hadn't been sure this pirate would step in to protect herespecially after that beast, Collier, kept raising the stakes. Yet Merrick was truly a man of honor and braverya rare find in these savage seas.

"Where are you taking me?" she asked after he ...