Devil's Prisoner of Love by Prefer

Justin dialed the ship's landline, his expression growing increasingly tense. Genevieve, equally anxious, pressed him.

"What's wrong? Where's Ivy?"

"She left the ship yesterday," Justin replied, skipping over the details. "We don't know where she went, but since she's gone, she'll probably contact you soon."

"She's already gone?" Genevieve sighed. "That girl! She didn't even bother to call me. Made me worry for nothing."

A day earlier, the pirate ship had docked to replenish its water supply. Since Aurora's departure, Ivy had been in turmoil.

Before, Aurora had been just like her-adrift at sea. Even though Aurora's situation had been better, she too had lost her freedom. But once Aurora left, Ivy's days became even harder.

After Justin's departure, the atmosphere on the ship grew restless. The brief docking stops were never enough, and the men, left alone for too long, began finding ways to let off their pent-up energy.

Ivy was the only woman on board, and some of the pirates started setting their sights on her.

That day, Ivy had gone about her usual tasks-drying laundry, cleaning the ship-and was ready to rest after finishing her chores. She poured herself a cup of hot water, but not long after drinking it, she felt her body heating up unnaturally. She realized, with dread, that someone had drugged her.

As the thought struck, several men burst into her room, leering at her with malicious grins.

Ivy's mind raced. There were dozens of pirates on the ship. If this happened, it would only encourage others to follow suit. Once it began, it would never end. What kind of life would that be for her? Death seemed preferable.

The memory of being forced by the beggar flashed through her mind, making her stomach turn before any of the men even touched her.

them off. They were ruthless pirates, and direct defiance

and tried to play along. "I'd love

and mistaking it for desire,

the door behind her. Frank was

your

tightly. "Those pirates... they want to... I lied and told them I wanted to bathe to buy time, but they'll come back.

He had noticed the other men's growing restlessness but hadn't expected

here," he said firmly. "I won't let them hurt

than the sound of pounding on the

Are you done with

door? How are we

clung to his arm. "Ivy's with me," Frank called out. "Don't even think

all brothers here. It's just a woman. No need

hog her to

door, Frank. Don't be

Frank declared, voice steady. "Touch her, and I'll report you

under their breaths but

broad frame shielding her. When he claimed her as his woman, something stirred in her heart-an unexpected flicker of gratitude and

can get up," Frank said,

however, was still burning up. "I feel hot...

went to great lengths to make her comfortable. He even bought her a large basin when they

had hoped that a bath would cool her down, but it only made the heat in her body worse. She was no stranger to the sensation-she

and wrapped herself tightly in the covers, trying to suppress her