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.

of them off. They were ruthless pirates, and direct defiance would

she forced a smile and tried to play along. "I'd love to, but let me take a

the flush on her face and mistaking it for desire, agreed. After all, they

opportunity to escape to Frank's room, locking the door behind her. Frank was Justin's closest ally, and no one dared

Why is your

help me," she begged, clutching his arm tightly. "Those pirates... they want to... I lied and told them I wanted to bathe to buy time, but they'll come back. I don't want

other men's growing restlessness but hadn't expected them to

he said firmly. "I won't let

sound

you done with your

door? How are we supposed to enjoy ourselves if we can't get

she clung to his arm. "Ivy's with me,"

brothers here. It's just

don't hog her to

Frank.

"Touch her, and I'll report you to

under their breaths but eventually

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

You can get up," Frank said, helping

burning up. "I feel hot...

even bought her a large basin when they docked, making

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 knew exactly what

in sleepwear, she hurried back to bed and wrapped herself tightly in the covers, trying to suppress her body's