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.

They were ruthless pirates, and direct defiance

forced a smile and tried to play along. "I'd love to,

it for desire, agreed. After all, they thought, where could she

behind her. Frank was Justin's closest ally, and no one dared to cross

Why is your face so red?" Frank asked,

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 this. Not at all. You're the only one who

other men's growing restlessness but hadn't expected

firmly. "I won't let them hurt

spoken than the sound of pounding on the door

you done with

we supposed to enjoy ourselves

down her face as she clung to his arm. "Ivy's with me," Frank called out. "Don't even think

that's not fair," one of the pirates complained. "We're all brothers

hog her

door, Frank.

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

men outside cursed under their breaths but eventually stomped

her. When he claimed her as his woman, something stirred in her heart-an unexpected

gone now. You can get up," Frank said, helping

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

had been drugged, went to great lengths to make her comfortable. He even bought her a large basin when they docked,

but it only made the heat in her body worse.

wrapped herself tightly