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That was why he freed the Americans trapped by the Brits. He wanted to save them from making his mistake. Save them before they found a means to ruin their lives with hatred and vengeance.
“Morgan?”
She placed a soothing hand on his arm. It was the first time he’d heard his name from her lips, and it sounded like a gentle caress. Did something to him that he couldn’t explain or define.
“Serenity,” he said, his voice pleading. “Don’t make me have to hurt you.”
I couldn’t live with myself if I hurt you.
He saw the fear in her eyes. If only he could make her understand. But not even he understood why he’d done all the things he had.
How he wished he could go back and change his past. To have that day back when he had first flown the Jolly Roger…
“Serenity,” he said, letting out his breath, “If you write this story, you will destroy so many people.”
He pulled her into his arms and held on to her as tightly as he could. He wasn’t sure why, but he needed the comfort of her presence, the feel of her body against his.
And she felt so wonderful. Her feminine curves molding perfectly against his front.
If he could have one wish, it would be to have met her as a different man. A land-based man who might be free to make an offer for her.
But he had ruined any chance he might have for such a life. He’d been at sea too long, and old sailors were never content on shore. Nay, they died there. Died of stagnation and boredom.
Serenity could barely breathe from his tight embrace, but she didn’t mind. For some reason she enjoyed his crushing hold, enjoyed the smell and feel of him.
And in that instant, she knew she couldn’t hurt Morgan. She would never write her story. Even though it was probably the greatest story she could ever relay to the public, it wouldn’t be worth the cost.
Unlike Morgan, she would never sell her soul for her quest.
“Just tell me why,” she whispered, “and I’ll never tell a soul what I’ve learned.”
He gave a hoarse, half laugh. “Can you honestly do that?”
“If I understand why.”
Morgan leaned his cheek against the top of her head. And then he did the most unbelievable thing, he actually explained himself to her.
“I didn’t set out to be a pirate, Serenity. I want you to know that. Never in my wildest imaginings did I see myself committing the crimes I’ve done in my life.”
He toyed with a shiny lock of her hair, trailing it between his fingers. “After I escaped from the British navy, I signed aboard a small French sloop and worked like a dog for close to a year. I was saving up money, trying to pay investigators to find my sister, trying to save enough money so that I could take care of us when I found her.
“But it wasn’t enough. It was never even close to enough. I could barely afford to pay the investigators, and what little was left…”
Serenity’s heart ached for the agony she saw on his face. She had seen firsthand on board this ship just how hard sailor’s work was. Morgan had been scarce more than a boy when he started his life at sea.
He released her and stepped away. “One day we were in the Caribbean when a ship attacked. It was Black Jack Rhys.”
“But he didn’t kill you. Why?”
Morgan shrugged. “I don’t know. Just as Jake was going to cut my throat, he changed his mind. He said I would make a fine addition to his crew.”
Serenity nodded. Deep down she knew she couldn’t fault Morgan for joining Jake’s crew. No doubt, Jake would have killed him instantly had he refused. “So, you became one of them.”
He stopped and gave a short laugh. “Not at first. Like you, dear Serenity, I thought they were repugnant.”
She had never said repugnant. Just cold-blooded, vile, loathsome…
“What changed your mind?”
