Read Online Strip Search by William Bernhardt - Free Book Online Page B

thoughts regarding this relationship,” his father had said.
    “That’s all right,” I replied, lying through my teeth. “I think it’s best to be up front with each other.”
    “Well, I’ve done some checking up on you, miss. And most of what I’ve learned I haven’t liked. You’re not exactly…”
    “Donna Reed?”
    He took it in stride. “The image of what a man sought in a woman when I was courting.” He paused, choosing his words carefully. “David is very vulnerable right now. He needs someone who can look after him. He needs a woman who really cares about him.”
    “I would not lie about this,” I said, looking his father straight in the eye. “I love your son. More than I’ve ever loved anyone in my entire life.”
    He met my gaze for a long, long time, then finally nodded. “Take care of my boy, Susan.”
    Light filled my eyes, and I felt them watering of their own accord. “I’m so sorry,” I said, not even realizing I was speaking aloud. “I’m sorry I let you down.”
    “What?” Rachel said. “What are you talking about? You’ve never let me down in your entire life.”
    I blinked, then dragged myself back to the present. “Sorry. Daydreaming. That good luck charm—”
    “See, that’s why I kept it for so long. I was afraid if I gave it to you, it would just bring back memories…that maybe it was better you forgot.”
    “No, you did the right thing. This is a treasure. This…will always be a treasure to me.” I clutched it tightly in my hand. “Thanks, Rach. You’re a hell of a girl.”
    “Susan, if you start swearing, Mr. Johnson will revoke your visitation rights.”
    “Good thing you know how to keep a secret.” I gave her a squeeze on the shoulder. “Get in the car, you squirt. I’ve got work to do.”
     
     
    LADY DANIELLE HAD TO MOVE quickly, before her captors returned to the ship and discovered that she had escaped. This was the pirates’ first chance to go ashore for months, and they jumped at it, the whole scurvy lot of them. They were certain to take advantage of the pleasures to be had: the grog, the gaming, and the lusty wenches all too ready to serve. But she couldn’t count on them all staying gone, not for long. Captain Longsword knew he was carrying valuable and potentially dangerous cargo. He wouldn’t be absent any longer than necessary. Once he’d paid for the necessary supplies, he’d likely return in the first transport that rowed out from the shore. Which made it all the more important that she hurry. It was not easy, maneuvering through the hatches of a ship, up and down ladders, through the narrow passageways, all while wearing a full petticoat. But she had to discover where they had imprisoned Mason. Before it was too late.
    “I don’t have time for modesty,” she muttered, as she loosened the fastener and slithered out of the petticoat, leaving herself in a tight laced bodice and white frilly bloomers. Now she was able to move quickly. She brushed her golden curls behind her shoulders and threw open the door to the captain’s private quarters—
    Mason was hanging from two chains suspended from the ceiling, his head bowed. Was he asleep, unconscious? Or worse? He was naked from the waist up, his muscled hairy chest marred by the scars from his recent flogging. (Once again, Mason’s pride had interfered with his judgment.) She should have realized he would be in here. Longsword wouldn’t risk having him anywhere else. Plus, this gave the vile captain the opportunity to torment him all day long if he liked. To eat like a pig right under Mason’s nose, when he had been given nothing but stale biscuit and water for days. To luxuriate in his plushly appointed quarters—the end result of his ill-gotten gains—while Mason hung like a slab of meat in constant agony.
    The sound of the door closing brought his head upright. “Lady Danielle?”
    “It is I.”
    His face reddened. At first, she thought it must be from the pain, but then she