Page 78 of Ruthless, But for Her

“You ended it before I'd properly begun.”

“That was the point.”

Ashton pulled out a chair for Cassia before taking the one beside it. “Anything from Alnwick?”

“De Grey's still calling men in,” Sorren said. “A dozen more since you left, near enough. Nothing's moved yet, though.”

“And the Reach?” Ashton asked.

Ryker's grin thinned, just slightly. “Still there. Still ours. For now.”

“What of the Osprey tax run?” Ashton asked.

“Done, three days past. Full tax, no trouble.” Ryker took a pull of ale. “The captain knew us on sight this time. Didn't even reach for a blade.”

“Our reputation's worth more than a sword, most days,” Sorren said.

“And the Aldgate?” Cassia asked, before she could stop herself.

Three sets of eyes turned to her. Ryker's grin came back, slower this time, more curious than mocking.

“Repaired,” Sorren said. “Back under her own crew, running Berwick to Newcastle same as always. We’ll take our cut when she passes. She's not ours to keep. Never was.”

“Just ours to remind, from time to time, who the water belongs to,” Ryker added.

They sat in the same seats as before, but this time, no one questioned Cassia's presence at the table. It was as if she belonged there—which, of course, she did not.

“Your turn,” Ryker said to Ashton as a knock on the door had Margot standing. She opened it and bid the girl inside. Nodding toward her and Ashton, Margot watched as a wooden tray with bread, cheese, and cold fowl and two mugs of ale were placed between them.

The girl left as silently as she entered. Cassia reached for a piece of warm bread, and the mug, holding Margot's gaze. The lines around her eyes softened, for the briefest of moments, as Cassia silently acknowledged the meal.

But then, Margot looked from her to Ashton and back again. There was no judgment in her gaze. Only recognition. Was Cassia imagining Margot knew what had occurred between them?

“Word reached Magge quicker than I expected, on our second day there. There was a bit of trouble with an inquiry that saw us return sooner than anticipated. I'd have remained there longer, but the horses caused too much notice. By the by, there is a stable boy named Perkin who is now kept in our pay.”

“What is the word at The Boar?” Sorren asked. Cassia found herself curious about him, and Ryker too. Who were these men, raised along with Ashton at The Daisy?

But first, she wanted to learn more about Ashton. He gave her little, and less than she asked of him. But one thing was certain—his relationship with Margot was different than that of his brothers. What was the reason?

She would ask him outright when they were next alone. Cassia ate, listened to Ashton recount what he had learned about the bounty on the Black Sails men. De Grey had raised it again, wider this time. There was coin now for word of their whereabouts, not only for their capture.

“That is a beautiful ribbon,” Margot said. It sat at the end of her plait, tied in a neat bow against her nape. “I do not remember it when you left.”

Cassia's hand froze halfway to her mouth. How could the woman have known such a detail?

“I brought saddlebags,” Ashton said before she could respond. “With a change of clothing.”

“You did,” Margot acknowledged.

“Margot,” Sorren said, his tone a warning.

She and Ashton stared at one another.

“I mean only to keep you safe.” Margot was not smiling.

“Your tone says otherwise.” Ryker slammed his mug onto the wooden table. “Finished, and too soon. I would not wait for the girl to return. Who wishes for another?” He peered into Ashton's mug, and Cassia's too. “A pitcher, methinks,” he said, his voice nearly a song. “We will be here a long while.”

Cassia stared after him when Ryker went down to get more. She wanted to smile, but no one else was so it seemed... inappropriate.