Chapter 23

Sleep eluded Rafe as he lay beside Emma. She, on the other hand, fell into a deep slumber. Her breath fluttered soft and even. He tucked a stray hair from her face and traced the curve of her cheek. What was it about her that made him act out of character?

Annabelle was right to accuse him of neglect. Given the trouble on the space station, his first thought should have been to watch for pursuit, not fuck Emma while still in sight of his enemies.

But then again, what was the use of having the reputation of a pirate if he didn't take risks?

As if I need more danger in my life. The bounty on his head was sizable, enough he was tempted to turn himself in to collect it. It would make many idiots rash in their attempts to capture him. What he couldn't discover was, who wanted him alive? His uncle would probably prefer it if he died. Rafe was a reminder of the scandal he'd tried to erase.