Will

I've spent my whole life in service to others. The Davenport children are the closest thing I have to family, so when our ship is attacked by a notoriously cutthroat pirate captain, I do what I must to protect them. Pirates are known for cruelty, and I refuse to leave the girls at the mercy of criminals. So I make the captain a deal: in exchange for information worth a fortune, he'll see the children returned safely to their father, untouched.

I expect that to be the end of it. Instead, the captain offers me a place aboard his ship as his cabin boy so I can remain with my charges until they're returned home. He thinks he's demanding my servitude. He doesn't realize he's handing me my freedom.

Damon

When we overtake a merchant ship in the Caribbean, I expect cargo worth stealing and little else. Instead, I find a manservant standing between my crew and his charges with a spine of steel and a damned carving knife for protection.

Most men would beg for mercy.

Will negotiates.

Amused by his boldness—and intrigued despite myself—I offer him a position aboard my ship. Serve as my cabin boy, and he can remain at the children's side until I collect their ransom and return them home.

It should've been a simple arrangement.

Then Will steps aboard my ship… and proves far too bold, stubborn, and spirited to remain just a simple cabin boy.