Things are not always as they seem - Cutlass (Cutlass #1) by Ashley Nixon

Because she was distracted, Leaf was able to reach forward and pull her away from the scene, ripping the blade from her hands. Barren stepped forward, repositioned himself before the man and pointed the sword at Jonathan’s neck. All Barren had to do was push ever so slightly and blood would pool on the ground, a terrible gurgling sound that would fill the air. Larkin would scream—scream that he was a monster. Only now, she would see it, she would really know it.

Description:

Notorious pirate Barren Reed has one thing on his mind: Revenge against the man who killed his father. So kidnapping his enemy's fiancé seems a perfect plan…until he actually does it.

Larkin Lee is more than a pretty face and fiancé to a powerful man. Her fierce personality is enough to make any pirate want to push her overboard.

But when the King of the Orient comes to Barren with a task—to find the Bloodstone, a powerful gem thought only to exist in legend, Barren sees another opportunity to destroy his enemy. Together, Barren, Larkin and a crew of pirates set off to find the stone, only to discover it caused the death of Barren’s own mother and Larkin’s, too. As his strongest allies turn into his greatest enemies, and the life of the girl he kidnapped becomes more important than he ever dreamed, Barren’s quest for revenge becomes a fight to save the Orient.

I was so excited to pick this up. There aren't nearly enough pirate stories out there, and when I read what this was about, I HAD to read it, and I'm glad I did because IT WAS SO GOOD!

The world-building was beautiful and thorough, effortlessly transporting me to the seas and port-side towns, and there were so many rich characters to accompany it all. Larkin still remains my favorite - so much fight and spunk...a PERFECT match for the infamous Barren Reed. - Goodreads

EXCERPT

       

Larkin had a hard time trudging through the mushy path of water, rocks and mud wearing a ball gown. She tripped several times on the too long skirt, only to be caught up in the ever-present arms of her kidnapper. It was infuriating. She would prefer being covered in mud, rather than allowing Barren’s constant attempts to keep her on her feet.

She couldn’t really figure out how to feel—she was scared, yes, but also strangely intrigued. She knew why they’d taken her: as bait to lure William to sea. Her father had warned her that she might be targeted, and she felt stupid having been taken. Every time she looked at Barren, anger flared in her chest.

She’d decided to leave the engagement party after spotting Barren. She’d gone through her options—returning home meant signaling a carriage and drawing attention, and while the castle might offer safety, it didn’t offer her peace. That’s why she’d chosen to head to shore—why would a pirate ever suspect she’d go there? She was a lady, after all. She’d thought she had been discreet on her way out, even escaping Barren Reed’s notice…but, instead, she’d drawn it.

She fell again and jerked away when she felt his hand on her arm.

“I am perfectly capable of standing on my own,” she spat.

Barren gave a short laugh. “Really? Because you’ve been stumbling all over since we left the ship.”

Larkin reached down and gathered her dress up as much as she could and continued forward. “If it is too bothersome for you, we can cut the skirt away.”

Larkin twisted, almost slipping as she did. Her eyes fell upon Barren, narrow and unkind.

“You will not touch me.”

Barren held up his hands. “I was just offering an option to ease your struggling.”

“I’m not struggling!”

She turned around and to her great annoyance, fell again as the rocks and mud gave way beneath her feet. This time, Barren stood aside as she got to her feet again. She refused to look at him, her face burning with embarrassment.

****

Barren’s eyes grew dark, and his lips twisted into a faint smile. “I was prepared to die,” he said. “You had everything before you—a way to return home, wealth…”

“But nothing I want,” she said, quietly.

Barren’s eyes narrowed. “What do you want?”

Larkin looked away and took a deep breath. “Not the life I had.”

“When did you make that decision?”

“When you almost died.” She looked at him again and her eyes were bright with emotions Barren’s couldn’t quite discern.

“Well, we’re even now—one for one,” he said and walked forward, taking the helm. “You’ve been going the wrong direction for the past five minutes.”

“Sorry,” she blushed, stepping away. “And you’re wrong—it’s two for one. You saved me from the Orient.”

Barren smirked. “Well, you owe me one then, but I’d rather you not have to save my life again.”

“Why? Because I am a girl?”

“No,” Barren shook his head. “Because I should be able to protect my own crew.”

“Then what do I owe you?”

“A chance to prove I am not a bad person.”

“I don’t think you’re a bad person.”

Barren smirked. “Yes you do…I can see it in your eyes, hear it in your questions. You speak to me with accusation in your voice.”

Larkin’s eyes grew dark. “Why do you care about my opinion?”

Barren considered that for a moment. He supposed he only cared to be understood, and yet he was soliciting understanding from a girl who’d been fed realities of the world by her father. She trusted too much in the title of a man, believing that it, not his conscience, gave him honesty.

Her opinion really shouldn’t matter, but Barren was confused; if she thought he was such a horrible person, she should have let William kill him.

“You seem to think you are immune to the realities of this life, but if you stay in it long enough, they will corrupt you. It’s already begun. You protected me over your fiancé, wounded him even. Am I to believe it is because you felt I was the better man?”

“Truly,” Larkin said. “Things are not always as they seem, but if you are insinuating I will become just like you, you’re wrong. I have a conscience. I could not live with myself if I hurt anyone.”

“Oh, I would never believe you’d be capable of hurting anyone, Mrs. Reed.”

Larkin slapped him. The sting of her hand made Barren flinch. “That’s for breaking your promise!” she said vehemently. After a final furious glare, she stormed away, disappearing in the darkness.

Barren sighed. “I’m an idiot.”

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About the author:

Ashley was born and raised in Oklahoma, where the wind really does sweep down the plains, and horses and carriages aren't used as much as she'd like. When she's not writing, she's hard at work on her Master's degree in Library Science and Information Technology, working out, or pretending she's Sherlock Holmes. Her obsession with writing began after reading the Lord of the Rings in the eighth grade. Since then, she's loved everything Fantasy--resulting in an unhealthy obsession with the 'geek' tab on Pinterest, where all things awesome go.

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