Chapter 35 | The Devil of Siren City

CAPTAIN RACKHAM WAS A GRACIOUS HOST.

Candy wasn't surprised. Many a night had he passed in his company, but tonight was… different.

Fake.

Rackham was holding back. Surface level conversation carried over dinner. Juicy gossip from on high. Aphrodite’s upcoming gala. The damned weather they’ve been having. Candy longed for their nights of deep conversation, and they had so much to say to one another.

Brock stood by the door. He watched. He listened. An ever-present ear to their every word and move.

But Rackham showed no ire, no impatience. At least, not on the surface. Inside, he was burning with need. For information. For closure. For flesh.

But one wrong move would get back to Aphrodite, which would only complicate matters. Rackham wasn’t exactly allied with the current status quo, but they were happy to leave him be as long as he kept his business out of theirs. It was a compromise he was willing to uphold… as long as they kept Candy safe.

Rackham eyed Candy at the table beside him. He was alive, sure, but he could see the weight of the last nine months on his shoulders. Candy put on a good show — he was very good at his job — but Rackham could see the frayed edges. The subtle changes in his eyes. The not-so-subtle weight loss. And, perhaps worst of all, his hair. That beautiful, long hair. Gone.

Candy was unhappy.

And Rackham was furious.

Rather than give in to his anger and beat the life out of Candy’s constant shadow taking up precious space on his ship, Rackham employed a different approach.

Why take out the trash when it could easily take itself out?

The next time Candy reached for his wineglass, Rackham snatched his wrist. He leaned forward over the table’s corner, enjoying the sudden flush in Candy’s cheeks as he drew his hand closer. Rackham massaged his palm, his knuckles, the little pads of his fingers. Long and graceful, they were so different from his own rough touch.

He brought those fingers to his mouth and rubbed them slowly against his lips.

Candy shivered.

Brock shifted.

“How do you feel?” Rackham whispered.

The question wasn’t unusual. In fact, Rackham asked it often… and always before sending Candy’s body to such wonderful places. He had a way of bending Candy’s limits that would make the most experienced Scarlet girls blush.

“Good,” Candy answered with a shudder.

Rackham nodded, his lips tickling the length of Candy’s hand. He nipped the tip of his pinkie with his teeth, and Candy flinched as a bolt of sensation flurried up his arm.

“You know,” Rackham said, his voice low, but not too low. He wanted the spy to hear this, too. “I was surprised when you agreed to see me.”

“Well, we had so much fun together the other night,” Candy said, a reminder of a previous lie.

“Of course.” Rackham smirked. “But even so… I thought you were done with me.”

Candy looked down, unable to blur the emotion crossing his eyes. “I was lost,” he answered. “Afraid.”

Rackham kept Candy’s hand as he leaned back in his chair, shifting Candy forward. “And are you still lost?” he asked. “Still afraid?”

Candy trembled as Rackham placed his hand on his thigh. “When it comes to you?” Candy said. “Always.”

Rackham chuckled, forever pleased with that response. He pulled Candy’s hand higher up his thigh. He felt those long, nimble fingers graze his cock through his trousers, and a rush of heat flowed through his groin.

Candy opened his hand, taking what little control Rackham allowed, and laid his palm along the length of him. Rackham’s lips curled, their eyes locked over the table’s corner. “By all means,” he growled. “Find your way.”

Candy rubbed him again. Soft and slow. Too softly. Too slowly.

Rackham tugged on Candy’s wrist, nearly yanking him out of his chair. The table shook, the wineglasses nearly toppling over, as he forced Candy to stroke harder and faster.

Brock shifted again.

“On your knees, pebble,” Rackham said.

Candy obeyed, unzipping Rackham’s trousers as he moved.

Rackham tilted back in his chair, his grin wide and victorious. “We’re about to start the main event here,” he said to Brock across the room. “You’re welcome to stay and watch if you like. I do enjoy an audience.”

Brock said nothing. Uncomfortable.

Rackham laughed, truly delighted by it, until he felt Candy’s tongue on his skin. Pleasure pulsed through him, sharp and instant. He grabbed the back of Candy’s neck, unable to stop himself. Out of habit, he searched for that golden ponytail and felt a spike of rage when he remembered the gods took it from him.

But he’d deal with them later.

Now he needed more. He’d have more.

Candy opened his mouth wider, and Rackham shuddered and groaned. He closed his eyes. It’d been so long since he’d felt Candy’s sweet mouth. His long tongue and pliable lips. His fingers twitched on his neck with the urge to push Candy down and fuck his precious little face until tears fell down his cheeks.

Then he heard the turn of the doorknob.

He watched as Brock took his leave.

The door closed. They were finally alone.

Candy released a wet, choking sound as Rackham pushed him away. He sat back on his heels while Rackham stood and pulled up his trousers.

Composing himself, Rackham knelt before him. “Candy, look at me,” he said.

Candy wiped his chin and looked up.

“I know the truth, but I’ve yet to see it with my own eyes.” He fixed Candy with an unblinking stare. “Is Adrian Price alive?”

“Yes,” Candy answered, swallowing hard.

Rackham balanced himself as he felt the weight of the word.

Yes.

Yes, the rumors were true.

Yes, the Devil really had returned to Siren City.

And yes, his lover’s father figure had come back from the dead.

“How do you feel?” he asked again.

Candy’s shoulders sunk slowly. His hands went limp in his lap. His eyes, always bright with life, were now heavy with tears. “Like I regrew a limb,” he said, his voice shaking. “I spent so long learning to live without him, but now that he’s back… I feel so off balance.” He jolted, his breath failing him. “I don’t know what to do, Raph.”

“Oh, pebble,” Rackham whispered.

He reached out and gently cupped Candy’s face, his jaw clenching with anger and frustration. They’d broken his sweet boy. He’d destroy the world twice over if it meant he’d see his smile again.

But there was work to be done first.

“Come,” Rackham said. “Let’s talk.”

He offered Candy his hand, and Candy took it.