The Blue Diamond (The Razor's Edge Book 1) Read Online Free

breakfast, and just when we were
starting to get to know each other.”
    Before Carbonale could
finish spreading jam on his bread, Ivory snatched the knife from his hand and
pointed it at his throat. He leaned far back in his chair, smiling as she
thrust her hand into his black satin sash, digging for her blade. His hands
were spread out in the air at the sides of his head, but his eyes were fixed on
hers as she explored beneath the wrap until she’d reached his more private
area. He spread his thighs apart to allow her further access—the smile never
leaving his face.
    “Where is it?” she demanded.
    “Why should I tell you? It’s
far more entertaining for you to search for it.”
      Ivory stopped and glared at him, having found
no humor in his words.
    “You don’t think I’m foolish
enough to carry it with me, do you?” he laughed, which only angered her more,
causing her to press the dull instrument into the flesh of his gullet until the
skin folded around it. “So much for respect, I see,” he garbled.
    “Respect is earned,
Blacksnake. Holding me prisoner under the guise that I’m a guest, and
withholding my weapon, is a poor demonstration of hospitality.”
    Carbonale rolled his eyes
away from hers quickly, as if he’d heard someone approaching. She, too, glanced
away in that split second. He grabbed her wrist in his left hand and pulled the
knife free with his right, tossing it across the table. Then, he snatched her
by both wrists as she fought against him and pulled her down between his spread
thighs, wrapping her up and holding her there as Roman and the giant who’d
pulled her from the longboat entered the room.
    “Is everything alright,
Captain?” Roman asked. “Master Green is here to see you.”
    “As you can see, I’m having
breakfast with the lady,” he said and then whispered to Ivory, “Green can snap
you in half. All I have to do is say the word. Now be a good captain and take
your seat. I’ll try to forget that you just tried to end me.”
    Ivory relaxed in his grasp
and pulled her now disheveled robe closed with her hands as she stood and
returned to her seat. Again, she heard that familiar voice, and when she met
the man’s eyes, the knowing was there and a hard scowl covered her face.
However, besides the acknowledgement in his eyes, Green didn’t flinch.
    “Yes, Master Green. What may
I do for you, sir?”
    “We have gained some
intelligence that may interest you. I’ll be at the Shark Skin in an hour. Come
and have a drink, and we can discuss this opportunity.”
    “Thank you, Master Green.
I’ll see you then.”
    Roman bowed and led
Quartermaster Green from the room as Ivory sat quietly fuming in her chair,
covered in perspiration with her neatly braided hair now unraveled and falling
loose at her shoulder. She reached for the glass of fruit juices, and Carbonale
again clamped onto her wrist, pulling her arm flat against the table.
    “Where did you find that
one?” she asked as her body struggled against him.
    “That’s none of your
concern, and please, Ivory, don’t try that again. I believed you more refined
than that. Despite your reputation, I had given you the credit I thought a
woman of your distinction deserved. I’ve now read you wrong. I don’t like being
wrong.”
    “I’ll try not to cry for
your misguided judgment, Blacksnake,” she growled, looking up at him. “Now,
release me so that I may finish my breakfast.” She jerked her arm away and
straightened herself in her chair.
    “Please, call me Captain
Carbonale, or even Maddox. Only my enemies call me Blacksnake, and although you
did only moments ago make an attempt on my life, I have no desire to make you
my enemy—or kill you.”
    “Oh, reawy?” she asked with
a mouthful of dry bread.
    “Here, allow me,” he said
taking the bread from her hand, retrieving the knife and covering it with a
slather of jam.
    Ivory picked up her glass,
swallowing its contents in one long drink, and then