Aedan gave an appreciate smile over the side before looking at Knigh. “Don’t mistake it for an invite, neither—she’s just cleaning up, same as the men. And much as it’s a lovely view, keep your hands to yourself.” He sighed, clapping Knigh on the shoulder. “If the Captain sees a man touching her, the poor sod won’t live to do it a second time.”

Knigh swallowed. That explained the look FitzRoy had given them both after the weapons check. He cleared his throat. “Are they … involved?”

Aedan’s face darkened like the sky before a storm. “Not for a while, no.” His easy smile, so like Vee’s, returned with a sour edge. “You’ve been in his cabin,” he went on softly, “you’ve seen the gold. He’s a mite covetous of his belongings, and he sees Vice as very much his.” He lifted his muscular shoulders. “She might see it differently, but she’s on his ship, so she doesn’t have much choice in the matter.” A quick breath left his lips as his gaze drifted over the side again. “Unfortunately.”

Knigh narrowed his eyes. “That regret seems personal.”

Aedan gave him a lopsided smile, then lifted his chin and pointed to a thin pink scar on his throat. “Very.” Rubbing his jaw, he looked over the side again. “Once with her wasn’t enough, but the Captain persuaded me there wouldn’t be a repeat performance.”

Once with her—so before the Captain found out, they’d managed to … Knigh’s jaw popped at the thought of Aedan’s big tattooed hands on her, his fingers resting in those dimples. Had he—

“Gods,” Aedan went on, “I’m only alive because she found us, pulled a pistol and held it to her head. Said she’d shoot herself if he killed me. She knew exactly how to get him to let me go.”

Knigh’s mouth twisted with tension. “How romantic.”

Aedan snorted. “Romantic? There’s no love or romance with Vice. Fun? Yes.” He nodded, eyes widening, brows raised. “A lot. But death is too high a price even for that much fun.”

That expression. It said more than Knigh wanted to know. He blew out a long breath in an attempt to rid himself of the vision of Vee and Aedan. Or Vee and FitzRoy. “Well, I have …” He tried to keep his voice light, but it came out worryingly close to a growl. “I have … I’ll see you later.” With a sweep of his arms and twist of the wrist, he finished off the line he’d been fiddling with and secured it in place before stalking away.

“You’re welcome for the warning,” Aedan called after him.

“I didn’t need it.” He squared his shoulders.