Naylene Caulder

Not every woman craves adventure.
Having a semi-feral little sister is exhausting and expensive. Naylene Caulder is at the end of her rope with Josey. Fighting, stealing, and running away have become common for the twelve-year-old.
Unfortunately, it was the rock Josey smashed through Captain Ridley's office window that became the catalyst for Naylene's dangerous adventure.
Though Josey is brave to the point of being reckless, a rare moment of fear finds her accidentally loaded onto a merchant ship. Naylene will not stand by as her little sister sails across the Atlantic. Heartbroken and terrified, she strikes a bargain with Captain Samuel Ridley.
In the midst of his own conniving plans, the Captain agrees to assist the beautiful woman manipulating his empathy. Catching one of his own vessels and returning the ladies to Port Lorne sounds annoying, but simple. Samuel is used to managing small-town catastrophes. After all, he owns half the businesses surrounding the harbor.
Naylene did not plan on Evan Kerrick complicating her entire life. As a navy deserter, Evan spent years amassing treasure for his crew. It didn't matter that his cousin, Samuel Ridley, felt the brunt of his attacks. When Kerrick seizes another of Ridley's ships, the pirate has no choice but to kidnap the feisty girl hiding among the crew. However, instead of fear, Josey sees an unsung hero in the pirate.
Through every meal and each storm, Naylene begins to falter beneath Samuel's advances. Still, Captain Ridley has dangerous business to conduct while Evan Kerrick is the key to his fortune or downfall. Despite the passengers he's meant to reunite, Samuel's plans are already in motion. With no other option, he sets sail for the Caribbean.
For Captain Ridley, it's business.
For Evan Kerrick, it's revenge.
For Naylene, it's a terrifying adventure she would rather avoid.
Now, with a maritime battle looming, she must choose between the lesser of two devils. One way or another, Naylene is bound to bring her little sister safely home.