Enslaved By The Ocean (Criminals Of The Ocean #1)

by Bella Jewel

  “My father,” I whisper.

  “Yeah, he had his men take her out. It went wrong, and they ended up having to take out more than just her. That’s why he’s chasing me for payment; he didn’t get enough for the job they had to do. I wasn’t giving it to him. We had a deal. After she was gone, I went into the hospital to see Dimitri. He was awake, broken and completely damaged. He hated me, he thought I was the reason his mother had nothing and got herself into such a bad place that she got killed. He swore then and there that he would kill me for it one day. I left, and since then I haven’t seen him again.”

  Oh, God.

  “I’m so sorry,” I whisper. “I know how much it must hurt.”

  “He might not have been my son, but I loved him like he was. I know what I did to him. I know the damage I put into him. I also know the damage that was done the day he got beaten and raped. His soul is darkness, and I’m sure by now it’s consumed him. I tried to keep tabs on him, but he disappeared, and I lost track of him.”

  “It’s such an awful thing to happen to someone,” I say, gripping his hand.

  “Yeah, and the fucked up thing is that I could have taken him with me on the ship, but I thought he was better off with his momma.”

  “Sometimes we make mistakes, Hendrix. It’s human nature. So long as we learn from those mistakes then we should be forgiven for them.”

  He shakes his head, and grips my face, pulling me close. “How’d you get so fuckin’ smart?”

  I smile. “I didn’t, it’s just reality.”

  “Hmmmm,” he murmurs, pressing his lips to mine for a moment. “Well, you make reality sound awesome.”

  I giggle, and he pulls me into his arms.

  So many stories, so many endings.

  I wonder what my ending will be?

  Blow the man down!

  “Have another one, lassie.” GG grins, pouring me another rum.

  I giggle and shoot it back. The liquid burns my throat. Warmth floods my veins, and my giggling intensifies.

  “You’re going to get into trouble soon.” I laugh. “Hendrix is watching you.”

  He smirks and wraps an arm around me. “I love his jealous side.”

  I laugh loudly. “Me too.”

  “Dance with me, scallywag.”

  I snort and roll my eyes, “That’s my joke!”

  “Well, you’re one of us now, so I can use it against you.”

  “Fair enough.” I grin, taking his hand and leading him out to the middle of the room. We begin to dance, wiggling our hips to the music on the radio.

  I catch a glimpse of Hendrix every now and then, and the look in his eyes is purely sexual. He’s grinning at me, and every now and then he shakes his head as I do a saucy dance move. I turn slowly and begin wiggling toward him. He’s sitting in a chair at the back of the room, and when he sees me approaching he lifts his hands and puts them up behind his head. A lazy smirk appears on his lips as I shimmy closer. He lifts his hand, and crooks his finger, encouraging me toward him. I shake my head and keep grinning as I move.

  His smile gets bigger and he pats his leg. I shake my head again.

  And so the challenge starts.

  He crooks his finger again, and I continue to dance in circles, shimmying around him and refusing to do as he asks. With a smirk, he gets to his feet and begins stalking toward me, looking like sex on legs. When he reaches me, I spin away just as he stretches his hand out. Chuckling, he lashes out and catches me, spinning me into him and placing his hands on my hips. Then he begins to grind our bodies together in time with the music.

  Oh, yes.

  His hips move from side to side, his hands slide down to my backside and he grips it, making my ass move with his. He’s grinning down at me, those big brown eyes connecting with mine. I bite my lip and slide my hands around his waist, finding his shirt and sliding my hands up underneath it to feel the hot hard skin there.

  “Get a room,” someone yells.

  I laugh, and reach up, pressing my lips to his. He dips his head, deepening the kiss and sliding his tongue into my mouth. Mmmmm. I will never get tired of kissing him.

  “Cap?”

  We hear Drake’s voice, and pull apart. I turn and smile at him, and he gives me a small grin in return.

  “What is it buddy?” Hendrix says, not taking his hands from my ass.

  “Meeting is starting in five.”

  Hendrix nods, and turns to look back down at me. He organized tonight so he could go over some things with the guys, but us girls crashed his party. Well, me and Jess. Though Jess is in the corner with Lenny chatting about something that has her giggling loudly every few minutes.

  “Meeting,” Hendrix bellows.

  The guys stop what they are doing, and all stand, walking over and taking a seat around the large table. I go to walk out, but Hendrix tightens his grip on me. “You’re on my lap, revenge for that dance tease you just did.”

  How is that revenge?

  I like his lap.

  He leads me over and takes a seat at the head of the table, before pulling me down onto his lap. GG slides me another rum, and I give him an enthusiastic grin. Hendrix reaches out and wraps his fingers around the glass and slides it back, lifting it and bringing it to his lips.

  “Hey!” I pout. “That’s mine.”

  “Mine now, baby.”

  I purposely shift on his lap, making sure my bottom grinds against his cock. He tenses up, and puts a hand on my leg, squeezing it.

  “Behave,” he murmurs into my ear before starting.

  “You boys know the drill, it’s our usual weekly meeting. I want ideas on stock, where we’re at with navigation, any other shit that has gone down. GG, go…”

  GG begins speaking, and for a moment I listen. That is, until Hendrix slides his hand up my leg until he reaches the hem of my dress. I stiffen. He wouldn’t do that here? Would he?

  He would. He slides his fingers up the inside of my thigh. When I go to shift, he wraps his hand around my middle and holds me tightly against him. His fingers skim my panties, and then he gently pushes my legs open a little, all the while he’s nodding and answering GG as though he doesn’t have his fingers against my pussy.

  “So that’s it for stock,” GG says.

  “Lenny?” Hendrix asks, slipping his finger into my panties and finding my slick pussy.

  Oh. Shit.

  Lenny begins talking, and Hendrix continues to act like nothing is happening. Me, I am struggling to stop myself writhing against him and crying out his name. He slides his finger up and down my slit, gathering moisture then making little circles on my clit. I tense up, chewing on my tongue to stop any sounds coming out. I pretend to focus on the glass in front of me, but it soon becomes blurred as my vision swims. Pleasure swells in my womb, and I continue my struggle to keep quiet.

  “What about you, Indi?” GG asks. “Have you got everything you need?”

  He’s talking to me? Oh no.

  “Yeah Indi,” Hendrix purrs into my ear. “Better give us a list or you’ll miss out.”

  I hate him right now, and I can’t even tell him that because I’m afraid if I open my mouth the only thing that will come out is a pathetic cry.

  “Well?” GG asks.

  “I…I…”

  “You got enough of all that girly bullshit?”

  Hendrix places his thumb on my clit and uses his forefinger to thrust into my pussy.

  “Girly shit?” Hendrix encourages.

  “I…um…I think I’m okay,” I whisper, still focusing on the glass.

  “No shampoo, or hair brushes…”

  “Um…”

  God, he’s thrusting deeply, slowly, oh God, it feels so good.

  “Y…y…yes,” I say, though I’m sure it’s more because of the pleasure than an answer to his question.

  “How about you just order everything for the girls that they need,” Lenny adds.

  “Right,” GG says, writing a list of things down.

&n
bsp; Hendrix keeps thrusting and rubbing until I’m trying desperately to stop the orgasm that’s hanging on the edge. It’s there, just waiting to be released, needing to be let go, but I refuse to have it here in front of a group of pirates. As if Hendrix realizes this is what I’m doing, he begins to rub harder and harder. Dammit, I can’t hold it back, I’m trying but I can’t…it feels so good. So fucking good. With one last thrust of his finger, I’m coming, hard. I cough loudly, and cover my mouth as if pretending to contain it. I drop my head and force another cough as my body shudders.

  “You okay lass, drink too much rum?” someone asks.

  I can’t answer. If I lift my eyes they will see the pleasure in them. I just nod my head as the last shudders leave my body. Hendrix rubs one last time before sliding his fingers out and pulling my skirt down. Then, as if no one else is in the room, he lifts his fingers above the table and puts one in his mouth. My cheeks flame with heat as I hear the soft suckling sound at my ear. The man has no shame, none at all.

  “I should…go,” I whisper.

  “I’ll be in soon,” Hendrix growls into my ear.

  I slide off his lap, and with shaky legs I leave the dining room.

  Damn him.

  I’ll get him back for that.

  Code of Conduct

  I know Hendrix is a pirate, but I’ve never seen him in action. I’ve seen him kill a man, and I’ve seen the dominant side to him, but that’s as far as it goes. I have no doubt that he’s as utterly terrifying in battle as I would imagine, and I often wonder how many people he’s killed out here. He’s been out here for so long, delving into illegal things, there has to be a list. Part of me doesn’t want to know because reality can sometimes make us question ourselves, but the other part is desperate for answers.

  I get my answer.

  We’re sleeping. It’s late, and Hendrix is pressed against me. I’ve just dozed off when I hear the ear-piercing boom. As if he’s been trained, Hendrix leaps out of the bed. He doesn’t stop and think, or take the time to wake, he just gets up and yanks on the closest clothes. I’m still blinking sleep from my eyes when he picks up his gun and loads it. Another boom fills the air, and his eyes dart to the door. This isn’t good. Something tells me it won’t end well, whatever it is.

  “Go into Jess’s room, she knows what to do. Take this, kill anyone you don’t know,” he says quickly, showing a gun at me and pulling me out of bed.

  He has a shirt over my head and panties on, and I’m still dazed. Shots begin to ring out, and voices begin screaming and yelling down the hall. Sleep leaves quickly then, and panic takes its place. Hendrix races us to the door and flings it open, gun drawn. Drake is just passing us as we step out. “Rogue pirates, Cap. Ten of them, loads of weapons.”

  “Indi, go to Jess, do as I asked.”

  “But…”

  “Don’t argue with me,” he hisses. “Just do as you’re told.”

  I nod, swallowing, and rush down the hall to Jess’s room. I bang on the door and she opens it quickly, pulling me in. Her face is panicked, and I realize Senny is in here, too. She locks the door, and lifts the gun off the table beside her. Seeing the look on her face has my heart seizing and my chest constricting.

  “I don’t know what’s happening,” I whisper.

  “It’s pirates, you idiot,” Senny snaps.

  “Shut the fuck up, Sienna,” Jess barks.

  We both stare at her, wide-eyed. I’ve never heard Jess speak like that, but she’s obviously scared, and this is her way of dealing with it. Her eyes don’t move from the door, and I find myself shifting over to her, terrified. What if something happens to the guys? What if Hendrix dies? What if they blow up the ship? The thoughts don’t do much for my calm, and I end up pushing myself into a state of pure panic.

  “It’s okay, Indi,” Jess says, though she doesn’t move from her position at the door.

  “I’m frightened.”

  “I know. It’ll be over soon.”

  I hear the sounds of yelling and gunshots, and even a few screams. I press my hands to my ears and begin to sing loudly. I can’t listen—I can’t hear it. Jess begins to tap her foot, her face is full of panic and her hands are shaking. Another massive explosion goes off and rocks the ship, causing me to stumble onto the floor along with Senny. Was that our ship that got hit? It settles back into normal floating, and I wait for the smell of a fire, or the gush of water, but it never comes.

  The fighting quietens down, and when we can no longer hear it Senny gets to her feet and walks out.

  “Sienna!” Jess cries.

  “I’m not sitting in here, it’s finished.”

  “Sienna,” I yell. “He said stay in here.”

  Senny spins just outside of the door and glares at me. “You know nothing, so shut the fuck up, I don’t even…”

  A shot rings out, making a loud crack in the silence, and suddenly Senny stops talking. Her mouth opens and her eyes widen, and then slowly she begins to fall to the floor. Jess screams and the gun topples from her hands. Blood pools around Senny’s back as soon as she hits the floor, and her eyes are open, fixed at the roof. I know she’s dead. I hear the sound of footsteps. Someone is below deck. I dive toward the gun, clutching it in my hands and then rush over and press my hand over Jess’s mouth. The footsteps near and I raise the gun, hands trembling, and wait. I see Senny’s body move, and I realize someone has kicked her. Probably checking if she’s still alive.

  I want to vomit.

  I’m so terrified, nothing in my life has ever frightened me so much. I’m stiff, unable to move, or breathe, or focus. My eyes are on the door, and my hands are firmly clasped around the gun. I see a body first, and I know right away it’s not one of Hendrix’s men. I don’t even think, I just pull the trigger. The man lands with a thump on the ground, rolling and roaring in pain as he grips his stomach.

  “Run, Jess!”

  Jess scurries past him and drops to her knees by Senny’s side.

  “Senny? Wake up.”

  “She’s gone,” I cry. “Go get help.”

  With a hiccup, Jess gets to her feet and runs out. The pirate on the ground groans and rolls, getting to his hands and knees. Blood drips from his belly as he begins stalking toward me. I know I should be pulling that trigger right now, but my hands are shaking, and I can’t seem to make myself do it. I’m frozen with fear, and only when he lifts his hand to reach for his pants do I know that it’s him or me.

  I begin to pull the trigger when another gunshot rings out, and suddenly the pirate slumps to the ground. My knees buckle and I fall in a heap, shaking so violently my teeth chatter together. I hear voices, and somewhere in my fear I find myself screaming Hendrix’s name. Is he alive? Is he dead? Oh God, what if he’s dead? I couldn’t live if he died. I don’t want to.

  “Shhh, Indi, I’m here.”

  Oh thank God.

  I feel his hard arms go around me, and lift me from my spot on the floor. I hear orders being thrown around, and the sound of Jess crying as he carries me past. He places me on his bed in his room, and then moments later Jess is placed beside me. I reach out for her, and she clutches me desperately.

  “They’re in shock, just let them be for a minute, Cap,” I hear Drake say.

  “Feel so fuckin’ helpless.”

  “They got a scare, they saw their friend die, just let them process that.”

  Hendrix reaches down and strokes his fingers across my forehead.

  “Go and get me Jess’s sedatives.”

  The words are a foggy blur.

  Nothing is making a great deal of sense in my head.

  I hear shuffling a moment later, and then I feel a sting in my arm.

  “Sorry baby.” It’s the last thing I hear before I go blank.

  The last thing I feel is Jess’s hand, trembling in mine.

  “May the ocean take her soul and keep her safe for eternity,” Drake says.

  We watch with blank expressions as they slide Senny’s body over
the edge of the ship and into the water. Jess is still beside me, her breathing heavy and deep. I know that her and Senny weren’t close, but I think for a long time they were all each other had on this ship. I reach out and take her hand, and she squeezes it tight while we all lower our heads for a minute, giving Senny the respect she needs right now.

  I am trying to ignore the scrubbing sounds behind me, and the smell of bleach that burns my nose as a few of the younger pirates scrub the blood off the deck. I am trying not to focus on it, trying not to think about the reality of the situation that is surrounding me. It’s not the fantasy world that people assume it is; it’s real, and it’s scary. There are things that happen out here that most people wouldn’t experience in their lives, and yet these men live it on a daily basis.

  This is their world, and now…now it’s mine.

  I’m not sure if this frightens me, or gives me a chance to really discover who I am with a man I adore. He’s not what I would have picked for myself but he has changed everything I ever believed I needed. This world is scary, but more than that, it’s real. These men believe in everything they are, and they work hard for the things they want. They’re criminals, without a doubt, but the passion they hold for each other beats that in some of the families I’ve seen.

  “You okay?”

  Hendrix comes up behind me, and wraps his arms around my waist.

  “Yeah, I’m okay.”

  “It’s hard I know, but I promise you I’ll fight every day of my life to make sure nothing happens to you, inocencia,” he whispers into my ear.

  “I know you will.”

  “Come on, let’s get inside, there’s some raining coming in.”

  “Do they…” I point to the guys scrubbing the floors. “…need help?”

  “No, they’ve got it.”

  I nod as he turns to Jess. He narrows his eyes and watches as she stares beyond the side of the ship, sobbing, her tiny frame shaking. Letting me go, he walks over and wraps his arms around her, pulling her into him. In that moment I love him that much more. I feel my eyes burn as I watch Jess crumble into him.