Damned

by Bec Botefuhr

  “That will be number four and mark my words Jax, that little girl will pay for this when I get my hands on her.”

  His evil eyes burn into mine. He turns then, takes his rope and begins swinging back to his ship. I lean down and pick up his gun.

  “Forgetting something?”

  I throw the gun hard and it connects with the side of his head. His hands slip from the rope, and he falls into the water. After a gurgled moment, he emerges with deadly eyes.

  “If you weren't so valuable with your little gift, you would be dead. Watch your back girl.” He warns in a lethal tone as his men begin dragging him in.

  Then, as quickly as they appeared, they are gone. Jax spins me around to face him, his eyes narrow and he winces.

  “You’re in a bad way, come on.”

  “He…he….he was just here. On the deck.”

  “You did good baby girl, I am real proud of you.”

  Huh? “You’re not mad.”

  He smiles, weakly. “No, I have never seen anyone beat the shit out of him the way you did. You are incredible.”

  I crumble into his arms, and he nestles his head against my hair. “Come on, lets get you cleaned up.”

  “Jax…he knew that you were planning on sending me to shore.”

  Jax’s head snaps up and it all peices together. “We have a traitor.”

  I nod.

  “Rusty, get over here.”

  The men have begun clearing off deck, Rusty stops what he is doing and walks over. “Yeah Cap?”

  “We got a traitor in the works.”

  “What?”

  “Bill knew I was planning on sending her to shore. He didn’t know I changed my mind, but it’s a traitor all the same.”

  Rusty growls. “Meeting will be called in five.”

  “Yeah, get Sam in too. For Jade.”

  “Aye Cap.”

  Jax helps me downstairs and into the dining room, under the light I can see I am soaked in blood. I shudder.

  “He did a fucking job on you baby, come on. Sit down.”

  Jax sits me down as the men begin crowding in. Sam rushes over to me and hugs me tight.

  “Oh sweety, you’re sent to give us a heart attack.”

  I laugh, weakly. “I suppose so.”

  “Right,” I hear Jax’s booming voice and I turn to watch him. “I now know something that has made my blood boil, we have a traitor on this ship. I know this because Bill has found out I planned on sending Jade to shore. Now how would he know this? We haven't docked, and we haven't had contact with anybody about it, so that means one of you little weasels has spilled to him. I will find out who it is and when I do, I swear to god I will slit your throat slowly, inch by inch and then hang you to rot.”

  I shiver; Jax’s voice is like steel and he is terrifying.

  “Jade isn’t going to shore, she stays with me. She will be under my constant protection, all phones will be monitored, and if I find any of you, anywhere near her, I will crush you with my bare hands.”

  He is screaming now, and his voice is terrifying. I scramble back and the chair slides from underneath me. I land with a thump and Jax turns, staring at me. He tilts his head and narrows his eyes, before leaning down and lifting me up.

  “Don’t be afraid, I will not hurt you.”

  “You scare me.” I whisper.

  Jax strokes my cheek, easing my fear and then turns back to the crew. “Get the fuck outta my sight and hope to god you aren’t the one betraying me, because god help you if you are.”

  Jax turns and stares down at me. “Come with me, Sam are you done?”

  “As much as possible Cap, she heals quicker than I work.”

  Jax takes my hand and leads me to his room, shutting the door behind him.

  “You scare me baby.” He says, grasping a wash cloth wiping some blood off my face.

  “I know, I am sorry.”

  “You’re a real trooper. I am proud of you, truly.”

  I smile weakly.

  “Tired kid?”

  “Yeah.”

  “Come on, get to sleep.”

  “Jax first…make love to me.”

  He grins and pulls me into his arms, and we fall onto the bed. Jax makes love to me half the night. He is a war horse; he just goes and goes, over and over until neither of us can take anymore. By morning, I am burning in pain down below. I know in a few hours; I will be fine, but from the hissing sounds coming from the toilet, Jax won’t be. When he walks out, I give him a sympathetic look.

  “Are you hurting Jax?”

  “Barely got any skin left, fucking hell how many times did I go you Jade?”

  “Seven, eight? I don’t know. I feel it too.”

  “You heal.”

  I walk over and touch him; he assumes I am being affectionate until he glances down, then back up at me.

  “You fucking stupid girl.”

  I cry out as I take his raw pain onto myself; I crumble to my knees. Good lord he certainly was in pain.

  “Oh Jade, you can’t keep doing that.”

  He lifts me and carries me to the bed, then goes to the fridge and pulls out a cold pack.

  “Spread em.”

  I glare at him and whimper through pants. “I am not showing you.”

  “Then put this on there.”

  I snatch the ice pack and shove it down my pants, relief washes over me, and I moan.

  “Sounds like that is more fun than last night.” He teases.

  “Shut it pirate and get in here with me. Now, you owe me.”

  He looks scared. “Baby, I am tired…”

  I laugh loudly. “I know I should have recorded that. I don’t want sex; I want to….talk.”

  He groans. “Aw, no mate.”

  “Please Jax. I have questions.”

  “If you answer mine, I will answer yours.”

  “Deal.”

  He slides in beside me, not touching me but close enough that I can smell his devine scent.

  “You first,” He says lazily. “What happened with your dad?”

  I am surprised he is only asking me this now, we have been away for weeks. Mind you, it has been hectic. I tell him everything Mack told me, and he blinks.

  “So…you have the healing gift from him? And it can only be given to your blood aka children? And he knows of a treasure that makes one immortal? Damn, I need to get my hands on that.”

  “More treasures.” I snort.

  “It would better than the curse I already have.”

  “Maybe. Any curse cant be good right?”

  “I don’t know baby, I don’t know,” He gives me a sympathetic smile. “My turn huh?”

  “Yep, first things first, what are you and Bill so keen to get your hands on that you want to kill each other?”

  Jax rubs his head. “Where to start. Remember how I told you I was a true blood? Well, that means my blood has special…qualities. I have a tattoo inscribed on me, and there is a treasure out there that when my blood and the inscription combined are used to activate it, holds massive powers.”

  “Let me guess, Bill’s got the treasure?”

  “Yep and I have the blood and the inscription.”

  “So you need to write the inscription, on the treasure with your blood?”

  “Correct.”

  “And then what?”

  He shifts. “He becomes what we are. After I cursed my crew, he managed to get the treasure, not realizing he needed my blood to activate it.”

  “So, why haven't you just killed Bill and gotten the treasure back?”

  “It’s not that easy, I don’t know where it is hidden. If I kill him or sink his ship, I lose it.”

  “So attack him.”

  “It’s not that easy mate.”

  “And why hasn’t he killed you?”

  “If I go down, so does the inscription and my blood. He would have to manage to kill me, get my dead body and take it back on board, all while staying alive. He also has something else I w
ant, but it’s not as important.”

  “More?”

  “I have half of a key, that unlocks co-ordinates to an island that nobody lives on except a small tribe. Once my crew sort out Bill, we plan to set up base there. Nobody can find us, nor track us there. I don’t have the key on board, and he knows it but he has the other half and needs it as much as I do. Without the two halves, the key is pointless. He has been looking for leverage, something to make me give it all up. He tried Bella and stupid her fell for it and gave in. It didn’t work…then…”

  “Me.” I whisper.

  “Now, not only does he want you for leverage, he wants you for your gifts. The game just got a whole lot harder.”

  “Oh.”

  “That’s basically it.”

  “And…where is the inscription?”

  He grins. “You haven't noticed?”

  I blink. “No.”

  “It’s…on my...you know.”

  I giggle unexpectedly. “It is not.”

  “You haven't paid enough attention to notice, it is underneath…”

  “You’re lying.”

  “Have you looked?” He has a daring sparkle in his eyes now.

  “I have seen your…parts.”

  “Not up close.”

  “I…you’re just trying to get laid.”

  He laughs. “No, not after last night.”

  “Show me.”

  Now he looks like he might blush?

  “No.”

  “Aw, come on Watts. Whip it out.”

  “No.”

  I move, realizing I feel better already and so I leap on him. He laughs and falls back onto the bed, I straddle him and yank at his pants.

  “Stop it.” He roars with laughter.

  “Show me.”

  He tickles me, sending me rolling off in laughter and so the battle begins. We roll, tickling and laughing until we fall beside each other panting.

  “You know, I am going to look when you are asleep.”

  “I won’t take my pants off then, I will feel you.”

  “Asshole.”

  “Am not.”

  I roll, running my fingers over the tattoo’s on his under arms while his hands are behind his head. I notice some scars on his sides, almost like deep scratch marks. How have I never noticed these before? They are pale and faded so I suppose I would not have noticed unless I got close enough. He notices me looking and yanks his arms down.

  “What happened?”

  “Nothing.”

  “Why have you got nasty scars like that?”

  “It’s none of your fucking business, I gotta go do something.”

  His voice has changed from playful to icy, which tells me not to push it. He gets up, dresses himself and storms out the door, slamming it loudly. I know one thing; Jax has a secret, a big one. Nobody reacts like that for nothing. I choose not to argue the issue now, because clearly it hurts. A lot.

  I make my way back to my room where I hide for a few hours, then decide to go and see where everybody has gone. The ship is extremely quiet. When I enter the dining room, Jax turns and the entire crew stand, looking at me. I suddenly feel very nervous, scared and damn sure they are about to drop a bombshell on me.

  “I didn’t…do anything.” I say in a panicky voice.

  “No, you didn’t. Jade, come in here.” Jax orders, his voice is still raw, but he is trying to hide it.

  “Why?”

  “Just come in lass.” Rusty encourages.

  “Are you going to shoot me or something?”

  He laughs. “Come on love.”

  I step in, and Jax takes my hand, firmly. He yanks me next to him, and before I can protest he shoves a wad of papers in my free hand.

  “What?”

  “Read it.”

  I open it and gaze at the words in front of me. “This is a contract, for Lilyahna Jade Casteah, to become apart of the crew, Captained by Jax Watts. To become apart of this crew, you must honour the agreement, bind it with your blood and ink your skin with the mark of a pirate. You will never betray, lie or cheat your crew. You will stay loyal and faithful to them, if you do not the only sentence is death. If you agree, and sign yourself to this crew, you will become apart of their brotherhood forever. Always protected and cared for.”

  I whimper, putting my hand over my mouth. They are welcoming me into their crew, to become a pirate. He wants me to stay, they want me to stay. I stare up at Jax; tears roll down my cheeks. The emotions I feel at that moment are higher than anything I have ever felt in my life. I open my mouth, and a cry comes out, a cry of happiness and love. I am being welcomed into a family, to people who wanted me.

  “Are you ok kid?” Jax asks gently.

  “Y-y-you want me in your family?”

  “We do.”

  I leap into his arms, throwing my arms around his neck. “Nothing you could have ever done, would ever mean more than this to me.”

  He leans me back, staring directly into my eyes. “If you accept, it’s for life. You’re a pirate forever.”

  I nod. “I accept.”

  The crew cheer and Jax pulls out a pen. I sign the paper and then he pulls out his knife. He slices his hand, then grasps mine.

  “Sorry kid, we all have to do it.”

  He only makes a knick in my hand; I wince but don’t cry or carry on. He reaches his bloody hand out to mine and I take it, binding our blood. Everybody cheers louder.

  “At this moment, Lilyahna Jade Casteah you are officially a pirate. You will run with our crew and never betray us or join another. Do you declare your loyalty to us?”

  “I do.” I whisper.

  “Then baby girl, you are a pirate.”

  Everybody cheers louder and Jax lets go of my hand. “Ready for some ink?”

  I smile nervously. “I think so….”

  He slides off his shirt and wraps it around my hand, then leads me to the table, on it sits a prepared ink gun. I sit down, and the crew gather around.

  “Where do you want it baby?”

  “Here.” I say, in a husky voice I hope nobody takes notice of.

  I stand and reveal my hip; Jax stares for a long moment before grasping my legs and sliding the chair closer to me. I can feel his breath on my skin. At the first touch of the needle, I grit my teeth. After a few strokes, it no longer bothers me. Jax works away silently, with such perfect precision.

  “You know how to tattoo?” I ask finally; the crew are still standing and watching.

  “I have done them all mate.”

  “You’re very talented.”

  He glances up at me and winks, before focusing his attention back on my hip. He inks and wipes, over and over. I haven't even asked what the mark is, luckily I have put it somewhere it can be hidden. With one last wipe he admires it and then tells me it is done. I glance down at the tattoo on my hip; it is a capital P which I know stands for Pirate. He has put the P in a banner, surrounding a heart.

  “Wow Jax…it’s beautiful.”

  He gives me that deadly half smile and stands. “Someone get our new member a drink!”

  Everyone cheers and I am handed about five glasses of rum. Picking just one, I settle onto the comfy couch in the corner with Jack and Sam. Jax is busy chatting with Rusty;they are deep in conversation so I focus on the two sitting beside me.

  “How do you feel honey?” Sam asks.

  “I feel overwhelmed.” I admit, biting my lip.

  “Aw, you’re beautiful come here.” She pulls me into her arms and holds me tightly.

  “You’re one of us now sweetheart.” Jack smiles, squeezing my hand.

  “I couldn’t have prayed for anything more.”

  “You’re face when you came in, you looked totally guilty.” Sam laughs.

  I nudge her playfully. “Jax and I had just had a misunderstanding. I asked about the scars on his arm, and he got awful mad, I thought he was about to kick me off.”

  When nobody answers, I look at them and their faces have fa
llen still.

  “What?”

  “You asked about his scars? What did he say?” Jack enquires quietly.

  “He said it was none of my fucking business.”

  “Leave it that way Jade, don’t ask him again. You shouldn’t have asked in the first place.”

  “Okaaaay,” I snap throwing my hands up angrily. “It’s not like I knew.”

  “Jade we aren’t trying to be nasty.” Jack says gently.

  “Whatever.” I snap, standing and tossing my drink on the table.

  I walk out of the room and huffily into mine. They make me feel like such an idiot sometimes. I didn’t know there was an almighty secret surrounding those scars. It wasn’t my fault. I sit on my bed pouting when there is a knock on the door. Sam walks in with a small paper bag in her hand.

  “Listen, I am sorry honey. We are all just majorly touchy about Jax and his…secret. It is not your fault. Will you forgive me?”

  I sigh. “Sure.”

  “I have something for you.”

  “You do?”

  She blushes. “All us girls get one. It’s kind of like…I don’t know, our thing.”

  “Your thing, what is it?”

  She hands the bag to me, and I open it and gasp. Oh my god. It is a dildo. I bush furiously.

  “W-w-w-w-what?”

  She laughs nervously. “Well, we kind of made this little girls tradition when we all got on the ship. It helps with the long months. Jax was not always…sorry you don’t need to hear that. Anyway, Jax gets moody and…it helps.”

  I burst out into a fit of giggles. “You gave me a dildo!”

  She laughs with me, and we fall into a heap of giggles. She stands and hugs me. “Enjoy.”

  “Err, thanks.”

  She leaves the room, and I shove the little brown paper bag away. I don’t need that. Curiosity will not get the better of me. It will not. I sit on my bed, fumbling with my new phone, my fingers, but I cant help it. I pick up the bag. I pull out the packet and glance at the oddly shaped plastic pink device. It has a dolphin looking thing soaring off it. What is that for? I open the packet and pull it out. It is firm and rubbery. Thank god it is not very big, I have seen some of those things.

  I press a button and the dolphin jumps to life. I throw the dildo across the room. What the hell was that? Cautiously I go and pick it back up again. It is vibrating. Hmm. I press another button and the end begins rotating. Oh my. I am busy pressing buttons when my door just swings open. Jax saunters in and then stops when he sees the pink object in my hand. I gasp and shove it down, but it is too late. His eyes grow hungry.