Gunpowder & Gold (Justified Treason, Book 4): Endless Horizon Pirate Stories

by Cristi Taijeron

  Agitated by the way he barked at me on my deck, I aimed my gun at him. “Then get her off my ship. I’ll give you about two minutes to do so. A second longer and I’ll blast a new hole through your face.”

  “This be your ship, aye? Ha!” He spit on my deck, which deepened my outrage. “Might’n you be Black Rose’s sweet and obedient little cabin boy?”

  The other men I didn’t know snickered and told a few jokes of their own.

  I couldn’t have that.

  Firing my pistol, I watched the bullet land in the black haired man’s forehead. Before he fell I threw a knife in the neck of the man next to him. By the time I approached the third man with my cutlass drawn, he held his hands up in surrender. “I wasn’t laughing. I told them not to say those things. Please don’t kill me.”

  Stepping towards him, I placed the tip of my blade on his throat. “Ah, but if I let you live, you might run to town and tell all your mates what a sweet and obedient little cabin boy Sterling Bentley is.” I looked at his dead friends and shrugged my shoulders.

  “No, no. I never would. I know you’re nothing like what’s being said about you.”

  What’s being said? Shit. “How about you spare yourself a few minutes by telling me a bit about these rumors? And your name. Who are you?”

  “The name’s Pike, but I don’t want to upset you…”

  I twisted the tip of my sword to barely pierce his skin.

  He squeaked. “Oh, I’ve just heard a few men saying that Black Rose keeps your dick in a jewel box and she does all the work while you lay back, taking naps and reading books. But that’s not what I think. I’m just telling you what I’ve heard going around.”

  “Well, I reckon you might have a bit of a different story to tell when you get back to town, eh?”

  I shoved Pike towards the gunnel. Where no one else could hear me, I hissed at him, “You’re right about my Black Rose. She’s one wicked bitch, and she’ll slit your throat as fast as I will. But that’s because I taught her how. Now, I’m going to have a few of my mates escort you back to town. Since you’ve been so cooperative, I’ll let you take Ysabel as your own for the night.”

  While patting Pike’s back, I asked Black Bob and Dirty to bring Ysabel over. When passing her to Pike, I shoved a bag of loot between her tits. “You be good to my boy, Pike. Maybe show him that thing you did to me on the tool bench.”

  Pike saluted me with wide, happy eyes as he boarded the longboat, but Ysabel screamed and cursed me with her wicked Spanish words as they rowed away.

  Sticking my pistol back in my belt, I grumbled, “Never a dull damned moment.”

  Flynn patted my back. “Good form, mate.”

  “Aye, very good,” Corky slurred. “But you aren’t going to shoot at us or our sluts, are you, Captain?”

  “As long as you respect me, and your whores don’t spit at me, I’ll let you all live.”

  Drunk as usual and swaying far worse than the ship beneath his feet, Corky grabbed the tall, blonde whore. “Good. Because I like this one. Look at these big ol’ titties.” He pulled her top down and shoved her in my direction.

  Crashing into me, the slut’s big ol’ titties pressed flat against my bare chest. Instantly aroused, I didn’t have the sense to flick her off until she flashed me with her toothless grin. “I like you better.”

  At that point it was easy to retreat. Backing away like I’d catch the plague if she breathed on me again, I looked over the ten drunken men who had intended to share the three ugly tramps. Acting like I was throwing up, I said, “I’d starve afore I share a spoon with your filthy mouth, Corky, and I’d commit my life to celibacy afore I’d pass a whore around with you. Thanks for thinking of me though.”

  Yakob slapped Corky on the back of his bald head. “If Black Rose finds you offering sluts to her man, she will cut your eyes out and shove them in her jewel box with Bentley’s dick.”

  The men paused. Assuming they thought I was going to react adversely to Yakob’s comment, I let them hold their breath for a minute’s time. But I knew Yakob respected me, and I couldn’t have cared less about his insult. In fact, I played along with it. “Mmm, it’s so warm and wet in that little box of hers. Well worth the sweat and tears it takes to be her cabin boy.”

  Seeing that I was done killing for the time being, the men laughed at my stupid joke then carried on with their party. The band started playing a tune. While Muddy and a few others threw the dead men overboard, Corky ripped off the toothless whore’s skirts. Though she looked as appalled as I was, she showed no signs of resistance when they started passing her around. Damn it.

  Forcing myself to look away, I started walking to my cabin. Flynn followed behind me. Taking a seat at the table, he sliced open a bottle of rum. “It’s mighty painful doing this whole loyal thing. Not sure how long I can stand it.”

  “Hell, I’m surprised you’re trying it at all.” I sat across from him and opened a bottle of my own.

  “Ah, that woman of mine has had her heart broken enough this year.” He took a massive swig of rum, then belched. “So it’s a good thing those sluts were ugly.”

  “That sure as shit makes it easier, but damn it if I’m not going to struggle with this all my days.” I adjusted my breeches, hoping Charlie wouldn’t come in to find me with a stiff one she hadn’t caused.

  After finishing my bottle, I opened another. Just as I took my first sip, Yakob entered the cabin. “You have company, Captain.” He shoved three men past him. “They say they have something important to tell you.”

  Standing up, I eyed them over, wishing I wasn’t so drunk so I could see them more clearly. One was tall and thin and his pale face was dotted with freckles. The other was of average height and his long, light brown, almost blond hair was braided over his shoulder. His hat was so low I couldn’t see his face. As far as my hazy eyes could visualize, I didn’t know either of them. But the tall, lean brunette—though she wore a man’s coat over her peasant top—the cute little gap in her teeth was unmistakable.

  “Sterling!” Shannyn Barlow ran towards me with her long arms open wide.

  As I hugged my childhood friend, Yakob stared me down like he was plotting my death. “Who’s this tramp?”

  “ She’s no tramp, Yakob. She’s a friend of mine. You’re fine to go on your way.”

  He squinted at me with distrust. “You know, Oma Nini told me it better for man’s heart to love only one woman.”

  I shooed him away. “Don’t worry, don’t worry.”

  Backing out the door while patting his axe, he grumbled obscenities under his breath. Shit. I swear that mate would behead me if Black Rose told him to.

  Flynn invited the others to sit with him while Shannyn backed me into the corner where they couldn’t see us. “It’s so good to see you, Sterling.” She rubbed my cheek.

  “It’s good to see you, too, love. Have you seen your father yet?”

  She tensed up. “He’s here?”

  “Aye. He’s running The Devil’s Dungeon. Has been for years.”

  “That dirty dog!” she growled. “After your father loaned him all that money, he took off like a bandit. I had no idea where he went, but I’ve hated him for leaving me with my drunken mother ever since. Especially once her stupid new man tried to force me into serving more than drinks. That’s when I stowed away with a friend of mine. But let me tell you, I hate sailing! I get seasick as shit.” She acted like she was vomiting.

  After laughing at her seasick reenactment, I said, “Listen, love. According to your father, your mother robbed him of most of the money my father loaned him and chased him out of town with some sort of blackmail. He never wanted to leave you, and he’s been missing you sorely.”

  Looking to be shocked, she covered her mouth. “You mean he didn’t abandon me? Oh my! I always knew he was the better parent. Thank you for telling me this.” She kissed my cheeks. “Could you, uh, would you mind taking me to his place?”

  “I’ll take you there, but
let me deal with this first.” I looked at her mates. “Who the hell are these blokes and what do they want to tell me?”

  “They’re good fellows. I met them while working at a bar on Barbados. Rory over there,” she nodded towards the brown haired one, “he worked at the same place, but Lee, he’s a sailor. So when I found out that Rory was running off with Lee, I joined them.” She shrugged her shoulders. “Anyhow, they want to help you with something, and I wanted to be sure to let you know they’re all right. Plus, I wanted to see you again!” Her coat was open just enough where I could see her perky little breasts jiggling about as she jumped in excitement. “It’s been so long.”

  Completely distracted from all forms of business, I thought back on the last time I had my hands on those things. “I’d just turned seventeen last I saw you, so I reckon that was about two hundred years ago.”

  “Indeed. So much has changed since then.” She hugged me again, but this time she kept her arms around my neck. “I heard about your father. I’m so sorry for your loss.”

  “Ah, death is part of this life. He knew it going in, and I sure as shit learned it heading out.” I spoke without emotion.

  Looking me in the eyes, she said, “Mason Bentley was one of the best men I’ve ever met. But you’re a close runner up.” She pinched my cheek. “And you look more like him now that you’re older. Which means you’re as handsome as can be.”

  “You’re still pretty as can be, too.” I moved one of her curls behind her ear. She wasn’t the loveliest girl I’d ever been with, but her personality made her one of my favorites.

  She blushed. “Aw, you’re the only one who thinks that.”

  “Nonsense. Every bloke that walked in the door at Barlow’s talked about getting under your skirts.”

  “I guess I was too busy dreaming about you to notice.” She flashed me with that flirty smile I’d adored since I was a lad.

  Shannyn was the first girl I’d kissed, and though she wasn’t the first one I slept with, the day I finally got under her skirts was one I’d never forget.

  “What the hell were you doing dreaming about me? I never did nothing but cause trouble when I was in town,” I teased, knowing it was my wild streak that drew her to me.

  “That’s exactly why I like you! I think I fell in love with you when we snuck out in the alleyway with that bottle of rum. Remember that foggy afternoon?”

  I sure did remember that day. We drank and kissed and drank and kissed until we were drunk enough to try a few other things. I got my grubby paws into her top and up her skirts, and she put her soft hands and hot mouth inside my breeches. Getting carried away in the memories that welcomed me into manhood, I felt more than my smile rising between us.

  My mind knew it’d be best to get away from her, but my body—pent up from all the sex that had been thrown at me this eve—wasn’t so willing to retreat.

  Somehow gathering the willpower to redirect the dangerous conversation, I reminded her why we hadn’t gone any further that day. “Aye. I’ll never forget drinking until we both threw up all over the alley.”

  Looking offended, she slapped my arm. “Is that all you remember?”

  “I haven’t forgotten the way my father slapped me upside the head for you coming back inside with dirty hand prints on your dress, either,” I joked, trying to lighten the sexual tension thickening between us.

  She laughed. “Good thing he caught us before my father did. He would have done more than slap you.”

  “Aye. I’ve dreaded the thought of my head ending up on his mantle more than once.” I made a nasty face.

  Shivering in disgust, she winced. “I never went in his study because of the rumors about the head he kept in there. Shit, I still tell myself it was nothing but a tale to keep treachery at bay. Apparently my mother didn’t believe it either.” She snickered at her own joke.

  Damn. Her smile worked a strange magic over my soul—reminding me what it felt like to be young and worry free. Shaking my head loose of the tempting emotions running wild in my mind, I said, “Let’s go over there so I can see what they want with me.”

  “Wait.” She grabbed my shoulders. “Kiss me again.”

  “No.” I shook my head.

  Her face contorted in the funniest way. “Why not?”

  “Because I’m married. Didn’t you catch on to what that bald ol’ German was saying?”

  She pouted. “Damn it. Last time it was that stupid Moriah girl, and now you’re married. I always get to you a moment too late.”

  “Aye, and you’ll be cursing your bad timing even more so if my Black Rose catches you with your hands all over me. I reckon she’ll cut them off and beat us both senseless with them.”

  She rolled her head back. “All right, all right.”

  Reaching for the beads Charlie had woven into my hair, Shannyn played with them as she purred, “Though I dislike the way you are denying me, the reason you are doing so makes you all the more desirable. Handsome, powerful, and loyal. Black Rose is one lucky wench, and I hope she treats you well.”

  Before I could say a thing about my lovely Black Rose, the door flew open.

  Chapter 6

  In The Shadows

  As Told By Charlotte Bentley

  After I changed into my new clothes, Mary and I found ourselves a table in the back of The Devil’s Dungeon tavern. Straightening the lacy cuff of my ivory shirt as we sat down, I said, “Mister Bernard sure gave me a good deal on this lovely coat set. I think it is the best one I have ever owned.”

  Sticking the colorful feathers she had bought into the lacy black trim of her hat, Mary said, “You look marvelous in turquoise and the gold paisley print brings out the lovely color of your eyes. Plus, the matching waistcoat makes you look extra fancy.” She ruffled Pablo’s feathers. “Yes, my friend, we look fancy, too, don’t we? The blues and greens of these new feathers match your colors and look dashing with my coat.”

  “You always look good, Mary. Hell, I reckon you wear a mess of gunpowder better than some wenches wear their rouge.” I waved a barmaid over. “Flynn’s an idiot for not wanting to marry you.”

  “I know he is, but I love that idiot anyway. I’d rather be his wench than anyone else’s wife.”

  “Of course you would. As crazy as he makes me at times, I never blame you for loving him, and I could never imagine you with anyone else.”

  She exhaled in a way that blew her dark hair away from her face. “I can’t even imagine how I would ever fare in this awful world without him.”

  Letting her words resonate in my heart, I began to wonder what I would do without Sterling. Would I be strong enough to make it on my own? Would I be able to hold my rank and shield my identity without taking shelter under his command? Thinking of how much I loved him and how happy I was to be enjoying this taste of freedom by his side, I prayed I would never have to find out.

  Just then, Billy Barlow, the owner of the place, came over and greeted me with his chubby arms held out to his sides. “Black Rose! It is nice to have you back already. What can I get you? Would you like two of them? Maybe three?” He flashed me a wide smile, showing the massive gap in his teeth.

  Insisting that he owed his life’s successes to Mason Bentley, Billy had been doting over me and Sterling for the last three days. Other than the way he cursed his hell-bound wretch of a treason sucking wife, he seemed like a very nice man.

  “How about a pitcher of ale for me and my best mate?” I smiled politely.

  “Anything you wish, Lady Bentley. I’ll have my sweet Pirate Peggy serve you up. Let her know if you need anything else.”

  Half Billy’s age, Pirate Peggy had long blonde hair, bright green eyes, and though she appeared to be as jolly as Billy, I got the feeling she wouldn’t take shit from anyone.

  “Thank you, fine sir.” I handed Billy a generous tip to show my appreciation.

  When Pirate Peggy arrived, she set a bottle down beside our pitcher of ale and pinched my cheek. “The rums on me, swe
etheart.”

  Pablo squawked, “More rum!”

  “Flynn taught him to say that,” Mary said.

  “Oh, that Faron Flynn.” Pirate Peggy’s cheeks reddened as she dramatically fanned her face. “I’d take more of whatever he was giving. You’re one lucky lady, Miss.” She winked at Mary before she walked away.

  Pulling out the deck of cards that I now kept in my pocket, I snickered to Mary, “You better watch out or Pirate Peggy will be making Faron potato soup on Friday nights. And I don’t think she’d make him choose between potatoes and piracy.”

  Mary fanned her hand at me. “Ah, he won’t like her soup as much as he likes mine.”

  While playing a game of cards, I asked Mary to tell me all the things Pablo could say. Amongst the interesting phrases, bugger off, Flynn was my favorite.

  “That’s so funny, Mary. I am going to get a parrot just so I can teach him to say mean things to Sterling. How much work is it to care for that colorful creature?”

  She picked up her cards. “It’s not too much. He likes a diverse array of foods and needs things to play with. I have to keep his wings trimmed, and I file down his beak from time to time. But he does require a great deal of attention from me, and he needs plenty of room to fly free when he wishes to.”

  She tended to her bird so easily that I never expected it to be such an ordeal to care for him. “Never mind. I don’t want a parrot or any pets for that matter.” I plucked out the cards I didn’t want. After setting them down, I caught a glimpse of Joseph Rolland entering the barroom. A pretty little barmaid greeted him with a passionate hug. By the look of her love-struck expression, I could tell she had been awaiting his arrival.

  “Mary, look. That’s Joseph Rolland over there. He’s the one I cheated on Sterling with.”

  “Oh my.” Mary held her hand over her heart. “Well, if you were going to be untrue to your husband, I suppose he’d be the one to do it with.”

  “Stop it.” I slapped her arm. “It was so wrong of me. And amongst my many regrets, I am terribly sad that Rolland and I cannot be friends anymore.” Even though Mary was my very best friend, I refused to share the fact that it pained me greatly to see Rolland flashing that saucy smile of his at another woman.