Dead Man's Kiss

by Jennifer Bray-Weber

  “Capitán Barone,” Montoya said. “Thanks to you and your men, you have ferreted out a traitor and foiled a foul scheme. I will honor our agreement.” He motioned for the manacles to be removed from Valeryn and Henri. “You and your men are free to go.”

  Catalina clasped her hands together in delight. She was so beautiful happy.

  “However you must leave my port by sunset,” the alcade added.

  “But Tio.” Catalina grasped her uncle’s arm. Her joy had been ousted by a look near hysterics. “They should be welcomed here.”

  “You must understand, sobrina. ’Tis my duty under a royal order to arrest all piratas. This is the best I can offer. Though I will send a letter of these men’s good deeds to the king.”

  “But Tio,” tears flooded her eyes, “I love him!”

  Valeryn’s gut twisted with her admission and her pain. His own panic, soaked with confusion, paralyzed him.

  Montoya’s brow shot up, as did everyone else’s. Everyone but Henri, who shook his head at the surprise. “’Bout time the lass admitted it out loud,” he grumbled.

  Montoya passed a stern, accusatory glance at Valeryn. If the alcade knew just how long Valeryn had resisted, the man would grant him a pardon. “Lo siento, Catalina. It cannot be.”

  Valeryn’s heart grew so heavy, it hurt. Montoya had made up his mind for him. He was to leave Catalina behind. This was what was best.

  The last rays of sunlight spearing through the twilight clouds bathed the dock in hazy shades of umber and gold. The winds blew cool and strong. A storm was on the way. ’Twas appropriate given Valeryn’s mood. Farewells had been hard these last few months. But tonight’s would damn near kill him.

  Like it or not, now that they were free to leave Matanzas waters, he had to face the Rissa crew for the trouble and injustice he heaped upon them. He prepared himself for the inevitable—that he’d have to move on. Maybe join another crew as a gunner or a bo’sun. Maybe he’d return to Port Royal and drown in tavern after tavern. Maybe he’d find a wench to waste away with. Nay, he’d never be able to do that. Not now. Not after Catalina.

  “I’ve heard tale of what you’ve done,” Thayer said. “Impressive, mate.”

  Valeryn shook his head. “Nay. I put a lot of people in danger. Some have died.”

  “Turning a ship full of Spaniards into loyal stalwarts, making alliances with a Royal Navy captain, outsmarting a small enemy flotilla, navigating through treacherous shoals...need I keep going?”

  Valeryn grunted, his gaze darting off to the horizon.

  “All right,” Drake said. “Getting the Rissa back, completing a commission, and fulfilling a woman’s dreams.” He nudged Valeryn with his elbow, wagging his eyebrows. “In more ways than one.”

  He joined Thayer in a good natured chuckle.

  “I’d say that is indeed impressive,” Thayer said.

  “’Twouldn’t have been necessary had I not acted like a drunken arse.”

  “Sometimes, brother, it takes a careless act to discover who we really are and who we are capable of becoming. Don’t turn your back on that truth.”

  He thought about that for a moment. Maybe Thayer was right. Maybe he would allow himself a victory.

  Willie, Henri, Sam, who carried a hogshead of rum on his shoulder, and his other mates that stood beside him on this long journey walked down the docks.

  Valeryn clapped Willie on his shoulder. “I’m sure the crew would agree to an extra share to you and Branson for fetching Drake in Havana. They might even make you captain.”

  “Thank ya, Capt’n. But I’d be passin’ on the position of skipper. The lads already voted.”

  A cold, empty feeling clenched his insides. “Who did they vote in? Sam? Big John?”

  Both mammoth men grinned like Valeryn had gone mad.

  “All the men voted, and not one of ’em voted fer someone other than you,” Willie said. “Ya proved yerself a right and true capt’n, ya did. Even Luis and a few of yer Spaniard fellas signed on as long as ya be their boss.”

  If someone had said to Valeryn before this all began that he’d have men joining his crew because he was captain, he’s tell them to sod off. He hadn’t wanted any more responsibility than was already on his back. Was all too ready to hand the captaincy to someone else. Now, an emotion that had become foreign to him resurfaced—pride. He’d allow it so long as the men respected him. And he had an overpowering urge to maintain that respect.

  “We’ll be waitin’ fer ya, V,” Henri said. “Won’t break open this cask till ya be on board and Rissa is under sail.”

  “I wouldn’t put a wager on it,” Thayer said. “Not with ol’ Henri guarding it.”

  They all burst into hearty laughter.

  “Word is there is unrest in the Leeward Islands. Been a call for the brethren help,” Drake said. “’Tis a wealthy endeavor for the Rissa, eh?”

  ’Twasn’t really a suggestion, but no matter. A new mission, on their own terms, was what he and the boys needed.

  “Fine fortune and blood for blood,” Valeryn said, excited by roving once again, “’tis a good law and just.”

  Valeryn and Thayer shook hands and they patted each other in a brotherly hug. “Come to Havana after you secure your riches,” Thayer said. “We’ve much to catch up on.”

  “So we do,” he said. “Soon, my brother.”

  “Soon,” Thayer agreed.

  As he disappeared down the docks, he passed two figures.

  Catalina held Fraco’s deformed arm as they strolled up. She fairly glowed in her red dress. Her long ringlets danced in the breeze and her kissable lips were curved into a tender smile. Her luscious breasts led the way. He’d miss those big, round treasures. He’d miss her.

  “Capitán Barone,” Fraco greeted. “You mustn’t leave without saying good-bye to mi prima.”

  “No, I mustn’t.” Her sad gaze nearly undid him.

  “I wish with all my heart you didn’t have to leave,” she said. ’Twas obvious she struggled to control her emotions in the crack of her voice.

  “As do I,” he answered, equally, desperately grasping for control.

  He took her into his arms and relished her softness and warmth.

  “See you on board, Capitán,” Fraco said.

  “Pardon?” ’Twas then he noticed the knapsack over the lad’s shoulder.

  “I’m wishing to sign your articles.” Fraco wore a lopsided grin. “If you’ll have me.”

  “You want to become a pirate?” Valeryn was dumbfounded.

  “With you as my capitán,” Fraco affirmed.

  Valeryn looked to Catalina, completely flabbergasted. “And Alcade Montoya?”

  “I will tell him...after you are long gone.”

  ’Twas insane. And just like Valeryn to accept the Spaniard upstart. “Ah, what the hell,” he said. “We could use a man with your skills. On board, mate. That’s an order.”

  The fellow pulsed with excitement. “Adios, mi prima.” He kissed Catalina’s knuckles and off he went with a skip in his step.

  Turning back to the woman for whom he breathed, Valeryn was struck again by her beauty. But more so the tears overflowing in her eyes, clinging to her lashes.

  “I meant what I said, Valeryn. I love you with all my soul.”

  The most coveted words he had ever heard. And yet the most heartbreaking. He pulled her to him again and whispered into her hair. “I am yours, love.”

  She choked on a sob. “Please take me with you.”

  Christ, he was about to be reduced to a blubbering arse. He shared in her desperation and sorrow and was damn near stealing her away. He must remain strong, for them both.

  “I cannot.”

  “Please!” Her body wracked with weeping. All he could do was hold her tighter until her tears slowed.

  “You must understand,” he said gently. With the crook of his finger he lifted her chin. “I have nothing to teach you, Catalina.”

  He pressed his mouth to hers, tasting
her salty tears upon her lips. Passion deepened their kiss until he broke reluctantly away.

  “Will you ever return?” she said, her gaze upon the tips of her toes.

  “Perhaps.” To stay away forever was unthinkable.

  She peered up, a mischievous glint in her eyes, hope in her smile.

  “I am known for carrying the devil upon my shoulder,” Valeryn smirked. “And you, belladonna, my sweet poison, are worth the risk.”

  EPILOGUE

  Catalina stood on the sunny steps of a Seville printing house clutching the latest publication of Plantas y Animales de la Islas del Caribe. The paper was still so fresh, she could smell the oily ink over the wet ground from the recent morning showers. It was still hard for her to believe. Her third collection to be published. She could float to heaven on the pride from her accomplishments.

  How she wished she could share her giddiness with someone other than Theodore Oldman, her one confidante who knew the truth behind the author of the articles. Not that she didn’t enjoy his intellectual company. She was immediately drawn to him on his visit to Matanzas. They had much in common and he had once known Simeon. With his help, she convinced Tio Alvaro to allow her travel to Seville where Theodore submitted her work—with special acknowledgments to Alcade Mayor Alvaro Montoya of Cuba for funding the expedition in the name of Spain, of course. Theodore also convinced her to give up on becoming a foreign member of the Royal Society. She finally agreed ’twould be impossible as a woman. But as a man...

  Once Papá returned from his assignment and read her letters, he would be proud. Mayhap someday, her mamá would be, too.

  She thought of Nalda. She knew her maid would be proud of her. Catalina wondered how she was doing visiting with her son and his family. The maid had done well with her English, and it put a smile in Catalina’s heart to know Nalda was talking and playing with her grandson. Admittedly, she could not wait to tell Nalda all about her clandestine life as a naturalist.

  But there was one person she wished to share her good fortune with more than any other.

  Her heart ached for Valeryn. Though her dreams were mostly coming true, there was a dark void in her world that only he could fill.

  She folded the paper and took the steps down to the sodden street. Pausing at the edge, she crinkled her nose up at the muddy road she intended to cross.

  “May I help you across, my lady?”

  A man in a blue waistcoat with gold thread, his hat low on his brow, sidled up beside her. Slowly, he lifted his gaze. Catalina’s heart jumped into her throat as inch by inch his face came into view until she stared into his golden eyes.

  “Valeryn!” She jumped into his arms.

  Laughing, he spun her around.

  Not caring who saw, she planted a kiss to his mouth—a kiss between lovers. Tears of joy sprung to her eyes when he finally set her back to her feet.

  “I thought I’d find you here,” he paused, “B.B. Alexander.”

  She gasped. “How did you know?”

  “’Twasn’t easy. But once I tracked down Theodore Oldman, and did a little convincing...”

  “You frightened him, didn’t you?” She wagged a naughty finger at Valeryn.

  “He is an odd bird. Poor fellow was so nervous, he kept dropping his spectacles.”

  Catalina giggled. “You must apologize to him. Promise me you will.”

  “Very well,” he said with a mischievous grin. “Shall we?” He offered her his arm, and they strolled across the marshy street to the nearby park along the banks of the Guadalquivir River.

  She was bursting inside with a thousand questions for him. But one shoved to the forefront. She had to know, hear it from him. “Why have you come?”

  “I...I have missed you, belladonna.” His words seemed to strip him bare. “More than I thought possible.” He took a deep breath. “You have prevailed. Your dogged perseverance has done you well.”

  “I have you to thank for it. I would not be here, a respected naturalist, if it were not for you taking me to Los Roques.”

  “You forget, love, I didn’t have much of a choice.”

  “Be that as it may, you provided for me what I needed, and you gave me the extra ambition to go after what I wanted, even when you turned me away...again and again.”

  “You damn near killed me...again and again,” he teased.

  They walked along the path lined with white flowered hedges and waxy green trees as she glowed in all that he said. She tightened her grip, relishing in his strength, wishing he’d take her in his arms, nay, to his bed.

  “You are a strong woman,” he said, breaking the silence. “I never doubted you’d make your dreams come true. But why the alias?”

  “You, Fraco, Theodore, you all were right. As a woman, I would never have my work taken seriously. So, I did what you told me to do.”

  His brow crinkled, not sure what she meant.

  “You told me to think like a pirate. So I did. I decided to take what was mine with strategic cunning. For all the world knows, B.B. Alexander is a scholarly Englishman, not a Spanish troublemaking woman.”

  “Brilliant,” Valeryn chuckled. “Just like a pirate.” He winked. “Where did you come up with the name?”

  “Alexander is a reference to my papá.” She bit her bottom lip, almost embarrassed to continue. “B.B. is for Belladonna Barone.”

  Valeryn stopped in his tracks and gazed down at her. Madre de dios, she was going to explode. What did he think of her admission? Her emotions were too raw to take any more of him keeping her at arm’s length.

  “I wasn’t sure why I came to you,” he said. “I wanted to see you for myself, see your happiness. Convince myself I had done the right thing by letting you go. I hadn’t intended on anything else.” He looked out at the river, grinding his teeth as if milling out his thoughts. “I’ve never said I was anything other than a pirate. I have taken what was not mine and risked all for many dangerous, ill-advised reasons.” He gazed back at her. The vulnerability she detected in his eyes scared her. “Now I risk more than ever before. I love you, Catalina Montoya.”

  She reached up to grab his scruffy face. “Oh, Valeryn. I have waited so very long to hear you say that. I love you, too.”

  He bent and thoroughly kissed her until her head spun.

  He pulled away, leaving her gasping for air. “Come away with me, love. I will take you all around the world to draw pictures and gather notes. We can send B.B.’s articles to Oldman and continue your collections. Whatever you want, I will make it happen. Just say you will.”

  Could it be possible to be this happy? “What about the crew?”

  “Fraco misses you. And Henri has been riding my arse about getting you back.”

  “Are you sure?”

  “More than anything. What do you say, Belladonna?”

  Of all her scandalous secrets, how delicious ’twould be to add pirate.

  Want More?

  Not ready to trim the sails and head for shore just yet? Stay the course with more from the Romancing The Pirate series.

  Bring Me the Horizon

  Blood And Treasure

  Beneath the Water’s Edge

  A Kiss in the Wind

  The Siren’s Song

  Mutiny of the Heart

  To find out about other books by Jennifer Bray-Weber or to be alerted to new releases, sign up for her quarterly newsletter here or visit her at www.jbrayweber.com.

  ABOUT THE AUTHOR

  Award-winning author Jennifer Bray-Weber is a proud native Texan. She is a married domestic goddess/beach bum with two beautiful daughters. Holding two degrees, one is Music and Video Business, the other in Liberal Arts, she has been able to express her creative thinking through countless questionable, often hilarious, life experiences.

  Her interests include writing, reading, traveling (what she likes to call "research"), horseback riding, scrapbooking, shopping, relaxing at the beach, and dares.

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