Romancing the Pirate 01 - Blood and Treasure

by Jennifer Bray-Weber

  Sadie placed her hand to her chest. “I don’t know what you mean. I would never give orders to your men, Zane. Not without your direction.”

  “Don’t play innocent with me.” He deliberately backed her up to the stony side of the cliff. “You knew damn well and good what you were doing when you sent a sentry to the bluff this afternoon.” His voice sounded disturbingly terse.

  “A captain shouldn’t take on watch. But you weren’t doing that, were you, Zane?” Her mockery tested his restraint. “You were putting us all in danger while her legs were wrapped around you. Is that what a captain does, Zane? Take a whore on watch, bugger her—”

  Zane shoved her to the jagged wall, his arm pressed against her collarbone. Unsheathing his gully knife, he pointed it inches from her left eye.

  “Don’t think for one moment that I won’t gouge that eye of yours right out of its socket.” He sneered, wanting badly to cut her pretty face. She showed no fear in her dark eyes, not a single crack in her flawless olive complexion. This but angered him further. Only a hair thin shred of honor stopped him.

  She stared at the tip of the blade. Her eyes flickered and she took a deep breath. “I’m sorry, Zane. Truly I am. I guess I’m just not used to having another woman around. You understand.” Her voice held a faint waver as she continued. “I know I need to control my tongue. I was wrong to say those things.”

  Taking a step back, Zane withdrew his knife. Disfiguring her would only be temporarily satisfying, and then he would feel guilty. He couldn’t blind her for having so much more to learn.

  “Zane, I love you,” she continued. “You must know that. And I think you still love me.”

  “You say you’ve changed, but I only see hate and abominable spite.”

  “Isn’t that what a pirate does, hate and destroy?”

  Zane shook his head. “Is that what you think? Life is about laying waste to all around you? That is far from what I tried to teach you.”

  Poor girl. So coiled in vengeance, she couldn’t see beyond it. He felt partly responsible. Maybe he should’ve tried harder to steer her away from her revenge. Or perhaps he should’ve let her go in the beginning, set her loose at the next port they sailed into, instead of trying to tame her. He could see clearly now. He’d wanted to call her his own, mold her, and shape her into his creation. Fool. She was too far gone. Her papa’s blood ran verily deep and her heart had putrefied.

  “You have mistaken making profit off of opportunity for rifling souls.” He was careful not to let his tone sound piteous. He didn’t want her to think she’d edged in on him or that he belittled her.

  “I need your guidance. ’Tis true.”

  “No. You have no need for me other than as a spur for your own designs. Come now, Sadie. I’m not one to easily dupe. Tell me why you are really here.” She had been trying too hard to net him. Something else was about and he felt close to knowing the truth.

  “I told you. I want your forgiveness. I’m nothing without that, your trust. Surely I can regain that from you.”

  Again, Zane saw a glimmer of vulnerability. Was that possible?

  “Remember all the good times we used to have?” She pushed off the wall. “I was so young. You used to enjoy showing me everything in every trivial detail. All the things you thought were beautiful, important. Remember all the places you took me?”

  “Of course, Sadie. I wanted you to be happy.”

  “Nay. ’Twas you who wanted to be happy. I just pretended to enjoy myself for your sake.” She placed her hand on his chest, stepping in closer, so close he smelled the liquor upon her breath. “Do you want me to be happy now?”

  “I want what’s best for you, but no longer at my expense.” He did not move and kept his demeanor apathetic. She must not misinterpret his meaning. He wished her well. Well away from him.

  She rubbed her hand up to his shoulder. “Can’t you see it in your heart to give me one last chance?”

  Zane took hold of her arms. They were slender but strong. “If only it were that easy. But things are very different now.”

  Sadie could hardly contain her building excitement. Zane, her Zane, let his hostility take hold. Like glowing hot steel from a blacksmith’s fire, he became malleable as she hammered him to her will.

  Over his shoulder, movement just beyond the mangroves caught Sadie’s attention. Perfect. She smiled at her fortune. “I’m willing to do whatever it takes, Zane.” She planted her lips on his mouth, grabbing his face to keep him from pulling away too soon. ’Twould take time to persuade him sexually. But she had no time for patience. She would settle for something better.

  Sadie opened one eye to see the shock play out across Lianna’s face, the instant hurt and betrayal, before the pathetic creature disappeared behind the trees. Zane shoved her away but the damage was already done.

  “Make no mistake, Sadie.” He was angry again, the taut workings of the disapproving lines on his face deepening. “You are not a part of my crew. Do not assume otherwise. You will execute the duties given to you for the rest of the journey or you will be chained in the bilge. Either way, you will be dropped at the next port.”

  He circled her, a predator ready for the kill. She loved that about him. She loved him best as a beast.

  “And you don’t have a prayer in bedding me. So wipe that grin from your face. As far as you and I are concerned, well, let’s leave it at scarcely amicable. Don’t ask for more.

  “Oh.” He moved in close, hulking over her. “And you’d be wise to keep your distance from Miss Whitney. I would hate to have you drawn and quartered for bringing her harm.”

  If he only knew, Sadie relished.

  *****

  Lianna turned away from the mangroves with a smattering of emotions. Her vision misted as the image of Zane sharing a kiss with Sadie burned through her. A weighty rock lodged itself in her stomach. Anguish petrified her heart.

  How could he? The bastard! No, no, no, I refuse to cry.

  Tears streamed down her cheeks. All the pain from her crumbling heart doubled in shame. He had led her to believe he cared for her, wanted to be with her. Now it was apparent that what he really wanted to do was get her into his bed. How could she have been so naive? The snake was no different from the vile sots back at the tavern.

  She looked to the sun nestling behind the horizon. Rays of pink and orange shot upward through heavy, building gray clouds. Several bright stars dotted the darkening skies. ’Twas still too early for the moon. She would have to go it alone, this dejection.

  The breeze brushed the warmth of the day with cool strokes and the rolling surf crept in. Swiping away the tears, she walked back to the crackling campfires. So busy berating herself and all men of the world, she hadn’t noticed how quick her step, hadn’t noticed she had walked straight past the campsite down the other side of the beach. She didn’t even notice Bull before she collided into him.

  “If it ain’t the bitch.”

  “Move it, ya big baboon.” She snapped at the monster without thinking. Yes sir, no room for common sense here. She was vexed off in a royal degree.

  “Whaddya call me?”

  He stood with his feet apart, ready, she thought, to knock her out and drag her off into the nearby brush. He reminded her of a giant oafish troll with his menacing scowl. His odor wafted up, a poisonous mixture of sweat, urine, and decay. The stench alone was enough to render her unconscious.

  “For the love of George, don’t you ever bathe? Couldn’t you at least get rinsed off in the waves? Dousing yourself with liquor would probably kill off whatever ’tis you got growing on you. Criminy, you’ve even got flies swarming you.”

  Bull growled and bowed up. Lianna tensed as he grew wider, the muscles in his thick neck protruding outward. Any moment now and Lianna would be pounded into a messy pulp. But in her present mood, she didn’t care. She braced herself, ready to go down fighting. Bull lunged forward but Lianna hit the ground, knocked out of the way before he reached her.

&
nbsp; “Ah, ah, ah,” Blade sing-songed. He held Bull at bay with his sword angled to his throat. “It’s not polite to attack a lady.”

  The two men stared hard at one another. Bull narrowed his eyes as he considered the odds. He outweighed Blade easily but the quartermaster proved quick and surefooted. Blade’s confidence in his skill was evident in his arrogant leer.

  “She insulted me.” Bull snorted.

  Blade nodded, “Aye, the lass has a way with words, doesn’t she?”

  “She needs t’ be taught manners.”

  “All the same, she is the Captain’s guest. No harm is to come to her. I think it best you return to the camp,” Blade jerked his head back toward the others, “lest you do something that’ll get you another round with the cat.” He removed the sword from Bull’s throat. “Go on.”

  Bull shot Lianna a sneer. “Capt’n’s guest.” He scoffed, and then lumbered away.

  Lianna picked herself off the ground, dusting the sand from her bottom. “That wasn’t necessary,” she snipped.

  “Oh?”

  “I can take care of myself.”

  “I’m sure you can,” Blade said. A pitch of hilarity lined his words. “But, and I hate to admit this, even I can’t fight off Bull.”

  “Don’t mock me. I didn’t ask for your help.” She clenched her fists, popping her knuckles.

  “Ho there, Lianna. What’s going on?” Blade bent his head down to see her eyes, almost certainly puffy and red. “Have you been crying? Darling, what’s wrong?” He took her hands into his.

  With all the resentment she had built up against all men, she still didn’t pull away from Blade. He had a gentle touch, a welcome comfort. And, straightway, she needed a caring friend.

  “How can you be so insensitive? Why do you insist on treating me like some sort of plaything?”

  “I’m afraid I don’t understand.”

  “I’m a human being with feelings capable of more than just, than just, your amusement.” She freed her hands and waved them erratically about. “What? I have opinions? I can be assertive? I may even be a worthy opponent. So you use me then do away with me? Well, I won’t stand for it. Do you hear me?” She pointed at him, at his nose. “I won’t stand for it.” She neared hysterics.

  “Are you speaking of men in general or, perchance, about someone more specific, someone that you spent the afternoon with?” Blade gently moved her hand from his face. “I’m guessing it’s likely a little of both.” He cupped his hands on her shoulders and the tenderness pooled in his pure green eyes. “Lianna. Tell me what happened.”

  Before she could stop herself, she slumped back down to the beach, her knees sinking into the sand. The tears fell hot down her cheeks and she looked up to Blade. He took a knee before her, his brow knitted with concern. She told him of what she witnessed on the other side of the mangrove trees.

  “I thought he fancied me.” How pathetic to have said those words, especially to Blade. But it felt good to unload the idea onto someone else. “He has no honor.”

  “Ah, but you are wrong. I’ve said it before. Zane is not who he seems.” He pulled her into a hug. She nestled close, his chin rested on her head. “I happen to know he adores you very much.”

  “Apparently he adores Sadie very much, too.”

  “I’m sure there is a good explanation to what you think you saw.”

  Lianna pulled back. “Are you saying I’m lying about the kiss?”

  “No. Just that there are things you don’t know about Sadie and Zane. You have speculated far more than what is real.”

  “I know what I saw.”

  “And I know Zane.”

  She wished she could believe Blade. He had high regards where his captain was concerned. But the image of Zane embracing Sadie could not be erased by words spoken in conviction.

  Blade bent his neck down to look her square in the eyes. “But if what you saw was a passionate kiss between them, then that is Zane’s loss. You are an opinionated, assertive, worthy, vision of beauty. I couldn’t imagine Zane passing you over for the likes of Sadie.”

  Lianna smiled and returned to his hug. She knew then exactly what Blade meant to her. “You have been so kind to me. Perhaps it isn’t Zane I should fret so much over.”

  Blade smiled. “Perhaps.”

  *****

  “Tide’s coming in.” Zane made the announcement to his men upon returning to camp. “Put out your fires and prepare to board ship.”

  Sadie promenaded a step behind him. Nay, skipped better described her. That girl had been out of her bloody mind to kiss him. Brazen chit. He needed a strong shot of gunpowder rum to deaden her effects on him. Damn it.

  The seamen shoveled and kicked sand over the flames, pocketed their personal items, and carried their tools on their shoulders. One by one, they climbed up the rope ladders. A few manned the pulleys loading the last of the small kegs of fresh fruit and water. Still others, the larger, stronger men, stayed on the beach ready to dislodge the vessel when the tide rose high enough.

  “Where’s Lianna?” Zane glanced about the busy scene. She was nowhere in sight. This wasn’t the time to wander off. A sliver of panic sliced through him at the possibility of her disappearance now that they were readying to shove off. What had she done now? Fallen into a hole? Gotten herself lost? Was she tangled up in vines some place? Blasted!

  “She’s with Blade,” Henri said. The manikin rinsed out a large pan. “Jason! Gather up them pots. You got anchors in your breeches, son? Git goin’!” He swirled the rinse water around then poured it out, sloshing wet sand on Zane’s trouser leg. “That be them comin’ now.” He nodded his head toward two figures strolling along the tree line.

  “Looks like your sweet Lianna is preoccupied with the libertine charms of your best mate.” Sadie’s snicker rasped across Zane’s already sensitive tension. “She made quick work strummin’ with Blade.”

  Zane clamped down on his lips. Blade had Lianna in the crook of his arm as they leisurely sauntered their way back. She was smiling, giggling, looking up at him with a twinkle. Zane knew that look. Women fawning over his friend always had that same look. A look like they just couldn’t wait to go fuck him anywhere, anytime. Blade was undoubtedly a master at the art of love. Or should it be said, the art of seducing.

  Blade should know better. There was no competition for Lianna. She was his. His. Did Lianna take him for a dolt? She couldn’t manipulate him. How ridiculous that she think she could.

  Blade bent down as Lianna whispered in his ear, then lightly kissed his cheek. The two shared a laugh. ’Twas more than Zane could brook. He made haste to the pair, Sadie on his heels.

  “What, pray tell, is going on here.” His bark bounced off the copse of island trees, the strident sound matching his ire.

  “What’s it to you?” Lianna snapped back, letting go of Blade’s arm.

  “Just taking a friendly stroll, brother,” Blade intercepted.

  “Friendly.” Zane snorted sardonically. “I bet. Did she paint herself a demure little kitten to you, Blade?” Zane glared at Lianna. “Busy little chit, aren’t you?”

  Lianna seethed, “How dare you.” Her gaze shot across to Sadie.

  He glanced back over his shoulder in time to catch Sadie’s evil grin, as if she couldn’t have enjoyed the moment more. She tried miserably to stifle her laughter.

  “Muzzle your whore, Zane.” Lianna growled.

  Zane blocked Sadie from lunging as Blade held Lianna back with an arm across her chest.

  “Get your arse on the ship.” Zane shoved Sadie back.

  “Humph.” Stepping backwards, Sadie pointed at Lianna and offered a warning. “You’ll get yours.” She turned for the brig repeating, “You’ll get yours.”

  “How ever will she find the time when she’s giving it to you, Zane?” Lianna bit off sarcastically with one hand on her hip and the other twirling in the air.

  “Lianna, don’t.” Blade cautioned.

  “Smart tongue coming fro
m a hypocrite,” Zane said.

  “Zane.” Blade shook his head, his palms up in resignation. “Listen.”

  Zane measured his heated gaze to Blade. “You have overstepped your boundary, brother. You’d be smart to get out of my sight.”

  “Hey, mate, you’ve got it all wrong. Whatever you think is going on, you’re mistaken. You’d see that if you’d get your head out of your arse and listen—”

  Quick as a viper, Zane coiled back his arm and plugged his fist into Blade’s jaw. Stunned, Blade put his hand to his chin. Blood from his split lip spotted his fingers.

  “You’ve got it bad, Zane.” He worked his jaw back and forth. “You better get focused on what’s at hand, my friend. You need to get your head straight soon.” Blade roughly jostled past Zane, leaving him alone with Lianna.

  Lianna slapped Zane. The sting faded in an instant. He was too angry to feel pain. He remained unmoved, glaring at her. She reached to slap him again but he caught her at her wrist. She tried to yank away from him, but he squeezed her, shook her until she stopped struggling for release. She opened her mouth as if she meant to squabble. He fixated on her lips. Lush lips meant for his downfall.

  “Capt’n,” Henri called. “The tide’s comin’ in fast.”

  “Take Miss Whitney to my chambers.” He called back to Henri, still eyeing her as he threw her arm down.

  Henri tottered over. “What? Now? Can’t she find her own way?”

  She priggishly squared her shoulders, gathered up her skirt and trampled toward the ship.

  “Place a guard outside the door.”

  “I don’t understand.”

  “Just do it!”

  *****

  The Rissa cleared the reefs and turned her bow to the southwest. Her open sails gathered the wind and the ship sliced through the black waters. She should dock in Port Royal by midmorning tomorrow. Zane, sullen, stood by the railing, watching the moon rise from the ocean.

  Blade cautiously approached him. Zane must’ve looked as if he were a feral beast. By the devil’s twisted tail, he wanted to howl like one. Leaning on the rail Blade handed him a bottle of rum. “Truce?”