Chapter 5
As much as Alister fought it, sleep had overcome him while he was watching the woman steer his ship.
He didn’t know why some of his disgust had faded at hearing that neither his quartermaster nor first mate had actually lain with her, but it had. Unfortunately, he was still bubbling with too much anger at how she had taken over his precious crew and warship to investigate the feeling further.
He had been mulling over it, scheming how to get free and take them back before he’d fallen asleep. When he woke, he hadn’t expected to see her still at the helm.
The bright morning sun bore down on his face, stirring him awake, and his brows drew together when he turned his head to see her still there.
She manned the wheel the entire night?
The hands taking care of the sails had already retired and a new crew had rotated in. Only when the sun was nearing its highest point did Naeem finally come to take the wheel.
Even Alister could see her shoulders and arms immediately slump in relief as she let go. Holding onto her right shoulder with her left hand, she rounded it as though it was injured.
Mr Smith met her as her boot found the bottom step of the quarterdeck stairs.
“Take me to what loot they have that we might be able to trade and sell at our next port.”
Alister struggled against his bindings in protest. That loot is mine! He’d stolen it; it was his to sell and bargain for. Pirates weren’t always hoarders of gold and jewels. Alister was a trader, and a bloody good one at that.
He’d got top dollar for every bit of fabric he stole, every block of soap he’d taken, and every candlestick he’d commandeered. Then all the gold coins he won by bargaining he shared with his crew as their wages.
They’d been at sea for almost eight months. He refused to believe they’d worked so hard and tirelessly, fighting ships, losing valuable men, and spilling blood, just for some little girl to take it!
“Rosetta,” Mr Smith beseeched. “You must rest; you’ve been at the helm all night.”
She shook her head, her long brown hair, knotted and tangled, swaying from side to side as she gave Alister her back.
“No, I will rest tonight. There is still far too much to be done in daylight, and I won’t waste time just for a few hours of restless sleep.
” She turned to the side, allowing him to see her face as she nodded her head towards the helm.
“You will be taking over at night, like usual. Naeem will do most of it today, and then tomorrow, he and I will take our normal shifts.”
“You’re as stubborn as an ox.” He fingered his short hair, combing it back in frustration. “You never listen.”
“Leave me be, John,” she snapped, her tone dark. “I still need to know what firepower we have. I didn’t get the chance to look yesterday, considering the late hour when we took the ship.”
A bright smile took over her features, softening them from the tired and exhausted state Alister could see she was in.
“How did the men like the feast I ordered for them?”
It was obvious she worked hard – just like he did. Being a woman, he expected her to run to her bed for a much-needed nap, not continue her duties as a captain. He was watching her, gauging what kind of person she was so he could figure out how to best take her down.
Mr Smith gave a small chuckle. “You sure do know a way to a man’s heart. Their bellies are full of good meat and the tension on the ship has lowered. Still, I suggest you don’t go below deck on your own.”
“I will go where I please on this boat.” She pointed at the man’s chest, deliberately poking him and causing his shoulder to dip back. “Our men will watch over me, and I will gut anyone who tries me.”
“You’re a new captain of this crew, Rosetta. You may not know who Alister Paine is, but I do.”
Alister’s head shot up at his name, then further when their gazes trailed to him. He screwed his face into a silent snarl.
Mr Smith ruffled his hair once more. “If I knew whose warship we were heading towards, I would’ve advised abandoning the plan.”
“It’s too late for that,” she cut in, her eyes falling away from Alister with boredom.
She really doesn’t give a shit who I am. What a fool!
“The crew are used to a fierce and merciless man as their captain, one with many famous exploits under his belt. If every tale and story I’ve heard is true, then we have pissed off a bad man who will most likely chase after us with vengeance. He’s a criminal, Rosetta, one of the worst kinds.”
This brash woman had the hide to stomp over to him like a troll and kick her leg forward with her hands on her hips. She slammed the bottom of her boot dangerously close to his head.
He didn’t flinch. No, he calmly looked up at her with a grin as she leaned on her bent knee closer to him.
“Got something to say to me?” he sneered.
There wasn’t a shred of fear in her features as she examined him, cocking her head to the side. “Is it true? Will you come after me with revenge leading your path?”
“Oh aye, sweetheart.” He wasn’t sure what he would do when he got his hands on her, but he knew it would be harsh.
“Then I might burn this ship when I abandon it,” she warned, her eyes squinting into a foul glare. “Don’t test me.”
“Abandon it?”
“Yes, Mr Paine.” His upper lip curled back at being called something so common. “I have my eye on something bigger and better than your glorified rowboat.”
Better? What could be better than his warship? It was in perfect condition, filled to the brim with cannons. There was no boat that could give her the freedom and speed this one could provide.
Does she not realise how hard it is to take over a frigate in the hands of pirate hunters? What he’d had to do – and how much blood had been shed – simply to obtain this vessel, was one of his greatest achievements.
“Once I complete my goal, there is nothing anyone in this entire world can do to make me regret what I have done.” She gripped his jaw, pulling his head forward as she bent over him further.
“You could rape me, flay me, burn me, gouge out my eyes. You could even tie me to the outside of the hull so that I can feel the waves crashing over me as I eventually drown, and I would take it all laughing.”
“You seem determined for a foolish woman,” he spat. “You will think differently when the time comes.”
No one is impervious to pain.
She gave him a cruel smile. “You may be able to pierce my body, but you will never be able to pierce my soul.” She threw his head back so hard, the back of his skull bounced off the mast behind him. “Until then, I doubt you will find me before I have sent this ship to sail on these seas by itself.”
She stood back and made to walk away from him. “It’s a large world out there. Good luck finding me.”
“You’d be wise to kill me if you want to live!”
She glanced back over her shoulder at him. “Your crew won’t follow me if I do. They made that obvious when they didn’t fight mine simply to save your life, like you actually matter.”
Smart woman. So that’s why he was still alive.
“Mr Smith, show me the rest of the stocks,” she demanded, leading her quartermaster below deck.
The day passed long and slow with him tied to the mainmast. Alister was thankful for the shade cast by the sails when the sun finally started to drop.
Finally, after what seemed like an eternity, Rosetta emerged to the surface. She held a plate in each hand as she walked across the deck, then up the stairs to speak with Naeem at the helm. He watched the man laugh when she placed one of the plates on the table bolted down next to the wheel.
Naeem reached over and quickly shoved some of the meal into his mouth. Mr Smith followed behind her with chalices, placing one in Naeem’s hand. He took a few large gulps before setting it down.
They spoke for a short while, then she patted his shoulder and made her way back down the stairs. To Alister’s annoyance, she came to stand in front of him yet again. He thought she would glare down at him, as he did up at her, after how their last conversation had gone.
Instead, she knelt down to rest in his lap like she had done the previous day, straddling his waist in an intimate position he didn’t appreciate.
“Get off me,” he growled, his lips thinning.
What is it with her and sitting on me? If his hands weren’t bound, he’d throw her off his lap with so much force, she would go tumbling over the railing.
“If you bite my fingers, I will ensure you choke,” she threatened as she reached onto the second plate.
She grabbed a bit of smoked meat and raised it to his lips. The moment the aroma of food entered his nostrils, his stomach grumbled like a wild beast, but he turned his head in refusal.
“You missed out on chicken yesterday.” She nodded her head in the direction of Pierre. “He ate most of it, though. For a skinny man, he eats like a horse.”
Alister couldn’t help but snort. She’s right about that.
“Eat, Mr Paine. I will not be feeding you again.”
“Don’t call me that,” he demanded, turning his head back to her with gritted teeth. “My name is Captain Alister.”
“A person must have a ship to be a captain, and currently, you don’t own one.” Her smile was sweet, but her words cut with lethal venom. She pressed the meat to his lips again in offer. “Now, eat.”
He bit back the string of insults on the tip of his tongue and willingly took it, chewing with disdain.
Being hand-fed like some child. What an utter embarrassment!
“I was going to make you a proposition over dinner.” She shuffled back slightly and placed the plate on his lap, precariously brushing his crotch with the backs of her fingers as she did. “But I knew after speaking with you yesterday that you would deny me.”
She picked up the bread and dipped it in some honey. It was one of the few things that would keep for a long time if stored correctly.
“And what would you have proposed? What could you possibly offer me?” He took the bread she presented with his teeth, his eyes narrowing while he waited for her answer.