Chapter 21
Twenty-One
DAMON
Ifelt the shift in Will’s mood after our conversation. He was determined not to go back with his wards, which should have made me happy. But he also wasn’t sure he’d stay. I wouldn’t force him, I wasn’t that much of a tyrant, but a part of me wanted to push.
I enjoyed having him around. He was snarky and teasing, stupidly brave, loyal to a fault, and he didn’t have an ounce of fear of me.
While my crew respected me, they also had a healthy amount of fear of me.
It kept them from doing stupid shit, like considering a mutiny.
Not Will. He met my eye with a smirk and didn’t hesitate to give me his opinion.
He was respectful enough, especially in front of my crew, but he made me feel like an equal.
I hadn’t had that in decades and I found I liked that I could be myself without a front around him.
Ever since that first night when I dragged him into my bed and fucked him, he’d been staying in my quarters with me.
Hell, even before that, when he hurt himself.
I was growing attached, which I’d never done before.
Lockhart was right that I’d never invited another member of my crew into my bed.
I wasn’t interested in that shitshow, people claiming special treatment.
Will was different because he was supposed to leave. I thought I’d have my fun with him and then send him on his way with his charges. But over time, I stopped seeing him as temporary. He was a part of my crew. And he was mine. Simple as that. So why the hell couldn’t he see it that way?
Pushing away from him, I grabbed my black tunic.
Rain or not, my crew was going on shore, and I was going with them.
I needed to make an appearance now and then, to keep the rumours of the dangerous Sea Wolf alive.
I wouldn’t be gone all night. Why bother when I had a sassy little shit waiting in my bed for me?
If he was going to be leaving, I wanted to enjoy him as long as I could.
“You’re really sailing out in this weather? You can’t wait until it passes?”
I teased him before because I figured he was just making small talk, but I heard a hint of worry in his tone. That he cared swayed me to be more honest with him, to ease his fears a little.
“We’ll be fine. It’s not far, and we’ve sailed in worse. The crew knows how to handle it. And how to swim. I could make the swim to shore on my own if I was feeling the urge for it. We’ll all come back, probably soaked to the bone, so you better be in bed waiting for me to warm me up.”
That made him snort, and he glanced over his shoulder at me, lifting a cocky eyebrow. “Oh really? Since when did I become your bed warmer?”
Moving to stand in front of him, I lifted his chin with my knuckle, my hand circling his neck without actually choking him. It was vaguely threatening, but Will’s pupils blew wide, and his breathing stuttered a little. He liked when I was rough with him.
“Since the day you begged me for my cock. I’ll have you making those same sounds tonight as long as you’re in my bed where you belong. Savvy?”
There was a war in his eyes, to push back or to surrender to get what he wanted. I’d be fine either way, but if he pushed, I’d put him over my knee. He could sass all he wanted, but he knew who was really in charge here.
A knock on the door drew us apart before he could reply. Lockhart poked his head in, his clothes already soaked and stuck to his skin.
“Longboats are in the water, Captain.”
I grunted my acknowledgement, grabbing my cutlass and attaching it to my belt.
I turned to grab my jacket, only to find Will holding it open for me, like he’d done for his ward before he joined my crew.
He didn't look put out about it, more like he was following a habit and didn't think about it much. I wasn’t about to complain.
I shrugged the jacket on, shoving my pistols into their holsters.
“Quartermaster, who’s staying aboard this time?”
Lockhart fell into step beside me, with Will trailing behind us onto the deck. Men were scaling the ladders into the longboats, enthusiastic and happy to get on shore again for a release.
“Darrow, Salty, Mad Eye, and Will, Captain. Unless you want more?”
I shook my head. “Did you bring me what I asked for?”
He hummed, handing me the cutlass he’d brought from our spoils. It wasn’t the best weapon, cheaply made and wouldn’t last forever, but it was enough for Will should he need it. Turning around, I offered Will the sword, smirking at the delight on his face. He was easy to please, that one.
“No stealing my ship, boy. If there’s trouble, ring the bell three times. We’ll come back. Understood?”
He laughed and nodded. “Aye, Captain. We’ll keep watch.” He gave me a cheeky smirk as he added, “Try not to fall in.”
He ducked when I slapped the back of his head, chuckling. He was happy here. It was plain to see. With a little more time, he might be more inclined to stay.
Lockhart went first over the rails and down the ladder.
When I swung my leg over, I took one last look at Will.
He was leaning against the stair rail, completely uncaring that he was soaked to the bone.
He had a smile on his face as he spoke to Mad Eye, entirely at ease, like he belonged there.
He lifted his hand to wave at me, his smile softening just a little as I climbed down the ladder and he disappeared from sight.
Yeah. He’d be staying. I had no doubt. He just didn’t realise it yet.
The trip to shore was rough, but nothing we weren’t used to or couldn’t handle. There was one rogue wave that threatened to tip us, but we shifted weight enough to catch it before we went over. Thankfully. I’d never hear the end of it from Will if we did actually end up in the water.
The crew split off when we got ashore. Most went to the brothel.
The rest of us headed to the nearby tavern for a warm meal and some decent ale.
Lockhart sat next to me, shaking his wild, wet hair out of his face.
It caught the attention of the wench handing out ale to my men.
He smirked at her, making his interest known.
He winked at her when she set his drink in front of him, and the look she gave him was plain to see.
I had no doubt he’d be up her skirts by the end of the night.
The women loved Lockhart. He had a pretty face despite his age. And all his scars were easily hidden.
For a while, we just enjoyed the peace. The tavern was warm, a massive fire burning in the hearth against one wall. The crew that joined us were in good spirits, laughing and chatting. I felt myself relax, tipping back my ale and just enjoying the evening ashore.
The evening was only made better with the knowledge that there was an eager cabin boy waiting for me back in my quarters.
I couldn’t decide if I wanted Will waiting for me like I’d told him or if I wanted him to disobey, if only for a reason to punish him.
He liked it hard, and I knew he’d enjoy it as much as I did.
Lockhart took a heavy swallow of his ale before asking, “We got a plan for the handoff? Knowing Davenport, he’ll have some tricks up his sleeve. The man’s a cheat.”
“I’ve heard. But I don’t give a shit. We’ll pull right into the bay just off shore, and they can row us in the money. Once I’m satisfied, the children can go ashore. If he tries anything, I’ll start removing pieces of his son.”
I’d look for any excuse to hurt that little shit. He was on my last nerve with his constant whining.
“And Will?”
I shook my head. “He’s staying. Not looking to give up his freedom to go back to being someone’s slave.”
Lockhart huffed out a laugh. “Don’t know many men who would. I probably wouldn’t have lasted nearly as long as he did working for that pissant.”
I wouldn’t have either. Will had the patience of a saint to put up with Henry. Especially trapped on a ship for weeks on end. I knew there was a lot of pent up aggression in there for his employer, so the fact that he kept it to himself all this time was impressive.
“Think he’ll stay with the crew?” Lockhart queried, his eyes still locked on the wench across the room.
A grunt was all he got in response. Until Will admitted he wanted to stay, I wasn’t saying shit. It’d give my hand away, and I wasn’t willing to do that. Not even Lockhart needed to know I was getting attached to my cabin boy.
The door to the tavern flew open so hard, it made several people grunt and curse.
Trumble raced in, his eyes darting around in panic before they landed on me.
He ignored the rest of the room, coming straight for me.
He dipped his head, leaning close enough to not be overheard, but the panic filled his voice when he said, “Bells, Captain. Coming from the Devil’s Revenge. ”
Fuck.
Launching to my feet, I raced out of the tavern. It was hard to hear much over the sound of the rain, but once I got close to the docks, I heard it. Bells. Three chimes in quick succession, just like I told him. There was a pause between each set, then again and again, until it cut off suddenly.
Swinging around, I locked eyes with Lockhart. “Gather the crew. Get back on that ship. Now.”
Ripping my jacket off and my pistols, I tossed them at Trumble. It’d take a minute to gather the crew, and I wasn’t willing to wait that long. I dove into the water, swimming beneath the waves as far as my breath could take me before surfacing.
Hold on, Will. I’m coming.