2

Dominic and Kiera argued over the next couple of weeks, but he never touched her. He didn’t hit her or try to get her into bed. They encountered a storm that sent them way off course and ended up having a run-in with a pirate ship; it wasn’t Garret’s. True fear ran through her as she did not know her fate. The pirate’s sent one man off to tell others. The captain wanted Kiera for himself but knew he could make a profit off of the naval captain. Keira and Dominic were brought to the captain’s cabin and tied up together. Every night the captain tried to force himself on Keira, but she fought back, giving true meaning to her nickname. She gave him a good scratch across his cheek that would scar. She got hit for it and then tied back up with Dominic, who was always forced to watch on helplessly. One morning, Dominic feared the worst for her as she still bled from her beating. He had almost succeeded, but she ended up clawing and biting him like a true she-cat.

“I’m so sorry. I should’ve never taken you away from London.”

She had a busted lip, one black eye that was almost swollen shut. Bloodstains all over her dress and her limbs were sore to a point she didn’t want to move. She feared that if Peirce tried again, he would win due to her not having the energy. Dominic looked at her with such guilt as she tried to respond to him.

“It’s okay. This is my fault. I should have gone with Jared.”

“Please forgive me.”

“I already do.”

“I’ll get us out of this, I swear.”

Then they heard people talking as if they were docked somewhere. Dominic fought to his feet and went to look at the window.

“We are in a port somewhere, I do not know where.”

“Is there any hope of escape for us?”

“Probably not us. Just you.”

“Dominic?”

“I am a British Naval Captain. They’ll never let me go free.”

“The captain has been trying to bed me for weeks. You honestly think he will just let me go.”

“I am so sorry about the way you look.”

“Does look as worse as it feels?”

“Yes.”

They talked and plotted to escape.

Meanwhile, the captain was at a saloon talking with a fellow captain and his first mate.

“I have got a British naval captain aboard my ship if you are interested?”

“A naval captain? How nice of you.”

“Peirce, what happened to your face?”

“This? The Captain’s wife. She’s a spitfire, that one.”

“Have you bed her yet?”

“Andy, I wish. She’s a fucking she-cat and even wears one around her neck. Bitch better be worth it.”

Andy froze as he knew of only one-woman Peirce could be talking about. A wife of a naval captain that wore a cat around her neck. He knew it was Keira. He slowly turned toward Garret. His face was a mask and gave away nothing. He slowly leaned up and looked to Pierce.

“Well, let’s go see if this captain is worth it, shall we?”

Andy swallowed hard as he followed the captains out to Pierce’s ship. He broke off to tell the crew that there might be a fight and may need to depart fast. The crew prepared everything to set sail as soon as possible.

Dominic was almost free of his bonds when he heard the pirates outside. Keira had fallen asleep from exhaustion, mainly from her body being sore. As Dominic listened to the voices, trying to make out what they said, Kiera shot up like lightning, recognizing Garret’s voice.

“Garret?”

“Is that his voice?”

“Yes. But if he is this far south, then he doesn’t know. My God, he is here for you.”

“Me?”

“You know what they say he does to the British.”

“Especially naval captains.”

“Dominic?”

“I’ll be okay. It’s the pirate I fear for once Garret sees you.”

They listened hard to the conversation. She could make out Pierce and Garret and another voice.

“Your ship is all be deserted. Why is that?”

“The she-cat is a vision to look at and my men would have mutinied had I told a single one to stay behind.”

“No one to guard your prisoners?”

“No need here.”

“That is true. Well, shall we see what you have brought me?”

“Of course.”

Peirce slowly opened the door once it was unlocked. Keira hid her face. She could feel Garret’s eyes on her and wanted to run to him. She held back as she felt his gaze move from her. She knew he was staring at Dominic. Then he spoke.

“I know this one. I would be delighted to pay for him and his companion.”

“No. Just him. She stays with me.”

“You want the she-cat?”

Her pulse quickened, and she wasn’t sure of what Garret was doing. She peeked a look at Dominic who was staring at her, but he had gone pale. Then a thought crept up as she wondered what Garret looked like. She didn’t dare look. Instead, she kept listening.

“I’ll pay for both or I will simply take both.”

“Why you insufferable bastard.”

“You know my terms. I leave here with both one way or the other.”

“No.”

“Pierce, come on. How many times have you seen what I can do? What was it you once said?”

“I never wanted that to be me.”

“It’s about to be you. Take the money I offer or don’t. But I will leave with both.”

“Fine. You have a deal.”

“Good lad. Andy, escort these two to my ship.”

“The rest of the crew I captured?”

“Do as you wish with them. I am only interested in these two.”

“Thank you, captain.”

Garret nodded his head as he gave the coin to Pierce and left. His heart was twisting as the thought that Keira would not even glance at him. Why he wondered. He went straight to his ship and they got underway. Dominic was on the deck, still tied up.

“Garret.”

“Dominic. How fares my lady?”

“Once you see her, you’ll understand why she didn’t look at you while you were still with Pierce.”

Garret shuddered at the thought. He knew what Pierce did to women, but to his Keira. He walked into his cabin and she sat with her back to him, but already he could see. Andy sat there with a towel and water and tried to clean her up. Once Andy saw Garret, he set the towel down and passed by Garret. He paused next to his friend.

“You only have to say the word and we will turn around.”

Now Garret paled. What had happened to her. She lowered her head as he came around to face her. Gently, he lifted her head to see her face and turned away. He went over to stand by his desk and punch the surface, scraping his knuckles. He swung around to face her when he heard her sobs she was trying to hide. He knelt in front of her, taking her hands in his.

“Keira?”

“Don’t look at me.”

“Oh, Keira.”

“Garret.”

He wrapped his arms around her waist and hugged her close. She winced in pain and he softened his hug. He then let go and stood her up. He sauntered over and locked the door. When he returned to her, he shed her dress from her body. He saw bruises and cuts like he never had before. He left then, and she went to his bed and hid under the covers. He returned to her with a jar of salve, after telling Andy to turn his ship around. Andy knew it was going to happen.

Garret applied the salve over her skin and stroked her hair until she fell into a blissful sleep. He returned to the deck and had Dominic secured in the hold. Garret saw Pierce’s ship come into view and had a murderous gleam in his eyes. One of which Andy or the crew never saw before. Garret wasted no time hoping to shore and going to the nearest brothel where he knew Pierce would be. Pierce was just coming out when he saw Garret.

“Garret, back so soon.”

Without warning, Garret swung and began to beat the man to a pulp. Andy snapped him back to reality before Garret had truly beaten him to death. Andy pushed him back to the ship.

Once back inside his cabin, he focused only on Keira. Over the next couple of weeks, he nursed her back to health. Most of the bruises had faded and the cuts were starting to heal. He fed her in bed and brought her back to life. Night after night and day after day, he fed her, nursed her wounds until one morning he came with her breakfast and saw her standing there, wrapped in his sheet, staring at his bookshelf. He smiled to himself thinking this was who she was meant to be, but the devil take any man that ever laid a hand on her again.

“See something you like?”

“Now I am.”

She said it with a grin that stole his breath as she turned to face him. Thankfully she only had the busted lip that was still healing. The rest of her beautiful face was just as he remembered. He set the tray down on the table and approached her. He wrapped his arms around her waist and laid his head on her shoulder.

“How do you feel?”

“Better. Thank you.”

“Anything for you.”

“Garret, can I ask you something?”

“Of course.”

“What did you do to Dominic?”

“He is in the hold. Would you like to see him?”

“I would.”

“Okay. Get dressed and I’ll have him brought up.”

“Get dressed? With what clothes, Garret.”

She watched as he strode over to a wardrobe she thought was his. He unlocked it and found the dresses she had once ordered. Summer dresses meant for a ship. She ordered them out of spite because her father refused to let them be together, so they planned to run until Dominic happened. She walked over and stared at them and turned to him.

“You kept them?”

“Of course. I always dreamt you would run away with me.”

“Did you now?”

He laughed and helped her with her dress. She was still a bit sore and he didn’t want her doing too much. Once done, he turned to watch her straighten her hair. He smiled when those aqua eyes caught his stare and stayed there. Before he did something that may hurt her, he glanced down.

“I’ll let you two have some privacy to talk.”

“Are you sure?”

“Yes.”

He stalked from the room and moments later, Dominic was there. He walked to her and was afraid to touch her.

“How are you?”

“I’m okay. I’m still a little sore, but better than I was.”

“You look better. Healthier, too.”

“I feel it. How have you been?”

“I’m alright. I mean my accommodations aren’t as luxurious as yours but given what I have done, I deserve worse than I have gotten.”

“Garret?”

“Treating me well, even though he has said he wishes he could kill me. Everyone knows now what he did to Pierce. Did he tell you?”

“No.”

“After you fell asleep, he had me locked in the hold. According to the crew, he had murder in eyes that they have never seen before after this past year sailing with him. Andy found him in time. Garret beat Pierce almost to death with his bare hands. If Andy hadn’t stopped him, there would be nothing left.”

Dominic noticed a shiver run down her spine that made her shake. He gathered her in his arms trying to warm her in some way.

“Are you sure this is the man who has your heart?”

“I am. I’m sorry Dominic. I’ve seen the gleam in his eye before. Before you took me with you, he saw the bruise you left on me.”

“How, those were under your….oh.”

“He has wanted to kill you since then.”

“Have you two…um…”

“No. I’ve been too sore, and he wants to make sure I recover.”

“What a gentleman.”

“He may be a pirate, but don’t forget, he is a duke’s son.”

“I know. His mother is the only reason he has not been hunted and hanged.”

“His mother?”

She asked this, knowing Garret was listening outside.

“Yes. His mother hates what he is now, but it’s still her son. His father pays his majesty well enough to keep Garret out of the gallows.”

“Does Garret know?”

“Heavens no. The Duke does not wish for him to know. He says his son chose his own path, but he no longer shuns him.”

“Why don’t they just tell Garret?”

“What good would that do. It’s not like he wants to return home and reenter Society’s rules.”

“True.”

“Keira, I love you. But seeing how this man treats you, I see why he holds your heart. I wish there was a way I could end our marriage without there being a scandal.”

“I know. It’s alright. Out here, no one knows. His crew is loyal. And you both are loyal to me.”

“I can’t watch you love him and he loves you back with the same fierceness as I do.”

“What are you saying?”

“I’m not sure, but I know I love you too much to stand by while my wife is with another man.”

Before she could say anything, he caught her lips. She pushed back and slapped him. Garret held off and wanted to enter but waited. He knew her too well.

“I may still be your wife, but in name only. I am Garret’s. And though I may not be free to be with him in London, here I am. I wouldn’t care if left you in the hold until your bones rotted long after you are dead.”

“Then, as my widow, you would be free to be with him.”

“Yes. But I do not wish for your death. I wish you a long life.”

“With you as my wife.”

“With you as Garret’s prisoner.”

“The navy will come looking for me.”

“Not unless Jared has done something,”

“Jared?”

“You remember. Jared had wanted to beat you after he saw my face. The busted lip was Pierce, but how do you think Garret will feel if I told him that the bruises on my upper thighs, my buttocks, and my breasts were all you. He would throw you overboard now.”

“Maybe I should.”

Both swung to see Garret, his face a mask of fury. She walked to him, unafraid. She touched his arm and he wrapped it protectively around her shoulders. She glanced up at him and made sure he looked at her while she spoke.

“Put him back in the hold. I’m hungry.”

He stared at her confused, then he saw the gleam in her eyes and he understood what she meant. He called one of the crew in and handed Dominic to him. Before he got out of the room, Dominic understood too.

“Garret, don’t. she is still my wife.”

“On land.”

The door shut with him still protesting. Garret swooped down and claimed her lips. His kiss was full of passion and fire and she hungrily returned his kiss. He lifted her into his arms and she curled her legs around his waist. Her hands went around his shoulders as her fingers worked magic through his hair. He groaned as she kept moving against him. He laid them both on his bed and carefully removed her clothes. After he too was undressed, he was careful not to hurt her while she still recovered, He slow and gentle and drove her mad. His hands touched all of the right places and she moaned as he slowly broke her sanity. When she finally climaxed with him, the whole ship knew it, including Dominic. He moved to her side and held her close as drifted into a much-needed sleep. Once he was sure she would not wake, he rose, dressed, and went out on the deck. Andy came up to him and made a face.

“What?”

“Was that necessary?”

“Yep. Now, I’m going to go see if I got the results I wanted.”

“Garret, don’t”

“Too late.”

He disappeared below deck and made his way to the hold. Dominic was seething when he approached. Garret sat down on the bench in front of the cell.

“How dare you.”

“How dare I? At least when I take a woman into my arms, I know she won’t walk away with bruises. If she can walk when I’m finished.”

“You are a pig.”

“No, I am a pirate.”

“Where is she?”

“Sleeping.”

“In your cabin, alone?”

“Yes.”

“Don’t you worry about your crew?”

“My crew know what I am capable of. They won’t dare defy my orders.”

“Which is?”

“Any man that values his life will not dare touch Keira. To defy these orders would make a man wish I would throw him overboard compared to what I would do.”

“They are pirates. Why should they care?”

“Because they know I don’t bluff. Now I have a ship to run.”

“I want to see her!”

“No.”

With that, Garret was gone. Back up on deck, he checked with all his crew to assure his ship was sailing smoothly. They were supposed to set a course for the West Indies, but with Keira on board, he wanted to show her his home. The crew was excited to be heading home months ahead of schedule. As Garret walked the deck, some of the crew challenged him to a race up the rigging. He couldn’t very well refuse. Andy stood at the helm while all the crew watched and cheered on. Without warning, Andy felt someone next to him and as he glanced over, he saw Keira. He turned to her with a gracious smile.

“We did not wake you, did we, my lady?”

“No. I was already awake. I heard the commotion and had to come to see.”

“You are looking better than when we first met. I am Andy, the first mate.”

“Hello, Andy. I’m Keira. Garret refused to let me come out. Mainly because I did not wish to be seen.”

“Forgive me for my boldness, my lady, but I now see why Garret is so smitten with you.”

“Find me lovely, do you?”

“Very. I could tell you were lovely on the first day, despite your injuries.”

“You are bluffing but thank you.”

“I may be a pirate, but I would never bluff about such things.”

“Thank you, Andy. Does he do this often?”

“The crew likes to challenge the captain often. Makes the voyage interesting.”

“It suits him.”

“You think so?”

“Yes. I’ve known Garret since we were school children. He was never an obedient child as the Duke would have liked.”

“As I understand, you were never as a lady should have been.”

“I was raised by a single father and two older brothers. All are military. It was to be expected.”

“I am sure that you can play the lady when it suits you, though.”

“Absolutely.”

“Looks the captain might stay up top for a bit. Excuse me, my lady, as I must get the men back to work.”

He bowed his head and left her at the helm. Not long after, another man approached her while she was alone. He startled her at first, but she then relaxed. Andy had returned to her side after seeing one of the crew approach her.

“Mr. Bill, don’t you have duties to be getting too?”

“Yes, sir. Pardon, madam.”

They stood there and watched the man leave, once he was down the steps, Andy turned to her.

“Are you alright?”

“Yes. I grew nervous when he first came up.”

“The crew has been warned not to touch you, but since we are pirates, some may risk death to try.”

“Risk of death?”

“The captain is not so friendly when a member of the crew defies his orders. They saw the look in his eyes after what Pierce did to you and they all know what he did to Pierce. A member of his crew would wish for what Pierce got.”

“Tell me about him, Andy. As the man, you know him as.”

“Garret and I have been sailing together for over a year now. When he was named captain, he named the first mate. Garret is fair and honest with us. But he is every bit of pirate men fear and women warn their children about. He can be ruthless and vengeful, but he can also be gentle and kind. I’ve never seen him as soft like he is when he is with you.”

“Is it true that he almost beat Pierce to death?”

“Yes. Had I not been there, he could be dead now.”

“Why did you stop him?”

She didn’t wait for his answer as she grabbed the pendant and left him staring in shock after her. She walked a few feet to the railing and stared at the water. She always wanted to see the ocean and always imagined Garret showing her, but not like this.

She fingered the pendant when Garret came next to her, making her jump.

“Didn’t mean to scare you.”

“It’s alright.”

“Do you ever take that off?”

“Not since you gave it to me.”

“Really?”

“It angered Dominic. He swore once if I took it off, he would throw into the ocean. Pissed me off.”

“I would have been angry too.”

“Did you have fun? I saw you climb up with your men.”

“I saw Mr. Bill come up to you. Did he hurt you?”

“No. He scared me a bit, but Andy came to my rescue.”

“I think you shocked him.”

“How so?”

“He said you asked why he stopped me from killing Pierce.”

“And that shocked him? He saw what he did to me.”

“I know. How are you feeling?”

“Better.”

“You okay?”

“Yes.”

“What is it?”

“I’ve always wanted to see the ocean and as funny as it might sound, always imagined being with you when I saw it. But never did I imagine it would be like this.”

“Because I’m a pirate. Because of Dominic or what Pierce did?”

“All of it. Jared always promised to show me, but father wouldn’t allow it. He always said a ship was no place for a lady. He was right.”

Before he saw her tears, she turned and went back to the cabin. He heard though and followed after her. She left the door open, knowing he would follow. He approached her and gathered her in his arms and held her close as she cried into his chest. When she finally looked up at him, he brushed away the stray tears left on her cheek. He kissed her and lifted her into his arms. He set her down on his desk. He took her face in his hands and they put their foreheads together.

“By my side is where you belong. No matter where we are, what we are doing, or what anyone says. You belong with me.”

“Garret…. I…”

“I know. I have to tell you something.”

Before he could say anything else, Andy walked in to inform him they are entering warmer waters. He kissed her and left to take over sailing.