6

Garret awoke the next day and he was alone. Upon looking outside, he could tell it was well into the afternoon. He panicked and feared the worst. He went downstairs and saw Star sitting just outside the dining room, near the head of the table. He walked in and saw the buffet and his crew at the table. Kiera sat at the head. Choi was on one side and Andy on the other. At the other end of the table sat Pierre. Kiera ate peacefully as Pierre continued to stare at her. Garret walked into the room and everyone, but Kiera and Pierre looked at him. He felt such a strong sense of loyalty knowing his crew and Choi’s took up every seat to make a Pierre the table’s length away. He came up behind Kiera and placed his hands protectively on her shoulders. She reached up and grabbed one of his hands and everyone, save Choi, Andy, and Pierre left them. Garret looked as serious as he had ever been when Pierre finally looked at him.

“What are you doing here?”

“My poor Sheila tells me you have broken her heart and cast aside for another. I had to see for myself. And I must say, she is a beauty. My poor Sheila never had a chance.”

“You saw her, now you can go.”

“Come now, Garret. Be reasonable. The lady and I have enjoyed a pleasant meal together.”

“With two crews of men.”

“Yes. Unwavering loyalty as I remember. Choi hear tells me that you all grew up together. Fancy that.”

“Yes.”

“I will have to tell Sheila the bad news. She wanted me to see if she could win you over. Looking at her now, even I have a trembling nerve just staring at her. As the one who bedded her, she is no doubt in your blood.”

“Sheila never had a chance, ever.”

“A girl can hope.”

“Falsely. And I never encouraged her.”

“This beautiful gem here can attest that your looks alone could entice a woman. It is truly not fair that two beautiful people should be allowed together. Just one look at would have a man falling in love.”

Garret tensed as Pierre stood and walked around to their end of the table. Pierre eyed the cat, wary of her, then spoke to Kiera.

“If you were tire of him, I am on the other side of the island. I would take you in.”

“There will never be a need for that. I am happy with Garret.”

“Yes, I can see that. But you are happy now. Later, down the road, you may not be. I will wait and be hopeful.”

“Then, I would have to say I know where your daughter gets her hopelessness from.”

“We will see.”

Pierre laughed and left the house. Garret’s crew made sure he disappeared to his side of the island. Garret finally bent down to Kiera and heard her heart pounding in her chest. He reached down and placed his palm there and looked at her in surprise. She let out a ragged breath and bent her head down to the table. Andy spoke up as he moved over, and Garret sat down.

“She’s got more courage than I would’ve given her credit for.”

“What happened?”

“I saw her walk down with Star. Jerry told her there was a buffet set up and she should enjoy herself. She threw some meat under the table and that’s where Star sat. I walked outside and saw Pierre around the corner and enter the house. Knowing she was alone, I sent Jerry to fetch the crew. Choi came through and he and I flanked Kiera. Some words were exchanged, and you could see Kiera was holding Star back. Two of Pierre’s men came in and held a pistol to us. We didn’t do anything because we knew Star was right there. Pierre leaned her chair back and got in her face. She slapped him, hard, and Pierre raised a hand to her. Before he could strike, she asked him it was worth his life. He commented on you, but she told him you would be the least of his worries. He backed up a bit and that’s when Star laid her head on Kiera’s lap and he gasped. He backed up and his men pointed their pistols and she came out. Kiera was calm and steady when she asked Pierre to sit and tell his men to leave. As he did dismiss them, the others showed up and sat at every chair, even the spare chairs, leaving the other end open. Pierre sat down, and Star sat at the entrance behind her and Kiera ate. It was very tense.”

“How long did that last?”

“A good half hour. We sat here in silence as she ate, throwing pieces of meat to Star. She asked the crews to get some food as well. Some did. Most of us just sat, watching Pierre. Honestly, she was amazing. Until now, I thought she was actually level-headed through it all.”

“Are you kidding. First, I was afraid he would just drag me off. Then, I was afraid he would order Star dead. Next, I was afraid Star would actually kill someone. When the rest of the men came in, I thought for sure I was dead. There were now too many men. Some of which I knew were lusting after me and now there are probably more. The fact that no one heard my heart trying to escape my chest the whole time amazes me.”

“All of mine and Choi’s men have been warned. Now with Star, they won’t dare tempt it.”

She finally met his gaze and smiled weakly. Choi and Andy left, and Star returned to her feet. Garret rose and knelt by her side.

“How long have you been up?”

“Two hours, at least. Jerry told me you hardly slept, so I let you. If I had known about Pierre, I wouldn’t have come down without you.”

“It’s okay. At least I know I can trust my crew and Star. Tell me truthfully, are you alright?”

“I was scare half to death, but held the confidence that Star was here, and he didn’t know it. He never touched me. I was beginning to wonder how long we had to sit there until you woke. I was beginning to get worried.”

“I am sorry I slept so late. Please don’t let me in the future. Especially now that Pierre has seen you.”

“Did you know he was coming?”

“I had a feeling he would. I had planned to keep you in the room all day and deal with him myself, but…”

“I’m sorry, Garret.”

“Don’t worry about it. It’s over now.”

He stood up and brought her with him. They walked out to the garden and sat on the bench. He plucked a flower and handed it to her. She smelled the sweet fragrance and set it on her lap and was overcome with guilt and sadness that made a tear escape her eye. Garret saw and brushed it off her face.

“What is it?”

“I just, I feel bad for the past couple of days. I treated you horribly. Why would you still put up with me?”

“There is no putting up with you. I love you. Plus, you were right last night. It has been almost a full year since we last saw each other and in more ways than one, I am a different person. Dominic got under your skin and Jerry renewed your faith in me, but you still had some doubts. Then when you saw Sheila, your pride and anger refused to be hurt by me. But I want you to know that I have never nor, will I ever betray you in that regard. You mean too much to me, Kiera.”

She started to cry again and realized she had never cried so much in her life. She hugged him and brushed the tears away and smiled.

“I need to stop crying. I don’t think I’ve ever cried so much.”

He laughed and brought her to his lips and kissed the back.

“So, tell me, what would you like to do today?”

“I don’t know. Did you have something planned?”

“I did, but I’ll do anything you want to.”

“Well, this is your home, so surprise me.”

He smiled like a small school boy getting his way. He led her back upstairs and she stared at him questionably. He laughed and led her to the wash room where she saw riding slacks and a blouse along with riding boots and gloves. She beamed with excitement; she loved to ride, and he knew it. She turned and hugged him, and he helped her out of her dress. She got on her riding clothes and they went down together to the stables. She smiled when she saw Bronn in the stables. He greeted her with familiarity that made Garret uneasy.

“Kiera, how are we?”

“Good. Better than I have been.”

“That’s good. I have the horses ready, Captain.”

Garret nodded and led Kiera to her horse and helped her up. Once he too was on horseback, they rode off toward the beach. They spent the whole afternoon riding and she never felt freer. They slowed down a bit near the trails that led to the back of the house.

“Dominic never let me ride. I have missed it so much. Thank you.”

“Anything for you. You ready to head back?”

She nodded her head and they let the horses walk back to the stables. Garret was behind her and she stopped. He was about to ask why when he came beside her and saw the building where Dominic was being held. She could hear him screaming. He looked over and noticed that she had gone pale.

“I can tell them to stop.”

“What are they doing to him?”

“You don’t want to know.”

“Tell me.”

“Kiera.”

Before he could say anything else, she had raced over and was off her horse and inside before he could stop her. She went inside and almost got sick from all the blood. Dominic wasn’t the only one in there, but he was currently being beaten. She made a bold move and stepped in front of the cat o nine tails. The man sneered at her and went to strike again.

“Get out of the way, wench, before you feel it too.”

“Kiera, get out of here.”

“No. I’m not leaving.”

“Very well, then.”

He went to strike her, and she gave him a defiant look. He took his arm back and was prepared to swing when he heard Garret’s voice.

“Unless you want to be chained here too, I would rethink your next move.”

“Captain, she stepped in front of me.”

“And now you are down for today, Mr. Anders.”

“Aye, captain.”

The man left, and Garret gave her a cold look. She came up and slapped him across the face. Before he could say anything, she was gone. He stood there, seething for a moment before he went forward and unchained Dominic. He left him there and yelled over his shoulder.

“When you can, there is a doctor in town. Best see him.”

Then he was gone. He had to get to Kiera before she got to Star. He got to the stables and Bronn just gave him a look as he removed the saddle. Kiera was already inside. He ran inside and found her pacing the floor with Star. She saw him and confronted him.

“Why. Just tell me why. Was any of that necessary?”

“Yes. He hurt you and no man should lay a hand on a woman, let alone you.”

“He is my husband. We both have to remember that.”

“If you say he has that right, I will make you a widow.”

“And I’ll hate you for it.”

They continued to argue and by now they drew a crowd of his crew and Choi’s. Star remained at Kiera’s heels. It finally ended when Garret said something and stormed out and Kiera told him she wished Davy Jones would take him. His crew followed him to the ship and he was gone. She spent the next three weeks crying and moping about. Other women came to visit her the second week Garret was gone. Kiera was starting to get sick; she was pregnant, and she cried like her eyes out. She couldn’t stand the thought of losing another child, especially since she just it’s father. Over the next month, Garret hadn’t showed up, but she got worse. She discovered that Choi got worried and went after Garret. Jerry was left behind to protect her, and he was more than happy to stay. One morning, she was apprehended by Sheila outside Garret’s room. She was surprised and angry to see her.

“What are you doing here?”

“You cast him aside and he did you. He’ll want me now.”

“You so sure.”

“Of course.”

“Even after I tell Garret that I’m going to have his baby?”

“You lie.”

“I’m two months along.”

Sheila panicked and stormed out and Kiera let out a breath. Jerry saw Sheila leave and knew Kiera’s condition. He found her walking down the stairs and asked her about Sheila.

“I saw her leave. What was she doing here?”

“She was so sure that Garret would want her, then I informed her of my condition.”

“Are you alright?”

“Yes, I think I’m fine. Any word?”

“I was about to head to the docks to see, but I will stay if you need me.”

“No, please, go see if they are back.”

“Of course, my lady.”

Jerry left and went to the docks, but hey foresaw Sheila and Pierre waiting for her to be alone. She saw Sheila enter and head upstairs. She called after her.

“Star is in there. I think you might find it difficult to stay in the room.”

“I know. I’m trapping her.”

Before she could think of anything, she swung around and saw Pierre. He lunged at her with a dagger, but she was quick to side step it. After almost an hour of struggling, Pierre finally got her against the wall. He put the dagger to her midsection and got close for her to hear him.

“I will not kill you, but I will keep you. My Sheila will get your pirate after he has been assured you abounded him.”

“He’ll never believe that.”

“He does not know you carry his child.”

“But Jerry does, and he went to meet him at the docks.”

“He’s not back yet.”

“You so sure about that.”

He paled and looked at Sheila, who was by the door. In the moment of distraction. She let the dagger plunge into her and she fought Pierre off and stabbed him with his own dagger. She took off out the back and they heard Star jump from the window. Sheila took off and Pierre gave chase. Star lead Kiera to the cave in the clearing where the other cats made their home. She had no idea Pierre was behind her until he spoke.

“Keep going, lovely. I’ll just follow the trail of blood you leave.”

Star got her the cave and she sat down against the wall and inspected her wound. No doubt she had lost another child. She wept only for a moment before seeing Pierre. He raised his pistol to her as he entered the cave. Then, she watched in horror as the other cats pounced on him and devoured his body. Star sat next to her and she began to feel the chill as night crept on them. Two other cats laid on her to keep her warm and she passed out from the blood loss.