Chapter 25
The Chase
My father got into the rowboat and crossed his arms.
"Shall we?"
I was about to start rowing but Esperanza stopped me.
"Connor you won't be doing any rowing. Haytham will be. And if he doesn't…" she reached into her pocket. "He won't be getting this back."
She held the amulet in her hand and father's eyes went wide.
"How did you-?!"
"I'm just that good. Now row." she said.
I'd never seen so much hate in his eyes. She didn't seem at all phased by it. Father had no choice but to row. He rowed us to the Aquila and Faulkner helped Esperanza up. She was very well liked by the crew. Apparently it didn't take long for Esperanza to let the crew know that my father wasn't a man worth respecting. They looked at him but said nothing. I told Faulkner what happened and we tracked down the Welcome.
"Esperanza! Get the cannons ready!"
"Letting a woman be in charge of-"
"It's so important to your future that you don't finish that sentence Haytham! Especially if you want to see this again."
I smirked and shook my head as she held up the amulet.
"Now keep your goddamn mouth shut or I'll throw it into the ocean."
"Your fiancée is beginning to push me to my limit." father growled.
I slowly looked at him.
"If you lay a finger on her, you'll be thrown overboard." Faulkner growled.
I was a little surprised by the tone in his voice.
"She's jumped into stormy water to save one man on this ship. So believe me if you touch her, this crew will throw you to the sharks." he said.
"And I'll let them, father. Esperanza will always come first." I said.
There was a strange look of pride in his eyes. I shook my head and then Esperanza came up. My father made a negative comment and Esperanza took the amulet from her pocket again. She walked to railing and held it over the edge.
"Don't test me vato. I already have this burned into my memory. I know what it is and I've seen the markings before. I don't need the real thing. Now be a good boy and shut-up."
He opened his mouth but she let the chain slid a bit. He shut his mouth and she winked.
"Around the corner captain! There she is!"
Esperanza ran to the front of the ship.
"Alright boys! Lets make sure we're prepared."
We came around the corner but the ship looked abandoned.
"It seems the ship has been abandoned." I said.
"Church always was a slippery little bastard…"
"CONNOR!"
"Enemy ahead!"
I looked over and saw a ship making to flee.
"Alright lets do this gentlemen!"
Esperanza's POV
The cannons were ready and Connor chased after the ship.
"Man of war!"
I narrowed my eyes.
"Alright sink them! Church cannot be allowed to escape."
"Aye miss!"
"Church is using the ambush as cover. Sink him before he escapes! Send that bastard to the sea floor!" Haytham shouted.
Connor ignored him and looked at me. He nodded and I looked at the men.
"Switch to chain shots! Swivels take out the gun boats."
With the cannons going off, I guessed that Haytham didn't think I could hear him.
"You should have listened to me!"
"Haytham!" I warned.
He looked at me and I held up the amulet again.
"Gun boats down miss!"
"Give the sails all you've got!"
I ran back up to Connor and watched the sails fall. I smiled and put my hand on Connor's arm.
"My favorite part of the day."
"Prepare to board!" Connor shouted.
Haytham suddenly pushed Connor away and grabbed the wheel.
"What're you doing!?"
"Ending this!"
He slammed into the side of the ship and I went through the railing. I hit the water hard and managed to grab onto the side of the other ship.
"You're a dead man Haytham! You hear me!? DEAD!"
I climbed up and looked around for Connor. I knew he would go for Church and I knew Church would be below deck. I cut my way through redcoats to get to the door.
"Connor?"
I heard shouting and arguing up ahead. I walked faster unitl I heard the sound of a knife.
"Connor!"
I ran forward, afraid he'd been hurt. He looked at me and I sighed in relief.
"What's wrong?"
"Nothing."
I blinked and Haytham was behind Connor with a knife to his throat.
"NO STOP!"
"Give me the amulet."
I quickly pulled it from my pocket and held it out to him.
"Here! Take it!"
He let go of Connor and took the amulet. I could see the twisted joy in his eyes at seeing how scared I'd been. I hadn't even realized I'd taken Connor's hand. He put the amulet in his pocket and nodded.
"His passing was boone for us all. Come, I suspect you'll want my help retrieving the supplies from the island."
He walked past us and Connor looked at me.
"I've never seen you so scared before."
I took his hand and we went back to the Aquila.
Connor's POV
Esperanza went straight below deck when we got back to the ship.
"Mr. Faulkner, you're in charge up here." I looked at my father. "If he tries anything…shoot him. And youy father, stay in that spot until I come back."
Faulkner nodded and father said nothing. I went down below and heard Esperanza crying. I ran to my cabin and found her crying in the corner.
"Esperanza!?"
I ran to her and then knelt down.
"Esperanza…"
She looked at me and I gently wiped her tears away.
"Remember I told yoou about that dream I had? That your father killed you?"
"What just happened? That was your dream?"
She nodded and more tears fell. I pulled her to me and held her tightly.
"I'm right here. I'll always be right here with you." I whispered.
She nodded and clamed down. She looked into my eyes and touched my cheek.
"Stay away from him. He knows now."
I kissed her softly before standing up. I pulled her up with me and we went back on deck. My father looked at her and I could see a sick look triumph in his eyes. We retrieved the supplies from the island and then sailed back. Once the docks were in sight, Esperanza quite literally threw my father off the ship.
"You can swim back you sadistic son of a bitch! And if I ever see you again I'll put a new age bullet in your goddamn head!"
She walked to the front of the ship, no one said anything to her.
"Your father must have balls of solid rock, to risk making Esperanza that angry."
I didn't know how to respond. I knew father would hurt her if he was given the chance.