Chapter 35
"The Captain's Lover"
The crew knew exactly what they were to barter for, and how long shore leave was to be. That being taken care of, Jack turned his attention to his son and Deana. "I trust that you'll keep your lass safe from the various vermin that lurk around here?"
Jess had his fingers entwined with Deana's. "O' course. I assume ye'll do the same?" he asked, with a raised eyebrow.
"That really won't be necessary," Evangeline said. "I'll be fine here and…"
Jack shook his head. "I will not leave you alone on this ship, lass. Men behind or not, it jus' wouldn' be right."
Evangeline smiled, glad to know that the pirate wished for her company – even though he hadn't said so in so many words. "Jack, I can't exactly have you carry me around…"
"I really wouldn' mind," he said with a wink. "However, tha's not a worry." Jack presented Evangeline with a walking stick that he had acquired on a previous trip to the pirate town. "For you, m' lady, temporary support 'til your healed."
Realizing that she wouldn't win no matter how much she would insist on staying behind, Evangeline took the stick in one hand and, after he offered, Jack's hand in the other. "So, how many stories will I hear about you on this excursion?"
Jack smiled. "None, I hope – unless I'm the one tellin' them."
Jess and Deana began to walk away from Jack and Evangeline. Jess turned and called back, "Gentle with 'er, Dad."
Jack smiled, replying, "Make sure you get everything you'll need for both of you, savvy? It's a long trip after today." His son smiled and disappeared with Deana onto the docks. "You ready, Ev?"
"You won't leave me somewhere, will you?" Evangeline asked, trying to disguise her seriousness with a laugh.
"Only a fool would leave his treasure behind."
Evangeline rolled her eyes, figuring Jack's words for a line he'd used hundreds of times before. "All right then."
"Ev?" Jack said softly.
"Hm?"
"D' you not remember what I said to you last night?"
"Of course I do, Jack, but…"
Jack moved so that his body was all but pressed against the woman before him. "I wasn't sayin' those things jus' t' say them. I promise."
Evangeline felt her body grow warm at the close contact. She cleared her throat. "I'm sorry. Shall we?"
"Aye." Jack led her slowly off of the ship, around the docks, and into the town of Tortuga. "I must warn you, lass, could be a bit o' a shock for you."
Evangeline's voice was a bit grim. "I believe I'm prepared for the…sorts of things that go on here."
Jack understood was she was referring to. "S' not all debauchery, Ev." He chuckled, unable to help himself. "Mostly, but not all." He smiled at her. "Some o' the best food I ever had is in a little inn here. Not what you'd expect, but it's here nonetheless." No sooner had Jack finished this sentence than a woman approached him.
"Jack! Are ye lookin' for some company tonig…'Oo the bloody 'ell is she?" the redhead asked. Evangeline's eyes lowered, but Jack took no notice.
The pirate actually smiled, which, for some reason, caused Evangeline's stomach to turn. "Sorry, Scarlet. Hit up the rest o' me crew for your purse, I have my own girl."
Scarlet seemed appalled. "'Er? Wha' kind a whore dresses like tha'?" she asked, taking in Evangeline's dress, which was a tad more conservative than her own. "'Oo does she work for?"
Jack was going to speak, but Evangeline beat him to it, her eyes becoming level with Scarlet's. "I'm not a whore," she said lightheartedly, despite the fact that she wanted to run her sword through the woman. "I happen to be the captain's lover. I share his bed, not the alleyway."
Jack was flabbergasted. He looked at Scarlet and simply said, "You heard the woman, Scarlet." He led Evangeline away. "So, lovers, eh?" he asked slyly.
"Well, I had to say something, she had the gull to call me a…"
"Words from women like her shouldn' mean a thing t' you."
"Doesn't mean I have to like it," she said softly.
Jack put a finger under her chin and his voice oozed with an assurance that made Evangeline feel oddly at ease. "Nor do I."