Part 3

Drawn to the crowded card tables Max found himself amidst a band of greedy and ruthless players that would undoubtedly play for their lives. Max loved those kinds of games for their intensity and unpredictable outcomes. Once he had witnessed a foolish gambler have his ring finger cut off as payment for his loss. It did not frighten him away though for Max was never one to lose and also never one to deny a dangerous challenge. Finding an empty seat through the thick fog of smoke he took his place among several other men. Max observed them and noted how serious they are as they stared with a blank expression on their faces so not to give away their cards. A few were thrown to him as a sign of their acceptance in their game. Taking them Max eyed them carefully and smiled brilliantly inside. It was a lucky hand he had and he knew he should give up full payment upon the table. Reaching for the belt that held up his straight and deadly sword he pulled out a sack and threw it in the middle of the table in a sign of his own acceptance to join. The brown sack jingled and fell half open revealing a dozen cold coins. He could almost feel the drool on his own skin and he was instantly filled with pride for his richness no matter the way he obtained it.

The game progressed and Max was on his last play. As it appeared luck had not gone with him throughout the ordeal and left him reaching for his second sack. As his hand maneuvered to his back it froze in place and his eyes widened when he felt no roughness or weight upon his fingers. Shock was immediately replaced with rage and he stood up so quickly the chair he sat on flew through the air. Max saw from the corner of his eyes the displeased members rising but he paid them no attention for his eyes simply roamed wildly across the club for any sign of the robber. Max knew he'd never find him and that he was in trouble with the now angry men, yet suddenly as if by chance his gaze fell upon a cloaked shadow that seemed to linger by rich prospects. 'Just like me' he thought angrily. Giving the players no other thought he furiously pushed his way against the crowd intent to get even.

He saw the cloaked person raise their head and look his way. Without warning he bolted in the opposite direction and Max was hot on his heels. During his chase Max saw a disshelved Michael coming out of a cornered door with the young green-eyed whore not far behind. They both seemed to be glowing and Max couldn't help but for a moment to smirk. Michael noticed Max's angry look and furious strides, so by drawing his own conclusion he brought 'Maria' she told him her name was , kissed her hard savoring her taste, whispered a haste good bye and ran to tally the shipmates for he knew there was trouble.

Maria knew she would most probably never see him again but the feelings for him were too strong to deny and she vowed they'd meet again...somehow. "Our paths will cross again my rugged pirate, be sure of that" she whispered to his retreating figure.

Max saw the cloaked robber dart into a dark corner and he followed suit. No sooner had he turned did he slam right into him. Fury and triumph filled his eyes as he grabbed hold of his thief. He would make him pay dearly for sure.
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Liz wandered for a while trying to keep a low profile on her identity. She didn't think the jungle was as wild as the animals she walked past in the street. Her heart was pounding against her breast and her pulse was racing in excitement. She didn't know which feeling to revel in. She noticed the men, drunk and sober either talking merrily with their companions or holding a woman close to their bodies. Liz shivered and held her cloak closer to her body. It was indeed a hot night yet the need to keep herself concealed kept her from going practically naked if she could. Sweat began to break her skin and she decided it was time to refresh herself with a cool drink. She noticed many going into a certain restaurant that looked to be described more like a club. She chose to enter this one for the seemingly appreciative customers. Liz's heart immediately constricted at her mistake. Men lay everywhere with women sprawled against them. Even in the card game area Liz noticed was a man who had a red haired and half naked woman on his lap as he kneaded her bare breast with no shame. The woman seemed to be enjoying it too Liz noted.

Liz did not understand it but the realization of what this place is made her blood boil inside to make her cheeks flush and outside to make her nipples harden and obtain moistness between her legs. Liz did not like that feeling at all and decided to seek her refreshment elsewhere. Pulling the constricting cloak more tightly against her she began to make her way out when she found herself slammed into a hard object. Opening her eyes Liz took note of the wide broad and definitely hard chest that had previously been in contact with her face. Before she could look up to gaze upon the holder of such a fine body a pair of large hands gripped at her and shook her violently. Liz tried to scream but the shock was overwhelming so she looked up to stare at her assailant. The club was remotely dark so she could hardly describe him other than being tall, with brown hair, angrily thinned yet full lips that Liz had the sudden crazy urge to kiss and a pair of dark eyes that pinned her with what seemed to be a triumphant look.

Liz was confused now more that afeared. Perhaps the man mistakened her for someone else she thought. That fear soon rose back when he gripped her arm and began to drag her outside while stating with the most warming yet frightening voice she ever heard " I have you now cloaks man thief and you shall pay".