Part 7

Max walked up the narrow stairs towards deck. His destination was the bridge yet his thoughts were right back in his chambers where his thief lay. No, Liz. Ah that name made him shudder. He couldn't believe it. The moment he laid eyes upon her he was completely bewitched. Max cursed under his breath. Looks like she's not only a cunning thief but a gypsy witch as well. Her magic had surely affected him, because as soon as he shoved that hood down and witnessed the woman before him he was completely lost in the eyes of utter shock.

Who was she? why was a woman stealing in a provocative bar? She seemed well dressed enough from her looks. 'Probably been successful in her robberies' he mused bitterly. Makes a man wonder what other talents a woman like her hides.

Suddenly he found himself falling onto the steps and held out his arms to fend off the approaching stair from his face. He fell heavily with an Oomph and felt the muscles in his shoulder pull and vibrate. Max suppressed the urge to moan in pain. Damn that woman, he looked down at his ever bulging groin. What was wrong with him? One thought of her and he was as hard as a rock.

When he had said she wasn't his type, he thought back, he was only being half honest. As soon as his heart had gone back to beating in an even rhythm he had begun contemplating the situation as he stared at her. No doubt she was attractive. Her long slender legs attached to femininely curved hips, followed by a narrow waist, perfectly formed breasts up to a swan like neck then to a beautiful face bearing sensual lips, a pert nose, and eyes that could drown a man in it's chocolate pools or burn him with a fiery passion that exists within and awakens when stirred. Max non doubtedly wanted her, for his breeches proved too tight at the time, yet the blow that this creature was the robber of his gold and possibly the cause for hot pursuit from the angry players didn't quite help his position.

She was his now he thought with a smile. His own personal prisoner to do with as he pleased. And oh what he did wish he could do to please himself and her as well. Max shook his head and started up the stairs again ignoring the pain in his shoulder. Whoever she is she would prove to be one good challenge. One he needed badly. Women fall too easily at his feet. He wanted someone to anger him, reject him, and even make him beg...ah no not beg...... Still, as he stepped onto deck and headed for the bridge he reminded himself this was not a challenge he was up to taking. A thief is a theif and he would not seduce his prisoner. It was ridiculous...in a way she was his enemy and he never associated himself with the enemy, not in any way.

"Max! What ails you? You seem troubled" Michael asked as Max approached the bridge.

"It's nothing, just my shoulder-AH!" he jerked away after Michael touched him to check the wound.

"You should take care of it. It looks serious" Michael said while gesturing to the purple bruise that lay exposed from the ripping caused when Max jerked away.

Max stepped closer to Michael in an effort to whisper for his ears only " I do not wish to look like a weakling in front of my entire crew Michael. I am after the Captain of this ship" he emphasized the word 'Captain' to make it clear who was boss, and that this boss wanted no arguments.

Michael nodded in understanding and moved aside so that Max may pass.

"What of the thief?" he asked after a few silent moments. Max looked at him with some amusement dancing in his eyes.

"The thief is now my prisoner" he announced casually. Michael's eyes grew wide.

"Prisoner? Why ever for? Did he not return you your gold?" he asked in surprise.

"No SHE did not, therefore SHE shall be in my custody until SHE gives up my money or until i feel that her debt is paid" Max replied, the word' she' a long drawl on his tongue whenever he said it. Michael gasped in shock.

"Your thief is a woman?!! how is that possible?"

"Well I suppose the attractive mouth, firm breasts and sensual body are a big hint to my thief's gender.....but i suppose one could have doubts" Max answered with amusement. At that Michael chuckled then burst out laughing. Max gave him a look of curiosity.

"What pray tell are you so amused by?" he asked with mirth.

Michael shook his head "what are you going to do about her?" he asked smiling. Max understood his meaning.

"Do not even think it Michael. She is my prisoner."

"You want her"

"I am her master"

"She's a challenge"

"She's a thief"

"She's a woman" Michael countered.

"She-" he said the word tightly "is of no interest to me"

"Ah so she shall not be one of your many conquests" Michael mused. He knew he was raising Max's ire and that he should stop but he couldn't help it " perhaps you can send her to us then" he gestured to himself and the rest of the crew.

Max didn't understand why but the next thing he knew Michael was on the ground rubbing his aching jaw. It angered him to hear men talk about Liz like a peace of meat to share around. She was his and no one shall mistake it.

"My my, you land one mean right hook captain" Michael said as he rose to his feet.

"Keep your hands to yourself Michael. No one is to touch her and I mean no one" Max said in a threatening tone which Michael immediately understood and nodded. After that Max walked away pondering his thoughts about the loss of his money the woman down below in his chambers and the sudden urge to be down there with her.

"Set sail everyone, we're moving out to sea!" he yelled for all the members aboard ship to hear and went to stand behind the wheel of the 'Cruella' as Florence's coast began to diminish from view.

"I give him three days" Michael announced quietly.

"Tomorrow night" Whimsy replied placing a generous amount of money discreetly in Michael's pocket.

"'Tis a bet" Michael smirked trying to hide his amusement. This shall be one hell of a voyage. Some rough seas and wild winds ahead he mused. He hoped his Captain would be able to handle this storm.
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Lord Parker paced his study from wall to wall in agitation. It was past midnight and he couldn't sleep. Twas the hundredth time he had a fight with his daughter about her marriage to Lord Deluca and she was still being stubborn. In fact she was being so ill tempered lately in her arguments that he actually dreaded she'd run away just to prove her point. That was why he took it upon himself to check her room every night till the wedding day to be sure she was still there.

He had checked in a few hours ago and Liz was there sleeping like an angel. Jeff had decided to go to sleep but as soon as his head hit the pillow he arose again feeling troubled. Nancy his loving wife reached for him.

"What troubles you my love?" she asked softly.

"Do not fret my sweet tis all this work that makes my head ache" he lied so he wouldn't upset her.

"Elizabeth...?" she asked knowing. He couldn't help but chuckle at that.

"Ah you know me too well dear wife" he replied and bent down to place a kiss on her lips.

"Haven't a choice in the matter really....i am forced to" she attempted humor but Jeff looked on with hard eyes.

"Are you?...tell me Nancy how faired you when we were to be wed" he asked. Nancy was quiet for a while before answering.

"Truthfully I was horrified just as our daughter was. I did not want to marry a man i did not know. I wanted to fall in love and runaway and live happily ever after" she said wistfully and Jeff sighed in defeat. She quickly added.

"But my dreams changed the moment I got to know that man and I don't regret anything" she said lovingly and Jeff smiled.

"I wish our stubborn daughter would know that" he said with a heavy sigh.

"Give her time my love, she'll come around" and with that she went back to sleep, but Jeff didn't.

Now as he paced his study he contemplated his decision to lead his daughter's life. He was sure he was doing the right thing. After all she was only a child, his child and she needed taking care off. Lord Deluca is a great and powerful...and rich man. He would offer Elizabeth a magnificent home, beautiful dresses an easy life and in return she would offer him heirs and herself as a loyal and loving wife. It was a perfect match. If only she would see it his way.

Soon Lord Parker found himself wandering around the halls to her chambers. He just wanted to ease his mind. Just wanted to see her lying there in bed under the cover in her own dreams like she just was a few hours ago. However when he creaked the door open the bed was empty and Liz was not there.