Ahoy!

Thank you to Mel, Jill, and Gemma!

SIX

I wake to an ungodly thumping in my head. My mouth is dry, my voice a papery rasp as I try to call out into the room. I search my memory and my mind lands on Isabella.

The wench who poisoned me.

I sit up, one hand fluttering to my heart. The beat beneath my breast is steady and strong, and it brings me small comfort.

The room is empty, and out the window, the bright Caribbean sky is near blinding.

I bring a hand to my head, massaging the aches of my skull as I try to figure out when exactly Isabella had the chance to poison me.

And why she felt the need to in the first place.

A cold sweat breaks over my skin, and immediately, I reach into my pockets, swearing to high heaven when I find that my money is gone. I scratch my hands together and look down when I feel the naked flesh where once a gold ring sat.

She's pinched anything of value off me.

That pirate.

I surge to my feet, new anger surging through me. I will find her again, and next time, I will not be so naïve. Twice Isabella has outsmarted me. There shall be no thrice.

I gather my meager belongings, making sure everything is secure on my person before I storm out of the room. In the light of the day, the brothel looks dirty and tired, and there is nothing more that I want than to be out of this place.

I stomp downstairs, my boots making a ruckus that causes some people to shout from behind closed doors.

I don't care who I wake.

I reach the landing, ready to march out into the city, and stop short.

There, sitting at a table with a large spread of tropical fruits and fresh eggs, is none other than Isabella and Jasper.

"Edward, darling, you're awake!" Isabella calls, waving me over. I shoot Jasper a glare to which he shrugs lightly.

"That is Captain to you, piratess," I hiss.

She smiles. "Not a morning person. Noted. Come and eat. It'll help your headache."

I don't sit. I'm too angry to sit. I remain standing, my fingers curling into fists that I desperately try to hide behind my person. I don't want her to read my fury in my hands and use it against me even more.

She looks up at me when I haven't made a move. "Come now, Captain." She tsks. "Where is your decorum?"

"My decorum," I say, fingers uncurling as I lean over the table, and my palms grip the chair. "Is reserved for company without corrupt morality."

She feigns surprise. "Why, Captain. I'm sure I don't know what you mean."

She is a good actress. Too good. If I did not know firsthand her ill deeds, I would believe her to be innocent.

"Sir, join us for breakfast," Jasper says softly.

I glare at him. As far as I'm concerned, he's become a traitor, eating so casually with my enemy.

"She robbed me."

"Yes I did," she says, nodding. "We discussed that last night. I did promise to help you get it all back."

I shake my head. "No, you have since robbed me again!"

"Edward," Jasper starts.

"My dear Captain, that's quite enough," Isabella scolds me. "Though we may not be in high society, I beg of you to keep a semblance of your own dignity."

I will go mad knowing this woman.

"Edward, sit," Jasper urges. I am lost for words, too furious to come up with anything, so I yank out the chair. I fall into it, my head throbbing with my anger.

"See now," Isabella says, smiling at me across the table. "Isn't this all better? A nice, civilized conversation over mealtime."

I honestly think I want to strike the smile off her face.

I've never struck a woman, but if ever there were a woman who deserved it, it is this woman.

"I want my purse back," I tell her. She slides a small slice of some bright yellow fruit into her mouth, her plump lips closing around it slowly.

I have to look away from her, or become bewitched again.

"Are you speaking of this purse?" she asks, prodding a small leather pouch on the table. "Your mate, Mister Whitlock, had mentioned you held the coin. Was I supposed to let him starve while you slept the morning away?"

My fists curl under the table, and Jasper shifts in his seat, glancing at me.

"And my ring? Was that for some payment as well?"

Isabella holds her hand up, where my ring is sitting on her right hand. "Oh this?" she asks, twirling it once. I barely resist reaching across the table and ripping it off her finger. "No, I thought it would suit me. Don't worry, darling. I'll keep it safe."

I'm about to argue with her—again—when a massive man that I recognize as her First Mate enters the brothel. He comes immediately to our table, and I eye him, weary of the scars across his face and neck. This is a man who has seen a great deal of fights, and who has clearly won them all.

"Emmett," Isabella says. "I'd like to formally introduce you to Captain Edward and his First Mate, Jasper Whitlock."

Emmett gives us a nod, his expression never changing. I glance from him to Isabella. It is no wonder no one dares go against her, not if she has a mind like she does and a loyal First Mate such as Emmett.

I'll have to reconsider my own strategies.

"Eat up, Captain," she says, sliding another brightly colored fruit into her mouth. "We have quite the day ahead of us."