Wrong Kind of Paradise

by Suzie Grant

  with enough money to last me a lifetime, then we have no deal.”

  “Indeed,” Blac said. “Then I guess we have nothing more to discuss. Bruno, escort the good captain

  back to the hold.”

  The captain stood, shoving past Blac on his way to the door. A brief look passed between the

  captain and Angel. Within seconds, a dagger appeared in his hand as he leapt for Angel.

  The sound of metal scraping metal broke the silence, and in unison, three swords found their mark.

  The good captain looked like a voodoo doll stuck with pins from all three sides.

  The captain smiled at Angel before he collapsed to the floor. Blac removed his weapon, his

  attention moved from Bruno to Angel. She hadn’t looked up yet. Determination scowled on her face as she

  removed her own sword.

  Then her features faltered with wide eyes as if she couldn’t believe that had just happened.

  Those wide, sea-green eyes found Blac. Her lip trembled. He sheathed his sword as hers clanged to

  the floor, and he opened his arms. He caught her up and instructed Bruno, “Dump the fodder overboard.

  He’ll make a good meal for the sharks.”

  Bruno nodded tersely, removing and sheathing his sword. He dragged the limp body out the door.

  Angel buried her head into Blac’s shoulder and quivered under the force of her tears. He gathered

  her close and kissed the top of her head. “It’s over,” he whispered.

  She leaned back. “But it’s not. Someone wants me dead, and we still don’t know who it is. The

  lieutenant is young, but the man who hired the captain is old, so it can’t be him. So who could it be? And

  how will we know it’s him if we run into him?”

  His jaw tightened. “It doesn’t matter, Angel. You’re safe here.” Both of his hands seized her cheeks

  and drew her forward with a deep kiss. She surrendered and opened to him. “With me.”

  She nodded. “I’ve always been safe with you.”

  He deepened the kiss and drew her flush against his body. Heat invaded every pore of his body and

  sent his head spinning. How she managed to send him over the edge every time, he would never know.

  But she did.

  I’ve loved her for many years now.

  It has just changed into something deeper.

  He smoothed a lock of hair from her face and kissed his way across her cheek to the tiny hollow

  below her ear. She groaned and arched toward him. The sound sent an unexpected spread of gooseflesh

  up his arms. He wanted her in his arms for the rest of his life, and whatever chance he’d had to turn her

  away was long gone.

  He backed her up against the edge of the bunk and they toppled to the mattress together. His lips

  sought her chin and licked a path across her jaw line to her ear. She shivered in his arms and he pressed

  as much of his body against her as he could manage. He loved the feel of her; her smooth skin, silky hair,

  and the warmth of her body beckoned him to wring every gasp of pleasure from her delicious lips as he

  could muster.

  “My Angel,” he whispered. “Mine.”

  He captured her lips in soul-searing kiss and he spoke the truth. His Angel. And he would never

  again deny this.

  She drew back and looked at him, and her innocent blue eyes sparkled under the dim light of lamps.

  Her hands cupped his cheeks and brought his face closer. Her lips brushed his, softly. Tenderly.

  It was her way of saying it was about time. He grinned and deepened the kiss. His tongue swept into

  her mouth with the urgency of an all-out gale as he settled between her legs. She arched against him and

  fever ravaged his senses. He wanted to keep this gentle and tender, to show her how much he cared for

  her. But she drove him wild so easily.

  Her little claws dug into the muscles of his shoulders and he answered her demands by rubbing his

  hardness against the soft flesh between her thighs. She moaned. He kissed down her neck, and his hands

  ripped open the ties of her white shirt, exposing her breasts to his view. He groaned.

  “Beautiful.”

  Both of her hands plunged into his hair and urged him forward. He needed no other prompting. His

  mouth captured her nipple. He sucked, licked, and teased the aroused flesh until she was panting beneath

  him.

  His hands ran the length of her body and around to cup her buttocks. He lifted her to grind his

  erection against her and her soft gasp accompanied the slight quiver of pleasure. It amazed him how just

  touching her brought him to this intense state of arousal. If she only knew what kind of power she held

  over him, he’d be in real trouble.

  She could probably ask for the moon right now, and he’d pluck it from the sky.

  He sat back, removed her boots and tugged her pants down. Tossing the garment aside, he settled

  back atop her, grinding his heated flesh against her.

  The slight brush of her hands as they ran down his chest brought a shudder out of him. The thin

  fabric ripped under her tug and her palms flattened against his chest. Raw desire coursed through him.

  Those wonderful little hands of hers slid down to his waistband and he sucked in a breath. She

  slipped her hand inside the gap and wrapped her fingers around his flesh. He closed his eyes and lowered

  his head to her forehead. He shuddered.

  Those nimble fingers opened his breeches and had him in hand before he could take his next breath.

  The warmth of her palm made him pulse in her hand. She squeezed and he gasped.

  She slid her palm up and then slowly back down. He was lost. A seductive little chuckle

  accompanied her actions and he opened his eyes to peer down into her triumphant expression.

  “Enjoy your power, mistress, for you won’t have it for long. I intend to take it back and fill you with

  my flesh.”

  ~*~

  Angel chuckled and continued to stroke him. She bit her lip and teased him. “Do you not enjoy it?”

  “Yes,” he gasped out. “Too much.”

  She pumped harder and minutes later he flipped her over atop him. He captured her hips and

  dragged her up his body until she straddled his face. She gasped. “What are doi—”

  His tongue slipped between the folds and she gasped, her head dropped to lie on her shoulders.

  “Oh, Blac,” she whispered. Her hands plunged into his hair and she fought the urge to grind against his

  mouth. He licked her flesh and teased the budding knot until she panted.

  One of his hands joined the foray and teased the little nub while his tongue plunged inside her,

  making her cry out. How could this man be so adept at driving her wild?

  She writhed against him. The pleasure was so intense she wasn’t sure she could control herself. He

  held her firmly as she tried to wriggle away from such a powerful stimulation.

  He flipped them over onto the bunk and rose over her like an Adonis in the flesh. Slipping between

  her thighs, he drove home, and Angel arched off the bed. She crested before the first thrust was

  completed, and the second had her climbing that threshold once more. Angel panted and wrapped her legs

  around his waist. Her blood thrummed through her veins. He clasped her hands above her head and

  pounded into her. Joined in heart, hand, and body, they peaked together as they stared into each other’s

  eyes.

  A final, heaving shudder shook him and he collapsed atop her. She wrapped him up and dropped a

  kiss on his sweaty brow. Every tremor of his body made found an echo in hers. S
he slid a hand into his

  hair, pulling the dampened strands from his face. Their eyes locked and a message they each recognized

  was relayed in that one look.

  “I love you,” he whispered, surprising her with his admission.

  Warmth blossomed in her chest and tears of joy burned her eyes. How long had she waited to hear

  those words? A soft smile played about her lips. “About time, Captain.”

  Seventeen

  Dusk had fallen and the harbor lights floated across the surface of the ocean like glowing lily pads.

  Ships bobbed atop the water, arranged in neat little rows along the piers edge. With only the single

  entrance to Port Royal, escape plans would have to be carefully thought out.

  The Serpent’s Revenge glided across the waves like a dancer in the night and docked just as the last

  rays of the sun disappeared. Beyond the beaches, rolling hills covered by thick vegetation looked over the

  shoulder of the harbor.

  Jamaica was a curious little island, full of mystery, secrets, and hidden treasures. The original

  inhabitants called Tainos Indians called it “Xaymaca,” meaning “land of wood and water.” The British,

  however, named it “the jewel of the British crown.”And it certainly was just that. Beautiful beyond

  compare, with water so clear the brilliant coral on the ocean’s bottom shone through.

  Angel loved everything about the Caribbean and couldn’t imagine home being anywhere else in the

  world.

  A nervous tension settled on the deck of the ship as Blac ensured that every member of the crew

  was prepared and ready to disembark at a moment’s notice. He nodded to Bruno and reached for Angel’s

  arm to guide her down the boardwalk.

  Their boots pounded against the wood planks. The only other sounds were the crickets song and the

  gentle lap of waves against the hulls.

  “We’re going to stay at an inn and send a messenger to the lieutenant. Once we receive an answer,

  we can discuss a more detailed strategy.”

  Bruno, Rigo, and Harry joined them on their walk. Angel lowered the hood of her cloak a little and

  peered at Blac from under the material. His eyes darted from the left to the right. The man was ever-

  cautious. Her stomach gave a nervous flutter and she attempted to calm her nerves. They were risking a

  lot coming to an English port to negotiate the release of her father and the commander.

  Blac glanced down at her. “You’re going to stay in the room, Angel, while I send off the message.”

  “Oh, no I’m not.”

  “Don’t argue with me over this.”

  “I refuse to stay in a room by myself, Blac,” Angel said and came to a standstill in the middle of the

  wharves. “Not after the attacks. I was lucky the first two times to get away. The third time may not end in

  my favor.”

  Blac paused on the cobblestone road to look at her. He seemed to consider her words. “All right,”

  he replied. “You can go — but only because I want to keep an eye on you myself.”

  She sighed in relief. Fear wasn’t the only reason she wanted to be involved, but he didn’t need to

  know that.

  He pointed a finger in her general direction. “But we do this my way and you’re to keep your mouth

  shut. No matter what you hear. Understood?”

  She nodded.

  They split from the other three and he ordered them to get two rooms. Angel followed close to Blac

  down High street toward the Black Dog. Belatedly, she realized this was where she’d blundered in her

  original plan. Blac had informants and allies all over this city. Though she wasn’t sure she would change

  anything now.

  They entered the Black Dog. “Keep your head ducked,” he whispered as they headed toward the

  back of the establishment. “We don’t need to get arrested before we make the trade.”

  She nodded.

  Blac sat with his back to the wall, and she settled into the chair next to him. She attempted to slow

  the beating of her heart by taking deeper breaths, but the haze of smoke inside the tavern made it difficult

  to breathe.

  The clink of glass and metal split the soft drone of voices inside the overheated pub. A very tall

  blonde barmaid sauntered up and winked at Blac. Angel kept her mouth closed from sheer shock at the

  hussy’s impudence and turned to Blac. He looked uncomfortable under her stare and Angel realized this

  woman must be one of the women who’d graced his bed. Heat plunged through her veins and an emotion

  she couldn’t name gripped her heart in a vise.

  “Capi’tan Barclay, tis good to see you again. Have you come back to make good on yer promise to

  me, mon ami?”

  Promise? What promise?

  Angel sat forward as if hanging on his every word.

  Blac’s grin appeared sheepish. “No, I’m sorry, Jezel. Not this time.” His eyes cut a quick glance in

  Angel’s direction. “It would appear I’m currently off the eligible market.”

  Jezel gave a pretty pout. “Zhat is too bad. I was looking forward to another night in your arms. I

  know you enjoyed it as much as I did.”

  Blac gave a nervous laugh.

  Angel’s dagger thunked into the wood planks next to Jezel’s hand and startled the woman. “Two

  rums and be on your way.”

  Jezel eyed her curiously and attempted to peer under the hood. Angel slapped the table top with her

  hand. “Now!”

  Jezel leapt into action and rushed to the back of the building. A deep chuckle sounded next to her,

  and she faced Blac. “What are you laughing at?”

  “Your little display of jealousy.”

  “I’m not jealous.”

  He laughed. “I can tell.”

  Before she could respond, the heavy, oak door swung open and cool air rushed in. A young seaman

  ducked inside and scanned the room. When he spotted Blac in the corner, he made his way toward them

  and took a seat.

  “Ahoy, Cap’n.” The young man nodded at her and leaned forward.

  Blac set both elbows on the table’s edge and leaned forward. “What’s the latest news?”

  “We’ve been in port for a fortnight, Cap’n. He’s growing anxious, waiting on word from ye’.”

  Blac nodded. “I’ve got the commander stashed away in a safe place here. We’ll make the trade

  tomorrow before noon.”

  The man nodded.

  “How is Logan? Have you seen him?” Blac asked.

  “Cap’n Logan is being held in the Lieutenant’s home in the cellar. He’s been chained to the wall,

  fed once a day and the lieutenant visits him quite a bit. He’s been beaten pretty bad, cap’n. He can barely

  stand on his own.”

  Angel released a soft gasp and tears burned her eyes. Oh Father, just make it one more day and

  I’ll get you out of there!

  Beneath the oaken table, a warm palm squeezed her hand. She glanced up at Blac, sending her a

  small smile before turning back to his informant. “Do they grow suspicious of you yet, Marco?”

  “Nay, he is lax in his leadership. There is no order, and discipline is meted out to promote fear, but

  his men laugh at him behind his back. They say he tries too hard to be like his father but fails miserably.

  I’ve yet to meet his father so I cannot say for sure, but I know he is a weakling. He likes to beat men while

  they are down, or chained to a wall. It makes him feel powerful.”

  Anger churned in her gut. How could anyone treat another human being in such a way?

/>   Blac nodded. “Don’t get caught. If they become the least bit suspicious, leave at once.”

  “Aye...and Cap’n, be careful,” the young man said and got to his feet. “His hatred for Logan is

  dangerous. Rage like that makes a man crazy.”

  “Indeed. Be careful, yourself. Until tomorrow.”

  ~*~

  Almost before the sound of the footsteps faded, another dark figure detached itself from the dark

  niche between the two buildings.

  As Angel and Blac exited the Black Dog and disappeared down the street, Charles eased around to

  face the boy before him. Smooth-faced and nervously clutching his tricorn hat in his hands, Harry

  Chapman pressed his back against the brick siding. The scurry of a rat echoed through the dank alley and

  Charles frowned in distaste. His boots scraped across the gritty cobblestones and kicked layers of trash

  out of the way. Charles eyed the boy, and silence descended.

  A steady drip of water and the muted sounds of revelry droned on in the distance. Chapman’s gaze

  flickered from Charles then back to the entrance of The Black Dog. The boy shifted uncomfortably.

  Charles decided to ease the lad’s fear and asked, “How did you come by this information?”

  The boy swallowed and ran a sleeve across his sweaty brow. “I be a member of Miss Angel’s

  crew.”

  Charles masked his surprise. “And you decided to betray your captain?”

  The boy’s dark brows rose and then furrowed. “I owe the lass no loyalty. I only hired on this past

  year.”

  Charles stilled, a smile smoothing across his features. “Interesting news, indeed.” Charles settled

  his gaze on the boy again. “I should imagine you’ll be in need of work now then.”

  “Depends on how much yer offerin’.”

  Charles chuckled. “A like-minded man.” He slipped the boy a small bag of coins and immediately

  brushed his hands across his pants as if to rid himself of any germs. The lad smiled, exposing his lack of

  teeth, and Charles grimaced. “So you can take me to where the commander is stashed then?”

  Harry nodded. “That’ll cost ye more.”

  The grind of his own teeth grated in his ears. “Indeed.” Charles indicated with a flick of the wrist

  for his solicitor to hand over the rest of the money. After the exchange, Charles impatiently urged the boy