Vengeance (The Pirate Series)

by Bec Botefuhr

  “Stupid girl.”

  I am carried into Jax’s room, and he kicks the door closed. I blink the heavy drops of water from my eyes and the light burns. Ouch.

  “You stupid girl, you will have given yourself a cold.”

  “I said I wasn’t leaving.” I croak, my throat does kind of hurt.

  “Get in the shower, move.”

  I stand on wobbly legs and peel off my wet clothes. I plod into the shower and sigh as the warm water cascades over me. When I get out, Jax throws me a shirt. I pull it on and find a pair of underwear from my suitcase on the ground. I sit down onto the couch and look over at him. He picks up a brush.

  “Get over here.”

  “Are you going to spank me with that?”

  A ghost of a smile plays across his lips, but doesn’t crack. “I ought to, but no, your hair is ratty.”

  I shrug and nod, fair enough. I crawl over and sit on the ground between his legs. He pulls the brush through my hair and groans.

  “Jesus, do you brush this?”

  “Yes.”

  “What once a week?”

  He drags the brush through again and I yelp.

  “Now I see what you are doing, this is punishment right?”

  He snorts. “I can think of many more things that would better suit, no, I am brushing your hair, that is the end of it.”

  “Well you are being brutal.”

  “You deserve it.”

  “I know.”

  He stills a moment, and then continues pulling the brush through, gentler now.

  “I am sorry Jax, I know it doesn’t change what I said, and I know I made you feel stupid in front of your crew. I was out of line.”

  “Yeah, you were.”

  “Sorry.”

  “Yeah, me too. I should have pulled you away, not made a scene. I am stressed mate, scared and stressed.”

  “You’re scared?”

  “Yeah, I am scared. I know, it sounds weak but you are my wife now and…the thought of you getting hurt…”

  “I won't get hurt Jax, I won't.”

  “Just like I can’t promise that, neither can you.”

  “I trust you, and the crew, I am in the best hands.”

  “Yeah, I know.”

  “Are you angry that I got my memories back?”

  He doesn’t answer for a while. “No, not really. I can’t say the idea of starting again wasn’t a pleasant one though. The thought of being able to correct the past, give you the life you deserve…”

  “You give me everything I want, I wish you would believe that.”

  “I do believe that.”

  “I love you, true to God.”

  “And I love you, true to God.”

  I smile and lean back into his shoulder. “I’m sorry, will you forgive me?”

  “That depends.”

  “Oh yeah?”

  He leans into my hair and inhales my scent. “How are you going to make it up to me?”

  I roll over so I am flat on my belly. Right in line with his groin. I peer up at him.

  “Let me count the ways.”

  His gaze is still a little tense, but it is full of love and desire. I unzip his jeans and release him, he growls when I take him into my mouth.

  “Yeah,” He rasps. “Like that.”

  His hands tangle in my freshly brushed hair as I take him deeper. His hips thrust upwards, and I relish in the sound of his pleasure. This is for him and him only. I am taking it from myself, this is all Jax. I take him until he is moaning loudly and tensing around me. When he releases into my mouth, it is hot and feral. He yanks my hair and hisses until finally his body relaxes.

  I rest my head on his lap, and he runs his hands through my hair. “So?”

  He chuckles. “Forgiven.”

  “Well if that’s all it takes, I might misbehave more often.”

  “Next time I spank you.”

  “I might be encouraged to misbehave now.”

  He laughs. “All you gotta do is say the word darlin, and my hand is on your ass.”

  “Will it make you feel better?”

  “Hurting you? No, never.”

  “What about just fun, sexy fun?”

  “That’s different.”

  “You would never spank me because you were mad?”

  “Maybe once upon a time I would have but now, no…no way.”

  “That…is pretty special.”

  “You are pretty special.”

  We lay in silence a while, he strokes my hair and neither of us speak. I sit up finally and sniffle. His eyes narrow at me, and he sighs.

  “You are getting sick, aren’t you?”

  “What, no…” I lie. My head does hurt.

  “Fuck, you are stu…”

  “Don’t call me stupid.”

  He softens. “You are, but I won’t say it. Get into bed.”

  “I just want to hang out.”

  “Bed.”

  “No.”

  He grins, finally. “Bed.”

  He lifts me up and tosses me onto the bed, I land with a laugh.

  “I am not tired.”

  “Don’t care, you need to rest.”

  I huff.

  “I will watch you work.”

  “Fine, but be quiet, if I hear a noise…”

  “What you going to do?” I grin, leaning back on my elbows.

  “Reconsider that hair brush.”

  I smile and he grins back, we have an odd relationship, we joke a lot, fight a lot, make love a lot, but we are strong. We have a connection that runs deep, we love each other, we are best friends, and we fit. We just fit.

  “I love you Jax.”

  He stops grinning and walks over to me, he gets on his hands and knees on the bed and crawls towards me until he right up close. He presses his lips to mine.

  “I love you too, darlin.”

  “How much?”

  “To the sky and back.” He grins, repeating what Lilly always tells us.

  “Well, it doesn’t get better than that.”

  He looks at me for a long, long moment then sighs. His hand reaches out to stroke my cheek. “You know, you drive me fucking crazy. You make me happy, you make me mad, and you make me feel things I have never felt before. You make a man mental and yet, I can’t get enough of you.”

  “I think that is the nicest thing you have ever said to me.”

  “Come on now, I have been much nicer.”

  I smile, broad and beaming. “Maybe.”

  “Now, rest.”

  “What are you going to do?”

  “Wank myself.”

  I snort a laugh, his answer is so unexpected. “You are kidding right?”

  He winks at me and gives me a lazy half smile. “Maybe.”

  “Dirty old man.”

  “You know it. I am going to make a call, sleep.”

  “Ok.”

  “Oh,” He says, picking up my dagger. “Jack gave you this?”

  “Yeah, for protection.”

  He nods and puts it on the bedside table beside me, then he picks up his phone and leaves the room, I curl into his bed, relieved that we are speaking nicely to one another. I drift into sleep quickly, and when I wake, I am coughing and spluttering, I know I have a fever. My eyes are burning, and I feel like crap. Where is my gift when I need it?

  “I heard that coughing.” Jax says from his desk.

  I sit and stare over at him, my head is thumping.

  “You are crook, aren’t you?” He asks.

  “Y-y-yeah.”

  “Silly girl.”

  “That’s nicer than stupid.”

  “I will go get Margy to sort you out with some stuff. Don’t move.”

  “Oh yeah, I feel like jumping up and running a marathon.”

  He gives me a look, then walks over and hands me some water.

  “Stay away from me, no kissing…”

  “Charming.” I mutter.

  “Hey, I love you to death, but you are dis
eased.”

  He makes a cross over his chest with his fingers, as if to warn me off.

  “You are truly amazing, you know that?”

  He grins and leaves the room. I fall back into the bed and wait for him to return. He does, with Sam, Margy and Mack.

  “What is this, a party?”

  “Aw, poor baby.” Mack croons with a grin.

  “Wow, you are as charming as my husband.”

  “Ignore them honey, how are you feeling?” Sam asks, sitting on the bed.

  “Like crap. My fault.”

  “So I heard, is it a cold?”

  “Mmmmm.”

  She checks my temp and frowns. “High fever, really high. You aren’t cold?”

  “A little.”

  “Ok, take some pain killers and this mixture for your chest. Then sleep, sleep, sleep…”

  “What no sex?”

  Mack chokes and Jax snorts.

  “That is what I call revenge.” I smile, weakly.

  “Bad girl.” Jax grins.

  “I think I may have had a heart attack.” Mack mutters.

  “Good, serves you right you old fool.”

  Sam laughs now. “Old fool, I suppose he is, isn’t he?”

  “He might look young, but he is really just old and decrepit.”

  Mack laughs. “Charming women you lot.”

  “I would like if you had a cool shower.” Margy says, still fluttering around like the nurse she is.

  “Only if my husband takes me.” I sigh, putting my hand on my head with a fake whine.

  “Yeah, not going to happen.” Jax says, stepping back.

  “Bad husband.” I chastise.

  “Definitely.” Margy agrees.

  “Go easy, he is just a man.” Mack defends him.

  “A sexy man.” I purr.

  “There goes my heart again.”

  I laugh and then begin coughing wildly.

  “Oh, that is a nasty one.” Margy says, serious now.

  “Yeah, that sounds bad.” Jax agrees, concerned.

  “I’m fine.” I whisper between coughs.

  Mack puts his hand on my head and I slap it away.

  “Now now, stop doing that. You are really hot, a cool shower…now.”

  “Come on honey, I will help.” Sam offers.

  “I got it, thanks.” I murmur, standing and dragging my weary body towards the shower.

  I shower, and then sleep some more. When evening comes around, I am alone once more and decide to go and see what everyone is up to. I don’t want to lie in bed; half an hour out won't hurt. I stand and groan, then tuck my dagger into my belt. I plod across deck, and a familiar sense of De ja vu hits me, I peer over the side of the ship. You are being stupid. Calm down.

  The feeling is there though, heavy, warning me. I peer over one side of the ship again, it is dark, it is fine. Then, I hear the thump of boots. I spin around and see Ben, standing and grinning at me. My blood runs cold. My mind is throbbing and I can’t think. What do I do? I turn to run, but he holds a gun up. Keep calm, keep cool, let him believe you are not afraid.

  “What the hell do you want Ben?”

  “Aw, now that isn’t nice. Speak to me nicely, go on.” He urges, shoving the gun up higher to aim better…at my head.

  “Go to hell.”

  “You really do have bad manners don’t you? Didn’t your mother teach you better, oh wait, she is dead. Bad me.”

  I tremble and rage flares through me.

  “I will kill you for that, I swear to God, you piece of shit.”

  “Hmmm, yes but…who has the gun in this situation?”

  “How tough of you, hiding behind your gun.”

  “Your taunts won’t work little princess, now be nice and call your Captain for me.”

  “We are all immortal now, you won’t get anywhere. You are signing your death warrant.”

  “Bullshit.” He grins.

  As if to test my theory, he aims the gun down and shoots my leg, I scream. Dammit, why did I throw that one out there? When the wound doesn’t heal, he laughs, loud and boisterous.

  “Stupid girl, now why did you do that?”

  “You will die, they will kill you.” I hiss.

  “Not when I am holding a gun to your head they won’t.”

  Before I can think, he has my body slammed against his. I kick and squirm but the pain in my leg is far too intense. He presses the gun to my temple. As if on cue, Jax and the crew come roaring up the stairs, guns drawn. They stop dead when they see Ben with me. He is leaning against the railing, so they can’t surprise an attack on him from behind.

  “How the fuck did you get here?” Jax asks, calm and scary.

  “You are stupid aren’t you? I knew you would fall for it, knew you would believe I was on shore. I disabled your stupid radar system when you stopped in Russia you idiotic pirate. Didn’t even know. I came onto your ship when it was parked up and could have planted a bomb and you wouldn’t have known.”

  I can see in Jax’s face, that he is shocked.

  “Let her go, and you can have the Damn treasure.”

  “No son, it won't work like that.”

  My eyes meet Jack’s, then Mack’s and both men are terrified, I can see it. The entire crew are standing, guns cocked, one shot and he would be down.

  “If any one of you even flinch, I will send this gun off, and if you manage to get me, my crew will finish the job, they are all aiming for her.”

  I am trembling, and I can’t think. My head is pounding. I remember my dagger, and for a moment, I wonder if I can get it out of my pants. If I move really slowly, Ben won't notice. His hands are around the top half of my body. One around my neck, the other holding a gun to my head.

  “Let her go.”

  “Hand over the treasure, and I will let her go.”

  “Bullshit.” Jax growls.

  “I will, just hand it over.”

  “You let her go first.”

  “Really? You are going to risk your wife for that treasure? I thought you loved her more than that.”

  I am staring at Jax, my eyes are pleading with him to look at me. He will know what I am doing if he looks. I slowly inch my hand up, so slowly it is nerve racking. Jax finally clues on and keeps talking.

  “Fine, I hand it to you and someone takes her at the same time.”

  “Then your crew will blow my brains out, I am not stupid.”

  “Likely.”

  “Here’s how it will go. I am going to take her back onto my ship, when the treasure is tossed over, I will throw her over.”

  “Over my dead, fucking body.” Jax growls.

  “Then it seems we can’t come to an agreement.”

  He clicks his gun and I panic. Mack steps forward and someone shoots, hitting him in the leg. He roars in pain and drops to the ground.

  “Stop!” I scream.

  Ben presses the gun so hard into my temple, it burns.

  “Three seconds pirate, or I blow her brains all over your ship, and you get to clean them up.”

  Jax is panicking, I can see it. I have seconds, if that.

  “One.”

  I inch my hand up higher.

  “Two.”

  I pull the dagger from my shorts and plunge it backwards; Ben roars and stumbles, dropping his gun. I turn and fall on top of him, the first shot hit him in the gut. I raise the knife and my hand trembles, I can hear shooting around me, seconds and I am dead. It is only the fact that I am on the floor, that I am not already. I can do it, I have to.

  “Can’t do it, weak as shit,” Ben rasps. “Couldn’t do it to save yourself, or your mother. You should have seen her face when I shot her, poor woman screamed like a…”

  I plung the knife, right into his heart. His sickening scream echoes across the water.

  “That is for me.”

  I plunge again.

  “That is for my husband.”

  I plunge once more.

  “And that is for my mom.”
/>
  His face goes blue, and he gurgles, then his eyes close. Gunshot explode around us, and Jax is by my side in seconds.

  “Don’t move.”

  I hear crazy shooting, I can feel Ben’s warm blood trickling over to me. The thought repulses me, and I swallow over and over to try and stop the vomit coming up. I hear the sounds of death all around me, and it sickens me. I feel the ship rock as the crew shoot cannons.

  “Take it down, I want no survivor’s men. This ends now.”

  The battle rages on, and on. Ben’s crew don’t leave their ship, they know they have no hope of beating an immortal crew. Jax and his crew decide to swing over. I hear men jumping to save themselves, and I peer out the little cannon hole to see violence I never wish to see again. I look back down and focus on breathing. Just breathe.

  “Come on.”

  I look over and see Mack, his leg is bleeding, but he has managed to make it over to me.

  “We need to go.”

  He grips me in his arms, and even though he is hobbling, he rushes me downstairs. I can hear the bloody cries of death above, and I cover my ears.

  “Mack, oh, what happened?” Sam cries when we enter her room.

  “Shot. Jade is in shock.”

  Margy takes me and lies me down, Sam tends to Mack. It seems like hours before I hear the loud boom. We all rush to the window and see Ben’s ship exploding into the air. I gasp and cover my mouth.

  “Well shit, they ain’t coming back.” Mack mutters.

  A moment later, Jax rushes down and into the room. He is panting, bloody and sweating. I know the blood isn’t his.

  “You ok?”

  “I am ok.” I say, hugging him close, even through all the blood.

  “It’s over.” He whispers, kissing me furiously.

  “Over, all over?”

  “All over baby, it’s finished. You did it, I am so proud of you.”

  I melt into him, it’s over, finally it is all over. I crumble into Jax’s arms, unable to express the relief I feel.

  CHAPTER 16

  “Order up.”

  I turn and see Jax slide a drink down the bar. He looks natural doing it, aside from being a pirate, he is made for this. I sit on a chair, staring at my husband work. He decided to come back for a while and let things settle, deciding to run the bar again for a while before we decided where we wanted to live. I have sat with him night after night, watching him fend off women with a proud flick of his wedding ring in their faces. He really has turned a corner.