“Oh, cripes, I feel awful.”
“Want me to see if Alam has any more spirits to drink?” He patted her back soothingly.
Jesse shot him a stinging look. “No. Definitely no.”
He chuckled at her again. “Ok, then.”
“Stop laughing at me.”
He ignored her demand. “Think you can keep the water down?”
Miserably, she nodded. He grabbed her arm to help her up, but she dug her heels into the floor. “No.”
“Get in the bed, lad.”
She eyed him suspiciously. “Why?”
He crooked an eyebrow at her. “Must we discuss this again? I am not a man-lover. Sides, I’m sure Alam more than fulfilled your desires.”
Her temper flared. “He didn’t touch me...except for the one kiss.”
Dulac’s upper lip rose in disgust. “Okay, I’ve heard enough. Now get yer arse in that bed afore I change my mind.”
He pushed her onto the bed, and she fell face forward onto it. She turned her head and watched Dulac as he took her spot on the floor. “Ya don’t have to do this.”
Her eyes seemed to close of their own accord, and Dulac’s reply fluttered against her ears. “Yes, I do. I owe ya one.”
She wanted to reply that he owed her nothing, but her thoughts died as she rode a small wave into oblivion.
* * * *
Dulac didn’t feel well but felt duty-bound to watch over Jesse while he slept. I wonder if this is the first time he’s ever been drunk. It probably didn’t take much to get him this way.
He narrowed his eyes, wondering what had happened in the sheik’s quarters. His stomach flipped at the thought, and though he knew Jesse had adamantly stated it was only a kiss, Dulac wanted to make sure that was all.
Grimacing from the welts on his back, he moved close to the bed and knelt beside it. He stared at Jesse’s peaceful face. So like a woman’s...
“Let’s see if you talk in your sleep,” Dulac whispered. He stretched his fingers before leaning close to Jesse’s ear. “Did the sheik take advantage of you?”
The only response Jesse made was shallow breathing. Dulac was determined. “Do you have a cat, Jesse?”
The right corner of Jesse’s mouth lifted in a half-smile, and he nodded. Encouraged, Dulac continued. “What’s his name?”
“Mr. Boots.”
He could barely make out the words, so he leaned closer. “Did you kiss the sheik?”
Jesse’s brows drew together. “Not...mate.”
Dulac raised his eyebrow. “What? Jesse, did you kiss the sheik?”
“No.”
He sighed and ran his hand through his hair. “Jesse, did the sheik kiss you?”
“Yes.”
A disgusted shiver ran through him, but he barreled on. “What else did he do?”
Jesse’s face remained impassive, and after a minute of response, Dulac thought the questioning was over. “Did he”
Dulac swallowed. He was having a hard time with this. “Did he...”
Then he remembered the lad was still a virgin, or had been before he left the cabin. “Did the sheik take your virginity?”
Jesse flinched and sneered in his sleep. “No.”
Dulac didn’t know whether to be relieved or not. “Do you prefer men to ladies?”
He watched the lad’s eyes move beneath his eyelids. The youngster shifted and turned away from him. Frustrated, Dulac leaned over and whispered in the lad’s other ear. “Do you prefer men to ladies?”
Jesse shrugged, grunted then proceeded to begin lightly snoring. Dulac sighed in frustration and retook his seat on the floor. He stared at the lad’s back, realizing he wasn’t going to get anything else out of the drunken little sot.
* * * *
The next morning, the sound of cannon fire pounded through Jesse’s aching head. She covered her ears with her hands and moaned. “Make it stop.”
“So, the little drinker is awake. Bout time. We’ve been under attack for the past hour,” Dulac stated.
Her eyes opened slowly. “Who’s attacking us?”
“Let’s hope it’s the Lifesaving Service,” he mumbled. He pressed his ear to the door.
“You’re wasting your time.”
He suddenly stepped back right before Jesse heard the running footsteps. Keys jangled on the other side before the door flew open. It was one of the guards from the night before. He looked around the room, found her and dragged her out of bed. He didn’t even bother to re-lock the door as he pulled her behind him.
“Prince Jafir wants to see you.”
She glanced back to find Dulac right behind them. That comforted her to some degree. Why didn’t he lock Dulac up?
Before long, they were all pushing through the billowy drapes in the captain’s cabin. The windows were closed and boarded up, and Alam sat at his desk.
“Why aren’t you up there fighting?” Jesse blurted. Her head hurt too bad to try and keep quiet.
“Because, my little Adara, the battle is lost. This ship...” His voice cracked as he looked around the opulent room. “This ship is about to be boarded.”
Dulac stepped around Jesse. “Who’s boarding us?”
Alam’s black eyes seemed to get blacker, and his lips turned down. “I believe it’s LeBlanc.”
Jesse shivered. She feared LeBlanc more than her current captor. “Why?”
Both men looked at her, but only Dulac spoke. “I’m thinking he missed Jesse.”
Alam snorted. “Or he found out what I have in the hold of my ship.”
“Slaves?” Jesse asked.
“No, gold.”
That made more sense to her. She couldn’t see him selling her just to come after her again simply because he missed her. Money ruled that man’s heart.
Alam pointed a pistol at her. “But, I’m thinking I might be able to persuade him...with you.”
Before she could protest, the guard grabbed her from behind and placed cuffs around her wrists. Her heart leapt with fear as a silk scarf was tied around her mouth. Her eyes pleaded with Alam, but he refused to look at her. Instead, he spoke to Dulac.
“If it is LeBlanc, you might need this. He seems to really hate you.” The prince carefully placed a small dagger onto the desk. “It won’t protect you much from his crew, so I suggest you hide...unless you can find something else to fight with.”
That said, Alam rose regally to his feet and led the guard and Jesse out of the room. She had a difficult time ascending the stairs with her hands tied behind her back. The smell of gun powder filled her nostrils, and she squinted from the bright sunlight. She hesitated, but the guard pushed her forward. She stumbled and caught herself before falling against the prince.
Seconds later, they stood in the middle of the ship, surrounded by Alam’s crew. They all took to their knees, Alam as well. Shocked, Jesse stared down at the prince. She had presumed he’d rather die than to submit to any man. The guard pushed her to her knees, and she followed Alam’s stare.
The attacking pirates soon had them all surrounded, and their captain stepped in front of Alam. Relief flooded through Jesse as she looked up into a face she did not know. He bowed flourishingly.
“My thanks, sir, for giving me your ship.”
Alam’s face darkened. “Who are you?”
The captain pirate stood tall and proud with a silly smile. “Jolly Jim, at yer service. Or rather, yer at my service.”
“Prince Alam Jafir serves no one,” the sheik growled.
Jolly Jim ignored him as he noticed Jesse. He pointed his blade at her. “Is this supposed to be an offering for me?”
“I had thought you were someone else.”
“Good, because I prefer the ladies.” Jim peered into her face. “You are a lad, aren’t you? Cuz if you weren’t, I’d have to feed you to me men. Although, some of them might find you appetizing as you are.”
Jesse nodded vigorously, although she felt the blood drain from her face. She mumbled through the clot
h. “I am a lad.”
The tip of Jim’s sword hovered near her neck, and she froze. The blade easily sliced through the silk scarf, and it fluttered away in the wind. “Well, lad, will you join my crew or stand by your...”
He glanced at the kneeling prince then rolled his eyes back to her. “Captain?”
“You.” She hoped her answer wasn’t too quick.
Jolly Jim pointed his sword at her guard. “How ‘bout you?”
“I stand beside Prince Jafir.”
“Fair enough.” He nodded and pointed at Alam. “And you, sir?”
Jesse watched as hate and defiance washed over the prince’s face. “I’d rather be marooned.”
Jim pursed his lips and nodded agreeably. “And so you shall...along with those that chose to remain with you.”
Jesse was forced to remain on her knees while each of Alam’s crew was asked the same question. Out of over one hundred men, only a third joined Jolly Jim. Then he sent men below deck to ask all the slaves.
“Do you have the key for those, prince?” Jolly Jim asked as he pointed at Jesse.
Reluctantly, Alam tossed the key at his feet. Jim picked it up, using the tip of his sword to stab through the ring holding the key. He held it in front of the prince. “Set him free.”
Alam hesitated before snatching the key. Jesse presented her back to him, and as he unlocked the cuffs, he whispered in her ear. “When we meet again, my little Adara, and we will, I will not wait to take you.”
The cuffs fell off and clattered to the deck. She quickly jumped to her feet and stood behind Jolly Jim. Her words held venom. “And then I’ll use your heart as a sheath for my blade.”
Jolly Jim laughed. “Glad to see you’re a ladies man, lad. I was beginning to wonder.”
A tall, African man came up on deck and strode purposefully to Jim’s side. “All de slaves ’cept one join you, captain.”
Jim looked shocked. “A slave declined his freedom?”
“Nay, captain, he didn’t say yea or nay. He asked to speak to you first.”
“Then bring him to me.”
The African waved his hand, and Dulac was brought before them. Jesse wondered where the dagger was as his hands were empty. His eyebrows were drawn together as he glared at them. The corners of his lips were turned down.
“Where’s LeBlanc?”
“He’s not here,” Jesse blurted out. Standing behind Jolly Jim, she pointed at him. “He’s the captain.”
The two men quietly assessed one another, and Jesse couldn’t help but compare them. Where Dulac was dark and broody, Jolly Jim was light and full of laughter. She could see how he got his name, for it seemed he viewed the world with a great sense of humor.
“So what say you to joining me crew, mate?” Jim asked with a smile.
Dulac carefully looked around the deck. Jesse knew who he was searching for, but LeBlanc wasn’t on this ship or the other. She could tell by his face he wasn’t satisfied as he gave his reluctant answer. She could see the torment in his eyes.
“Aye, captain, I’ll join yer lot.”
Chapter 12
May 2, 1900 – Evening
Captain Jim’s ship, The Mary C. Bones
Jesse lay on her back, watching the stars twinkling above her. The decks were wall to wall with sleeping pirates, but she had managed to find a spot on top of the galley. Her mind drifted over the day’s events.
Jolly Jim had secured Alam and his steadfast crew in the hold of the prince’s ship. Then he had the African take command of it whilst they found an appropriate place to maroon Alam. She and Dulac had been moved to Jim’s ship and given duties. She had more than welcomed the normality the chores brought. Yet it had also dredged up memories of her first captain and had made her more than a little sad. The old fool should have retired to the land a long time ago. Then he wouldn’t be resting at the bottom of the sea.
As someone pulled himself up on to the top of the galley, she froze and pretended to be asleep. He knelt beside her and poked her in the shoulder. His voice was low but definitely familiar. “Jesse.”
“Dulac?” she whispered.
“Aye.”
He lay down on his back and continued to whisper. “I’ve a favor to ask of you.”
Instantly wary, Jesse answered hesitantly. “Depends on what it is.”
“’Tis simple, actually.” His deep voice washed over her like a warm, summer breeze. She loved to hear him talk. “What will it take for you to keep my secret?”
Jesse contemplated his request. The pirates they sailed with would not be too kind to a pirate hunter. There weren’t many of their brethren these days, especially in the Caribbean. Most kept to the Mediterranean or China as the Lifesaving Service heavily guarded these waters. The fact Dulac was a hunter would put his life in danger, and though he thought she was just a lad, she had come to enjoy his company immensely.
“All I ask is that ya keep my neck from getting broken.”
“Ya won’t swing because of me,” he whispered. He sighed heavily. “Been a long day. Mind if I sleep here?”
Jesse shrugged. “Fine by me.”
The sound of the waves lapping against the ship filled her ears, and soon, Dulac’s soft snores did as well. She turned her head to the left and looked at him. The moon bathed his face in ethereal light, and she found she couldn’t look away.
Jesse recalled how he had taken care of her during her state of drunkenness. Her heart warmed at the thought that he cared for her to some degree. The feeling was soon tainted with the idea he had only done so because she had helped him during his time of need. She pushed all thoughts away, deciding to just stare at him while she could.
His lips begged to be kissed, and she fought the urge to do so. She imagined running her tongue over his bottom lip and tickling the crack of his mouth. She wondered what his tongue would feel like against her own and if it would be as nice as Alam’s kiss or as slippery as LeBlanc’s.
Sighing, Jesse tore her gaze away from the man she was quickly becoming obsessed with. The best she could hope for from him was that he would begin to think of her as his little brother. She turned her back on him, determined to worm her way into his heart...one way or another.
* * * *
Dulac pricked his finger on the sewing needle and cursed. One of his chores was to help mend torn sails and clothing—usually unwashed. Growing up, he’d been the only boy in a house of girls. Yet his mother had insisted he learn the basics of cooking, cleaning and other household chores. His parents were quite wealthy, and even though they had a housekeeper and other servants, the children were each expected to contribute to the house.
“Need some help?”
A shadow fell over Dulac, and Jesse smiled down at him. “I’m pretty good with the needle myself.”
“Sure.”
The lad sat down and pulled a sock out of the basket. He wrinkled his nose. “Ewww, someone needs a bath.”
Dulac snorted. “Everyone needs a bath.”
They sewed in silence for awhile. Then, after making sure they were out of earshot, Jesse asked in a low voice, “So why did you join the Lifesaving Service?”
The memory stabbed Dulac in the gut, and his hand froze in mid-sew. “I was aboard a sinking ship when I was eleven years old. The Service saved us, and they made a great impression on my young mind. Ever since, I’ve wanted to be able to help people the way they do.”
Jesse’s brows furrowed. “By hunting pirates?”
“Now that’s a different story altogether.” Dulac glanced around warily. “I don’t feel comfortable talking about this out here. Voices do carry, you know.”
Jesse nodded. “Okay.”
But Dulac only thought that the subject had been dropped. He realized his mistake when minutes later, Jesse asked, “So when not hunting pirates, the Service saves sinking ships.”
Dulac’s tone was slightly annoyed. “If we must discuss this, they don’t normally hunt pirates. There aren’t many left in t
hese waters, y’know. The main goal of a Surfman is to save shipwrecked victims. Now can we please move onto another topic for discussion?”
“Gee willikers, Dulac. I was just curious.”
“Better watch that. It’s killed a lot of cats.”
Jesse rolled his eyes. “Very funny.”
They lapsed into silence, and Dulac remembered the day the chief of the Treasury Department’s Revenue Marine Division called him into his office. Dulac had recently been appointed as assistant Inspector of Investigations, and Captain Charles F. Shoemaker had caught wind of pirates in the Caribbean. He had sent Dulac on a secret mission to find them. Dulac had readily agreed, as he hoped to find the pirate that had murdered his cousin, Brant.
Dulac narrowed his eyes. He had found that pirate, but circumstance had not been in his favor. One day, however, he vowed LeBlanc would pay.
* * * *
The next evening after dinner, Jesse and Dulac sat on top of the galley. She shuffled a deck of cards borrowed from the cook. It had been awhile since she had played cards, and they felt good ruffling through her fingers. “Let’s play Blackjack.”
“What are we betting?” Dulac sat cross-legged in front of her, and his massive body looked awkward in such a position.
She dug in her pocket and pulled out a cloth-wrapped item. “Since I helped Cook, he slipped me something from his private stock.”
The corners fell open to reveal a handful of small, chocolate chunks. Dulac’s mouth fell open. “Where’d he get that?”
Jesse pointed at the ship following theirs. “Cook was allowed to raid Alam’s galley.”
She divided the bits as equally as she could but still ended up with one extra. She held it out to Dulac. “Taste it. I’ve already had a piece.”
She dropped it into his outstretched hands, careful to not touch him. She knew a spark would flare up between them and didn’t want to frighten him away. She watched his face as he popped the treat into his mouth. He closed his eyes as he savored the small piece of Heaven, and once again, she wondered what his tongue would feel like.
Jesse shook her head and began dealing. She laid one card face down to each of them, then placed one face up. His top card was a King of Hearts. Hers was an Ace of Hearts. Carefully, she lifted the edge of her down card, King of Spades. She kept her face deadpan as she watched Dulac. “What’s your bet?”
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