Taken by Pirates

The sense of duty and dedication each man had to the ship and its crew was astounding. It felt like an even deeper connection than family. Like there was some special bond, an invisible glue, that made lthem anticipate the actions and thoughts of the others.

Or perhaps that was just fanciful thinking, and the men had been together so long that they simply knew each other’s patterns.

Willy walked closely beside me as we approached the dock, those dark eyes always darting from face to face.

Then his gaze locked on a pair of fishermen and instantly he broke into a chuckle. “As I live and breathe. How are you two beggars still alive?”

The older, dirtier men roared with laughter.

Willy looked around, waving to someone at the very end of the pier. “The Captain is by the Treasure , Maggie. Walk quickly, now. I need to get some news from these salty dogs.”

“All right.” I walked like the crew had taught me – briskly enough that I appeared to have a purpose, but not quite in a rush that might indicate something was wrong.

They had also instructed me to keep my eyes forward, but on the ground ahead of me, so that I didn’t need to meet anyone’s eyes.

Apparently appearing standoffish would attract comments, as would meandering. But people didn’t want to interrupt someone if they were in the middle of urgent business. That was the sense I was to portray.

I actually found it rather interesting that the crew had so many habits and tricks designed to make them invisible. It wasn’t just good for thievin’, apparently. A woman walking alone certainly might be at risk in some areas.

But certainly not when Willy was still close by, and the Captain was somewhere up ahead.

As I passed the Devil’s Blue Sea , I couldn’t help but pause to look up at the dark hull. An arrangement of bones and skulls was painted in gray on the black wood. It was subtle, and could only be seen up close. The entire ship had a strange, almost evil look about it.

Perhaps it was a warning to other sailors at the docks to keep away.

The Midnight Treasure looked just as powerful and fearsome, but not…sinister. It didn’t appear to be obviously full of criminals.

The Devil’s Blue Sea , however, was definitely up to no good. It might as well have been painted across the sails that they were thieves and pirates.

A shudder ran through me as I realized they were truly dangerous, wicked men.

With a start, I realized I was standing quite close to the gangplank, and someone might think I was trying to come aboard.

I began to turn away, but a solid arm wrapped around my waist.

As I turned to scream, I looked up into the Captain’s eyes. “Easy, m’lass, it’s me.”

He turned so that his back was toward the shore, shielding me with his body. “The Devil’s crew are all down at the pub,” he said. “But I don’t want any of them to get a look at you.”

I loved that he was so protective of me. I loved that he was always thinking of my safety.

His hand settled on my hip, as I looked up into those glittering blue-black eyes. He wanted me. Completely.

I almost laughed out loud as I realized the look in his eyes was even clearer than the painted skull and bones.

Those perfect lips dipped to my ear as he breathed, “Maggie, I can’t have you out here looking so ravishing. I can’t have so many men staring at you.”

“Why not?” I asked teasingly, smiling up at him sweetly.

His low growl was almost taken away by the breeze. “You know why, my beautiful girl.”

“Do I?”

His grip tightened as his lips skimmed my cheekbone. “Because you’re mine. The only woman in the world for me.”

Those words undid me. It was something a girl always dreamt of hearing, but could never quite truly hope for. Yet now it was true.

His lips slowly tilted down, about to brush mine, as I stretched my hands up around his neck.