Page 30 of Bloody Black

“ I t looks like you have teeth in there,” Prudence grins, staring between Domino’s legs.

Domino pumps her fist in the air, then gives everyone a thumbs up. She’s sitting on the railing, thighs spread, and Prudence is peering up her skirt.

“Erm, dare I ask what’s happening?” I ask, rubbing sleep out of my eyes as I climb the stairs to the quarterdeck.

“I’m honestly afraid to speculate,” Teach mutters. He’s sailing us into the busy port of Isla Lorah, eyes trained on an open space at the pier.

Xandretta glances over from the helm. “It’s a protective contraption they bought in Venedria. Made of moonglass. A happy surprise for the rapey ones; you shove it up inside you, and it slices their dick to ribbons.”

Interesting. I discard the idea easily, however. I don’t want to be on my back under a man, not ever again. Not even to kill him .

Speaking of men I should kill, the lieutenant relaxes against the mast, a spread of playing cards in front of him. Tremaine sits across at a low table. His hands are unbound, both of them.

“Hello again!” the man calls out to me cheerfully, waving.

“What’s Tremaine doing with our prisoner?” I demand. “How did he get those cards? And who in the hell untied them?”

Teach doesn’t take his eyes off the pier, completely unbothered. “He’s a doctor. Been helping Holly in the infirmary.”

I gnash my teeth. Goddamn you, Holly. She’s already been bringing our captive three meals a day. Candies. Letting him loose whenever I’m not around.

Having him among my inner circle on the quarterdeck was a bad idea for other reasons too. Even though I have steadfastly ignored the lieutenant since our interaction on the beach, his presence is inescapable. And when it’s bathing time, I have to actually leave to avoid seeing him naked.

I can’t even stand at my own helm without my eyes being molested. Irritating ass. Damnably handsome, stupid…

“Good news, though. That idiot Roger up top is finally done twitching. Gods rest his black soul.” Xandretta wipes her hands with a rag.

“Rest? I hope he burns in hell.” I glance up at Roger’s corpse. “I didn’t realize the seagulls would be so hungry.”

Tremaine seems taken aback. When Robb starts to speak, Prudence stops him. “Don’t you defend him. If you do, I will personally cut out your tongue.”

He holds up his hands in a gesture of placation. “I wasn’t going to. ”

I avoid meeting Robb’s eyes steadfastly. I’m not ignoring the situation brewing in front of me, I just don’t know how to navigate Prudence wanting to murder him whilst Holly and Teach chit-chat and serve him tea.

And I certainly don’t know how to handle the way he’s always watching me. Like I’m a ham leg and he’s starving.

“We’re at Isla Lorah. Does that mean you’re all going onshore?” he asks the group. To his credit, the lieutenant hasn’t looked at Domino once, even though her legs are still wide open, baring it all for him to see.

Tremaine, on the other hand…

“Nay. Only some of us.” Domino hops down from the railing, giving her lithe body a shake. “Blackbeard and Teach, specifically.”

I can tell Robb has another question. I’m dying to know what it is; what he thinks he knows. Not that I would ask. And not that it would make a difference. I don’t have time to fret about what he might think about me–not now and not later—because I need to focus on the task at hand.

What I do not need to do is think about Lieutenant Maynard.

Or how hot and itchy I already am.

Today I’m wearing an ingenious design by Teach, a black bodice, with a pale blue skirt that goes entirely around my body.

It’s connected via a series of buttons. With a single yank, I can tear it away, revealing thin pants underneath.

This allows me to run, leap, climb, kick…

Then, button the fabric panels into place before I walk into the street, easily transitioning from pirate to lady.

When it’s dark, you wouldn’t know the difference .

I have five knives tucked into various hidden pockets. If someone threw me in the sea, I’d sink like a stone, weighed down by all the weapons I’m carrying.

Teach is decked out too. Four pistols, a cutlass, grease smeared around his eyes, his beard fluffy with red threads wound up in it.

Dressed up in a captain’s tricorn hat, whenever we go ashore, he easily pretends to be me.

The Great Captain Blackbeard, the famous Edward Teach.

It’s an easy ruse to believe, especially when he’s frowning.

Which is nearly never, actually.

The Queen Anne’s Revenge bumps along the dock. “Domino! Ropes!”

Seemingly of their own volition, my boots carry me toward the lieutenant. He and Tremaine are still playing cards, keeping busy.

“You look good in blue. The color suits you.” His voice is low, husky, and far too inviting.

Whatever I expect him to say, he always surprises me, and my pulse flares at the look in his eye.

Suddenly, I’m foolishly pleased and a little off balance.

Somewhere inside, an alarm bell rings. Just a few words from him affect me?

It’s the most innocuous compliment he could possibly make, and I’m blushing?

This is immediately followed by me feeling cynical and grumpy.

“Time to go.” Teach says brusquely, brushing past me, heavy steps thudding across the deck.

After a beat, I follow. Teach takes my hand as he helps me down the plank, and when we reach the dock, he extends his arm, gentlemanly, and I lay my palm over his forearm.

To any passerby, we might be newlyweds. We wear matching gold bands on our left hands.

Our outfits compliment each other. Committed to the ruse, I press closer to his side, as if I’m relishing his strength, his steadiness.

It’s not entirely a lie. Teach never panics, never worries, never minds my cursing.

He always accompanies, no matter what evil deeds I might be up to.

Including killing that bastard, Baldric, the next man on my list.

I fake a laugh, and he joins in, as we stroll down the dock. It reeks of tar, fish guts, and rancid ale; even at this early hour, the port is restless, with merchants shouting over crates of citrus. Gulls wheel overhead, and a dog, wagging its tail, lopes toward us.

I bend to scratch its ears. “You know where it is?”

“Of course.” He gazes at me. “I always do.”

“I didn’t realize you were in the habit of frequenting brothels,” I say absently. The dog is soft brown, and it writhes happily under my hands.

“A man has to put his pecker somewhere, doesn’t he?” At my look of horror, Teach gives me a lopsided smile. “I’m kidding. My father always said that. He was a shit, as much as William is.”

“I love you. I really do.” I sigh, straightening. “I thank the Fates and stars that we met.”

“Me too. Probably would have been dead in another day or two, had you not come to my rescue.”

He glances up at the ship, at our crew, where Robb is just another sailor standing among them. He clears his throat. “I’m not going to say anything, but—”

“Then don’t.” I run my tongue over my teeth.

He proceeds anyway. “That lieutenant up there wants to go to bed with you. ”

“Too bad for him that I choose my own lovers,” I say lightly.

“Sure. You do it all the time.” He’s being sarcastic. No man has touched me since… since then. Since William and his men. Nor do I want them to.

We proceed down the dock, turning right when we reach the cobblestone street. Down a narrow lane jammed with small shops, many of which are just opening.

“Scares you, doesn’t he?” Teach glances over at me.

“He doesn’t scare me. He’s so far from dangerous we might as well—”

“Indeed. If he’s so docile and defenseless, we should just untie him. And since you’re not afraid, and you keep looking at him like he’s fresh-baked bread, we’ll have him bunk with you.”

“Why do you sound so much like Xandretta?”

“Why not take the chance?”

Chance of what? Terrifying him? Or confusing myself? A headache is forming between my eyebrows again, and I rub at it with one gloved hand. “Are you trying to piss me off?”

“No, sir. I would never.” He certainly would. Optimism shines in his face, his eyes crinkling at the corners as he smiles. “It’s just you and me here; no one else is listening. Can’t you admit that you like him?”

I’m suddenly glad that it’s far too late, or far too early, for the rest of the crew to be out and about. Everyone but us is on the ship, which means I can speak frankly, without fear. “Fine. The truth is, the lieutenant is rather likeable. And handsome. Now are you happy?”

Before he can say anything else, I continue. “You realize that the moment we met, his execution letter was signed.”

“Now, Captain—”

“No, Teach. Robb’s a soldier. An enforcer for William. Hell, he’s even invited to his wedding. He’s honor-bound to defend him, and he will only get in the way of my blade.” Saying it aloud makes me strangely emotional, so I look away.

“Would you hesitate?”

“I wouldn’t. But I would want to. Then afterward, I’d have to live with it.” I exhale through my nose, sighing.

“Hm.” Teach points ahead, to the left. “Sinner’s Rest is there.”

It’s a rather plain establishment, sitting slightly back from the street. A crisp wooden sign identifies it, done in swirling gold calligraphy.

“Helluva name for a brothel, isn’t it?” Teach muses. “All manner of crimes happening.”

“At least they don’t bother lying?” My body shivers in the early morning breeze. Not because I’m cold, but because of anticipation. I can’t wait to see Baldric’s face when he recognizes me.

Mentally, I check my pockets. Knife. Flintlock pistol. Garrotte. Rondel dagger. Sap. A second, smaller knife, thin as a needle. Bribery money. A small vial of poison tied to a red thread around my neck.

I’m ready.

We walk up the stairs, onto their porch. My heart pounds so hard I can hear it. Teach turns the knob, holds open the door for me. I swallow hard. “Will you—”