Page 10 of Scourge of the Shores

“She’s a saucy wench!” He flinched before chuckling with a wide, challenging grin, running his eyes from her toes to her head. His chuckle faded at her low snarl, and he offered a smoldering nod, “Aye, Captain. Duly noted.”

Robert cleared his throat and relaxed his suddenly tense shoulders. No one had died yet.

“Captain Chadwick, Captain Ervin, and Scotty—meet the Pirate Kings of the North Sea. Captains Rosa, Blackwood, Damien, Garrick, Cooper, Vance, Hagen, Holcomb, and Adams.” He gestured his hand to each man gathered around them.

The corners of Danna’s pinched mouth rose in a polite smile. “Ahoy.”

"Now then, Captain Chadwick," Blackwood drawled, flippin’ his hand in the air with a lazy grin. "We’ve shared our pleasantries, aye. But let’s get to it—what be yer plans for gettin’ us off this cursed island?”

Danna stepped forward. “Came to see what repairs you be needin’ and how long ye might be stayin’.”

Rosa shot red eyes at Robert. “I thought ye spent half the day getting her to barter?” Then to Danna. “Did ye not come to barter?”

Robert saw Danna open her mouth out of the corner of his eye.

They’d blow the three islanders away if she said she couldn’t help them.

So, he stepped in front of her and answered Rosa’s question.

“I did. We have a deal with traded labor or other sorts. They are dealing with a sea dragon they’ve named Cain. ”

Blackwood threw his hands in the air. “I don’t tangle with sea devils, mate. Ye want help? Find another fool.”

Damien stepped forth. “Aye, let’s hear ‘em. What’s worth riskin’ our skins over a sea demon? A relic like that earns a prophecy straight from the DeepMother’s depths. Ain’t no gift. It’s a gamble.”

Danna pushed Robert out of her way. “I only came to see what repairs ye needed and how long ye’d stay if there be no barter.”

Rosa growled at her, and his hand shot to his belt, close enough to his pistol to cause Ervin to step forward as well, hand on his own belt.

Robert foresaw the meeting ending badly. “She said she would like to know what we are repairing and what they could barter, whether it is food or whatnot,” Robert said, again stepping in front of Danna. “They have not committed to anything yet.”

“But what are they offerin’?” Garrick interrupted.

Robert swung his arms wide. “Nothing yet. They want to see the repairs needed, and then they will barter from there. So, take them through your ship’s list of repairs, and then I will go with them to barter.”

“Aye.” The string of agreements followed a moment of silent contemplation. Rosa’s thumb slid over his pistol’s handle as he eyed Robert. “Fine, Captain Chadwick. Start with Hagen’s ship.”

Danna shoved Robert in the back to get out of her way, but Robert didn’t move, making her go around. Ervin, Danna, and Scotty left with Captain Hagen. As the other Pirate Kings went their own way, Rosa stepped toe-to-toe with Robert. “Turn yer back on a pirate, and ye might find steel in it.”

“She ain’t a pirate though she talks like one. She ain’t gonna kill me,” Robert said, hoping she wouldn’t, and patted Rosa’s shoulder as he sidestepped him. “Come on, let’s get back to cuttin’ trees in the meantime.”

Rosa shoved him on the shoulder in jest. “Aye, ye mean join the labor, not laze about makin’ eyes at a ripe lil’ island filly. If ye get bored of her, mate, pass her me way.”

Robert shook his head, letting out a slow breath. “Not after you mocked her for being a woman,” he chuckled. “She’s a Chadwick.”

Rosa scoffed. “Aye, she’s got a name, but she’s still just a lass. Tell me, Jaymes—ye ever let a skirt tell ye when to set sail?”

Robert’s smirk curled sharp at the insult, and he met Rosa’s speech. “Aye, real strange, then, how we be sittin’ on her island, under her rules, beggin’ her for wood like shipwrecked dogs.” He revealed his perfect, white teeth. “Tell me, mate, who’s really wearin’ the captain’s coat here?”

Rosa let out a hearty laugh and shoved him harder. “Shut yer mouth, Jaymes. Just ‘cause ye dress yer words in ribbons don’t mean ye ain’t talkin’ rot.”

Robert dusted off his sleeve, rolling his shoulders like he was shaking off the second insult.

“Ah, but that’s where ye’re wrong, Rosa.

I don’t just talk pretty—I win pretty. Got me silver tongue, got me sharp wit, me shiny teeth, and if that fails…

” He leaned in slightly, the refinement in his tone slipping just enough to sharpen the edge.

“I got me a steel spine, a fast blade, and a sure aim.”

Rosa grunted, sizing him up. “Ye Jaymes boys always did think ye were princes of the sea. Soft hands, clean boots, but a devil’s grin. But don’t think yer charm’ll save ye forever, mate. One day, ye’ll run outta words, and I’ll be laughin’ when ye do.”

Robert winked. “Then let’s hope I never shut up.”

Rosa laughed as Robert slapped him on the back. “Now, unless ye wanna keep yappin’, we’ve got work to do,” Robert said.

Rosa was his matelot, his closest friend, but he was too predictable. Could always settle him down with a bit of old-world banter.

* * *

The day waned, and Robert, as the last captain to share their needs, told Danna the list of repairs Storm Rider needed.

He thought her eyes would wander down his bare chest as he purposely left his shirt off, but Danna listened with narrowed eyes and an expressionless face until she punched him in the arm without warning.

Robert jerked back. “What was that for?”

Danna pointed a finger at his face. “I can handle meself, Jaymes. I ain’t needin’ ye steppin’ in like I’m some helpless wench. Ye made me look weak before the Pirate Kings.”

He sighed before grabbing her arm and pulling her a little closer, ensuring her other hand couldn’t reach a flintlock or dagger.

“They would’ve shot you dead at the moment you said ‘No’ without waiting for an explanation.

Trust me when I tell you, I saved your life.

” He let go of her and stepped back, glancing at Ervin and Scotty well behind her, who had stiffened at their exchange.

Robert nodded to them to indicate everything was fine, but Ervin’s hand lingered on his flintlock.

Danna’s voice yanked Robert’s attention back to her. “Why would ye do that?”

“As a thank you for not putting a bullet in my head last night or letting Captain Ervin do the same this morning.” He peered at Ervin, who tightened his grip on the flintlock while watching them with an icy glare.

Ervin seemed highly protective of Danna, more so than Scotty, and he decided to test a sudden assumption.

“I don’t think your lover likes me very much. ”

“Aye, well, if we were, ye’d not be livin’ to ask twice.”

Robert smirked, dragging his thumb across his lips. “Could’ve fooled me,” he drawled, carefully masking the satisfaction curling in his gut.

She punched him as her response—this time in the cheek.

His head snapped to the side, the sharp taste of iron coating his tongue. She hit like a cannonball. He let her grab his jaw and jerk his head to face her, resisting the reflex to strike back.

“And me love life ain’t no concern of yers, Jaymes. That’s twice now ye’ve run yer mouth on it. Make it thrice, and it’ll be the last thing rollin’ off yer tongue.” She shoved his head backward before storming off.

The bitter iron taste ran between his teeth. Robert couldn’t take his eyes off her swinging hips until she passed by Scotty and Ervin, who snarled at him.

Robert wiped his mouth, flashing a wolfish grin.

“Easy, pirate.” Ervin pulled his flintlock from his belt.

“He ain’t worth the lead, Lucas. Save yer shot for Cain,” Danna said as she glanced back at Robert. “We need to get home, figure out how to get ‘em off our island.”

Ervin’s glare never wavered. “Aye, Captain.”

Robert pressed his tongue to the cut on his inner cheek to stem the slow trickle of blood. If there ever was a woman who was meant for him, it was a woman like Danna. Fierce, independent, and resolute—qualities that both infuriated and captivated him.