Chapter One 

I got him. After following him for days, he was finally in my grasp. I waited until the sun had finally set to make my move. The ripples of pink and orange slowly disappeared under the horizon. If I didn’t know better, it was a sign of success. I was to not fail, not this time or ever.

Everything depended on it. Those ripples were mine to bask in and not the darkness that came after the sunset.

Alejo grimaced, chestnut hair unkempt from a long day out at sea, eyes as black as night scrunching up in disgust, “You’re gonna have to do better than that to win one on me, mate.” Taking his bear claw of a hand, he removed the pin from his arse I shot him with a few moments ago. I giggled, the drug should be working in a few moments. But, he didn’t know that. I got to admit, sneakiness wasn’t my best attribute, but I made it up with my Goddess-like beauty.

“Aye, aye,” I waved my hand, turning my back, my raven hair gracing the air as it fell into place on my lower back. I knew it was foolish of me to have my back to the enemy, but he was an exception. Besides, I had knives on the ready and reflexes like a cat. “You want the Bleeding Ruby, I want the Bleeding Ruby,” I brought my index finger to the side of my jaw, contemplating over our relationship. For years, Alejo and I have been battling it out any chance we got. We were meant to team up and split the income. After we had angry sex, of course. Then, I would take the money and make a run for it. My smile brightened up, “Why not work together, old friend?” We were old friends, in a sense. He, a Navy Captain gone rebel and I, the most famous assassin queen out who had ever lived.

We had history, maybe even, chemistry. Regardless, he was the perfect ally, I could use him for his Navy ways and I could help in taking out the bastard who has the jewel. We would be unstoppable.

I could see the smoke coming out of his ears. He was seething, literally. “You dare drug me and now you want to work together? And, on my ship? Oh, Esme, you barked up the wrong tree today and I’m going to make sure I don’t see you, ever again.”

I gasped in horror. This wasn’t supposed to happen. He was supposed to be willing, not a hard ass with a big ego.

I heard his footsteps getting fainter. He was escaping into his quarters and leaving me out here alone with no one to turn to. I frowned, the poison should have taken effect by now. Why wasn’t he on the floor like a slobbering drunk? That slimy merchant lied to me. I even let him cop a feel. I grabbed my breasts, these puppies did me good, most of the time. But, why would that merchant lie?

All thoughts were broken.

The next thing I knew I felt a sharp pain on my back as I landed on the floor of the ship. I probably landed on a nail. This was not good. He brought my arms over my head. His hands clenched at mine, tightly, as if he wasn’t taking any chances of my departure.

I gaped at him. How did he do that?

“Esmeralda Izquierdo...” his eyes held a significance to them, something primal. I could see his mouth moving, his eyes moving from my parted lips to my droopy eyes.

I snorted internally, he probably thought I wanted him or something, judging the carnal desire that was very eminent in his pupils. Half of it was true, but I wasn’t telling.

The ship rocked more than usual. There were even sea turtles flying with their flippers happily in the sky.

Something poked me. I just had to ask, “Did you grow another arm, or are you way too happy to see me?” I tried lifting my head to check his groin area. Nope, it was just his third arm.

Third arm?

I might be losing more blood than I thought. We may be enemies, but I know Alejo wouldn’t let me die. He was a gentleman first, I think.  

He blushed, his grip on my arms lessened a little. I took that small chance and head butted him on the chin. He exploded up, howling at the sea turtles. I wanted to cry. The poor turtles didn’t deserve to hear the obscenities that came out of his mouth, even if they were a figment of my imagination.

I did the only thing I could at the moment, I pushed him overboard.

He went yelling all the way down.

I did it for the flying sea turtles.

*******************************

There was no way my tiny arms could lift up Alejo. After I came to, he was swimming with the sharks, fighting tooth and nail to survive. I felt bad, I really did, but he should know once I’m wounded, I am in a world of my own.

His grunts and protests to the sharks could be heard by the world, “Esme! Get me out of here! You win! I’ll team up with you!”

My ears perked up. Clearly, he was desperate, “Say it, again!”

“WHAT?”

I laughed, his misery was refreshing to me, “Only kidding,” I looked for a rope. I could probably pull him up to the ship.

It was worth a try. I threw it overboard, “Alejo! Hang on tight!” I heaved the rope over my shoulder and ran the opposite direction. I don’t know how I was doing it, but I did it. He was almost there. I took this opportunity to grab his tunic and lift him up.

Mistake on my part. Gravity wasn’t all too generous. I let go of the rope too soon and now we were both about to fall back down to the sharks. I clutched at his collar for dear life, praying this wouldn’t be the end.

Where was his crew? Who had heard of a captain without crew members? I get that he went all rouge, but this wasn’t the time and place. I needed manpower. I cursed my parents for making me into such a weakling.

“Uh, Esme?”

“We’re going to die! All is lost!” I started crying on the spot, images of my life flashed before my eyes. I thought they were all stories of crazies believing there was an after life. I was so wrong.

“Esme.”

“What do you want at this crucial time?” I snapped, hating the fact that he wouldn’t let us die in peace already. Before I could realize it, Alejo had me in his arms, our feet touching the floor, well, mine barely touched the floor.  My arms had subconsciously made its way around his neck. It felt nice, I secretly snuggled into his hard chest.

“What are you doing?” He watched me, closely. He wasn’t going to let his guard down, not this time.

That woke me up, “Oh, nothing.” I looked everywhere, but him. It was awkward after being caught in the act, but I’m not telling. I grinned, “So, about teaming up…” I hoped he remembered because, if not, I would gladly throw him overboard, again. I had no qualms about that.

“About that. It seems if I refuse, bad luck will follow me after we separate,” he wiped his face with his hand, exasperated. “I won’t go back on my word, as long as you won’t betray me after we have the Bleeding Ruby.” He eyed me warily.

“I have no idea what you’re talking about,” I kept my words curt and not suspicious.

He knew. He knew what I was up to.

No, no, he didn’t. I would have to recalculate my plans after all. Maybe seduce him, make him fall more in love with me and then ask for the money. He would give everything and anything to me by then.

“Right,” his face was so close.

I might as well keep it traditional.

“If you don’t believe me, then we can blood shake on it.”

Alejo cringed, “No need. I believe you, for now.” He set me on my feet. My head strained to look up at him, I took a few steps back.

“That’s better,” I breathed out.

“Now, before we set off on our journey, you need to tell me what’s got you all shaken up with the jewel.”

I froze, to tell him or not. It wouldn’t make a difference, that jewel was mine for the taking. “Red Beard.”

Alejo looked unaffected. He must be crazy or not know of Red Beard to not shiver at the name.

I tried, again. “I might have done something to make me a threat.” More like a target. Red Beard never liked games, but I was a professional at them. I met my match when I went against orders.

“So, this bearded guy wants to kill you or something?”

He made it sound like it wasn’t a big deal. I ran for my life. “And, this is why I can never tell you anything. I’m heading to bed.” I started for his chambers.

“And, where do you think you’re going? I never invited you on my ship, lass.”

“Fine, then I’ll sleep where the crew is. I know you don’t have a set crew, you rebel.” I winked at him.

The tops of his ears showed his embarrassment. Poor captain was alone with a big ship. I get the feeling that this Navy ship wasn’t given to him.  

**********************************

“Rise and shine, beautiful!” I poured a pitcher of salt water on the lump of man.

Alejo came up with a gasp, “That’s f-freezing.”

“You didn’t have any complaints last night, now stop your whining and get ready. It’s almost time to depart!” I was excited beyond belief, it was my first adventure in a while and I might score with this one. “I’ll be right outside, preparing the vessel.” I felt like someone important, like I had this ship all to myself. Getting rid of Alejo was at the top of my list.

“Don’t even think about it, wench,” he smirked.

I wanted to lick those lips off, but I played it off as if I actually got hurt by his words. I smirked, “Make sure not to sleep when I’m around, love. You never know what kind of creatures actually go bump in the night.”

“Aye, aye,” he waved me out.

I got outside and was greeted with the sun. I was relishing in the feeling. I came this far, I couldn’t go back now. What was done with Red Beard, was done. I felt safer with Alejo, to be honest. I felt comfortable and not threatened. Well, only when he tried to get closer to me.

I could feel my face warming up. I patted my cheeks. “Easy there, E.”

“Are you talking to yourself, again?” His voice was deeper in the morning. I kind of liked it. I felt the rumble hum somewhere inside of me. It was nice, but I had to control myself. I was wishing we had that jewel already, so the sex would follow through.

“Of course not! It’s called a pep talk,” I looked around on purpose, “Looking at your place, you need pep talk more than I do,” I snorted.

“Keep talking like that and I’ll make you walk.” He glared.

That shut me right up, but not for long. I always bounced back. He was just a grumpy gills after he wakes up.

I walked up to the edge of the ship and placed my elbows on the edge. “Where to Captain Zepata?”

“I’m still working on that. We’ve yet to located where the Bleeding Ruby could be,” he pondered, “I guess we should shoot up villages and try to get a lead.”

“I couldn’t have said it better myself.”

The aura around him changed. He was a different person when he went into Captain mode. “Now listen up, just because you’re the only crew member here, it doesn’t mean you get a few responsibilities. You and I will share the duties and recruit newbies onto our ship.”

I humored him, “Aye, aye, sir!”

“Now get to sailing, full speed ahead!”

If I didn’t know any better, then he ordered like a pirate than a man who was part of the Navy. Maybe there was more to Alejo than I let on.

I needed to find out more about him. Even if it meant getting on his bad side.

We were out at sea for a few hours.

I was already hungry and complaining to Alejo about our current situation. We needed to resupply on food and rum. I can’t believe he let us set sail like this. If it weren’t for me checking it, then our journey would have come to an end because of starvation.

I would personally come back and haunt him.

“Are you still angry, Esme?”

I turned my back on him and walked another route. The ship was massive and he couldn’t keep following for forever. He had to give up and let me sulk because that was what I wanted to do. I got crank if I wasn’t fed or graced with rum.

Rum was...good. The thought of it made me drool. I wanted to spit at Alejo for being so foolish.

“Okay, okay, just to make it up to you, we will sail to the nearest village and restock on necessities. Better?”

I still didn’t want to speak with him. He would be the death of me one of these days. And, I wasn’t going to take that risk, not today.

I could hear him breathe out in frustration. It was funny, but I would continue to administer the silent treatment. I was made to be a queen, not some lackey he could order around.

This went on for a few more hours, we landed at a nearby village, just as he said.

I applied the wood bridge to climb down.

“I’m coming with you!”

“Now you want to talk to me?”

“Don’t get me angry, then.”

He shook his head, “C’mon then and stay close.”

An idea popped into my head. I hooked my hand around his.

His eyes bulged out, looking at what I was doing.

“Just trust me,” I found empty sacks and bundled them under my shirt. It made me look with child and that was just the look I was going for. I turned to Alejo, “You will call me darling or love.”

He let go of my arm, “I will do no such thing!”

I stepped on his toes, re-hooking my arm with his, “We either stand her bickering or go get some food for the three of us.” I rubbed my pregnant belly for good measure.

He sighed, “Yes, love.”