Free Love's Abyss (St. John Series) by Lora Thomas Page B

“What did you say?” he asked slowly with ice in his voice.
    The sneer was still in McClain’s voice. “You heard me.”
    Vengeance was evident on Alex’s face. “You can rest assure, Commodore , that pretty little redhead will be screaming my name out with pleasure by the time I’m through with her. And when she’s returned to you, you will be bedding nothing but the leftovers of a pirate’s whore.” Alex turned and started towards the rope again.
    “I’ll make you scream like that whore at Port Royal!” McClain bellowed. Alex stopped as if frozen, pivoted and stormed back to the Commodore, his footsteps echoing with purpose.
    The Commodore sneered at the approaching pirate. “Did you get to speak with that slut before she died?” he needled.
    With one quick move Alex’s large fist connected with the Commodore’s jaw, sending him flying across the ship. The sound of the contact of the pirate’s fist with the Commodore’s face echoed across the ship. Slim’s face cringed as if he had been the target.
    “Capt’n,” a boyish voice came from behind him. “A ship approaches from the rear.”
    Alex walked to the back of The Armada , picked up the Commodore’s spyglass and looked. “It’s the Governor’s vessel,” he told the youngster. “Get on The Abyss . Tell the crew to make her ready for sail.”
    “But we can take them, Capt’n,” the boy insisted.
    “Not today, Samuel. Now, do as I say.”
    “Aye, aye, Capt’n,” the boy said and quickly boarded The Abyss .
    Alex looked at Slim. “Burn the sails,” he told the tall skinny Jamaican man before him.
    Once the sails were ablaze, Alex and the rest of his crew boarded The Abyss . Max was waiting at the quarterdeck with McClain’s mistress. She did not look happy, downright furious, once he got to thinking about it. A thought crossed Alex’s mind. Wonder if Kris saw Max bring her aboard The Abyss? If she did, everyone look out .

 
    Chapter Eight
     
    At the helm Alex yelled for Samuel. “Take her to my quarters and don’t leave her.”
    “But, Capt’n,” the boy protested, “You have more use for me up here.”
    “Aye, you are handy up here,” the Captain informed the boy. “But she is rather resourceful. I don’t want to walk into my cabin and find myself shot.” Alex turned from the boy. “Drop all sails and release The Armada !” He took hold of the helm. “Go on, Samuel.”
    “Yes, sir,” the boy said reluctantly. He took hold of Madison’s bound hands and pulled, “Come on now.” She pulled back in protest. The boy pulled harder until she stumbled in his direction. He turned towards her and raised his brow. “I suggest you come on before you make the Capt’n angry,” he informed the struggling captive.
    “And what if I do?” she hissed.
    “Then you might find yourself attempting to swim back to The Armada in shark infested waters,” she heard the pirate Captain state. She plodded along with the boy as flames of hatred flared from her eyes at the pirate over her shoulders.
    As she stumbled below deck, the ship jerked, creaked, and popped from the power of the wind filling her sails. It was difficult to move as the ship rose up and down from the force of her cutting through the water. She was moving steadily through the seas.
    The blond-headed boy dragged her into the Captain’s quarters. Madison studied the quarters. It wasn’t much different than Andrew’s. Upon entering the room, there was the typical large mahogany table with maps and papers scattered about. Instruments of all shapes and sizes lay on top of the papers. Several large black leather chairs surrounded the table, each piled high with books. There was a huge wall to the right lined with leather bound books. How odd . Why would they have need of those ? There was a clean aroma to the room, one of leather and another scent that Madison could only describe as manly.
    “Watch yer step,” the boy told her.
    She slowly stepped up trying to keep