Page 17 of Scourge of the Shores
“Robert,” he said. “Call me Robert when we are alone, as I call you Danna.”
“We’re not that familiar.” But her eyes betrayed her words.
“I think we are. You and I share many characteristics.”
She scoffed. “Like what?”
“Well, you’re persistent. You endure. You’re meticulous, clearly,” he said, waving an arm over the table. “You are a bit obsessive. Probably too critical of yourself. You doubt yourself and your ability to make the right decisions, yet you do it well. You’ve been forced to become a leader before you were ready.”
Danna narrowed her eyes. “What in the depths are ye ramblin’ about?”
He thought he might as well throw in something for fun. “You’ve probably never been kissed, though all the men on this island probably would love to be your chosen man.”
“What?” Danna stood, shocked at the last one, with red rose blossoms on her olive cheeks. Her knuckles grew white around the dagger’s handle. “Ye wanna a kiss, Jaymes? Step closer, and I’ll carve ye one.”
“And you don’t let anyone push you around,” he said as he took a few steps toward the open doors, just in case she decided to swing the dagger. “And you probably avoid the grog to keep your wits about you. Smart woman.”
“Ye’re a self-obsessed, lying princock that doesn’t know when to shut his mouth.”
“I am not a princock, Danna. I speak the truth. Come see for yourself. Then tell me if it’s worth letting us rot here. I also know how men think, and as they are not blind, I’m sure there ain’t a man on this island that hasn’t wondered, Captain Chadwick. But only the foolish ones would dare say it aloud.”
Danna’s grip on her dagger tightened, but she didn’t take the bait. “Ye love the sound of yer own voice, don’t ye, Jaymes?”
He tilted his head. “Only when it gets under your skin.”
“I’ve heard enough.” She turned sharply, shoulders squared. “Get out.”
“Come with me, then,” he called after her, his voice dropping lower, smoother. “Let me show you I’m not a self-obsessed, lying princock. Let me show you our ships and the repairs they need. It will not be a short stay. We can think through various deals to get us off this island faster and maybe help you with your Cain troubles.”
Her eyes narrowed. She was silent for a long time, long enough for Robert to think she wouldn’t repeat herself until a short “Fine. But ye step outta line, and I’ll gut ye meself” burst through her tight lips.
She shoved him out of her way and ordered, “Scotty, wake Captain Ervin. The three of us are going to the pirates’ camp.”
“Aye, Captain,” Scotty said.
Soon after, Ervin accompanied the trio, and they walked to the eastern shore.
“Look who the tide brought in,” Daniel Rosa said and he approached Robert, hugging him. His shirt was tied around his waist, and sweat ran down his chest.
“Ah, Rosa, the tide is good,” Robert said and turned to introduce Danna, but Rosa spoke before him.
“An’ this be the blood o’ Chadwick, then?” Rosa said, running his eyes up and down Danna’s body, letting his fat tongue roll across his bottom lip. Ervin stepped near her and puffed his chest.
“Respect Captain Chadwick,” Ervin said.
“A woman leadin’ men?” Rosa laughed. “Ha! What’s next in this strange world, a fish teachin’ sailors how to swim?”
Danna smirked, crossing her arms. “Aye, Rosa, and yet here ye stand, barkin’ like a stray dog at me feet, while I’m the one givin’ orders.” She leaned in slightly. “Strange world indeed.”
Rosa stopped mid-laugh and growled, but stayed his hand as Foy Blackwood and the other Pirate Kings appeared behind Rosa, similarly drenched in sweat, shirts off or tied around their waists.
Blackwood clicked his tongue. “Best not get too sharp with a lady, lads, especially when she’s got a face worth ransomin’. Captain Foy Blackwood at yer service.” Blackwood grabbed Danna’s hand and kissed it before she could yank it away. He chuckled and smirked at Danna’s resistance, holding it tight.
The small gesture and the resulting mockery filled Robert with the urge to knock Blackwood senseless.
But Danna held her own. She jerked her hand away in a fist and swung her dagger across Blackwood’s chest, leaving a fine trail of blood, barely cutting the skin.
“Next time, Captain Blackwood,” she said, voice even, “ye’ll find yer guts in the sand.”
