A Hidden Queen

Chapter 43

James smirks as Joe breaks down in front of him. That's what she gets for putting me through all this. He scoffs. Joe shakes her head frantically continuing to back away from him. He follows her movements making sure to keep her within reach.

"This can't be happening. This can't be happening." She repeats.

"Oh, I can assure you, it very much is." James mocks. "I have let you have your fun. It's now time to come home where you belong."

Joe halts her rambling. She drops her hands, twisting her face into a snarl. Her blue eyes flare with a determined fire. James' lips pull into a cocky leer. She takes a step closer, pointing an accusing finger in his face.

"I don't belong there!" Joe hisses accusingly.

James' frown pulls at the corner of his lips. He narrows his eyes at the young woman as she sneers at him. His patience is running thin. He thinks. James exhales heavily, taking a step closer to the irritating woman. A deep growl exits as he grabs at the woman. A small gasps leaves Joe as he snatches her from her spot. She withers and thrashes in his hold. James harshly jerks her closer to him, shaking her roughly. Joe fists the front of his uniform, wincing as he digs his fingers into her arm.

"You will stop this right now. You are talking nonsense!" He hisses, shaking her harshly. "You belong with me. To me at Fort Adsecen."

"No!" Joe screams, slamming her fists into his chest. "I do not belong to you anymore James!"

James face falls, "Anymore?"

"Joey!" A gravelly male voice holler.

Joe halts her struggling, snapping her eyes over to the call. James growls under his breath at the interruption. He follows Josephine's gaze to a rather tall man. He charges through the soldiers, snarling as they blocked his path.

"Charlie." Joe mumbles.

James' scowl deepens as Joe's heart rate increases. He glances down as her hands grasps his uniform tighter. She slowly swivels her head growling deeply as she locks onto his light brown eyes. James stumbles as Joe harshly shoves him away. His mouth drops open as she turns to flee. He clenches his fists; his mouth pinching into a thin line, as his anger tightens his chest. James growls deeply raising the butt of his pistol. He brings it down brutally connecting with the base of Joe's skull. His shoulders heaves as he watches her collapse to the deck.

The commodore inhales deeply, straightening himself. He holds his head high as he soothes his hair back. Joe groans, crawling away from him. He scoffs strolling over to the young woman. She glances up at him snarling as he tilts his head to the side. James crouches down; the light brown eyes roam over her prone body. He smirks wickedly entwining his fingers through the red tinted hair.

"No. Don't." She whispers.

"Ssh. It's alright my darling." James soothes. "You can come home now. Let's go home."

"Char-l-ie." Joe trails off.

James twists a strain of her hair as her eyes slip shut. He rolls his eyes dropping the hair from his fingers. The light brown eyes glance over as Private Joshua Jackson comes trotting over.

"Commodore." Jackson calls.

James' eye roam over Joe's body. He scoffs as he raises to his feet. He wipes his hands on his pants, turning to face the private. Joshua Jackson was an average man in some aspects. He stood at the same height as James, but was built more like an ox. The aqua marine eyes were hard and lifeless. He was a man of many hardships and talents. One particular talent fitting James' need for this little adventure. James eyes the brute as he comes to a halt.

"You alright Commodore?"

"I'm fine." James sighs. He rests his hand on his hip, gesturing towards Joe. "Grab the whore. She's coming with us."

"Ms. Joe!" Adean calls. "Let her go you monster!"

James grunts as Adean collides with him. He scoffs as tiny fists pound into his back. He holds up a hand as Jackson takes a step forward. Adean gasps as James reaches around. The boy begins to struggle as he clasps his arm in an iron grip. James twists his elbow painfully causing the boy to cry out.

"It would be wise to know exactly who you are charging at boy." James hisses in his ear.

"Let me go!" Adean screams.

"Not happening." James snaps. He jerks his head towards Joe. "Grab her now. We don't have all day."

Jackson nods his head moving closer to the unconscious woman. He crouches down, maneuvers her onto her back. Her arms flop over, the hair falling away from her face. Jackson inhales sharply. James quirks an eyebrow as the eyes lust over Joe's body. He reaches out running a hand down her newly tanned skin. James smirks trapping his lower lip between his teeth.

"She's beautiful, isn't she?" James inquires.

"Yes, she is sir." Jackson breathes out.

James hums rubbing at his chin. There have been several rumors involving Jackson and woman. None all too pleasant. It could just be the thing to break Josephine. Help her realize how good she has it with him. James grins. He huffs a laugh as Adean pulls away. Adean yelps as James jerks him back towards him. He bars his arm over the boy's chest pinning him to his body. Adean grunts and growls as he wiggles about.

"Tell you what Private." James says smoothly. "If you use your talents to gain information from this boy here. Well, lets just say, that I will give her to you."

"Sir?" Jackson inquires, grinning wickedly.

"One night." James states sternly, holding up a finger. "For one night you can have her for your guilty pleasures. And you may do what you want with her." He waves off. "As long as I get her back alive."

Jackson's pull into an evil smile. He grabs Joe's wrist pulling her into a sitting position. Joe is thrown over the man's shoulder as if she was nothing more than a doll. He stands to his full height, smirking down at James.

"We have an accord Commodore." Jackson lusts.

"Good." James smirks. "Now. Lets see how good of a hostage this boy can be."

Adean gulps as James tightens his hold. James bends over aligning his mouth with the boy's ear. He clamps Adean's jaw in his hand. The boy winces, closing his eyes as James forces him to look upwards. James smirks resting his head against the boy's. He stills his laughter as Adean begins to tremble under his touch.

"Looks like we have some chaos to quiet down." James hisses. "Now be a good boy and scream for me."

Adean frantically shakes his head no. James tightens his hold on the boy. Adean freezes as he presses the barrel of the pistol into the side of his head. James growls as the boy still refuses to do as he is told. He straightens himself, jerking his head towards Jackson.

"Fire your rifle into the air!" James barks.

Jackson pulls the weapon from his shoulder. He settles the butt of the gun on his hip jostling it up until his finger slips into the trigger. James blinks his eyes as the report echoes across the deck and waters.

"That is enough!" James bellows.

The clashing of battle fades into silence. James flicks his eyes about the men. The pirates and soldiers alike glaring at each other. James startles backwards leveling his gun on the boy as two men lunge forward.

"Don't." He cautions, tilting his head to the side. "One more step and I'll splatter this boy's brain matter upon the deck." The two men freeze, straightening themselves. James smirks tightening his hold on Adean. "Now that I have your attention. Lets talk business."