Confessions of a Pirate's Heart

Chapter Sixteen

Scarlett's anger with the Captain still simmered underneath her relief that he had rescued them. She wanted to stand up in defiance against his condescending remark but telling by the exasperated look on his face, she knew better than to put up a fight.

Not a word was spoken on their way back to the ship, the Captain leading the way with long, angry strides. The ship was fully repaired when they arrived and ready to set sail again. Upon seeing their captain nearing the plank to step aboard, the crew jumped into action, knowing full well by his body language that time was of the essence and that he wasn't happy.

"You," the Captain said, pointing at Scarlett. "In my cabin."

Scarlett gave a regretful glance in her brother's direction before following Alexander into the cabin alone. He walked over to his desk and rested his hands on its surface as he towered over his maps, scrutinizing them out of mere habit.

"What do you have to say for yourself?" he said, keeping his head down.

Scarlett didn't respond and when he looked up at her expectantly, she crossed her arms and avoided his gaze.

"Bloody hell, Scarlett!" he said, raising his voice. "You disobeyed my orders twice. Do you have any idea what just happened?"

Her mind raced with thoughts but her mouth was unable to produce them into words. "I don't know," was all she could say.

Alexander ran a hand across his face. "I think you do but you don't seem to understand how serious this is. You and your brother are wanted! That man knew who you were because Bastian put out the word for your capture. Do you know what that means? Men with connections to Bastian are looking for you everywhere right now--and word spreads fast, as we learned the hard way. That means you can't trust anyone now. Do you see now why I told you to stay with me?"

"Well, if you knew that, then why didn't you tell me?" Scarlett said.

"Because I didn't exactly suspect he had put a search out for you so quickly or that it would reach Southampton before we had. I was just trying to keep you safe. And for God's sake, why were you wandering around the town, anyway?"

"Because William and I were looking for a ship to take us to Plymouth."

"Dare I ask, why?"

Scarlett gazed at the hurt expression in his eyes, which told her he already knew the answer. "After our argument, I thought it would be best."

"You thought it would be best," he said with a scoff. "Scarlett, you are bound to get yourself in a lot of trouble."

"Not any more trouble than staying aboard your ship. My brother is right--we are on a moving target."

"Oh, really? And what do you call that out there?" he said, pointing in the direction of the town they were leaving behind.

Scarlett gave no response, unable to conjure up an argument against him. She felt trapped and tears sprang to her eyes upon this realization but she pridefully batted them away. "Well, perhaps it's better than standing here and arguing with a man I thought I knew. That's one thing we can agree on. I can't trust anyone, especially a lying, slave-trading coward."

"Oh, for the love of God, Scarlett," he said, throwing his hands in the air. "We've been over all this. This is who I am and who I have been for a long time. If you don't like it--well, then that's just too bad. I don't have the time or energy to argue with a ridiculous woman, who I am doing a big favor for, by the way."

Scarlett crossed her arms and avoided his gaze again. He wasn't wrong about doing her a favor and she was beginning to hate it.

"Oh, I know that look," the Captain added with a frustrated huff. "What do you want me to do? What would you like me to say to fix everything?"