Honor Among Thieves || Book Two

~3~

Chapter Three

As Sera neared her ship, she could hear loud voices and gunshots, all of which were probably a direct result of the stupid gambling her crew had engaged in the last few days. It all started with that damn turtle race over at Gibby's Grotto; any idiot should have been able to see that the winner was a rabbit with a painted coconut shell on its back but alcohol had a funny way of stealing one's good sense.

"Sam, ready your weapon if you would." She ordered as they made their way up the dock. "We've no idea what we're walking in on."

"Aye, cap'n!"

The old man pulled his cane apart, revealing a razor-sharp sword. Jack whistled in awe. "That's a damn clever idea. Got to get me one of those."

Sera held out an arm out to slow them as they walked up the ramp, the smell of tobacco heavy in the air. 

As soon as she stepped foot on deck, her suspicions were confirmed: Calico Rackham stood near the helm with a smile on his face as he watched his men tie a handful of her crew to the mainmast. Her blood boiled. "Calico, what in Poseidon's name are you doing? Get down from there!"

His face lit up. "Ah Seraphina, how nice to see you!"

"What's this?" She asked incredulously, gesturing to the men tied around the mast. He laughed and swaggered down the steps. "I'm doing what any sensible pirate would do if he commandeered an enemy vessel."

"Commandeer?!"

He winced. "Well, perhaps 'commandeer' isn't the right word. I'm collecting on a debt."

"Which one of you imbeciles gambled away my ship?" Sera shouted angrily, turning to her crew. Everyone looked at Rusty Pete, a scraggly Scotsman with a flaming red beard. "What the hell?" She held out her arms. "What the actual bloody hell?"

"Now, now," Calico draped an arm around her shoulders. "No need to get all upset. I'm willing to give you my ship in exchange for this one."

He motioned toward the ship on the other side of the dock; the sails were torn, the mizzenmast was broken, and a large hole leered in its hull.

"Doesn't look like much." He continued, "but she can sure get to where she needs to go. Here," he handed her a set of keys, "These are to my personal quarters. Please disregard any, ahem, feminine articles of clothing you may find. They're not mine, they're. . .they're Annabelle's."

He looked as if he were about to cry. "My dear, sweet, precious Annabelle."

"Oi!" Jack emerged from behind Sera with his hands on his hips, "Give the lady back her ship an' no one gets hurt, savvy?"

Calico quirked an eyebrow. "Who are you?"

"Who am I?" Jack looked offended. "I'm Captain Jack Sparrow!"

"Captain. . ." Calico's eyes narrowed. "You're Captain Jack Sparr--Argh! You bastard!"

He lunged at Jack and the two fell on the deck in a tangled mess.

"Get. . .off!" Jack grunted, using his legs to push the angry pirate off of him. "What's your problem?"

"What's my problem? WHAT'S MY PROBLEM?!" Calico ripped open his shirt and started rolling up his sleeves. "It was you! You're the one my dear Annabelle left me for!"

Jack tapped his chin. "Annabelle, Annabelle. . .Doesn't ring any bells. I think you're mistaken, mate. What was her last name?"

"Botts!"

His face fell. "Oh. That Annabelle."

Calico let out a frustrated growl and swung at Jack's face. "You're going to pay, pirate! You're going to pay for taking my beloved Annabelle from me!"