Honor Among Thieves || Book Two

~32~

Before Sera could scold him for his actions Jack slipped away to meet his father, who stared at him from underneath heavy eyelids.

"What?" Jack asked, shifting uneasily under his father's scrupulous gaze. "You've seen it all, done it all, and here you stand alive as ever."

When his father said nothing, he cleared his throat and lowered his eyes. "How's mum?"

Wordlessly, Teague reached into his pocket and produced a ring. The diamonds lining the top of the silver band immediately reflected the firelight but it was the large diamond in the center that caught Jack's eye; it was the biggest diamond he had ever seen.

"What's that?" He asked, his fingers itching to get ahold of it. Teague held it just out of his reach. "It's your mum's ring, the ring I gave 'er when I asked 'er to marry me."

"It looks. . .expensive."

"I had it made 'specially for 'er."

"And the diamonds?" Jack pressed, the glittering jewels reflecting in his pupils. Teague ran his finger along the smooth band. "That's not impor'ant, Jackie. What is, though, is Seraphina."

Jack's brow furrowed.

"I want you to give 'er this ring." Teague explained, holding the ring out to his son. With a gleam in his eyes, Jack reached out to take it but his father jerked it away. "I'm serious, Jackie."

Annoyed, Jack crossed his arms. "What if I don't want to give her the ring?"

"Oh, you're givin' 'er the ring." Teague retorted, his words laced with unspoken threats. His face softened when he saw the startled look on his son's face. "It's what your mum wanted. It's what I want, Jackie. If there's anyone deservin' of this ring," He held it out once more. "It's Seraphina."

Hesitantly, Jack plucked the ring from his father's fingers and held it close to his eye. Those were real diamonds!

"She's the one." Teague continued. "I've always known she was."

"And how did you know that?"

His father smiled. "Tia Dalma."

Jack shot him a questioning look and glanced at the ring one more time before dropping it in his pocket. "I'll give it to her as soon as I can, Pops."

"Make sure that you do."

"I will. Cross me heart and hope to--You know."

"Aye. Come 'ere, son." Teague grinned and pulled Jack into a snug embrace and gave him several rough pats on the back. "An' congratulations on the little one. I 'spect to see 'im some time."

"I'll keep that in mind."

º º º

Sera waited in the shadows outside of the Brethren's meeting place. As soon as she saw Jack making his way down the ramp, she emerged from her hiding spot and planted her feet in front of him.

"Jack Edward Sparrow."

He winced at the sound of his full name. "I thought we discussed never to use me middle name, love."

"Why in the hell did you vote for Elizabeth? You do realize she's doomed us all, don't you? She's essentially sentenced piracy to death! Surely you can't possibly believe that we would stand a--"

"Peace, love, peace." He held up his hands. "I knew you'd be 'royally pissed', as you say, 'bout me choosin' Elizabeth but I assure you, there's nothin' to be upset over. Not one single, solitary thing."

She raised her eyebows. "Oh? And why's that?"

"Because they're all gonna die anyway." He answered with a flippant wave of his hand. "Who cares if a wily, murderous seductress who spent the better part of her years in corsets and petticoats is the pirate king? This time tomorrow, it won't matter. None of it will. Pirates will be nothing more than a distant memory.

"But," He gently gripped her forearms. "You and me, we'll be perfectly fine. I'll stab the hear--Fountain. I'll find the Fountain of Youth an' we'll be destined for eternity and beyond."

Frowning, she jerked her arms away from him. "Are you seriously still toying with the idea of killing Jones?"

"No!" He answered quickly, lowering his eyes. "Well, only in passing, but no matter what choice I make, we'll be togeth--"

"And what of the morning?" She asked, getting her mind off the previous topic. "Are you going to stand with the Brethren and face the trading company or are you going to tuck your tail between your legs and run away like a yellow-bellied coward?"

"'Retreating' is not considered a cowardly act, darlin'."

"Oh my goodness." She growled, squeezing her eyes shut as she pinched the bridge of her nose. "I can't believe you would--Well, yes I can. I can totally believe you would do that. I just. . .I don't know." Her eyes glistened with unshed tears as she looked up at him. "I want to rid the waters of Beckett and the trading company for my fellow pirates, for you, for me, for our baby. I just don't understand how you could pass up the chance to sink a blade into his grimy little heart."

He looked at her funnily. "Are we talking about Beckett or Jones?"

"Beckett, dammit, Beckett! You're such a--"

"Easy, love." Jack crooned, wrapping his arms around her. "I'm not actually goin' to retreat, although I am keepin' that door open. I can't make you any promises about the other things but I can promise you this." He kissed her hair and breathed in its salty scent. "I will do everything in my power to ensure that you are taken care of and that our child can grow up in a world without Beckett and his dogs. Don't fret over it. Now," He kissed her on the forehead and held her at arm's length so he could see her face. "I must ask you a question. If you're so convinced that Elizabeth is leadin' us all off to the slaughter house, why are you so set on me 'standin' with the Brethren'?"

She smiled. "Do you forget who I am, Jack? I do believe my dear Levi is due to make an appearance in the morning."