Chapter 8: Foul mouth for a beautiful lady

[Vereena]

Fear caused my heart to pound violently against my chest. The gruesome image of blood spurting out of the man's head keeps replaying in my thoughts, making me want to throw up as I sprinted across the hallway while trying to retain my footing despite the ship's violent rocking. My empty stomach gave me a painful heave. My throat felt like it was being punched in the back with an acidic sour taste.

Never in my entire life, I have witnessed a cold-blooded murder. Once there was a hunter shot a bird out of the sky, and I watched the bird's body explode in two halves. I could not sleep for days thinking about the poor creature.

This…this is entirely different. A person died. I saw it with my own eyes, and I don't think I could ever sleep again. Captain Steele killed not one person but two as though they were nothing more than livestock needing culling.

Why does he even have to kill those two? Couldn't they just talk it out? They obviously beseech him to spare their lives, yet he didn't listen. No wonder his crew were so afraid of him.

I was pushing myself too hard and running as fast as possible, but my knees were far too weak, and my mind was too occupied with the scene I had just witnessed. The blanket I wrapped around my naked self wasn't much help either. It was constricting my movement, and with every step I took, and the cloth constantly entangled itself around my legs.

Yet, I still keep running for I don't know how long. I didn't even dare look over my shoulders, dreaded to see that one-eyed captain.

I didn't know what had taken place, nor quick to understand why it felt as though someone had dragged my organs out of my body. My anxiety was through the roof, my thoughts were a muddled mess, and before I realized it, my body had launched itself into the air and slammed down on the floor with great force. Knocking most of the air on my lungs, my face slammed hard against the surface and rolled.

I tripped, and my foot stumbled against my ankle.

"Oh fuck!" I shrieked out in agony as the blow landed on my left cheek, but what took me more surprised was the fact that I uttered a swear so uncaringly. If Mrs. Charlotte were to hear this, she would definitely go ballistic, admonishing me for a week and making me repent for having such a foul mouth.

Nevertheless, that is not even the least of my concerns right at this moment. A succession of footsteps thundered on the floor. My spirit left my body for a split second, and willed myself to get back on my feet. Struggling and groaning. I continued to stumble forward for a few more steps. However, before I could take another step forward, a rough hand clamped over the back of my neck and dragged me back unceremoniously.

I let out a piercing screech, which caused my head to shoot up, and I looked directly at the patched-eyed man grinning down at me.

"So, the lass is awake."

I give him a severe look while secretly wishing that my gaze could transform into daggers and pierce the one eye he still has left. Even though I don't consider myself to be a violent person, it appears as though this savage murderer is transferring some of his inclemency onto me.

"Let go of me! You heartless brute!" I gritted out, reaching for his hand and driving my nails into his flesh in an effort to free myself from his grasp.

Yet, it was a failed attempt.

"Nice dress." His leering eyes wandered down my body. I followed his gaze, then realized I was still wearing this darn blanket, and there was nothing else beneath it. The swell of my bosom accentuated as my arched back, and my eyes immediately widened in mortification. The terror that had previously paralyzed me vanished all of a sudden, and it was replaced by wrath as all of the blood that was on my body began to pool on my face.

"You pig…! Let go of me!"

I writhed violently from his grasp, yet his grip on my neck tightened, dragging me back to the quarter I came from. I struggled on my feet. My balance depends on his clasps so my face won't meet the hard floor again. I tried my best to fight him off, but I had to face the reality that my strength pales in comparison to his. No more than a flea.

This perverted murderer.

He kicks the door open and hurls me inside. I shrieked as my feet came dangerously close to slipping on the carpeted floor. To my good fortune, I managed to catch the edge of the table. Once regained my balance, I swung my arm and held my palm straight up, slapping him hard across his face. The impact turned his head to the side.

I gasp, looking down at my reddened palm. My anger caught hold of me, and I acted before I could think. Even the tips of my fingers suddenly felt numb, and the stinginess ran up to my elbow. After using up my last bit of strength, my shoulders felt weak, but it was somewhat satisfying to know that I had managed to hurt him in some way. I never slapped anyone before, and I know I am crossing all the lines that defy all the etiquettes I have been taught since the day I walked. This wasn't how I was taught or groomed to act as a woman, but this one-eyed man right there was surely shattering all of my reservations.

"You are going to be held accountable for this. I will make sure of that, you filthy swine, with this lascivious conduct you committed! How dare you undress me without my consent?! Do you know how much damage you've done to my reputation?! Oh heavens! But that's not even the worst! You… you…"

Murderer.

I couldn't finish what I wanted to say as my lungs were suddenly deprived of air. Almost out of breath, letting all my frustration snap at him. Too angry to even hold my tongue and lashed out. I inhaled deeply, steadying my raging nerves and throwing him a stern glare, but as soon as I saw his face, all of my courage left my body. I was startled and took a step back when I noticed that my handprint was starting to become discernible on the side of his cheek.

Flaming red as hell.

Captain Steele raised his hand and touched the spot where I had struck him hard with his thumb. While holding my breath as long as I could, my heart hammered loudly in my chest with trepidation.

He's going to kill me.

That's for sure.

Throw me off the deck and feed me to the sharks.

I will never be going to see Prince Tarquin again or my father.

I was about to take another step back when he turned to look at me. Nevertheless, the thing that perplexed me the most was the fact that instead of getting angry about what I did, he looked as though he found it pretty hilarious and pasted a smirk on his face.

"My, my. I quite misjudged your feistiness."

Suddenly my chest constricted seeing his ginning face directing on me as though I didn't slap him. I unconsciously swallowed up the terror lodging in my throat as he slowly paved his way closer.

"What are you doing?" My voice shook as I took another step back, but the backs of my feet brushed up against the table leg.

I'm on a dead-end.

My eyes scanned the entire quarter, searching for an escape, but unfortunately, he got me cornered. I shifted my attention back toward the captain. Throwing him my most hateful look I could muster. Mrs. Charlotte trained me to be moved with grace. To have me walk between rows of lit candles while being careful not to cause the flames to flicker. Yet now, I am moving like an elephant on a rampage. Even my mother would probably be turning over in her grave right now if she were looking down on me beyond the clouds.

My mouth went sand dry as I watched Captain Steele take another step forward.

Slowly and prowling.

"You see, I have never been struck by a woman before." His lips were twisted in a devious smile on the side, and he inched closer and closer as if he were some sort of a predator preying on his next meal.

My heart rate rose, and without even thinking, I reached for the object that was the closest to me—which happened to be the bottle with a galleon miniature inside. Fortunately, it wasn't fixed on the wooden platform it was perched on.

"Don't you dare take another step closer!" I cried out, waving the bottle carelessly in front of me like a weapon, though I haven't really wielded one, and on top of that, my grip was flimsy.

Captain Steele went still for a moment. His attention was drawn to the bottle, and for a flicker, a twitch appeared in the outer corner of his eyes.

To be honest, it's a beautiful craft, and it is such a waste if it were to be broken, but I have no choice.

This thing must be something of value to him. However, whatever kind of emotion it was, it never lasted more than a second, and suddenly his countenance was back to being malicious.

"Or what? You're going to hit me with that?" He snorted, inching closer until he stood an arm away from me. He tilted his head and darted a quick glance at the bottle, then back to my face. "Don't you know how much it cost?"

I scoffed.

Hah! Since when did pirates begin to be concerned with the monetary value of their loot? Undoubtedly, they have acquired it without any method of payment involved.

"I don't care! I am sure you stole it!" I waved the bottle haphazardly again and tried to hit him in the head. However, he caught the bottom part of the bottle and tugged it hard. I didn't let go of it as quickly as I should have, and as a result, it dragged me along. He moved so swiftly, and the next thing I knew, he had me by the waist and was pulling me closer while our hands were still up in the air holding the blasted bottle.

"Ah, such accusation. It hurts," he said in a tone that was dripping with sarcasm. His face came closer to mine, and he leveled his proud single stare with mine. At that time, I was able to make out small flecks of brown in his steel gray hue.

Mesmerizing.

And the smell of his breath. Curious. It doesn't smell bad. He is, without a doubt one of a hell fine-looking criminal. Not that I have seen many, but quite enough though to make some judgements.

Oh gosh! Vereena! Snap out of it! What on earth are you pondering at this very moment? Why are you giving credence to those ridiculous thoughts?

I was mentally castigating myself when our current position suddenly dawned on me. I am still on my blankets, naked below, with my bosom firmly pushed against his torso.

Another wave of heat rushes toward my face, and I can feel the fumes venting to my ears as I try to push him away.

"Get away from me!" I glowered, at him and pummeled his chest with my feeble fist, but it didn't appear that my blows had any effect on him. Without releasing his hold on me, he pulled the bottle away from my grasp and put it back on the wooden platform I had taken it from.

"What are you doing?!" I squalled, highly alerted when he hoisted me off the floor, and by the time I realized what was happening, Captain Steele had already thrown me into bed, crawled right on top of me indecently, and pinned both of my arms above my head. I even caught a glimpse of fabric sliding off my legs, exposing too much skin for modesty.

I was stunned for a moment, my mind trying to make sense of everything that had just taken place as my wide eyes was riveted on the man above me. In spite of the fact that his face was so near to mine, that the tips of our noses made contact and taking in the same air. I did not cower but instead met his gaze with as much intensity as he gave me. Both our breath labored, and my chest rose and collapsed against him.

"Get off me!" I hissed, squaring at him.

If I were back at Pearl Harbor, in my own bedchamber, and someone unexpectedly walked in through the door and saw us in this extremely obscene position. Both the name of my family and my reputation would be severely damaged. If something like that were to take place, I couldn't even begin to contemplate the kinds of terrible things that could have happened to House MacGhille.

I would be a huge disgrace to my family.

Good thing we weren't on land and we certainly weren't anywhere near Pearlshire Harbor, where rumors spread faster than a contagious disease.

This act of impropriety wasn't much of importance to these scoundrels. They lack laws and other similar things. They never followed anyone else than Captain Steele.

I don't know how long we have stayed in that position. Staring at one another, waiting for anyone to back down.

That yet another bout of embarrassment came crashing over me.

The sound of my empty stomach gurgling loudly as though I have been fostering a ravenous monster inside my body.

It broke the trance, and Captain Steele burst out into a peal of laughter as he moved away from me. I stared at him with my narrowed gaze, noticing the strangely rogued features of his face. The patch on his eye wasn't even that horrendous to look at. Alas, it was rather attractive, wildly when he's laughing heartedly.

Oh, heavens! This hunger is gravely detrimental. It's dragging me down into madness.

"You must be famished. I'll have Eulisses bring you food," he stated as soon as he recovered from his amusement and stood straight at the side of the bed. His hands akimbo to his narrow and toned waist. He was now wearing a shirt, unlike the first time we met, but I can still see very clearly the contours and angles of his sculpted body that lie directly behind those fabrics layering on him.

"And one more thing. Do not leave my quarters, you understand that?" He added. This time, however, his tone of voice abruptly became authoritative.

This obnoxious and commanding lump of dung.

I mentally shook my head and expelling every inappropriate notion from my mind. I furiously pushed myself up from the bed and covered my exposed legs.

"So, what now? You're going to keep me here? From having me swab your deck until I passed out, you're going to make me your harlot? Is that it?" I teed off, glaring at him.

"Don't give me an idea, woman," he slyly retorted, looking down at the length of my body before he took a step back away from me.

Only then with a bit of distance between me and him, I could breathe freely.

"You're a full load of crap," I hissed, calming myself down.

All of these have to be a nightmare.

Oh dear heavens, please, it has to be. I don't think I could put up any kind of these things.

Captain Steele just ignored my insults and moved towards the door. He then opened it while giving me one last chuckle-inducing glance.

"Tss…what a foul mouth for a beautiful lady."