A Pirate's Heart (St. John Series) (7 page)

Chapter Seven

Kristina was sleeping soundly. Her mother was talking to her. Kristina smiled as she felt her mother’s hand stroke her hair in a relaxing manner. Her mother’s gentle touch had a soothing affect. Sophia smiled warmly at her daughter
.

“He’ll be good to you, daughter. But you must give him time. Make him trust you.”

“Who?” Kristina asked.

“
The dark-haired devil
,” Sophia replied.

“Who?” Kristina asked again, furrowing her brow.

“
The pirate
.”

“The pirate?!” Kristina asked in disbelief.

“Yes. He has had a hard life, but he is a good man. Make him trust you.”

“But I don’t know how.”

“
You will. Just use your heart
,” Kristina heard her mother say as her image began to disappear into a fog.

“Mother!” Kristina yelled as she chased after the misty figure. The figure grew farther and farther way. “Wait! Come back!” The faster Kristina ran, the farther her mother’s departing image grew. Kristina outstretched her hand as Sophia disappeared into the fog.

Kristina was rudely awakened from her dream by a heavy object landing on top of her. “Here, put these on.”

She glanced sleepily up from the covers and noticed the clothing lying on top of her. She blinked rapidly several times, trying to get the image of her dream to leave her mind.

“Where did you get these?” she asked, her voice husky from sleep.

“Never you mind,” Max replied. “Let’s just say we have someone here close to your size. I’ll wait for you outside. Now hurry, it’s getting late and the capt’n will want his breakfast.”

Once the door closed, Kristina slowly sat up. She batted her eyes several more times trying to wake up. She placed the pistol she had clutched all night on the floor and gave a lazy stretch. She picked up the articles of clothing. There was a pair of gray pants; a blue shirt with long, puffy sleeves that were cuffed at the wrists; and a heavy black leather vest. She dressed quickly in the clothing. The pants were entirely too long for her short stature, so she rolled the bottoms up and tucked them into her boots. She braided her long hair, twisted it into a bun and put on the hat from yesterday.

As she stepped out the door, she could not tell what time it was. The only light in the hall was coming from the few small lanterns on the wall. She could hear movement of the crew on the deck above as she followed Max to the galley.

“If you need anything, just let me know.”

She nodded her head and looked up at him. “How will I find you?”

He took his hand and rubbed it down his mouth and across the beard that covered his face. A devilish smile crossed his face causing the large dimple on his left cheek to appear.

“I’ll be right back.” As he exited the door she heard him yell, “Samuel! Get your ass down here, boy!” A few minutes later the door reopened and in walked Max with a blond-haired boy. “Your messenger,” he said with a mock bow.

Samuel looked at Max and back to Kristina. “What’s going on?” he asked cautiously. As he looked at Kristina, his eyes grew wide. “Hey! Those are my clothes!”

“Your point being, boy?” Max replied.

“Why did you give him my clothes?”

“Never you mind. It’s done. Kris needs help, and you’re going to help. That’s final.”

Samuel looked back at Max strangely. The captain would have told him if they had hired a new cook and he was to be the assistant. Not that it would matter about a new cook; anybody would be better than James, but still.

“Does the capt’n know ya hired a new cook?” Samuel asked with suspicion in his voice.

“Yes.”

“Really?”

“Are you doubting me, Samuel?” Max asked with annoyance.

“No but—”

“Enough!” Kristina interrupted, already growing tired of the back-and-forth banter between the two.

Samuel sucked in his breath, “You’re a girl!”

“Aw, hell,” Max mumbled. He grabbed Samuel by the shoulders and turned the boy towards him. “Look, Samuel, you have to keep that a secret. Understand?” The boy ignored the question as he strained to look at Kristina. “Samuel!” Max barked. Samuel snapped to attention and looked at Max. “Do not tell anyone her gender, understand?” At Samuel’s nod, he continued. “Good, it’s for her safety. If the new crew found out about her, it would be hard to protect her. The others I don’t worry about.”

Samuel attempted to turn around to stare at Kristina. His eyes widened. “The capt’n’s gonna kill you! He doesn’t allow women on his ship.”

“He already knows, so hush. Your job is to help her and stay the hell out of my way. Got it?” Max said smugly. He finally had a place to put Alex’s son. A place where Samuel would be useful, safe and out of his way once and for all.

Samuel nodded as Max walked out the door. He turned to Kristina.

“Let’s get to work, Samuel,” she said. He stared at her for a few seconds, like she had spoken in some strange ancient tongue, her thick Spanish accent making it difficult for him to understand. When her words sunk in, he walked over to one of the large ovens and proceeded to help.

The two of them worked for almost two hours preparing the meal for the seventy plus crew members aboard
The Abyss
. Kristina didn’t mind the work. It reminded her of the days helping her mother. And Samuel was a big help. They talked about small things. He gave her the names and roles of most of the crewmembers. She watched as he pulled down a heavy tray from one of the cabinets and filled it with food.

“I’ll take this to the capt’n and Max,” he told her. “Once I return, I’ll help you take the rest out to the tables for the crew. I’ll hurry so we’ll have it done before they come to eat.”

As Samuel entered the captain’s quarters, he was nervous. Did the captain know about Kris? Samuel found that hard to believe. Alex had been adamant about not letting women on board his ship. He set the large tray down on the table where Alex usually ate and looked apprehensively at the captain.

The delicious aroma of the food filling the room caught Alex’s attention as he sat on the edge of the bed. He stood up, pulled his robe over his naked form, walked over to the table and sat down.

“Did James finally learn to cook?” Alex asked as he studied the covered dishes.

Samuel said nothing, just smiled nervously at the captain as he took the lids off the food. Alex pulled the tray towards him and looked at the feast before him. There were numerous pastries, sausages, and sugar-covered tortillas; each one appeared freshly made.

“Samuel?” Alex questioned the boy. “Where did these come from?”

“The galley, sir,” Samuel replied nervously.

“I figured that out,” he said with sarcasm in his voice. “What I want to know is how? I know James doesn’t know the first thing about making muffins.” He picked up the tiny delicious smelling pastry. Alex looked back down at his tray and spied the tortilla. “He didn’t?!”

“I . . . I . . . I need to go back to the galley now,” Samuel replied nervously as he headed quickly towards the door.

Samuel’s hand was on the doorknob when he heard the captain yell, “Samuel, stop!” Samuel closed his blue eyes and groaned. He turned and proceeded cautiously towards the captain, his eyes never leaving the floor.

“I take it Max has decided we needed a new cook and that his new roommate would be perfect for that position. Is that correct?”

Samuel’s eyes flew up to Alex’s. “I . . . he . . . I thought—”

“She’s the cook.” Alex said matter-of-factly.

Samuel nodded his head nervously. Max was going to kill him. “Please don’t tell him I told you,” Samuel begged. “She’s nice and her food is so much better than James’s. Plus, she doesn’t mind me helping her like everyone else does. Let her stay.”

Samuel’s confession pained Alex. He knew Samuel was having a hard time adjusting to life at sea and frequently mucked up whatever task was given to him. Alex took a long slow breath and opened his mouth to speak, but before he could reply the devil himself walked in. “Go back to the galley, Samuel. I have some things I need to discuss with
Mr. Hart
.”

Samuel didn’t have to be told twice. He knew from the tone the captain had that a heated discussion was about to occur. Samuel raced quickly out the door, without looking at Max.

When the door closed, Alex glared at Max. “What?” Max asked innocently as he walked to the table. He sat down, picked up one of the tiny pastries and popped it into his mouth. “These are delicious. Have you tried them yet?”

“No,” Alex replied with irritation.

“Well, why not?”

“I think you know ‘why not’.” Max looked at Alex. Alex raised a blond brow at his friend. “Well?”

Max took a slow breath. He realized Alex was displeased. But what else was he supposed to do with her? “I know, I know. I should have discussed it with you first, but I didn’t think you’d mind.”

“Mind? Mind? No, I don’t mind at all,” Alex replied, disdain dripping from every word. “Why would I
mind
a stowaway becoming our new cook? Or that you took it upon yourself, without any discussion with me, to make the stowaway our new cook. Oh, and did I forget to mention that our new cook is a
woman
!”

“Now Alex—”

“Don’t ‘Alex’ me, Max!” the captain shouted at his friend. “Do you know what’s going to happen when the others find out about her? I’ll be lucky to keep these randy bastards in line. It’s hard enough with just men on board, but add a woman to the mix. Jeez, Max, what were you thinking?!”

“She was
already
on this ship. What did you want me to do, leave her locked up in my quarters?” Max heatedly retaliated.

“The brig is unoccupied.”

Max shot Alex a frustrated look. “Really? The brig? Why not just put a banner up stating ‘we have a woman on board’ because, if you recall, the brig is located under the forecastle. And, if I know the newest member of the crew, she would protest quite loudly, drawing the attention of
all
the crewmembers. Then you would have a mutinous group of randy bastards trying to be the first to sample her goods.”

“You could control them.”

Max shot Alex an infuriated glare. “No. The brig is out of the question. Besides she said she could cook, which I doubted until I tasted the fare she just prepared. I suggest you let her stay. Unless you want to continue eating James’s cooking.”

“She is still a woman, Max.”

“But she can cook!”

“I don’t give a damn if she can spurt golden nuggets from her ass. No, I will not have a woman on my ship. We’re coming up on some unnamed islands. We’ll just drop her off there. Someone will find her—” his sentence was interrupted by Max shoving one of the pastries in his mouth. A look of anger and then surprise crossed Alex’s face as he tasted the delicacy that was shoved in his mouth. “Well, I guess she could stay until we reach Nassau.”

“That’s what I thought.”

Chapter Eight

Over the next few days, Alex and Max decided to inform the crew that when they signed on some of the extra crew while docked in Tortuga, they had acquired a new cook as well. The crew was informed that the cook had been terribly disfigured during a fire years ago and didn’t like an audience.

“So no matter what, do not look at him,” Max ordered.

“I don’t care what the fellow looks like, as long as he keeps cooking like he does, that’s fine by me,” James interjected, ecstatic that he was no longer in charge of feeding this motley crew. “I’ll go back to being bos’n now, thank you very much!” He’d had one too many insults tossed at him since he was “chosen” to be cook. It was more like who was the last man standing after fighting Max. James still didn’t know how he managed to do it. He just concluded that everyone else faked the extent of their injuries after the first punch of Max’s sledgehammer-like fists. They “bowed out” in order to keep anything from being broken.

Once that was settled, Max joined Alex at the helm. Max breathed deeply and looked out at the sea. “Ya know, Alex, they’ll find out about her eventually.”

“
Now
you’re worried? Brilliant,” Alex replied drily.

“No, I’m not. I was thinking,”

“Please don’t. Last time I ended up with a new cook.”

Max gave Alex a heated look. “As I was saying before you rudely interrupted me, she’ll need some clothing. I borrowed what I could from Samuel, but . . . well . . . the one outfit that would fit is starting to smell funny, even with her sponging off. I should know since you
conveniently
placed her in
my
quarters. I know she’s only been here a few days, but something’s gotta give.”

Alex nodded his understanding. “We’re entering Jean Claude’s territory. If I spot him, I’ll have him hailed.”

A wary look came across Max’s face. “Why are we in his waters?”

“While you have been preoccupied with our new chef, I came across some documents from our little outing in the jungle. It seems that one of Emerald Shipping’s cargos was confiscated near St. Kitts. And with the mood you’ve been in since your new roommate, I didn’t feel the need to burden you with this information . . . 
yet.”

“I see. Ah, yes,” he replied remembering their old ally. “Maybe Jules has something that will work.”

“Well, I’ll let you ask her. She is too feisty for my tastes. Besides, I think she took a fancy to you last time.”

Max winced at that reminder. They had been along Barbados and had teamed up on a haul. She sent him quite a shock when she told him, unequivocally, “When I decide to lose my virginity, I want you to take it.” He couldn’t reply to that. What could he say? Other than, “Your brother would kill me.” He almost jumped overboard at her confession. Jean Claude was his friend, but wouldn’t hesitate in killing him, or anyone for that matter, who so much as even looked at his sister.

A few hours later, Alex gladly informed Max that
The Savage
had been spotted. She wasn’t hard to miss. Her bright red hull with gold trim stood out on the pristine blue of the water. Alex ordered for the sails to be sheathed to slow their pace so
The Savage
could catch up with them.

“How do you plan on getting her over there?” Max questioned.

“Not my problem,” Alex told his friend with haughty derision.

“Why? Why do I even bother?” Max asked as he stormed off in search of the woman in question.

He found her in the galley, sitting on a small stool, peeling potatoes. The back of her blue shirt was pressed against her, being held in place by the sweat pouring off her body from the heat of the kitchen. Her discarded vest lay on the floor at her feet. She had taken off her overly large hat, but kept her braid twisted on top of her head in an attempt to keep cool. Even with the small windows open, it was stifling in the galley.

She turned her head at the approaching footsteps. She didn’t need to guess who it was. Samuel had informed her what was told about her. Everyone was in unison to not disturb her. She had outdone herself with her culinary expertise these past few days and no one wanted to give her a reason to leave.

Max picked up her hat and handed it to her. “Better get your disguise back on.”

“Why?”

A tight smirk crossed Max’s face. “We have to go socializing.” Her confusion was evident. “Let me rephrase that. We have hailed
The Savage
down in order to properly attire you for the remainder of our journey.”

“I don’t understand?”

“Samuel doesn’t have enough clothing for both of you for the trip to St. Kitts, much less to Nassau. Not that it would matter to him, but I know how hot it gets down here. What you’re wearing needs washing, but it would take days for your clothing to dry. Jules should have some clothing that will fit you.”

“Who’s Jules? One of your lovers?” she questioned as jealously entered her.

Max snorted with disgust “Not likely. No, her brother is the captain of
The Savage
. Now put your disguise back on so I can get this over with.”

She quickly pulled on her vest and hat. She followed Max cautiously to the deck. When she reached the top deck, she noticed that the few crewmembers on deck looked the opposite direction. They were forewarned that the new cook was coming to the deck to board
The Savage
. Apparently what Samuel told her was true. He told her that the captain informed the crew to not look at the new cook or the cook would leave. She was amazed at how well his orders were followed.

She was jolted from her thoughts as the other ship bumped into
The Abyss
so they could board her easily. She watched as a narrow plank was lowered between the two vessels. She followed Alex and Max across. Once on board
The Savage
they were warmly greeted by the captain.

“Alex! Max!” Jean Claude gave a small embrace to each. “So good of you to drop by,” he acknowledged in a French accent. Kristina studied the Frenchman who seemed so friendly. He was of average height, but a little on the thin side. His ash blond hair was tied back with a twill string. He had a neatly trimmed goatee that surrounded an overly large mouth. His steel blue eyes sparkled as he addressed his visitors.

“Max has a matter of business to discuss with you,” Alex informed the exuberant Frenchman.

Jean Claude’s expression did not change. His only reply was, “I see.” He motioned them to follow him to his quarters.

As they entered Jean Claude’s quarters a woman jumped up from behind the desk and excitedly squealed, “Max!” Kristina had never seen someone whose hair was as light as hers. It was almost white. The woman darted over to Max and tossed her arms around his neck, quickly kissing both of his cheeks in the traditional French greeting. As she embraced Max, she looked over his shoulder, giving Kristina a glance with a pair of lavender eyes surrounded by dark lashes. The other woman slowly looked back towards Max, batted her eyes with a sly smile on her pretty face. “Have you come to take me up on my offer, Max?” the other woman purred as she ran her long, dainty finger along Max’s collar.

“What offer?” Jean Claude asked.

“Nothing, Brother. Just a little bet between Max and I,” she said. She gave Max a wink and sashayed towards her brother.

“Now, what has brought you aboard my ship, gentlemen?”

“Ah, Jean Claude, must we discuss business first? You have the best wine this side of the Atlantic,” Alex said.

“How rude of me,” Jean Claude stated. He walked to his desk, opened a drawer and pulled out a bottle of wine. “Please sit, sit,” he said as he gestured towards the chairs. He poured several glasses of the burgundy liquid and handed each a glass. “Now, business.”

As the guests sat down, Jules rushed to sit beside Max. Kristina just stood at the door, not believing what was happening. She was on board another ship, dressed as a boy, and apparently going to ask Max’s lover for clothing. This was unbelievable.

“Well, Alex?”

“Like I said earlier, I’ll let Max tell you.”

Jean Claude looked at Max. Max swirled the burgundy liquid around in his glass and downed the entire contents. “I don’t know how to begin, but it seems we are in need of some . . . clothing.”

“Clothing?” Jean Claude questioned suspiciously.

“You see, we have acquired a new cook who is, shall we say, not made manly. I was wondering if we could buy some of Juliana’s clothing to fit the chap.”

“You mean to tell me your new cook is built like a woman?”

“I am,” Kristina interrupted.

Jean Claude looked towards the voice. He rose from his chair as if cast under a spell. Before he could reach Kristina, Max stepped in front of him.

“Don’t,” Max replied with warning in his voice.

“Are you threatening me? Aboard
my
own ship?” Jean Claude questioned, with malevolence in his voice.

Alex could sense the tension beginning to rise in the room. Being the leash to Max’s temper, he interjected, “No, not all. Right, Max?”

Max said nothing. He stood his ground, blocking Jean Claude from reaching Kristina. Jean Claude was many things, a businessman of sorts, a pirate, a fierce fighter, and a lover of women . . . all women. If they were unwilling, he would woo them until they were, and then he would leave them. If he found a woman he wanted, he would just capture her and be damned of the consequences.

Kristina rolled her eyes at the men. Goodness. They brought her here to get clothing, but were refusing to let the people they were buying them from see her.

“Max,” Kristina replied with slight frustration.

Jean Claude raised a golden brow at Max as a roguish expression crossed his thin face. “I think you have misinformed me,
mon ami
. I believe your new cook is of the fairer sex,” Jean Claude said, a sparkle apparent in his eyes.

“What?!” Juliana croaked as she turned towards the person in question.

“Look, Jean Claude,” Max began. “We have a new cook who is in need of clothing. Do you have anything we can buy for her or not?”

“No!” the response came from Juliana.

“No?” Max questioned as he looked her way.

“That’s right. I said no.”

“Juliana, do not be rude to our guests,” Jean Claude interrupted. “Of course you may purchase some clothing for your new chef. But . . . ,” Jean Claude’s words trailed off.

“But what?” Max asked, the malice in his eyes apparent, as he was growing impatient.

“I must see her first. She is a Spaniard, no?”

“Out of the question,” was Max’s curt reply.

“Then no deal,
mon a
—” his words trailed off as Kristina removed her oversized hat, allowing her long braided hair to fall from its hiding spot.

Jean Claude inhaled a quick breath upon seeing Kristina. He quickly sidestepped Max’s barricade and picked up Kristina’s dainty hand. “Allow me to introduce myself,
Chėre
,” he said as he placed a gently kiss across her knuckles. “Jean Claude Ranvier, captain of this lovely vessel,
The Savage
.”

The stunning smile Kristina bestowed Jean Claude dulled the appearance of the sun. It infuriated Max that she was apparently taken in by Jean Claude’s flirtatious manner. “Very nice to meet you,
Señor
Ranvier. I am Kristina Garcia Hernandez,” she replied sweetly as she heatedly glared at Max.

“
Chėre,
I hope these pirates you associate with have treated you like the princess you apparently are. But wait,” he replied with drama as he placed his free hand on his chest, “they are not, no? They have you slaving away in a hot galley like a lowly servant. Leave them and join me and you shall not lift a finger again.” He placed a lingering kiss on her hand again.

Max watched the exchange and a slow rage began to build. “What would you do with her
after
you have bedded her, Ranvier,” Max replied, obviously annoyed at the attention Jean Claude was giving Kristina.

Jean Claude gave Kristina a playful wink. Kristina gave a flirtatious giggle to purposely add to Max’s annoyance. He turned to face the black haired giant. “Jealous,
mon ami
?”

“Please, Jean Claude. I just want to get off this ship before your sister—” Max stopped as he realized he let his annoyance make his tongue loose. He almost blurted out what was propositioned to him by Juliana.

“Do not insult my sister, Maxwell,” Jean Claude warned. He quickly added, “What did she say?” as he pointed towards Juliana.

“Nothing,” Max quickly answered. “I just don’t want her to change your mind about the clothing.”

“Very well,” Jean Claude replied with disinterest. “Jules, please take the lovely Princess Kristina to your quarters and see if something there will please her, this precious jewel of the sea.”

“Jean Claude!” Jules protested.

“Silence!” Jean Claude yelled. “Do as I say. I may be your brother but I am also your captain, and you will
not
defy my orders. Understand?”