Wrong Kind of Paradise Read online

  shook her. “And will not, divide my attention from my responsibilities to keep an eye on you. If you wish

  to help, then do me a favor, sweet one.” He kissed the bridge of her nose. “Stay below, so I have one less

  thing to worry about.”

  Angel remained stiff. So now you know why I take my responsibilities seriously, Angel. His words

  echoed in her mind. She couldn’t make him chose between his responsibilities and her.

  She glared at him and then with a soft sigh, she turned and headed below. She would do as he

  asked, only because she wanted to keep him safe and not have him worry over her. She did not do it

  because he’d told her to, but because he’d asked.

  Angel entered the cabin and the ship took a downward lurch. She toppled to her knees and clasped

  the door handle. The ship straightened and made its ascent up another wave. The bottom dropped out of

  the sky and rain spattered on the deck overhead. Angel stood and moved to the bunk just as the ship

  slanted once again. Tossed against the table, she let out a sharp squeal of pain.

  She hated storms. She loved the sea and her ship. But she hated the storms.

  Mother Nature often had a way of letting one know exactly who was in charge. Her stomach

  flopped over and she rested a hand over it. She’d never been sea sick before.

  But dread skittered down her spine.

  Wind and sea lashed the windows, and every fear leapt forward in mind. What if Blac were swept

  overboard? She had to just see him. Maybe if she could just sneak on deck right at the stairs, she could

  see him. He wouldn’t even have to know she was there. She’d be relatively safe and she could make sure

  he was safe as well.

  After all, if anything bad happened, he’d need every pair of available hands. He might even thank

  her later. She didn’t have as much experience as Blac, but she had been through a few storms herself.

  Her gaze swung to the windows and a flutter inside her belly told her that she didn’t think she’d

  been through anything quite like the storm they faced now.

  She crossed to the door before she lost her nerve and flung it open. A gust of wind slammed her into

  the wall. She banged her head against the paneling, groaned, and crumpled to the floor. She scrambled to

  her knees and crawled, making her way to the deck.

  Rain pelted her like a thousand needles. She seized hold of the grab rails attached to the side and

  got to her feet. She leapt toward the stair railing leading to the quarterdeck and held tight as the ship

  dipped into the ocean’s depth at almost a ninety-degree angle.

  Fear kept her paralyzed, and she closed her eyes. The ship hit the base of the wave like a twenty-

  four pounder cannonade, and the resounding crash receded against the rumble of thunder.

  The wind abruptly died off, the rain ceased and the clouds exploded with one last brilliant light

  display. Multiple streaks of jagged fingers clawed at the ocean’s surface. A silence born of anticipation

  settled and every crew member looked up and around in confusion. Brush-like charges of static crackled

  and her muscles tensed with pain.

  “Angel!”

  She jumped out of her skin and turned to peer up the stairs. Blac unfastened the rope binding him to

  the wheel. She decided she’d better meet him halfway or else her tongue-lashing would be worse.

  She started up the stairs. A clap of thunder and the gathering sea tilted the ship almost on its side.

  She flew back down the steps and slid into the railing, toppling right over the side. By sheer instinct, she

  managed to grasp the rail at the last minute. The water licked at her feet as she hung from the banister and

  fear gripped her heart. She was about to be washed over the side.

  Her eyes met Blac’s and her scream rent the air just before it was swallowed up by a massive

  wave, which sucked her into the waiting arms of the black water below.

  She heard her name, just as her grip began to slip. Blac, I love you, I always have...

  Fifteen

  Blac roared and dived toward the stairs.

  Gravity took hold and he tumbled down the steps. He twisted enough to catch his descent with the

  lower half of his body against the railing. He reached over the side, grabbed hold of Angel’s wrists, and

  hauled her into his arms.

  The staccato of his heartbeat pounded inside his ears and he closed his eyes in relief. Wrapping his

  legs around the bottom of the balustrade, he held tight until the ship somewhat righted herself.

  Nestled between the stairs and the rail, Blac clasped her against his side. Waves washed over the

  side and back out to sea. That could’ve been Angel.

  He whispered her name. Both hands cupped her cheeks and he ravaged her lips. Rain washed all

  color from her face, or was that fear?

  Droplets coasted down her face, dripping off her pert little nose and he gently kissed the tip.

  “You’re in so much trouble... When this is over, I’m going to beat you black and blue.”

  With a soft chuckle between clenched teeth, she looked up at him. “As long as you kiss it

  afterward.”

  He laughed and squeezed her.

  His heart finally pattered down to a normal rate. Her cold hands gripped him around the waist and

  she shook from shock. “It’s all right now, Angel. I’ve got you.” He pulled her closer and wiped a hand

  over her wet hair, smoothing it from her face.

  She nodded but didn’t speak. Her teeth chattered when she attempted a smile. He lumbered to his

  feet, pulled her with him, and together they made their way back to the helm. Doubled over against the

  force of the wind he strapped them both to the wheel, with her safe inside the circumference of his arms.

  The thought that this is where she belonged crossed his mind and this time, he didn’t try to talk

  himself out of it. He had loved her in some form or another for many years now. His feelings for her had

  grown and changed as she had, and he could no longer deny them. Life without Angel was no longer an

  option, and he would fight to keep her right where she belonged...by his side.

  The whistle of the wind through the rigging created an eerie atmosphere. Another mountainous wave

  crashed over the ship and pummeled them, causing the rope binding to dig into his back. He gritted his

  teeth against the pain and held his breath. Inhaling between the surges, he noted Rigo trying to lash down

  some unfettered lines.

  He placed Angel’s hands on the wheel. “Just keep her steady and sail her into the wave. I’ll be right

  back.”

  He unleashed himself and refastened it around her. “Blac! Don’t leave me here.”

  Real fear marked her features with wide eyes and a pale complexion. He cupped her face. “I’ll be

  right back, I swear.” He kissed her again and made his way to Rigo. He strained against the wind, his

  eyes little more than narrow slits. He could barely see or breathe. The wind sucked the air right out of his

  lungs.

  Together they lashed down the lines. Rigo held the last one in hand when the ship lurched up

  another colossal wave. He slipped backward, bumping into Blac and released the line. It snaked

  dangerously across the deck. Just as Blac reached it, the vessel plummeted down the twenty foot drop and

  the cord swished passed him. The wind picked it up and flung it about. The weapon-like cable snapped,

  clipping Rigo’s cheek. The Spaniard gasped and doubled over, clapping a hand over the wound.
<
br />   Alarmed, Blac bounded across the deck and caught the offending rope. He swung to and fro until he

  slammed against the mizzenmast. He reached up and rubbed the lump forming on the back of his head.

  Catching his breath, he scuttled to tie down the line.

  Rigo clasped him on the shoulder with his free hand. Blood oozed from between his fingers and

  rainwater washed it down his forearm in a red river. “She’s feisty, eh? I haven’t seen a storm like this in

  years.” Red liquid trickled down his cheek and dripped from his chin.

  “Aye, this is one hell of a storm. We’re coming out of its center. Go see to that wound before it

  really gets worse, mate.” Blac headed back to the quarterdeck. Rain slanted across the decks but

  something caught his eye.

  “What the hell is that?” he said.

  Rigo peered past him. “What?”

  The wind shifted, parting the downpour and allowed just a brief glimpse into the distance.

  Something white skittered across the horizon. He squinted. “Is that a ship?”

  He held his breath, concentrating. Seconds later, something white appeared, caught in the wind. It

  tumbled end over end toward them. What the hell?

  Surprised, his heart skittered to a stop and he realized what it was. The top section of a mast hurtled

  through the air toward him. He leapt to the left but the impact sent him flying backward. He hit the deck

  with enough force the breath was knocked out of him. Just before blackness took over, he realized he was

  pinned beneath the section of broken mast and the intact main mast of his own ship.

  Where the hell had the mast come from?

  ~*~

  Blac!

  Angel faltered and screamed. Max stumbled up the steps and reached for the wheel. Saltwater

  streamed from his mouth and nose. He nodded. “Go to him, lass. I’ll take the wheel.”

  Angel needed no other encouragement. She ducked beneath the rope and raced for the stairs. A

  wave caught her feet and they slid right out from underneath her. She rushed back up and made it to Blac.

  Her heartbeat thudded against her ribs as she knelt. Please let him live.

  Bruno appeared at her side, and together the three of them lifted the broken mast off Blac’s almost

  lifeless form. Had she not actually seen the rise and fall of his chest, she could’ve sworn he lay there

  dead.

  Relief whooshed out of her chest on a heavy sigh and tears scalded her eyes. Rigo checked him,

  making sure there were no broken bones, and then Bruno bent and lifted him on one shoulder.

  “I’ll get Raphael. He can look him over,” Rigo said.

  Angel frowned as rain pelted her features. “Isn’t he the carpenter?”

  “Si, but he is also the ship’s doctor.”

  She nodded.

  Rigo’s jaw dropped open in a mask of utter shock and Angel’s breathing stalled.

  “What? What is it?” Rigo grasped her upper arms and turned her about.

  A massive Frigate sailed out of the rain, her bow bearing down on them like the Flying Dutchman.

  Angel’s heart slammed against her ribs and stuck there.

  The ship was crippled badly by her single broken mast and she floundered under the heavy force of

  the wind. She tilted on her axis severely. Angel watched, horrified, as a member of the Frigate’s crew

  washed overboard right before her eyes. A hand prevented her gasp from escaping. “She’s going to ram

  right into us,” Angel shrieked.

  Panic almost overtook her until Rigo shook her. “Control yourself, Angel, if you’re going to be a

  member of this crew and help Blac when he needs it the most, now is the time to assume command. If

  you’re not going to help, then get below.”

  Angel snapped her mouth shut. He was right. Now was not the time to panic. She had to help get

  them out of this.

  The Frigate headed toward their starboard side. With the storm, they couldn’t outrun her. Not with

  all sails trimmed and the waves continued to push her closer to them. If they turned portside, there was a

  chance they couldn’t get out of the way fast enough, sailing against the waves. And if the Frigate hit them

  mid-ship, she’d split them in two. If they turned starboard they could run parallel with her bow to stern.

  Yet, turning starboard could capsize them if they turned with the waves.

  It would also open their broadside.

  The wind increased to a howling frenzy and the sky bottomed out. Rain and hail pelted the decks

  like a thousand daggers pinging against the rigging. Angel headed to the helm. A wave pushed her into the

  stairs and she caught herself before she lost her footing. The Frigate almost doubled the Brigs size. She

  would crush the Revenge.

  Max struggled to hold the wheel into the waves. Angel pushed him out of the way. “Don’t fight it.

  Let the waves turn us into the Frigate.”

  “What?” Max shouted. “Bloody hell! Have ye gone daft, child?”

  “No,” she replied. “Trust me, Max. Let the wave turn us toward the Frigate.”

  “We’ll capsize, girl!”

  Angel pushed against his chest. “Just do it! It’s a direct order from your captain.”

  Max let go of the wheel and stepped back. The wheel spun to the right. The wave caught the ship

  and hauled her starboard side. She teetered on the wave’s tip and long seconds passed before movement

  resumed.

  Angel lashed herself to the rail and hoped she was right on this one. She braced herself. The wind

  caught hold of the mast and pushed her sideways.

  Max lashed himself to the rail and began to pray. “Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy

  name. Thy Kingdom come, thy will be done.”

  They plummeted. Angel closed her eyes.

  If ever there is a God, please listen to me now. Please don’t let us capsize. Let us live.

  The rumble of the storm rose in volume. They slid sideways down the wave, the Revenge’s masts

  pointed directly into the sea. The foremast collapsed under the pressure and the resounding split rang in

  her ears.

  She crumbled to the deck as gravity took hold and slid, the lashing catching her just before her feet

  left the deck. They sat on the ship’s side at a ninety degree angle. The wave pushed them right passed the

  Frigate. Now she just had to keep them from capsizing.

  The wheel spun so fast she couldn’t grab it. It would break her arm should she try.

  Max called her name and she turned to him. Rain slashed at her face and she gulped gallons of

  water. He handed her a belaying pin and she jammed it into the wheel. It immediately came to a stop with

  a loud crack.

  Pulling herself closer to the wheel, she managed to whip it in the opposite direction. She grunted

  under the weight. Another wave hauled the ship upright, and she scaled its height once again.

  Back on her feet, Angel manned the helm with Max at her back. “Blimey you’re as off kilter as your

  father, lass.”

  “Aye, it runs in the family.”

  “That it does.”

  Bow to stern now, Angel whipped around to find the Frigate. “Where the hell did that ship come

  from?” she shouted above the wind.

  “The hell if I know.”

  As if in response to her question, the Frigate’s battery of cannons exploded and the ball missed the

  railing by less than two feet.

  “Blow me down, did she jist fire on us?” Max’s voice carried to her.

  The sixteen gun Brig wasn’t equipped to take on a Frigate. T
hey would have to get out of her range.

  Blac mounted the stairs shaking his head, his wet shirt plastered to his powerful shoulders and

  chest. “Turn her about Mr. Briggs. Let’s show her a good time.”

  “Ye’ canna be serious, Cap’n. She’s got double our guns and crew. There’s no way we can engage

  and win. We should outrun—”

  Had Blac gone crazy?

  “I gave a direct order, Mr. Briggs. Besides, she’s been following us for two days. I mean to have a

  conversation with her captain and find out why.”

  They rode the waves until they could safely come about without fear of capsizing. They had the

  advantage of a quicker ship and more maneuverability. The Frigate had made little progress in her turn-

  about, and the Serpent’s Revenge was already in pursuit.

  The rain ceased to all but a steady drizzle. Though the wind continued to gust and launch objects

  like projectiles.

  “Captain, I must protest. We canna’ win against a Frigate, not in a direct one on one battle.”

  “Then we’ll simply have to outmaneuver them and out-strategize them.” Blac took the wheel from

  Angel and kissed her lips. “Now I want you below and I don’t want any back talk. I will not stand up here

  worried about you when I must fight a storm and a Frigate. Do you understand me?”

  “Yes.”Angel didn’t argue. She must trust in Blac to get them out of this. He would need all his wits

  about him, and Angel suddenly realized that she did just that: she trusted Blac implicitly. “I won’t give

  you any trouble.”

  He looked at her as if she’d grown horns. She smiled at his expression. “Do not be so surprised. I

  know your experience far outweighs mine.” She paused before landing a solid kiss on his lips. “I’m glad

  you’re safe, Blac. Don’t ever scare me that again or I’ll kill you myself.”

  ~*~

  The two ships encircled each other. Broadsides bared.

  The Frigate was already seriously crippled. The main mast hung by its lines and the foremast had

  completely broken off. In fact, Blac’s crew members had just tossed the damn thing over board.

  “Bring out the storm sails, run out the guns, and give me some drag, Mr. Santiago.”

  The crew ran out the Serpent’s twenty nine-pounder demi-culverins and knocked the wedges out