Enduring the Storm

Chapter 24 The Talk

Brooke's POV

I'm so mad about this. I hate that I can't have a moment to myself on this ship.. I'm so used to being by myself all the time and it's like I always expected just that.. So now that I don't have anytime to myself, it is starting to feel almost suffocating. And for whatever reason Owen is acting as if he doesn't care when I saw the tenderness in his eyes before when I was hurt.. And now he is just acting cold and distant which tells me he wants nothing to do with me and my new information.

I don't know that for sure, but I would suspect that him acting like that has to do with the fact that I told him about my time traveling.. he probably thinks I am psychotic just like the others.. Or that I might have a disease I could give him.. or he could also think that I'm just making sh*t up. All of those thoughts hurt either way, so I will just assume its one of those choices and be done with the thought of help, friendship or just companionship at any view.

So, one less thing to worry about, he can believe what he wants. I know the truth.. and that's all that matters to me. He doesn't know and doesn't care, making that completely clear to me right now by being so cold.. fine he be that way. It's not like I knew him well or that we were close to one another in any way shape or form, I just thought I felt something natural between us.. but obviously I was wrong.. It's ok I'm use to being alone and I'm probably better off that way.

I storm down the ladder so quickly that I think I even scared the men that were surrounding the bottom at one point. They scattered, very quickly while looking away just to glance back at me every now and then, showing the fear for me that they do what they can to tether it back. like they are trying to not be suspicious, but I can see and feel all of them staring so it is not working. But maybe the idea that they think I am scary and insane might help them from bothering me too much.. as far as I can see, I am just one woman on a ship filled with men.. and from what I know about men, that shouldn't be good for me if they realize I'm not as scary as they think I am.

So hopefully they stay worried about me and what I have to say. I want to keep them on their toes if I can, so they are just scared of me and wanting to keep their distance to ensure their safety and in return, my safety as well. I would hate to have to hurt anyone before I have the chance to get out of here, so I will try my best not to. I jump the last foot, landing on the wood as I storm towards the captain's quarters, not needing to be guided by him, I'm getting to know my way around.

I can hear Owen behind me, following me the entire way, but I won't even acknowledge him. If he is going to treat me like a pariah then I will pretend to be one and give the people what they want. They already think it anyway, so why not? He tries to open the door for me but I just hit his hand away. "I can do this myself." He looks taken back as his mouth opens to say something, but I just swing the door open, almost hitting him in the face with it, if he hadn't blocked the door with his arm.

I walk into the room and shut the door in his face before he has a chance to say anything. If he doesn't want anything to do with me, then so be it. He won't have a second with me and I will make sure of that. "Ok.. Mrs.Brooke.. I was hoping we could have a talk.. It took a while for you to join me I almost thought for a second that you were lost. I asked my second in command to grab you and it seemed to be taking a long time." William states this as he starts walking towards me. "I was in the crow's nest, I just wanted to get away and think for a moment, but apparently I can't even get that.. Your goon made me come down here. He said that I had to come down on my own with the ladder or just jump." I spat out, hating that I don't have any freedom, but I can't imagine that any captives have freedom. So I was stupid to expect anything else.

"Well that's why he is my second in command because he knows how to get what I want, by retrieving it.. and has always been very convincing in doing so." he states with so much pride as I cross my arms across my chest. "What did you need to talk to me about?" I ask with an impatience, because I am tired of talking about how good Owen is at being a pirate, plus how they keep making me do what they want me to.

"I wanted to make sure you knew what you would be doing from now on. You will be working under that goon as a deck hand. If you cannot do that to how he see's fit or to his liking then I will be a generous man and move you to the kitchen. If you cannot seem to do the two jobs I have been gracious enough to offer you.. then I will just sell you to get my money back or maybe I will toss you into the sea and watch for what wants to come out of the sea to get ya.. I'm not sure yet.. but let's hope we don't find out." He spats at me as I scoff shaking my head in disbelief at his arrogance. "Will I?" I sarcastically asked as he steps closer to me, getting my attention.

"You said you wanted a job here and this is all that I have for you and if it is not to your liking then you can walk the plank heading straight to the gallows for all I care.. as for the men they will not bother you.. I have ordered them to not touch you because you're mine.. they will be hurt if they try anything with you so tell me if they hurt you in anyway and I will deal with them." he explains through grit teeth as if he is trying tohold back his anger, I roll my eyes trying to show my annoyance now building with this conversation.

"I could deal with them myself, but if you're so keen to know the details then fine.. so.. where will I be sleeping?" I spat at him as he grabs my arm without a moment to lose and pulling me through the cabin. I try to catch my footing but stumble as he pulls me behind him and across the cabin until we come to an abrupt stop. "You want to know where you will be sleeping? With me." he demands this, pointing at his bed as I scoff and shaking my head. "I don't want to." he laughs at my response as he quickly states without hesitation. "I don't care.. that's why I didn't ask you, I was just telling you." he shoves me forward as I run straight into the side of his bed.

"Is there no where else I could sleep?" I ask through gritted teeth, but he grips my face into his tight grasp of his one hand, squeezing it tight as I whimper out with him pulling me in closer. I put my hands to his chest trying to stop us from getting close again, but that doesn't stop him. He only stops pulling me closer once my face is a couple inches from his. I feel his breath feathering off of my lips as his fiery eyes create a glare within them that quickly bores into mine.

"There are other places for you to sleep, like the bottom of the sea, the shark's mouth, siren's den, or the Krakens stomach... Or lets get cent creative, maybe back with the BuaBua tribe.. or oooh.. maybe you would prefer to sleep with all the men on this boat until there is nothing left to sleep with.. But the one thing you need to remember while being allowed on my ship.. when you are on my ship you will do what I command.. you will be sleeping with me every night whether you like it or not.. and if that changes you will be the first to know.. got it?" he snaps out with anger and annoyance in his tone, all I can do is nod before he crashes his lips to mine then shoves me back without hesitation. I stumble before falling back onto his bed.

"This sucks." I spat under my breath as he storms over to me, slapping me so hard that it sends me rolling off the bed and straight to the floor. I grasp my cheek as I glared up at him. He pushes out a fake chuckle with a look that is so menacing that it sends a shill through me. The anger in his eyes say more to me than his words ever could. He squats down in front of me still slight hovering as he bring out his knife. He tosses it up in the air a couple of times playfully, I watch the blade glisten as it flips before he catches it then quickly spins it in his hand, instantly putting the blade to my throat.

My breath is hitched in my throat as he slowly leans in, pressing the knife more into my throat as his voice rumbles into my ear. "I don't know what you're complaining about.. you should be happy that my goon told me to not hurt you and keep you around because I was planning on making you walk the plank to see my dear friend Davy Jones, just so he could lock you away down there, leagues under the sea.. but I am a generous man and have taken the advice given to me by Owen.. he thinks you have more use alive over dead and you need to prove him right or it will be the bottom of the sea for you.. understand me?"

I can't believe that Owen defended me but is being an assh*le to me out there, I don't understand it nor do I have the time or resources to find out why.. all that I can think about is his anger-filled eyes glaring daggers at me. He is terrifying in every sense of the word, so I can't do anything but to nod in response to his command as he says, "So you will do what I say with no complaint? Or if you decide to fight then you will die.. got it?" he asks as I nod again feeling a tear fall.

There is no remorse or care for how he is treating me. He hums out, before pressing his lips to my neck. He sucks in a deep breath as he keeps humming out before he starts to rip the dress again, but from the back. I feel the tears brimming my eyes as I turn my face away not wanting any part of it but knowing I have to be here. he leans back to see this as he stares at me like he is taking in the sight. "Just know you're doing this to keep yourself alive and you should be proud of how beautiful and strong you are to even get this type of attention.. you could think of it as brave.. but this is what I bought you for.. so don't make this a waste of money that I have to throw out."

I don't say anything because what is there for me to say that would make any of us feel better.. this is what I have to do to survive until I can figure out a way off of this boat, so I will do it. He takes me right there on the floor not caring of the food that still is laying out around us. He rides me like he hasn't had a ride in many years. But I know for a fact that is not true. He takes me for all I am worth but leaves me there when he is done as if I am trash.

He lays back on his bed with his hands behind his head in all his naked glory, showing off every bit of him more than he already has, with no worry of bothering anyone, but I guess it's his cabin he can do what he wants in it. When we lock gazes he states. "Get this room cleaned up, and after you're done I will be expecting you in my bed." I nod, picking myself off of the floor as I tighten my dress before he says from behind me. "you should feel lucky Brooke, only you and I have the pleasure of a feather bed to sleep on.. enjoy your time with me as much as you can, because it's all you have got for now." I roll my eyes at that statement, because he doesn't know I spent most of my life on the ground or in the back of a car to get a good night's sleep.. So I could care less if I have the feather bed or not.