Enduring the Storm

Chapter 21 Finding Her

Owen's POV

I am on the port side of the boat, keeping my eyes out on the water as I give the orders to the men. The waves and wind seem to be howling, making it hard to determine if there is anything out in this little storm. But my eyes and ears have caught nothing. The man in the crow's nest hasn't alerted us of anything, so at least I am not the only one that is not seeing anything out there or around us.

I can smell smoke as I turn to see it is William smoking his tobacco pipe with an ear to ear grin upon his face. I cringe, knowing exactly what that means. "Hey Cap.. how are things? Dinner went well?" I nonchalantly ask him about his time with Brooke and I think he sees this. His smile grows even bigger, which I didn't think was possible, but now it is facesplitting. "Oh it was so much fun.. I had her moaning." he states as I look away before spatting. "So she willingly gave into your persuasion?"

William laughs before taking a puff of his pipe, letting the rings of smoke leave his lips. "No she wasn't willing, and fought it the entire time.. but I got what I wanted and gave her a good time.. she was too wet to ignore.. so I know she liked something I was doing no matter how much she objected with every move I made. But what I need is more time with that vixon. She will take some time to tame like a wild stallion.. but that doesn't mean it can't be done." he explains making me furious that she objected the entire time, but he still did that with her.

I shouldn't be surprised because that is the type of man that I could see him being, but I have always seen him with women that are more than willing to join him into his quarters.. so I didn't think he would ever force the situation on anyone. I just warned her to give in to his demands because he can be violent with bad attitudes.. and I was afraid of her talking back and that action would get her hit.. but not this. I feel my jaw clenching as he says. "I am going to make another session happen.. she felt too good to not get it again."

His words build the anger within me that I find the words automatically leaving my lips. "Or you could just let her go.. she said no so put her somewhere else on the ship.. like the kitchens, you know we need a new cook after Patterson died." I spat hating the idea of him doing this once but furious at the idea of him doing it again. "No I would rather have her all to myself whether she likes it or not." he states emptying out the ashes of his pipe before patting my shoulder then walking away and back to his cabin.

I try to calm my nerves from being so irritated with him, but there is a part of me that wants to break into there and save her from his torment. But lets be serious, what would I do with her and I, when I do that? I would betray my best friend and that is punishable by death, and he would probably hurt her as well in the process.. I have seen the horrible things he has done to people who betray him, let alone ones that take what he wants. Even if by some miracle I was able to get her and I out, and onto the water with our little boat, they would come after us.

I huff out in frustration as I start pacing trying to figure out what to do.. I could stop this.. I could help her. I nod to myself as I walk down the stairs and towards his door. I lift my hand to knock before screaming can be heard inside of the cabin, The air is taken from my lungs, knowing who has embodied that scream and what that could mean.. I swing the door open without hesitation prepared to defend her against my best friend. Which sounds insane.. but I feel like I need to protect her.

But what I see in here is surprising. The room is turned over but the strong smell of s*x fills the room, making me mad at maybe jealous at that thought. A livid beyond belief William with blood running down the side of his head, storms through the room and shoulder checks me as he passes. "Owen get her under control before I whip her then throw her off of the ship." He storms away as I nod while entering the room completely. Things are messed up, looking thrown around, like there was a fight in here, but I don't see her. My eyes scan the room, not being able to tell where she may be.. Is she knocked out? hiding? where is she?

I keep searching until sniffling is heard. I follow the sounds before circling around to see her hiding under his large oak desk. She has a broken shard of glass in her hand. "Oh... Brooke." I say to her with so much worry in my tone as I squat down to get to her. She pushes my hands away, but I don't stop I try to talk with her to get her out of there. "I told you, fighting this was not the way to do things. I didn't want to see you get hurt."

"And what do you think I should do? just let him rape me over and over until he is done with me and throws me off the ship or worse, he lets the crew have what remains?" she squeaks out as I find my hands having a mind of their own, wiping away the stray tears that have dripped down her cheeks. Her watery eyes stare up at mine, pulling at my heart strings as she lets me wipe them away while I softly say, "If you just gave in with him it could be fun." I try to negotiate for her safety.

Her head shakes at me as more tears pour. I hate those words that came from my lips, but at the same time if he is not giving her up, then that would be her best chance. "You don't get it." she squeaks out as I shake my head. "I do get it.. I just want you to be safe and he said he didn't want to give you up no matter the suggestions I gave." I try to explain as she stares up at me with confusion. "You tried to help me?" I nod without hesitation as I softly say. "yes.. I tried.. but.."

"But he won't give me up no matter how much I fight it? I knew that, that's why I used blunt force.. I hope it was as fun for him as it was for me." she says this with a venom in her tone as her head vigorously shakes. I kneel down to try to reach in and help her up. I grab her arms pulling her out from under the desk before she collapses on me. She cries in my hold and I don't know what to do to make her feel better. I have never been good with emotional support because I never got it, since I was sold to the captain at a very young age.. so I don't know how to give it.

She is mumbling in my chest. "Why did I ever leave? I just wanted peace.. and purpose.. god I feel so stupid thinking I could do this on my own." My hands move on their own rubbing over her back as I take in her words, not understanding them but knowing that they mean more than I could probably ever understand. I hate this.

She leans her head back showing her red eyes that are draining of the tears that have brimmed them. "How about you just help me get out of here.. you could do that right?" she asks me in a panic as I shake my head, not knowing how to respond. "You could do that.. right? I see that you're good.. you have kindness in your eyes and you said that you tried to help me.. please just help me now." She begs this of me as my eyes pan around the empty room. "I am not good." I tell her this because she says I am good but she doesn't know the things I have done to get to this point.

She shakes her head. "no.. you are.. I can see the kindness in you and I can feel it in here." She says touching my chest as I shake my head not believing it. " No I have hurt many people.. many." she lets out a deep breath before getting closer so our faces are only inches apart taking the breath from my lungs. Her hand carcasses gently over my chest as she states, "You can't tell me you don't feel what I do when I am around you.. I feel comfort that I have never felt with anyone else.. I know you wouldn't hurt me. You might have hurt others.. But I know you wouldn't hurt me." she says this to me with so much determination as my head twitches, because I want to deny the words, but I know that I honestly can't.

Her hand touches over my cheek as she inches closer and man you don't know how entrancing those eyes are, and how easily they are convincing me just to give in.. But if William walked in that would get us both killed right here right now. "Please Owen." My name on her lips sounds like a song. But I know how bad William's anger can get. "Brooke.. I can't.. William, the Captain.. is my only family.. I can't betray him like that." I say softly to her as she nods her head, looking away from me as her lip quivers. "I get it." she says as she looks at me, then back down to the ground.

"Believe me I want to help.. I.." I try to explain but she puts her finger over my lips as she says, "I will do what I have always done and just take care of things myself.. I was wrong about you and what I feel.. and.. that's ok.. you don't know me and I could never expect you to betray your friend.. I will figure it out for myself." she says to me with that fire in her eyes. I shake my head not knowing how I could help but wanting to do something to help.

"You don't have to be on your own." I say to her as she shakes her head before touching my cheek softly. "It's ok.. I have always been on my own and I will always be on my own.. It's something I have known for a very long time.. and I know it won't change anytime soon." she says to me as she uses the desk and my shoulder to stand up as I do the same, standing up without hesitation. But when she does this I can see that her sleeve is torn along with the strings untied on the back of her dress.

I walk up behind her tying her strings for her as she stands there waiting for me to do so. But as I am doing this I see the lashing across her back. "Did he do this to you?" I ask her as she nods. I suck in a sharp breath hating that he has done that. "It's fine.. I'm fine." she says this in a monotone that tells me otherwise. "Brooke.." I say to get her attention but she quickly turns around and says. "I'm ok.. you can go now before he thinks something bad about you.. I would hate for you to be guilty by association with me." I shake my head but she nods hers just as much as she points at the door.

I don't know what is happening with me but she has ignited something within me that just wants to protect and help her.. Is that normal? I don't feel normal. "Go" she demands as I reluctantly leave the room, giving her the space she asks of me as I run into William at the door. "Well is she calmed down?" I nod but as he tries to step forward, I put my arm out in front of him so this automatically stops him. He looks taken back as he looks from my arm to something behind me. I glance back to see that it is Brooke looking before walking away.

"Will.. I know you don't do this often.. but try to have a heart.. she is going through a rough patch and you have been forcing her into something she never wanted.. give her a break.. just like you gave me.. everyone said that shouldn't have given me a chance and you did, you saved me and it was the best thing we both have had.. please just consider doing that for her.. and may I suggest leaving her in the kitchens.. we need the help and it could give you time to woo the lady the way she deserves.. and maybe then she will want to be with you the way you want." I suggest as he stares at me, then swallows the lump in his throat before he nods only once before leaving me there. I don't know if he will take my advice about this, but I hope so.