A ravenous moan fills the air, and I'm not sure if it's mine or hers.
"Yo, Alejandro. Let's go. We got what we want." Roberto calls out, and I break the kiss. Lifting my face from hers, I wait to answer him, enjoying the submissive look in Marie's eyes as she accepts her fate.
Marie
Jesus, I'm like putty right now. I touch my lips, staring into those fantastic amber eyes. That kiss was everything!
"Stay on my six. I move. You move. You copy?"
I nod, and Alejandro gives me a killer wink that rocks my world all over again, then he takes my wrist and leads me to the other side of the yacht.
I scan the scene, and the horror of human trafficking shakes me. About ten girls are lying unconscious on the deck. Two pirates are tying their hands and feet together, while two more pick them up, carry them to the side, and hoist them overboard.
Alejandro announces, "I'm keeping this one for myself."
Roberto laughs and tosses him a bundle of clothes. He drops my wrist to catch them, then pops the fabric to release the knot, and a pair of white sneakers, jeans, and a muscle tank top fall to the ground. He unstraps his knife sheath and drops it on top as he bends over and grabs the jeans. When he lifts his foot to step into them, he nearly loses his balance, and I reach out to steady him.
Roberto laughs again, then turns back to help the others.
As he pulls the jeans up over his speedo, I marvel at how I could have missed that massive muscle between his legs. He's definitely endowed in that department too. He has to bend forward slightly to tuck it into his pants before he can zip up and button the jeans. While he maneuvers it into position, I bend down and retrieve the white muscle tank top for him. I hold it out for him to take when he's ready, and he gives me a little smirk when he pulls it out of my hands. Then slips it over his head and pushes his huge arms through the oversized holes. As he pulls the hem down and tucks it in his jeans, I wonder how he fits his broad frame into a regular cut shirt.
Next, I kneel down and offer to help him with his shoes. He slips each foot inside, and I pull the backs over his heel. Then I pick up the knife in its sheath and hand it to him.
For the first time, he smiles, and I see how truly handsome he is. His teeth are white and straight. He takes it from me and straps it around his leg, then he tests the angle by pulling it out, then sticking it back in.
Satisfied, he reaches into a pocket, pulls out a white bandana dotted with a dark logo, and as he ties it around his head, effectively controlling his long hair, he stares at me.
I admire the change. He looks more like a pirate businessman than a barbarian now. I smirk and nod at his transformation, and he gives me that killer wink again.
Then he's reaching into another pants pocket and pulls out a black dog tag from a different pocket. The insignia is a king's crown with his name stenciled on it. He opens the chain and offers it. I step forward and bow my head, and he slips it over, then he lifts my face by gently pulling my chin up, and I stare into those amazing amber eyes again. The desire I see in his assures me that I am claimed and therefore protected.
Then he stands, folding his arms over his chest, with his hips cocked forward, and leans back, turning into a badass right before my eyes. The man looks like he eats weaklings for breakfast.
He observes the crew of pirates as they lower the women one by one over the side. I step closer to him, so his broad back blocks my view, and I can feel his strength oozing off his body. I know I'm going to need it.
When it's my turn, Alejandro faces me, opens his arms, and says, "Jump on."
I do as I'm told. Placing my hands on his shoulders, I jump, and he grabs my ass, pulling me tight against him. I wrap my legs around his waist, hook my hands around his neck, and ride him as he steps over the railing, then scales down the rope to a dinghy waiting below. His strength and agility make it seem effortless.
As his massive muscles move under me, the scent of his musk fills my nostrils, and I marvel at how safe he makes me feel. Then the thought of why he shouldn't have to makes me more determined than ever to be compliant.
This man is a total badass, and by God, I'm going to prove myself worthy of him.
As he sets me down in the boat, I turn my face away from his protection to see the bodies of the other women stacked on top of each other like potatoes in a bin, and I wonder if the ones on the bottom will survive the crushing dead weight from the ones on top.
I look up at him and thank my stars, this good man wants me.
4
Gabriel
Marie understands the horror she faces now and understands what her role is. Keeping her eyes locked on my face, she waits for my instructions. I look down where I want her to sit, and she sinks slowly until her ass hits bottom. Never breaking eye contact.
Before I sit down with her, I look over the faces of my crew staring at us, and I make sure they understand that if I fight to keep her, they will die. Then I sit, folding my body around her, and cradle her against my chest as the boat begins the long journey back.
She snuggles up, resting her head on my chest, and before long, I realize she’s fallen asleep.
Good. She needs to be alert and ready to fight if it comes to that. I’m not at all sure how claiming her before the higher-ranking members of the pirate crew have looked her over will go down. They have a structured chain of command, but it isn’t firm. It’s okay in most instances to break the rules, but if you’re challenged for coloring outside the lines, you have to fight or back down, and backing down has never been an option for me.
Sitting here holding this angel as we plow through the ocean heading to a hidden pirate cove in a dinghy full of enemy combatants with victims of human trafficking as cargo is a surreal moment.
I lay my head on my arm, pretending to rest as well. But instead, I stare at her, enjoying her presence. My heart was as hard and cold as it has ever been before. I didn’t realize how close I had come to losing my soul to this mission. I hate with every fiber of my being that she is here, she should be free, but I can’t deny, I’m glad to have her company. She’s indirectly a part of my SEAL family, and her connection to my past is strangely grounding.
Before, my ego would have been bruised that she didn’t recognize me, but now, I’m just thankful she will behave genuinely. Which will make keeping her safe while maintaining my cover and continuing the mission possible.
I reach out and tuck a stray strand of hair that’s fallen out of her messy bun behind her ear. She’s petite, not weighing 120 pounds, but she isn’t fragile. She’s muscular and strong. She hasn’t broken down during all this, even after her adrenaline dump. She isn’t a blubbering crybaby or a whining bitch who would make this difficult situation a nightmare. But then again, she’s Cash’s little sister. Of course, she’s tough as nails.
The dinghy begins a slow right turn heading into the hidden cove, and her body weight shifts. I tighten my hold to stabilize her, and she stirs, lifting her head.
As she looks around, the wildness in her eyes creates a bottleneck in my throat as my breath and blood are trapped by its constriction. If she freaks now, all hell will break loose when we get inside with the rest of the crew. They will try to take her away from me, and I won’t be able to stop them. Their overwhelming numbers will win. But if she remains submissive and obedient to my command, then I can fight for her if any one of them challenges me to take her for themselves.