An Officer but No Gentleman(91)
He had seen her go below deck with a couple of captain applicants, but she was always frowning when they came back up.
“Daniel, find Romy and Levi and bring them to my quarters.”
“You want us to kidnap her?”
Jaxon was incredulous. “Of course not.”
“Beat up Morty?”
“Just do what you’re told.”
“Aye-aye, skipper,” he said impertinently.
Jaxon sat at his desk and had just finished counting out three separate piles of money when Daniel knocked and stuck his head in.
“Come in.”
Daniel and Romy took their places across the desk from Jaxon and Levi plopped down on his bunk.
Jaxon scowled at him. “Get off my bunk and go stand next to Daniel and Romy.” Jaxon picked up two stacks of coins and came around the desk. He handed the largest sum to Daniel and the other to Romy. Then he turned and picked up the small stack of coins and handed it to Levi. He addressed Levi first.
“Mother is really shaken by what happened to Jimmy. I think she would be much happier with you off my ship. If you’re sure you want to pursue this line of work, I believe the Arcadia has openings.”
“The Arcadia? It’s a merchant ship.” Levi protested.
“Exactly.”
“It only has one cannon, Jax. We would be nearly defenseless.”
“Charlie intends to send her to Asia. But if you are under attack, aim for the waterline. Sink the bastards.”
Jaxon turned to Daniel next. “I’m sure you won’t have far to go to find employment. Think of this as an opportunity to better yourself.”
Daniel narrowed his eyes at Jaxon. “You want me to apply for her captain’s job?”
“Aye.” Jaxon smiled. His brother wasn’t slow.
“What about our shares from the corsair and the others?”
“When I get it, so will you.”
“I can’t believe you’re firing us. This is because of what happened with Charlie.”
“Aye, I don’t deny it.”
Daniel shook his head, a wry smile on his lips and dimples on his cheeks. “Fired for following your orders.”
“Romy, I’m sorry. I could tell the other day how uncomfortable Charlie was around you, but I’m guessing if she hires Daniel, he’ll hire you.”
“And what if she doesn’t hire me?” Daniel asked.
“I guess you should have been nicer to her. However, I know her fiancé, maybe he can put in a good word with her.”
Jaxon’s mood was lifting. He felt content for the first time in days. “I feel like lunch at the hotel today. Anyone want to join me? I’m paying.”
Charlie saw Jax approached the ship and her heart began a rapid tattoo in her chest. She was hurt that not once in the last three days had he so much as waved at her from his own ship. He made no secret of the fact he would visually seek her out, but not once did he acknowledge her.
“Charlie!” Jaxon shouted from the pier. “Hungry?”
Charlie was not accustomed to eating a midday meal. “I just ate breakfast four hours ago.”
“We’re going to have lunch at the hotel. Would you like to join us?”
“No, thanks.”
“What about you, Morty. Are you hungry?”
“I could eat,” he said sliding his rump off the quarterdeck.
“Come on, Charlie. Just come with us. You don’t have to eat.”
“Traitor,” she said quietly to Morty.
“Morty, talk her into it.”
“When she was a kid, I used to throw Charlie over my shoulder when he was being stubborn.”
Charlie squinted at Morty. “Don’t even think about it.”
“No, she a grown woman,” Jaxon reminded him.
Jaxon began moving up the gangplank. “I have something important to talk to you about. Permission to come aboard?”
“Unless you have a captain for me to hire in your pocket….”
Jaxon smiled at her. “He won’t quite fit in my pocket.”
“Truly? You know someone?” Charlie felt her mood soar at the sight of Jaxon. Languid warmth grew inside her making it impossible to sit still. How was it possible just gazing upon him still made her knees weak?
“Come to lunch.”
A moment later, Charlie was on her feet and the three of them were walking down the pier towards their dining companions. Jaxon had taken her hand and knew the moment she realized who they were dining with.
“Come on, baby. I’m trying to make this better,” he said quietly to her. “Trust me.”
She glanced at him as if he were mad. How could having lunch with the three men who had stripped her possibly make anything better? It was bad enough she wouldn’t be able to avoid them altogether once she was back on The Dragon’s Lair, but to be forced to eat at a table with all three of them was going to be humiliating.