He saved her? He took her on and saved her from a life in prison.

“Will you ever go back?”

She shakes her head. “The police would have me in an instant if I went back.”

“And you’re happy here?”

Her face falls. “The guys are like my family, but I know I’ll never find love, or have children, or get married. That’s just the life I’ve been handed.”

“I’m so sorry,” I say, gently.

She turns to me, forcing a smile. “It’s nice to have another girl on here, aside from Senny. She’s awful.”

I chuckle softly. “She is awful, and I hope we can be friends.”

She smiles, and it changes her face. She’s a beautiful girl; it’s such a shame she has to live this kind of life.

“You know, he’s not an awful man.”

“Hendrix, you mean?”

“Yeah, he’s not cold-hearted. He just behaves that way.”

“He’s selling me…”

She frowns. “I don’t understand why, I know he has a massive deal with the other pirates…I really hate that he is resorting to barter someone’s life, especially after he saved mine.”

I swallow, and my body trembles as fear washes over me. I guess the reality of my situation hasn’t sunk in. Hearing it from her…knowing it’s real…it scares me. God, it scares me.

“I’m afraid,” I whisper, looking down.

Jess surprises me by reaching over and gripping my hand. “Fight,” she says softly. “Fight for your life, make him see it differently. He’s not a horrible person. Give him a reason to keep you.”

The door creaks, and she quickly lets go of my hand and stands. Hendrix steps in and stares at her with narrowed eyes, then turns his gaze to me. I give him a casual expression, and then turn my eyes to a magazine on the coffee table. Jess puts the sheets on the sofa, and then rushes out. As soon as she’s gone, Hendrix walks over, stopping in front of me. I focus on his boots, and the scuff marks up the sides.

“It’s roast night in the dining room,” he says. “You don’t have to spend your days in here.”

“Is my friend allowed to come?” I say, lifting my eyes.

“No, but you can take him food.”

I shake my head, and push to my feet. “Then I’m not interested.”

I step past him, and head for the door.

“I wanted to ask the other day, but…those scars on your…body. They’re from him?”

I stiffen, and spin around. “What is on my body is none of your concern. I’m no more than a sale to you, pirate. Don’t try to make out this is anything more. Or is it just that you are worried about what my new owner will think of the damaged goods?”

“I want to know,” he grinds out, “because I want to kill the prick for laying his hands on you.”

“Why?” I bark, gripping the door. “You’re no better than him.”

Then I step out and slam it.

I hear him curse.

Jess’s words play in my mind.

“Give him a reason to keep you.”

“You’re not seriously considering joining them?” Eric says, running his fingers through his matted blonde hair.

Hendrix has allowed him to shower, but he still looks awful. I adjust my stance, rocking from one foot to the other. “I have to try, Eric. If I can make him…like me…”

“You’re going to seduce him?” he rasps. “Aren’t you?”

“I never said that, but I need to give him a reason to keep me, or at least reconsider his choice.”

“And you’re willing to sleep with him to get that?”

I cross my arms, and glare at him. “Sleeping with him would be a small price to pay for my life, don’t you think? And I never said I was going to do that, so stop jumping to conclusions.”

“It’s a stupid plan, he will simply get angrier and hurt you. Then where will you be? Or worse, he’ll hurt me. Is that what you want?”

“Don’t you dare,” I spit. “I have signed my freedom away for you, Eric.”

“And I’m stuck in a cell for you!”

My body stiffens, and my heart begins thumping angrily. I feel my eyes narrow with rage, and I lean in and grip the bars.

“How dare you,” I snarl.

“If it wasn’t for you not following the law, we wouldn’t be here.”

“Are you serious?” I scream.

“You should have let the police deal with Kane, and we would have never felt the need to get on that yacht. I told you to leave it to the law, but you refused…”

My mouth drops open, and I feel my eyes well with tears. “You’re my best friend, Eric. I have laid my life down for you, to keep you safe, but you know what? Fuck you. I’m doing this my way now.”

I turn and head toward the door, my shoulders stiff, my heart aching. 

“Indigo!”

I throw my rude finger up over my shoulder, and walk up the stairs.

Screw him.

Screw it all.

I’m going to have some fun.

Loot, plunder, pillage and play!

“You’re not scared of a girl, are ye?” I snort, standing in front of a group of three pirates who are looking at me like I’ve lost my mind.

“Not scared of no lady,” one of the older ones says.

“Then let me join you.”