“She is,” he murmurs.

“I don’t recall having sex in front of me being part of our deal,” I point out.

“I don’t recall your opinion being part of it either.” He smirks.

“I will make you wish you didn’t stick her in front of me,” I snap. “Believe me when I say I will make it impossible for you to get it up for her if you even attempt to fuck her in this room while I am in it.”

He raises his brows. “Is that another threat?”

“No, again, it’s a promise.”

“Don’t tell me fucking frightens you, inocencia?” he rasps.

What did he just call me? It sounded almost…Spanish.

I don’t answer him. I simply turn and walk back to my sofa, dropping myself down and tucking my legs beneath me. I pick up the sandwich and water, and continue to nibble and sip. I hear the giggles behind me, then the distinct sound of sucking. He can’t be serious? What sort of pig is he? I close my eyes, and I think of ways to piss him off enough to get him to stop. I know by now Hendrix isn’t going to kill me, he loses too much if it does. So, I decide on the only thing I know I can do well.

I sing.

And I make it count.

“Drink up me earties’ yo ho, yo ho, yo ho, a pirates life for me.”

I repeat this over and over, at the top of my lungs. The girl growls after about five minutes, and I hear her stand and stomp her foot. “Make her shut up!”

I turn my eyes to Hendrix, and he’s smirking at me. God, he’s beautiful when he looks like that. I continue singing, not once moving my eyes from his. I raise my brows, as if to say, “Did you think I was joking?” He turns his eyes to the girl.

“Leave, I have business to take care of.”

She huffs, and glares at me. “Next time, lock her up.”

He gives her a bored expression, and she huffs once more before storming out. I turn my face back to the bottle of water in my hands, quite proud of myself. That’ll teach him for trying to make my stay difficult.

“Proud of yourself, aren’t you, inocencia?” he says from behind me.

“Quite, thank you.”

He snorts, and I look up to see him studying me, as if he’s trying to understand me. Good luck, buddy. I don’t even understand me. I meet his gaze, and I hold it. There’s a challenge in his eyes, and I have no doubt he sees equal challenge in mine. I might have signed myself over to him, and to whomever he decides to sell me to, but damned if I’ll stop fighting. Nothing will take away the spirit I have inside. If I have to drive him crazy, then so help his sorry ass, that’s what I’ll do.

“Where are you from, incocencia?”

Why does he insist on calling me that? What does it even mean?

“That’s really none of your business,” I throw at him, taking another bite of my sandwich.

“It is my business. You’re my business now. So, answer the question.”

“I’m originally from Australia.”

He grins, wide. “I thought I detected an Australian accent. How long have you lived in the United States?”

I cross my arms, and then swallow the food in my mouth. “What is this? A checklist for the man you’re selling me to? Trying to make sure I am up to standards? Well, don’t bother, pirate. I’m not telling you anything. I might be following your rules but it doesn’t mean I like you, or respect you. Get that through your head.”

His entire body stiffens, and he storms forward, gripping my shoulder and hurling me up. As soon as I land on my feet, he brings his face down close to mine, and his voice comes out steely and rough. “Do not forget I am the one holding your friend in my cells. I can go down there, slit his throat, and then sell you anyway. I owe you nothing, girl. Don’t push me.”

“You made a deal,” I whisper, feeling my rage building.

He lets me go, and I stumble backwards onto the couch. He straightens and turns, taking lengthy, determined strides until he reaches the door. He spins around and glares at me. His fingers grip the doorframe. “Don’t push what you don’t know, inocencia. Even the strongest men, and the strongest deals…can be broken.”

Then he turns and leaves the room.

What the hell?

I sit for only a few minutes before deciding that, if I’m allowed to start walking around the ship, then I will make good use of it. I step out of the room, and begin walking down the halls to head toward the cells. I want to talk with Eric, see if we can figure out a way to escape together. I can’t leave him behind - if I do, he dies. If I go, it has to be with him, or I have to at least make sure he goes safely on his own.

I put my head down, and try to make it to the cells as quickly as I can, but midway there I run into the blond bimbo Hendrix had in his room. She reaches out as I try to duck past her, and her fingers curl around my upper arm. Then I’m being slammed against the wall. I close my eyes, and grit my teeth. I won’t be bullied by this beast. It won’t happen. I take a deep breath, and open my eyes to meet her angry glare.

“Listen to me, you little whore. Hendrix is mine. I don’t care what deal you two have going, the next time I come into his room I am going to get what I need.”

Ew.

“If you think I’m going to let you bully me into making the decision to stop cock blocking Hendrix, you will find yourself at a dead end. I won’t be bullied, and I sure as shit won’t sit around and let him fuck your trashy brains out in front of me.”