To Live Another Day by Gail Luppos (new ebook reader txt) 📖

But as it is you are in my territory. So you will do as I say and when I say." Robin didn't like it. She couldn't remember every lie she told. How would she remember all the little details.' As long as I keep the story short and simple I should be safe.' she thought. She sighed resignedly and sunk down into a chair. She rested her head on her hand and gazed out of the porthole. " I guess I should tell you that I am running away from something." The captains tone turned sharp. " What do you mean by that?" She shrugged her shoulders nonchalantly. "Oh Its nothing big.I just, I don't know...." she paused and turned her head towards him. " Have you ever had your father shove responsibilities on you and expect you to do something without your consent." The captain gaze snapped to her. " What do I know." he laughed sarcastically. " That's my life story. My father always badgered me to become better, wiser, stronger. But no matter what I did, I couldn't meet his approval. It was always 'Foster do better. Look at your brother Oliver. Why can't you be like him.'" He laughed mirthlessly as he hung his head and he gazed at his clenched hands gathered in his lap. "I was never good enough for him. If you told me a story similar to mine I would respect you and your own decisions.But I will not let you go scotch free." He stuck his face near hers as he spoke in a menacing tone. " Don't think that because I understand you that I will let you do what as you wish. That is not my way. Despite my age I can be very brutal and cold when the occasion is needed." Robin nodded her head quickly hoping that if she agreed with him he would move his face away from hers. Thankfully he did and Robin let out an inaudible sigh. ' Whew that was close. Any closer and I would've done something rather irrational and unmanly. But it's his fault for getting in my face in the first place. Gosh any other women with eyes would notice those looks. But I am not a girl,in appearance at least. Just ignore his good looks that shouldn't be so hard.' Or so she thought. It seemed that the more the captain spoke the more she noticed his lips and damn it if his eyes looked hypnotizing. Why did the captain have to be so rugged. Why couldn't he be some old geezer with a hooked nose. Not that hooked nose are ugly or anything. But on an old man,well let's just say that it's not the most attractive nose to us females. She sighed mentally. ' Why did she have to get stuck with such a good captain. Grrr. It was like the whole world was out to get her. Well just watch her pummel the whole world with her.. fist?? Oh who was she kidding. She was doomed. If she didn't jump ship soon she would blow her cover.' She asked the captain. " Foster that's your name right?" He nodded his head. Her face paled. Why did that name sound so familiar. She looked at him." Would you mind telling me your last name?" Foster shrugged, " I see no reason why not. But why the sudden curiosity?" He asked. She shrugged her shoulders. " Your name just sounded familiar." "Ah" He said, " I see.That's not all surprising. He held out his hand, "The names Foster. Foster Broderick. Nice to meet you." Robin sat there frozen. "Broderick! The Broderick?" she asked. He grinned at her. "Oh, so I see you've heard my name then." She gaped at him, "who hasn't heard of the famous pirate captain. But I never thought that he would be so young." The pirate captain let out a deep bellied laugh. " Age has no restrictions for achievement. No matter your age you can achieve your dreams if you put your mind to it." He smirked at her, "If you don't, then what's the worth of trying if you don't believe that you will achieve?" She mulled over his words. There was truth in them. But she just couldn't wrap her brain around the thought that Foster Broderick the captain Broderick was standing in front of her and talking like an ordinary civilian. She didn't understand. If he was anything like the rumors she heard about she should be dead. No she should be missing limbs and being tortured and such things. How could the populace be so wrong about one man? How did they even assume that he was some cold blood thirsty pirate?' he looked at her like her knew what she was thinking. He gave a small smile." I don't look all that scary do I? Not what you would expect from a man like me." She agreed. "No you don't seem threatening at all." He frowned." I might not appear threatening but I am the best swordsman on the sea. " She couldn't really dispute the fact that he did indeed seem strong. He reminded her of a cat. Intimidating and ferocious despite his leanness. Or maybe because of his leanness he was a swordsman who was apparently nimble on his feet. Out of curiosity she asked, " What weapon do you use?" He looked at her incredulously. What rock have you been living under? Haven't you heard?" She shook her head no. " Well." He muttered, " You would assume that with all the rumors spreading about me you would at least know my proficiency with weapons." She spoke." Well I have heard that you have mastered many weapons and that you a unique fighting skill. But I never learned as to what weapon you used." He grinned " Then prepare to be amazed." And so saying he walked across the cabin and opened a closet. with one swift move he pulled out what appeared to be two hammers??? no that wasn't right hammers didn't have an axe. She gawked. " What on earth!" He smiled as he stroked his weapons lovingly. " These were from my mothers generation. She was a full blooded Cherokee. He frowned as he though. "One of the last. She handed these family heirlooms down to her sons. But my brother, was caught in a sea storm and died. Leaving me with his tomahawk in my possession." She asked, "Tomahawks? That is what those are?" He nodded his head in affirmative. " Yes they are rare Native American weapons." He started to swinging one around in a circular motion. " They are really useful weapons. Kinda like a hammer and axe put together.Great for bashing your enemies on the head then cleaving their heads off." Robin grimaced slightly at the gruesome details. 'So they are rather gory weapons.' She thought. " Nice diversion by the way." Foster said. Breaking Robin out of her thoughts. "I don't know what your talking about." She lied. " Well I assumed that when you changed the conversation from its natural course that you would have something to hide. Now I am sure of it." He smirked at her. " Don't tell me you thought that I would forget why you are here." "No." she said begrudgingly. He gazed at her in a disbelieving manner. She sighed. " Well yes it was worth a try. I just don't like people trying to dig up some dirt on me. It's not very pleasant I tell you." He gave an exasperated sigh. "Let me remind you that you are the one who decided to stowaway on my ship. It's your own fault if your being debriefed. She crossed her arms in a defensive manner while muttering under her breath about smart alecks." Now back to business. It seems like I wont get information out of you easily. I have decided to wait until we harbor in Crete to hand you over to one of my friends." He smirked at her. " He should be more than efficient for your interrogation." Robin gulped nervously. " When are we to reach Crete?" He turned and opened his cabin door gesturing for her to exit. " In two weeks if all goes as planned. Blade!" He yelled. Immediately Blade stood there." Yes sir." "Please escort Robin to his current room. And please inform Gino that he has a temporary assistant for the day." " Yes sir." Blade turned and walked out of the captains abodes with Robin.

Fosters POV.


The boy was obviously lying. He almost laughed once or twice while interrogating the poor guy. The boys dumfounded expression when he pulled out his tomahawks almost cracked his resolve to not laugh. He chuckled. He had looked so surprised and confused. But that was the natural reaction. What really had him confused though was the boys explanation as to why he had boarded his ship. Something about being forced. He new that wasn't the whole story. Only partial. But he would find out. And soon.

Robins POV.


No way. Robin stood gaping at the room she was assigned to clean. It was littered with food, spilled rum and who knows what else. She gave a groan. Why the galley? Didn't they have someone else to clean it up? " I expect this to be finished within an hour." Robin craned her neck upwards to look at the burly chef. He stood crookedly on a wooden leg and wore a white apron that had seen better days. His brow eyes glared down at her beneath bushy eyebrows and his voice took a sharp tone. "And if I catch you sneaking any of my food you will loose your rations for a week! Do I make myself clear?" Robin shook her head furiously. " Perfectly clear sir." " Good" he said. " Now snap to it." And with that he left. Robin gave a sigh of relief. Sheesh what was it with all these men. It was like they enjoyed shoving her around. Oh well. She thought. Might as well start. Now lets see. Where did he say the mop was? Oh right! In the storage room. Hmm. If only she new where it was located. She gazed around the galley ad espied a door at the far end of the galley." Aha" she said triumphantly. That must be the supply closet. She hurried over and yanked the door open. She gave a gasp of shock as she saw tons of treasure. What. The. Hell? she thought." Who would place valuables in such a careless place. She knelt next to a particularly big chest and tried to pry the lid open. Not to her surprise it was locked shut. Robin gave a grunt of frustration as observed the lock. She smirked at the lock that lay in her hand. It was a typical round tumbler. She placed her ear ext to the tumbler and slowly turned the tumbler. One click to the right. number 27. To the left, one click 5. Then one last time to the right passing zero. Bingo! Number 19. Restarting and putting all the numbers to use, the lock clicked open. Robin gasped. "Oh my gosh". She thought. " This is..awesome!" She dipped one hand into the golden coins and gems and gave a giddy laugh." I could do so much with this money." She glanced suspiciously around her then looked back to the money she held in her hands. She smiled. Oh yes she was going to be one rich girl now." Ha! Take that father. Even after disowning me I