DEVIL’S GOLD

CHAPTER FOUR

“Well?” Cullburn said, arching his tapered eyebrows expectantly, “now that we’re alone, what do ye want?”

“I came here to strike a business deal with ye,” Deonna answered, crossing her arms over her chest. A slight clanking sound coming from several necklaces of gold and various small jewels as her hands brushed them.

“Oh?” he replied, “what sort of deal are we talkin’ about?”

Cade was slightly interested but wasn’t showcasing it outwardly much, as he sat with his cheek resting on his hand.

“I need your...assistance,” Deonna answered, straining the last word. Cade could sense that she had some problems with asking for help, as it was evident in her tone. He also decided that it would be a good thing to keep in mind for future reference should he encounter her again.

“My assistance,” Cullburn repeated, doing his best to sound disinterested. “In what, may I ask?”

Deonna did not want to beat around the bush any longer so she figured the best thing to do was be forward about it.

“In searching for El Tesoro Del Diablo,” she replied bluntly, feeling stupid for bringing it up.

At the mention of the legendary treasure, Cullburn shot a look in her direction that could almost be described as alarmed, but he then turned it downward quickly to avoid any scrutiny.

From Deonna’s point of view, it looked as if she had finally captured Cullburn’s interest, even though he was doing his best to hide it. She didn’t have to wait long for his answer though, as he abruptly cleared his throat and gave his reply.

“It doesn’t exist,” he said, giving her a condescending smile. Deonna couldn’t figure out why, but Cullburn seemed to have a knack for making her feel like a naive little girl who couldn’t get a grasp on her own imagination.

“Really?” she returned, trying to sound confident in her position, “You seem so sure of that.”

“As far as I be concerned, I am,” he replied, scratching his cheek. “El Tesoro Del Diablo is a myth of the high seas. No sailor or pirate has ever come across it. In fact, there be no proof that it ever existed in the first place, lass.”

“What if one found proof?” Deonna asked, even though she was unsure about showing him the coin Adron gave her just yet.

Cullburn nearly scoffed at this but said with a small smile that Deonna found oddly enticing, “Well, then I suppose one would have their hands on a pretty hot commodity.”

Deciding not to waste any time for she wanted to be away from him as quickly as possible, Deonna tossed the coin onto the dresser and watched it slowly twirl toward Cullburn, who turned his head to it. Picking it up with distrusting fingers, he examined it quickly until a small smile appeared at the left corner of his cupid bow mouth. Letting out a snicker, he placed it back on the dresser and looked at Deonna with a look she couldn’t quite categorize.

“So, are ye going to help?” she asked, speeding up the conversation so she could leave and put the uncomfortable situation behind her.

“No,” he answered, giving a quick, tiny smile before letting it vanish as he stood up from his chair.

Deonna didn’t hold in her surprise at his answer.

“Why in blazes not?” she asked, watching him as he walked toward her, swaggering in his step. His black breeches clinging to his muscular thighs, they disappeared into his black boots that reached nearly to his knees. Deonna refused to acknowledge the increased flutter of her heart as the vision of his athletic body seeped into her mind.

“As I said, it doesn’t exist,” he answered, stopping just in front of her. His body was a little too close for her comfort and as he began to lean forward and place his hand on the dresser beside her, she started to inwardly panic. Wondering if he was attempting another kiss as his face got to within a couple inches of hers, she decided to stand her ground and not move. She wasn’t about to let him know that he intimidated her just a little bit. But he stopped leaning forward and said suggestively,

“If ye please.”

It took a moment to realize he was gently tugging at the cloth that her hand was resting on, his crumpled shirt which Seger had left behind. Deonna’s hand lifted immediately and Cullburn snatched it, catching her gaze with his uncovered long-lashed eye as he did so. Deonna couldn’t help but notice the twinkle in his eye, conveying his obvious knowledge regarding the effect he had on her. He then turned away, taking a few steps as he put the shirt on, concealing his luscious torso as he did this.

“So it doesn’t exist, eh? But the coin-,” Deonna began but got cut off.

“Is this your proof?” Cullburn asked turning back to her in an aggressive stance, holding the coin up.

“Aye,” she answered, feeling like the fool again. Blast Adron for getting me into this, she thought quietly.

“Where’d ye get it?” he inquired accusingly.

“From…Tarrant,” she answered. She was glad she had the dresser to lean on. Otherwise, she might have been tempted to take a step back from his sudden dark tone.

“John Tarrant?” Cade asked.

Deonna nodded.

“Oh aye, he’s real trustworthy, he is,” Cade said cynically. “It’s a sloppy job,” he continued, referring to the doubloon. He threw it back down on the dresser. “If El Tesoro Del Diablo is, in fact, real, I would hazard to guess that the Sea Devil, as Laronn has always been known as, would have been a bit more…protective of his prized treasure than to simply allow an idiot like Tarrant to get his grubby hands on it.”

Cullburn shook his head a bit, disbelievingly. “A treasure like that would be guarded, I assure you lass. Someone like Tarrant could never find it, even if his life depended on it.”

“Have ye never searched for it?” Deonna asked disbelievingly.

“No,” he answered, seeming sincere.

“Why not? Afraid?” She inquired mockingly. She was also well aware that she was beginning to step on his ego but she edged on.

“Why ever would I be afraid?” Cullburn inquired with genuine curiosity visible on his slightly round face.

“I don’t know, afraid of failure perhaps. You’d be afraid people would find out that ye finally found a treasure that could slip through your fingers, which would ruin your reputation, now wouldn’t it? Or perhaps you’re afraid of what guards the treasure, as you insist it’s protected. Am I right, are you afraid?” Deonna asked.

“No, just wiser than most, I suppose,” was his answer, running a hand through his hair impatiently. Like Deonna, he seemed to want nothing more than to cut the conversation short.

“What is that supposed to mean, Cullburn?” Deonna sighed wearily.

“It means I’d rather spend me days looking for treasure I know to be within my reach than to spend them searching for a mythical fortune, only to come up empty handed. There be a hundred ships out there, all carrying hordes of gold and silver. Those I can see and pick up the booty in me hand. Those ships can be overpowered. That is what I search for and what I win, not some treasure that may or may not exist except for in the minds of gullible people blinded by greed. I don’t chase after bedtime stories, miss,” he answered.

“All pirates are ruled by greed, Cullburn,” Deonna returned.

“Aye, to some extent I suppose, some more so than others. I didn’t get to the point I’m at now by chasing after impossible dreams. Ye may have noticed that those who do, either find themselves hopelessly lost or in an early grave because of it,” Cade explained.

Deonna was at least smart enough to know that she wasn’t getting anywhere using this tactic, so she decided to try it another way, in hopes that Cullburn might miraculously change his mind.

“You’re said to be the greatest of treasure seekers. Do ye enjoy that position?” Deonna inquired.

“It be fine, I suppose,” Cade replied, shrugging it off, “I didn’t set out for it but it hasn’t hurt me neither so I don’t think on it often.”

His response not really to her liking, she added, “They also say there isn’t a treasure you’ve sought that has not been found.”

Cade didn’t seem impressed, “They say a lot of things, it seems.”

“Well, suppose for a moment that El Tesoro Del Diablo is real and not just some myth. And suppose someone were to find it. Wouldn’t your position be compromised? Would ye not be lowered to second best?” Deonna prodded.

“Do ye really think that matters to me all that much?”

Deonna was about ready to throw up her hands and give up. Cullburn was just as tough to negotiate with as she’d suspected. What is it possibly going to take to get this man to agree to the deal? She thought. But then, I haven’t really offered him anything, have I?

“Cullburn, if ye agree to help me I’ll give ye…thirty-five percent of the loot,” she offered, trying to decide on a price he might agree with.

“Not doing it,” he answered. His response was so quick it seemed as if he hadn’t given her offer any thought.

“Why?!” she asked, frustrated with his stubbornness. In her mind, she was being more than generous with the offer.

“Because even if I wanted to embark on this futile journey, I never make a deal for less than fifty percent,” he answered confidently, tapping his index finger on his temple as his cheek rested on his knuckles.

Pursing her lips to calm her vexation, she replied, “Forty.”

She wasn’t about to give Cullburn half of the treasure and then walk away with only one fourth of it after splitting it with Adron.

“Forty-five,” Cade suggested, just wanting to see how much she’d be willing to part with.

“No,” she answered, this time it was her turn to reject him and it felt good.

Cullburn studied her for a moment, taking in every smoldering feature on her tanned face with admiration, from her crystalline eyes to her full lips.

“Then perhaps another deal is in order,” he finally said, “I’ll accept your offer for thirty-five percent.”

At this, her face perked up and regarded him with surprise and victory, until his next words were spoken.

“If,” he continued, “you compensate for the percentage of loot I’ll be giving up.”

“And just how do ye expect me to do that?” Deonna asked back cautiously.

“By making the journey worth me while,” Cade answered, eyeing her with unabashed lust.

Deonna’s hands flew to her hips in anger. Appalled, she replied,

“No, Cullburn, I will not go to bed with you just to keep some riches. I don’t want it that badly.”

“You sure about that?” Cade asked.

“Aye,” she replied, although deep down she knew she wasn’t so sure. It was not only because of the money, but because memories of that kiss were still lingering in her mind.

“Come, come now Miss Delmore. It wouldn’t be that bad,” Cade assured in a husky whisper as he sauntered over to her and trapped her up against the dresser by placing his hands beside her hips.

“That would be Captain Delmore to ye,” Deonna corrected defiantly, deciding to stare him down.

“As I said, Miss Delmore,” Cade returned, making her want to smack him for his cheekiness, “it wouldn’t be that bad. I’d even let ye be on top if that be what ye prefer. You might enjoy it.” He was so close that the round tip of his nose was touching hers.

“Not interested,” Deonna answered, trying desperately to keep her cool and not blush.

Even though she was a pirate captain who spent days and nights around the men of her crew, she had never completely abandoned her womanly instincts, which included the inevitable shyness that came over her whenever she was in the company of a man like Cullburn. With her crew, she had no problems. After all, she was their master, it was her ship, and that made her feel secure about her authority. However, she was not on her ship and the man in front of her was not part of her crew. He held as much rank as she did, perhaps even more in the pirating world, and that made it difficult for her to gain and keep control of the matter.

“Suit yourself,” Cade said. “Now, if you’ll excuse me I’ve got some things that need tending to. I’m sure ye know the way out.”

With that, he turned and walked across the room to the bed, only stopping once to remove his boots before collapsing onto the mattress to stretch out like a lounging tiger.

Deonna watched him incredulously.

“That’s it?!” she exclaimed.

“That’s it,” he confirmed.

“You’re not going to help, even after I offered you a hefty percentage?” she inquired. The man is impossible.

“Your offer was considered but I must decline for the reason that it would be a waste of me time. I don’t have much of that to waste these days, I’m afraid. Do remember to close the door on your way out,” Cade answered, eyes closed and hands behind his head.

“With pleasure,” Deonna said bitterly.

Turning on her heel, she marched straight out of the room, all too happy to leave the stubborn pirate to his list of “more important things to do”. Slamming the door behind her, she walked down the hall toward Adron’s room. She wasn’t too excited about telling him the bad news, but he would just have to accept it or find another way to get what he wanted. One thing was for sure, she was glad she wouldn’t have to deal with Cullburn and his annoying behavior again. Never mind that he was a good looking, rich and powerful pirate. He was also stubborn, obnoxious and despicable. And a good kisser, you mustn’t forget about that, she thought to herself as she reached the door to Adron’s room, where he was waiting for her return.

Working hard to dispel Cullburn and his finer points from her mind, she pushed the door open and stepped inside, having completely forgotten about the doubloon she had left in Cullburn’s possession.