Dark Waters Rising

"Very good, Wesley," he breathed, the warm air fanning across the merchant captain's face. "Now I suggest you listen closely because I don't do this very often."

Wesley curiosity grew, though he kept a healthy degree of skepticism as he listened to the pirate.

"I'm prepared to offer you a deal."

"What kind of deal?" he asked, his heart racing.

"I seem to have found something that I want even more than your ship's cargo," he said with an unsettling smirk. "And I am prepared to let what remains of your crew sail free if I get it."

"Name your price," Wesley said, at this point ready to agree to anything if his crew would live.

Valentine reached out and tilted Wesley's head up so he could get a better view of it. His smirk seemed to grow as he let one little word slip through his lips.

"You."

*This is an LGBTQ+ story*

*Re-released Jan 18, 2023*