Called by the Siren

Chapter 38: Favour!

Nicaro, Cuba.

“Hitchens, I will have your skin for this!” Theo roared in anger.

The Mad Dogs arrived at Nicaro in good time and they had expected to find Bee on the ship. Instead, they found that Bee had gone and the crew were not saying a word.

“Aye, that maybe. But, it does not mean I know where she is!” Hitchens said stubbornly.

“Tell us everything you do know!” Frank snapped.

“Well, she sailed us out of a hurricane and saved her people from drownings!” Hitchens reported. Garson of course was too drunk to question.

“And?” Frank demanded.

“What can I say? She was here and then the next morning she was gone!” Hitchens said with a shrug.

“Great!” Theo snapped.

Just then they heard a ship’s bell toll and Theo turned. Theo saw a coffin been carried off by six sailors. The rest of the sailors lined the path and bowed their heads in respect.

“Who is that poor soul?” Frank asked.

“That is the body of Sam Merryweather,” Hitchens said uncomfortably.

“Merryweather? That family belong to the Polaris Sea Gang, don’t they? What is one of their members doing on a Hurricane ship?” Frank asked. Polaris Sea Gang was a small, but respectable Gang in the North of England. They were not in any financial trouble as far as Frank knew.

“I ask not why sailors come aboard this ship!” Hitchens said shrewdly.

“That does not mean that you don’t know! Don’t make me order you, Hitchens! Theo warned.

Hitchen sighed and rubbed the back of his neck before saying, “He was here to get money to buy his sister back. Apparently, she has been kidnapped!”

“Kidnapped?” Frank said his eyes narrowing.

“Yes, it is becoming very common at the moment,” Hitchens said with a shrug.

“And did Bee know this Sam fellow?” Theo asked. Hitchens did not say anything and Theo said “I asked you a question, dam it!”

“Yes! They knew each other in fact they were very close. Rumours on the ship were that Sam was going to ask The Krakens’ permission to Court Bee, once his sister was returned.” Hitchens said.

“But Bee is the Siren, Sam would not be granted permission!” Theo said stunned.

“That is not true, unlike the Land Gangs, any Sea Gang Member can ask permission to court the Siren. Sam Merryweather came from a respectable Sea family. If Bee was agreeable, then the Krakens would have agreed! The Sea Gangs have always felt that love should never have any boundaries. Was Bee happy with him?” Frank asked softly.

“Yes, she was. They did not act dishonourably, but the Siren was laughing and smiling. It was good to see after what had happened. But then…then when he passed…she …” Hitchens started to explain.

“Was upset?” Theo asked.

“Yes..no…it was like a switch flipped in her. The Siren went cold and distant, I’ve seen it before.” Hitchens said.

“Before?” Theo asked.

“Aye, when one’s heart becomes consumed with revenge!” Hitchens said wisely.

“s**t!” Theo murmured.

“We need to find her, now!” Frank said, alarmed.

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Soya Hills, North Japan

Bee was standing in the large entrance hall of a private estate in the Soya Hills. It was one of Nagato’s many estates and was very well protected. Bee had been searched within an inch of her life and everything was taken off her. Bee had growled when they checked her gang marks, making the guards jump back. Bee demanded her scarf back and had tied it back around her neck.

An old man came to greet her. “ Greetings Siren! I apologise for the security measures in place. But please understand that our Chairman is very protective of his wife and newborn son!”

“Yes, I understand. Let me pass my congratulations on to the Birth of the Chairman’s son!” Bee said formally.

“Thank you, Kota is a simple delight! My name is Ena by the way, please come this way!” Ena said as Bee smiled at the name. Kota was the Japanese for happiness and by all accounts, since Akihiko met Zoe, Akihiko’s household was far happier.

“I wonder if I will ever get a chance to have a family?” Bee thought. For a fleeting moment, she thought she would have with the Twins, but it was obviously not meant to be. Bee felt her heart tighten as an image of the Twins flashed through her mind. She closed her eyes and put the image back into the mental box she had created. “I have no time to deal with that now!” Bee thought.

“Are you OK, Siren?” Ena asked as he saw the pained look on her face.

“Please call me Bonny, and I am well thank you!” Bee said politely.

Ena did not look convinced but said nothing. He opened a door to a large meeting area, where Zoe and Akihiko were waiting. The room was tastefully decorated, with egg blue walls and white comfortable looking sofas. There was a large coffee table in the middle that already had tea and cups on.

Not that any of this mattered at the moment, as Akihiko was glaring at Bee, studying her every move.

“Akihiko and Zoe, may I introduce Bonny Clearwater, the Siren of the seven seas!” Ena said formally.

Bee bowed her head and said, “Thank you for agreeing to see me.”

“I must say it is a surprise! The last I heard, you were sleeping with the Princes’s of stupidity!” Akihiko grumped, making Bee blush.

“Akihiko! How dare you be rude to our guests? Have you forgotten that she made sure the Russian Syndicate’s claim on Kota?” Zoe said with a warning look on her face. Much to Bee’s surprise, Akihiko suddenly looked ashamed.

“Of course, you are right my love, I apologise Siren for my rudeness. Please sit and have some tea with us. We can discuss matters more civilly!” Akihiko said graciously. Zoe rewarded Akihiko with a smile and a kiss on the cheek.

Bee felt a wave of longingly wash over her and blinked away the tears in her eyes. Zoe must have noticed Bee’s reaction because she said “Why don’t you gentlemen leave it to us ladies to have a chat?”

“What? No, it is not safe Zoe! We don’t know why she is here! She could want revenge for something!” Akihiko said quickly in Japanese.

“Trust me, you are way down my list of people who I want revenge on. If I wanted to hurt you, I would have done it by now!” Bee replied in perfect Japanese.

Akihiko looked shocked before saying, “I will be right outside. But know this, if you harm a hair on Zoe’s head, I will make you wish for death!”

“Akihiko stop being so dramatic!” Zoe said with a sigh as she closed the door behind Akihiko and Ena. “Please, come and sit down, you look so exhausted!” Zoe said in a friendly tone.

“Thank you, I am tired!” Bee admitted as she sat down.

“Yes, your body is healing as well. Now, come and tell me what brings you here!” Zoe said gently as she poured some tea.

Bee gratefully accepted and described the events. Everything from the challenge, to the courtship, the betrayal and the hurricane. Once Bee started, she could not stop and tears flowed down her cheeks.

“Oh, Sweetheart!” Zoe said as she moved next to Bee. She instinctively put her arm around the crying Siren.

“I am sorry…I am just tired!” Bee said sniffing.

“I am not surprised! I still can’t believe the Twins did that, I thought they were much better than that!” Zoe said, frowning.

“Kurt said they were drugged!” Bee said 

“Well, that would make sense. The twins are normally extremely loyal and protective of their family!” Zoe said thinking back to when the twins had helped her.

“I know, but I can not get the video out of my head!” Bee said honestly 

“I understand that and then to lose your friend too!” Zoe said.

“He was more than a friend, one was my sunshine, my warmth! Does that sound stupid?” Bee said. It felt good to talk to someone about it and for some reason she trusted Zoe. Bee sensed that Zoe was the salt of the earth type of person. 

“No Love, it does not! You have been through so much! But, I don't understand how we can help you!” Zoe said.

“I need you to hack into someone's computer system.” Bee explained.

“Who’s and why?” Zoe asked.

Bee thought these were reasonable questions to ask in the circumstances. “I believe my people are being kidnapped and either ransom or sold.” Bee explained.

“For what purpose?” Zoe asked, shocked.

“That I don't know!” Bee admitted.

“But you have an idea who it is, I am guessing?” Zoe said.

“Yes, I think it is the Marsh Harrier’s Gang, specifically a guy called Elgar Marsh!” Bee said.

“I see!” Zoe said thinking. 

Just then, Akihiko came back in and said “The Mad Dogs and the God’s Eye have put out an alert for our guest!”

“Oh, crap!” Bee muttered. She thought she would have more time!