Theirs to Ransom

by Stasia Black

  When they next slowed and came to a stop, it was in front of the only trees she’d seen in miles. Though the large lawn was brown, the trees studded throughout were green and flourishing. Sophia could have cried at seeing the greenery. Which was stupid, completely stupid. But everything else was dead and grim and so depressing and here was finally some little bit of home. Because the lawn and trees were in front of a courtyard.

  And even though it wasn’t exactly a town square and the courthouse wasn’t nearly as picturesque as the one in Jacob’s Well, it was enough to at least remind her of home and she’d take anything she could get at this point.

  Maybe it was a sign that things were finally getting back on track.

  “So explain again how it works?” Jagger asked. “Everyone writes their name on a slip of paper and it goes into a hat?”

  “Well, we have an official box. That’s tamper proof,” Sophia added quickly, alarmed at how casually Jagger had recapped the process of the Marriage Raffle. They’d been in the courthouse for about half an hour. Jagger had treated her and Finn to water and let them wash up.

  And then he dropped the bomb that Sophia’s Marriage Raffle would be held here in Carlsbad instead of in Santa Fe.

  Jagger said he’d okay’d it with the Governor of Santa Fe before coms went out. Sophia was smiling and putting up a good face but Finn’s words kept ringing through her ears.

  Trust no one.

  Glass half full interpretation of their situation: it was just as Jagger said and the Governor of Santa Fe thought that having a Raffle in one of the outer cities would be just as effective as having one in the capital, proof of concept wise. More so, even, because it proved that even the common man would have access to the brides if he volunteered to fight for Texas.

  Glass half empty interpretation: Jagger was lying and something hinky was going on, though Sophia couldn’t imagine what. He hadn’t hurt them and was treating them respectfully.

  Still, it was clear Finn was going with a glass half empty view, judging by his closed off features and the alarmed looks he kept sending her when no one else was looking. Not that she had a moment to talk to him about it. Everywhere they went, Jagger’s men escorted them, ostensibly for their protection.

  But even if something nefarious was going on, what could they do?

  Finn had been right beside her on the way into town. He’d seen the same hordes of desperate men she had.

  They were surrounded. So surrounded it took her breath away if she stopped too long to think about it.

  When Jagger declared they’d be doing the Marriage Raffle here, Sophia had seen Finn’s hackles go up and knew he was about to start arguing. She’d also seen the man behind Jagger drop his hand to the knife on his belt, a cruel look on his face.

  So Sophia had interrupted and started talking logistics about the Raffle itself.

  She’d dragged Finn into this—whatever this was. She couldn’t get him hurt or killed because of her.

  The man behind Jagger had backed off immediately once she started discussing the Raffle. So she barreled on ahead, pretending confidence.

  Fake it till you make it?

  Oh God, what if she’d made a mistake in coming here? If these men weren’t what they seemed, then she’d dragged Finn out here for nothing. All of this had been for nothing… But no, freaking out like this was probably just a normal reaction when everything was so nuts and she was used to a calm, quiet life. This was all probably just how things were done out here in the real world, right? Right? Plans changed and you rolled with the punches. Considering everything that had happened, it was all but miraculous they’d made it here in one piece. That had to be a sign? Maybe things were finally starting to go their way and all this was completely legit?

  “Do you have anything secure like that?” Sophia asked, trying to focus back in on the moment. “A hat really isn’t quite… official. Because it’s important for the public to have trust in the impartiality of the process.”

  “And then men who enter should be vetted,” Finn broke in. “It can’t be just any asshole off the street. In Jacob’s Well, they put them into pools according to their years of service to the town.”

  They were all sitting around a long table set up in the large open lobby of the courthouse where light poured in from the tall windows that surrounded the building.

  Jagger nodded. “Wise.”

  Sophia watched him. He had strong features and a square jaw. He wasn’t conventionally handsome but she liked the look of him. Not that that meant anything. “So how quickly do you think you’ll be able to put everything together?”

  Jagger lifted a hand to his chin thoughtfully. “About half an hour.”

  Sophia choked. “Half an—”

  She’d meant how many days did he need to put it together. To conduct vetting interviews for applicants or at least to construct the box—

  “Isn’t that a little too fast?” Finn snapped. “How can you possibly vet the men who will enter in just half an hour.”

  Jagger never turned his attention from Sophia. “I’ll immediately begin a larger vetting process but like you said, it takes time. Years even to truly know a man. So for the other women, it will take longer. But for you, we’ll just have a small pool for this first lottery, made up of men I know and trust.”

  Okay. That was something, at least. Sophia shot a glance over at Finn. He was still glaring darkly at Jagger.

  It turned out Jagger’s estimation was correct.

  It was little more than a half an hour later when Jagger led her back out to the front of the courtyard.

  Sophia’s mouth dropped open the second she stepped out the door. The lawn that had previously been empty was now positively packed with people.

  No, not people.

  Men.

  The lawn was packed with men. Talk about surrounded.

  And they were all looking at her like she was something to eat. Oh crap. What the hell was she doing?

  But it wasn’t like she had a choice at this point. She was in too deep. She shot panicked eyes around the steps of the courthouse and saw Finn’s concerned look.

  Then Sophia grabbed Jagger’s arm. “Wait a second.” Her voice came out an octave higher than normal.

  Jagger raised a dark eyebrow.

  Sophia swallowed hard before talking again. “I forgot to tell you something.”

  “Well the crowd’s all here. If it can wait—”

  “It can’t.”

  “What is it, Soph?” Finn asked, stepping up and glaring at Jagger. “If you’re having second thoughts, that’s fine. You don’t have to do this.”

  Jagger looked like he was about to argue and that squatty man who was always at his back took another step forward so Sophia hurried to cut him off. “No, it’s not that. But please, can we go back in. Just for five minutes. Less. Three minutes. Please, Jagger.”

  She grabbed his arm in supplication. God, if she had any feminine wiles, now was the time to use them. Everyone always talked about how innocent looking she was, so she flitted her eyelashes. Men liked that, right?

  Jagger looked put out but he glanced down at her clinging to his arm and his gaze softened just the slightest bit.

  “Of course,” he said. “Whatever makes you the most comfortable.” He signaled to one of his men and then led her back inside.

  “So?” he asked once they were all standing in the lobby, eyebrows lifting again.

  “I forgot to tell you that one of my husbands is already spoken for. It happens sometimes in Jacob’s Well—when a woman already has a man going into the lottery.”

  Sophia thought of Shay and stood taller even as internally she cringed at what was about to come out of her mouth. “Finn will be one of my husbands because we’re already engaged. We have been for a while now. So the lottery will be for four more, not five.”

  She heard Finn suck in a breath but she couldn’t bring herself to look at him. Please, please don’t contradict me, she begged silent
ly. It was completely unfair to just spring this on him. Everything she’d asked of him on this trip was unfair but this most of all. He hadn’t wanted any of this. She’d dragged him out here and hadn’t gone back when he said they should, time and time again. She’d been stubborn and naïve and refused to listen and—

  And now she was demanding even more of him. A greater sacrifice than any yet, an entire life bound to her.

  She was selfish and horrible.

  But she didn’t take it back. Because the truth was, no matter how rosy a picture she tried to paint about all of this… she was absolutely terrified.

  Stepping out there and seeing all those men and realizing that, God, oh God, she was about to be married to complete strangers, that tonight, she’d be expected to have sex with men she’d never even met, with no one to help if they were rough or cruel or—

  Panic all but choked her as she stared at Jagger, not able to glance at Finn, praying that one or both of them wouldn’t call her on her lie.

  The touch of Finn’s fingers intertwining with hers was so startling, she almost jumped out of her skin.

  “That’s right,” Finn said confidently. “It’s better you know now. I didn’t want to say anything before Sophia did.”

  Her eyes shot to his. He was— He didn’t look mad. His eyes were full of warmth. Sophia was so confused, but grateful so she squeezed his hand back.

  “I know how important this mission is to you,” he continued. “But I also know you need me by your side.” Then he looked back to Jagger. “So if it’s a dealbreaker, better you know now. You get me as one of the five husbands, or you don’t get her.”

  Jagger’s mouth hardened into a line but he gave one short cutting nod. Then he took Sophia’s arm, and before she even had a chance to thank Finn, to tell him all the things she needed to, to apologize for—

  She was thrust back out into the sunshine, and Jagger was announcing in his booming voice that the first ever New Mexico Marriage Raffle had begun.

  There was no box.

  It was a hat after all.

  A hat.

  And it was one of Jagger’s men who’d ridden with them pulling the names out.

  The first indication that something suspect was going on came with the second name. The first name called had been Leo Navarro.

  The second was Mario Navarro.

  As the two men stepped forward, it was clear they were related. Brothers, most likely. What were the chances that the first two names called were brothers?

  Then came the third name: Toby Ross.

  Sophia’s stomach soured when she recognized him as another of Jagger’s men—the squat one who always stood behind him, the same who’d made the crude jokes and laughed when Finn fell off the horse. She stepped closer to Finn as Toby grinned and men around him slapped him on the back.

  Then came the last paper pulled from the hat and the final name called:

  “Jagger Kincaid.”

  Jagger smiled and came forward, putting his hand to the small of Sophia’s back. She could only blink in shock as the crowd cheered, whistled, and some boos broke out.

  What were the chances that Jagger’s name got called?

  Had they even put names in the hat or had Jagger just told the man what names he wanted him to call out?

  Oh God, this man was nothing like her father. He’d cheated.

  She’d barely wrapped her head around the thought before Jagger gave a significant nod to one of his men standing in front of the crowd and more guards entered the courtyard.

  Jagger held up his hands to quiet the crowd. “Friends and fellow citizens, by the power vested in me as the Governor of Carlsbad, New Mexico, I now pronounce this woman, Sophia Wolford, the lawfully wedded wife of myself, Jagger Kincaid, as well as Toby Ross, Leo Navarro, Mario Navarro, and…” He paused, turning to look at Finn. “What’s your name again.”

  “Finnigan Knight. But this isn’t how—”

  “And Finnigan Knight! We are now united in holy matrimony. It is witnessed and so it will be recorded in the city records.”

  Then he dropped his arms and turned to usher Sophia back inside the courthouse. She was still in shock.

  Wait. WHAT? Was that the wedding? Ridiculously, all she could think was: What about her mother’s dress? She was supposed to wear her mother’s dress when she got married. Not— Not dirty house slippers!

  “But I—” she started to say.

  “Back inside, darling,” Jagger said, ushering her back inside the courthouse doors. “Time to eat, wash up, and then get this marriage consummated.”

  Chapter Six

  JAGGER

  The woman wasn’t a fool. It was clear she realized the raffle was fixed. Not that Jagger really even bothered trying to hide it. She’d learn the score soon enough. Might as well start easing her into it right off the bat.

  Jagger had plans for her, and he didn’t want any fucking idiots in the marriage with him. The Navarro brothers were benign and easily controlled. And Toby, well, Toby was a pain in the ass but he would’ve made trouble if Jagger didn’t make him a ‘winner,’ too. As much as he annoyed the fuck out of Jagger at times, he couldn’t say the man didn’t get the job done at the end of the day.

  And really, that was all Jagger cared about. The bottom line.

  Sophia’s pretty green eyes were wide and dazed as the man with her, Finnigan, took her arm and led her quickly back inside the courthouse as the crowd started growing rowdy again. Jagger eyed Sergio and gave a sharp nod. Sergio then sent a signal along to his men to keep watch over the crowd.

  They kept an iron fist of control over this little city of theirs. He who controlled the water was king. Jagger had fought mercilessly to be king and the men respected him for it. Or at least Jagger made damn sure they feared him. He’d rather be feared than loved any day of the week and it was something his Captain of the Guard knew better than anyone. He had the lashes on his back to prove it.

  Toby shoved the brothers, Mario and Leo, to the side as he tried to follow Sophia into the building.

  Jagger clapped a hand in front of his chest to stop him. “Not so fast.”

  Toby’s dark glare landed on him in response but Jagger ignored it. “Don’t forget the bigger picture. She’s a payday. Don’t fuck this up.”

  Toby shoved Jagger’s hand off him. “If you think you’re gonna keep me from getting my dick wet tonight you got another thing coming. I ain’t had any ass in months and I aim to take that little cunt as hard as I please.”

  Jagger’s jaw flexed.

  Of course, another way to deal with Toby would be to put him six feet under.

  If it was just Toby, Jagger would have taken that option a long time ago. But it wasn’t. Toby had friends. The fucker had a crude charisma to him. He could whip people up, get them energized. It was as useful as it was dangerous. Which was why Jagger had decided to keep him close.

  But he’d never let Toby forget who was in charge so he stepped in front of Toby, blocking the door.

  “We do this my way or you’re free to leave right the fuck now.”

  Jagger could see Toby’s hackles rise but he didn’t give a fuck. He just rose to his full six-foot-four height and glared down at the man. “Still got the hat out. I can walk right back out there and tell them you gave up your spot.”

  The vein in Toby’s neck twitched at that but he sneered a forced smile. “Whatever you say, boss.”

  So it was looking like the Toby problem might have to be dealt with sooner rather than later. But not tonight.

  Jagger stepped to the side. “Well let’s go enjoy our fucking wedding feast.”

  Toby relaxed and his smile grew more genuine at that. “You gonna bust out the moonshine?”

  The homemade whiskey, like everything else in town, was rationed. Granted, Jagger’s men got more than most, but even they had their limits or it’d all be gone in a matter of weeks.

  But Jagger only smiled at Toby. “As much as you can drink, it’s all
yours. It’s our fucking wedding day. No rationing tonight.”

  Toby’s eyes lit up at this. “Fuck yeah no rationing tonight!”

  And this, ultimately, was why Toby would never be the leader Jagger was. The man was intemperate. He let his passions rule him.

  People called Jagger cold and unfeeling but they were wrong. He felt things and he liked pleasures as much as anyone else. He sought them out, even.

  He just knew that life was ultimately meaningless so he saw pleasures for what they were—distractions to fill the time until that grim and probably gruesome end came for him just like it did for everybody.

  Jagger nodded Sergio over.

  “Yes, boss?”

  “Make sure Toby’s cup is never empty tonight.”

  Two hours later, Jagger looked around the table coolly.

  Jagger had claimed the top floor of the courthouse as his residence because it was spacious and well-lit by windows, the offices made for good sleeping quarters for him and his men, it was easily defendable, and the solar panels on the roof made electricity that allowed the water pumps to work so the building had running water and a few other electronic comforts.

  Right now they were all gathered around a table in the small office kitchen. Toby was passed out in the corner after downing glass after glass of the strongest batch of whiskey Jagger had on hand.

  While their new wife had taken a sponge bath in the bathroom, washed her hair, tended to her sore feet, and changed into a pretty sundress after the wedding, she’d barely touched her dinner. And Jagger’d had his cook go all out for the dinner—wild roasted turkey, potatoes and refried beans.

  Meanwhile her companion had shoveled his food in his mouth while eyeing everyone else around the table and looking like he wanted to stab his dinner knife through all of their eyeballs. Pleasant fellow, that one.

  Toby had made a usual obnoxious ass of himself, only getting worse with each drink—but without his lackeys around to bolster him, he’d been manageable.

  Mario had hulked like a giant bull at the table and eaten silently like always while Leo attempted conversation to smooth over the entirely awkward, manufactured situation.