by Marie Harte
When she said nothing, he nodded with respect. “Butch McKenzie. Brother of the man you’re looking for.”
“Oh?”
“You’re a cool one, aren’t you?” His refined speech bothered her more than his manners. “Your man wouldn’t give up a damned thing either. But I have confidence he’ll talk soon.”
Hinto was alive. She wanted to slide to the ground in relief. Instead, she stiffened her spine. “Why do you think I’m after your brother?”
“Because I have eyes and ears everywhere. This is my town, honey. My life’s blood. My little brother’s not always so easy to manage, but he belongs to me.”
And that attachment is going to cost you. She stared at Butch McKenzie, wondering how she should deal with him. Intelligent, wealthy, strong. Not an easy target after all, except for his clear affection for a murderous brother—a brother who couldn’t control himself, apparently, if he had to kill everyone he took to bed.
“I’ve told you my name. What’s yours?” he asked.
“Thais.” An easy answer. Cooperate with the enemy, draw them in, then slit their throats while they watch.
“Thais.” Butch stepped so close she felt his breath fan her face. “Why are you after my brother?”
This near she could have gutted him, but he expected an attack. She could see it in his eyes. The confidence he projected told her two things. He thought he could overpower her, and he knew something she didn’t. Like where to find Hinto.
She stayed her overeager hand, clasping her knife at her side. “I thought to take his pistol.”
Butch didn’t blink. “Why?”
“To get information I need, I must bring word of Gregor’s death. Everyone knows he goes nowhere without his gun.”
“Who hired you?”
She didn’t answer.
“So you planned to kill him?” Rage fanned the darkness saturating his gaze.
“If necessary.” She added a shrug, careful to give the appearance of unconcern.
Butch frowned and took a step back. “Why would you tell me this?”
“Why wouldn’t I? It’s the truth.”
She could see he didn’t know what to make of her. And an enemy off-balance was an enemy she could defeat.
“Do you think I’ll reward you for your honesty?”
“I think you will kill me after you torture me.”
His nostrils flared, not from anger, she realized, but from excitement. Because he looked forward to hurting her? Annie had said as much. Still, Thais thought there was more to Butch than mere brutality. Something powerful drove this man, and she didn’t think it was sex or love for his brother.
“You look forward to your death, do you?” he whispered.
Thais smiled. “I do not think you will find me so easy to kill.”
“Damn. I knew you’d be like this.”
She couldn’t help noticing his increasing arousal. His face flushed, and he deliberately widened his stance, drawing her gaze to his evident erection. It appeared Butch McKenzie liked opposition.
She decided to test him.
Broadcasting her attention at his stomach, she purposefully slowed a strike aimed at his belly. Before he could block her, she reversed her blade and sliced along his upper arm. She jumped back and waited for his response while blood welled on his bicep.
He rubbed a finger along the wound and licked a drop of blood from the digit.
“Is that all you’ve got?”
Understanding he wanted her to try again, she aimed her knife at his throat. He blocked her and countered with a blow that grazed her rib cage. He didn’t hurt her much, but only because she’d moved when she’d sensed his intent. Their altercation satisfied one question she’d had.
Butch McKenzie was much more than a simple brawler. He knew how to read his opponent’s moves and adapted quickly.
He stared at her, his lips parted. His tongue ran over the fleshy softness of his mouth. The few times she’d been unable to look away from Hinto’s mouth, she’d found the movements of his lips and tongue erotic. On Butch, the gesture appeared obscene.
“Thais, I can see your tits through that gown. How do you think they’ll feel in these hands?” Lust twisted his face into a gruesome leer. He glanced at his curled fingers for a moment. And then, as if a switch had been thrown, he stepped back from her and composed himself. “My apologies for any crudeness rendered. Perhaps it would be best if I left you to settle in.”
Now she was the one feeling off-balance, and she didn’t like it one bit. “Why don’t you give me Gregor’s gun and I’ll leave?” She didn’t expect him to comply, but curiosity compelled her to make the offer.
Butch walked to the door, stopped, and turned around. “You’ll leave? But Thais, I don’t want you to leave.” His assessment left no doubt as to what he wanted from her. “Did you know white is my favorite color next to red? It’s so pure, so untouched.” He smiled, and she suppressed a shiver.
Madness seethed in the man’s eyes.
“But white can’t compare to red. Red is the color of blood. The color of Hinto, right about now.” Butch paused, locked onto her eyes. “Good night, Thais. I’ll see you again in the morning. Keep your dagger close and enjoy your evening. It’s the last one you’ll be spending alone while you’re here.”
He closed the door after him. The lock sounded especially loud in the silence.
The fear she’d been doing her damnedest to hold at bay trickled through, and she wiped hastily at unbidden tears.
Ashamed to feel such dread when her tribe had been through so much worse, Thais forced herself to be strong. Butch McKenzie was only a man. A crazy one, a bad one, but still, just that. He had weaknesses. Namely, his brother and his own arrogance.
Thais had been through much in her life, too much to concede to one man. Trained to fight, to be stronger than the strongest in her village, she’d been selected out of dozens to guard the royal line. She’d helped her remaining sisters, Yara, Luiza and Isadora, to overcome all kinds of obstacles on their way to recover the queen’s crown. Through foreign lands filled with monsters, men and animals. Through a language barrier, through the hate that had left them so bitter and alone those first few months. She needed to focus on her own keen abilities, to build her confidence while the enemy sought to drown her in fear and doubt.
Keep your dagger close and enjoy your evening. It’s the last one you’ll be spending alone while you’re here.
The fool should never have given her back her dagger. She took power from the hilt, from the memories woven into the knife’s construction. Many an enemy had bled on this blade, passed down from her ancestors. From her mother.
Thais clutched the weapon tight and drew on the training she’d received. Aliane would never have wept. Her mother would have spent her time looking for ways to escape and overpower the enemy.
The warrior within her told her what to do. First, she needed to purge herself of all worry.
Taking a deep breath, Thais concentrated on success. She visualized the McKenzie’s defeat at her hands. A soothing calm, one filled with purpose and a desirable end state, steadied her hands.
The white shift she wore would shine like a beacon in the dark. Undressing, she sought something else to wear in one of the armoires. Though the fit overwhelmed her, a belt secured the dark trousers around her waist and she rolled up the cuffs. A deep blue long-sleeved shirt covered her torso and arms. Using her knife, she cut a strip of fabric from her overlong pants. She tied it around a tight braid and readied herself for the first part of her escape plan.
Reconnaissance.
Without knowledge of Hinto’s whereabouts, she couldn’t leave the compound. McKenzie would have guards posted at the door and outside the windows. A glance under the door crack showed feet, and an inspection of the windows gave her the same impression. Looming shadows outside spoke of not just two, but four guards standing ready.
She closed the drapes tight and turned down the oil lamps. The l
one candle glinting in the darkness gave her the detail she needed. The fireplace’s chimney had just enough space to fit a slender warrior bent on escape. Wiping soot on her hands, she used what she could to coat any part of her skin that might be visible. Her face, her neck, the backs of her hands and forearms.
That done, she shoved a wooden chair under the doorknob to make sure no one entered while she was gone. Tucking her knife into a makeshift pocket, she latched on to the uneven rock of the fireplace and started to climb. High above, clouds suddenly covered the bright moon. A sign from the Goddess to hurry.
Thais didn’t have to be told twice to move. In short order, she cleared the stone. Now to find her wayward partner.
***
Hinto tried, but he couldn’t help groaning when someone yanked his head up by his hair.
“You have to hold his head up, Ralph.”
“I am, stupid. Hit him again. The boss wants him bloody.”
“No shit, asshole. His blood’s all over my hands. I’m done.”
Ralph let go of his hair and his head fell forward, putting more strain on his neck. He’d woken to one helluva beating. Held against the wall of a barn in shackles, his whole body hurt. He could still feel a slug imbedded in his thigh, and another had grazed his calf but hadn’t done more than bleed him. Thanks to the Nolans, his left eye had swelled so badly he couldn’t see through it, and his cracked lips burned from the enemies’ fists rubbing against them with every blow.
He struggled to focus on clearing the haze from his sight.
“Well, well, look who’s awake.”
Just his luck, awareness returned and brought with it Butch McKenzie. The bastard had introduced himself then left to supposedly torture Thais. It had been all Hinto could do not to react. He knew McKenzie wanted to watch him struggle. Not giving him pleasure had become Hinto’s number one on his to-do list. Well, right after escaping and taking Thais with him.
“Your woman is a refreshing change of pace from what I’m used to.” Butch smiled, his pleasure genuine.
Hinto noticed the ripped cloth of Butch’s shirt, as well as a hint of blood. At least, he thought he saw blood. His right eye had begun to cloud. “Nailed you, did she?”
“Yes. It was a fine move. Gracefully executed. She’s very good with that dagger of hers.”
Hinto nodded and sent out a flare of energy. To his relief, he found Thais nearby and alive. He sagged in his chains. The next thing he knew, he was blinking into McKenzie’s concerned face.
Butch snapped his fingers. “Stay with me. The ‘great’ Hinto Dakota.” He snorted. “I must admit, I’m not impressed. So you’ve come for the bounty on my brother’s head, hmm?”
Truth be told, the bounty on Gregor wasn’t nearly enough to make this excursion worth the trip, except by doing so he could justify sticking around Thais without feeling guilty. Granted, he’d earn more gold tracking down that outlaw Chatrell—his original plan—but Gregor dead would reward him that much sooner. Provided Hinto lived long enough to collect it.
“Who told you I’m here for him?” Hinto slurred, intentionally sounding worse off than he felt.
“A few of my men in the bar overheard your discussion with Lou.” Butch tsked. “So disappointing that our local bar owner can’t keep his dissatisfaction to himself. I don’t ask for much, mind you. A few whores to keep the boys happy.” He gestured at his men. “Drinks on the house. Considering I keep him in business, you’d think he’d show more loyalty. Like your Thais.”
Hinto said nothing. Guys like Butch did their work on the mind, tearing down their opponents by demoralizing them. Of course, Butch didn’t leave much to chance, punishing Hinto’s body. A thorough monster, all said and done.
“I’ve never come across a woman quite like her.”
And you never will.
“Tell me about her. From what I understand, she took out Freddy and Cedric with ease. I’ve seen her wield that knife of hers. Such a beautiful warrior, a woman of strength.”
To Hinto’s surprise, Butch sounded admiring. Maybe if the man liked her well enough, he’d leave off torturing her.
Hinto licked his lips and deliberately flinched at the pain. “She’s a fighter, no doubt. I found her taking on four wranglers a few days ago.”
“Where?”
No way Hinto would give Butch any information he might tie to Kitty.
He coughed and opened his mouth as if to answer, then went lax. The strain on his body hurt, but pretending to pass out saved him from having to answer any more of Butch’s questions.
Shit, he needed out of here in the worst way. Thoughts of Thais at this sadist’s hands made him ill. From what his tormenters Ralph and John had mentioned, Hinto knew it was only a matter of time before Butch took from Thais what she’d never willingly give, if he hadn’t already.
Butch sighed and directed his voice away from Hinto. “As usual, you two fucked up. You hit him too hard. I wanted him bloody but aware. Now we might as well leave him until tomorrow.”
Thank God.
Butch leaned closer and whispered into his ear, “You can’t hide in the darkness forever, bounty hunter. Pity that you arrived just as Gregor left to take care of some personal business for me. But he’ll be back. I’m going to save you for him, a gift for his birthday.” He chuckled. “But the woman is mine. I can feel it. She’s the one I’ve been waiting for, and I can’t thank you enough for bringing her with you.”
Hinto maintained his even breathing.
Butch sighed, straightened, and walked away. The sound of his fading footsteps and a door being opened then closed gave Hinto the reprieve he needed.
“You think he’s gonna fuck her now?” Ralph asked.
“Nah. That’d be too quick. Boss likes to toy with ‘em, you know? And he really, really likes this one. Wouldn’t let anybody put a mark on her. Did you see her? She’s a looker. I can see how she took Freddy. Dumbass was probably too busy staring at her tits to notice when she went for his throat.”
Ralph chuckled. “Wish I could have seen her slam Cedric. Little cousin always had too much luck with the ladies. Now let’s see him try to get up Lucy’s skirt with that ugly face.”
John laughed with him, and Hinto mentally urged the both of them out the door. The strain on his body started to wear thin. He started to shake.
“Look, John. Our bounty hunter is having fits. Hope he don’t die ’fore the morning.”
“Come on. Let’s get outta here before Boss tries to blame us for it.”
The minute they left, Hinto groaned and straightened. The ache in his shoulder joints brought tears to his eyes. His blood loss kept him weak, but he could work around that. Once he broke out of the shackles holding him, he’d find Thais, bust her out then call for Beast. He sensed the stubborn vore outside the compound on the eastern slope, hiding in the forest. Hinto couldn’t be sure, but he thought the mare was with him.
He shook his head and swore at his stupidity. The throbbing inside his brain threatened to make him pass out.
Movement outside the wall behind him cautioned him to silence. Alert, he waited, wondering who the hell had to sneak around the compound. Maybe another Nolan wanting payback and not wanting the boss to know about it. Hell, the way everyone tip-toed around Butch, it was a wonder anything got done at all.
Maybe that’s why Butch liked Thais. She didn’t bow to anyone.
“Holy Mother.” The soft whisper shocked the hell out of him.
He turned his head so fast he saw stars.
“Hinto?” Gentle hands lifted his chin. “I’m so sorry.” She caressed his cheek, the look on her face one he’d never seen before.
“Am I awake?”
“Unfortunately, yes. Wait a minute.”
Before he knew it, she unlocked his left shackle, then his right.
He sagged and would have fallen when she propped him up against the wall.
“You look terrible.”
“So do you. What the hell are you wea
ring?”
“Butch’s clothes, I think.”
Angered, he straightened and sent them both sprawling when his knees buckled. He landed on top of her.
“Shit, sorry, honey.” His tongue felt thick in his mouth. “Can’t seem to maneuver all that well.”
“We need to leave.”
“Gregor’s not here. He’ll be coming back tomorrow. So Butch said.”
Thais mumbled something.
Hinto blinked and somehow looked up at her. “What—how—?”
“You passed out. You’ve lost much blood.” She frowned, staring at his leg. “Shot?”
“Looks that way. Happened when we almost got away.”
“Outside the bar when you tripped, pushing me ahead of you.” She cupped his cheeks and gazed into his eyes. “Your eyes are too dark.”
“You’re so pretty.” Lightheaded, he pulled her down for a kiss and groaned when pain centered in his mouth. “Sorry, my lips are chapped.”
“You mean bruised.” She said something in that lyrical language he didn’t understand. “We need to leave.”
“You need to go,” he corrected, trying to maintain consciousness. “Before Gregor comes back. Butch’ll hurt you tomorrow. I know it. I’ll wait here for… Gregor. Get his gun,” he rambled.
“…Hinto? Hinto, wake up,” she urged and shook him by the collar.
“Gotta call Beast.” The vore was out there. He could feel Beast’s energy just beyond the woods. “Help me get to my feet.”
She moved under his shoulder and walked him out the back door of the barn. Thanks to the late hour, few sentries stood watch. Butch had underestimated his new “guests.”
Thais helped Hinto walk some distance from the ranch before he couldn’t walk on his aching leg anymore. He put two fingers into his mouth and let out a long whistle.
She swore. “Now they definitely know we’re gone.”
Shouts broke out and lights appeared all over the ranch. Someone spotted them and started running their way.
“Shit.” He moaned, praying Beast would hurry the hell up. Hinto glanced at Thais. Both of her looked so pretty, and so annoyed. He couldn’t have said why, but the situation seemed funny.
