by Reece Butler
No, Ace would punish her far worse. The way he’d looked that morning, and again in the sheriff’s office, she’d be living almost the same way as in Texas. No, Ace would never be as bad as Fin, and she had the protection of her brothers here. Some protection, forcing her to do something she’d sworn would never happen!
What was the worst Ace could do to her? She sat straighter. If he hurt her, the Elliotts and MacDougals would hurt him worse. He’d watched her cut the bull calves, turning them into steers with the flick of a wrist. A husband’s balls wouldn’t be much different, and Ace knew it.
“I’m going to get Nightwind,” said Jessie, “and I don’t care what happens. After all, anything Ace does to me will set my brothers after him.”
“He could spank you,” said Beth and Amelia together. They looked at each other and laughed.
“I don’t understand why you think it’s funny.”
Amelia sobered. She walked over and put her arm around Jessie.
“Do you know why Ace is behaving like this? I don’t know how things are done in England, but I remember my father. He believed if he wasn’t in total control of his wife and daughters, he wouldn’t be respected. Without respect, he couldn’t do business.”
“How can I respect Ace when he can’t do half the things I can? He can’t rope as well, or push cattle, or—”
“Can he make you scream his name when you come? Is he working hard to learn more, to take care of you and your family?”
“Well, yes, but—” Jessie jumped when the kitchen door opened. She thought it was Ace, tracking her down again, but it was Trace. She hadn’t heard the rattle of the wagon. Had he listened through the open window?
“Give Ace a chance, Jessie,” Trace said, confirming her worry that he’d heard. He caught Beth and gave her a quick kiss. He massaged her bottom with his hand. She waggled it against his hand, encouraging him.
“Ace chose to leave everyone but two friends behind and come to this new land,” said Trace. “But he brought his past with him. Just like you did.”
“What do you mean?” Jessie bristled at his accusatory look.
“You are neither Louisa nor Sunbird. You are Jessamine Bonham Elliott, soon to be Langford. And right now you are making everyone miserable.”
“Me! He’s the one who—”
“Who’s trying to be the best husband he knows how.”
“By making me marry him just because we got naked, or to get my horse back? He wants to keep me like Sunbird!”
Trace crouched on his haunches beside her. He stared her in the face. She hadn’t been this close to him since she left for Texas. Before he was roped and dragged, his beautiful voice broken. Before Beth. But he was still her oldest brother, the one who stayed behind and kept Simon and Jack alive when the rest of them were forced to leave with the MacDougals.
“Where Ace comes from, if a wife speaks back to her husband in public, he would beat her to make sure he had the respect of other men. Ace doesn’t want to hurt you, but he also needs the ranch to work. He thought making you obey him will protect you from him having to beat you.”
“What?” gasped Beth.
“That’s ridiculous!” said Jessie.
“Is it?” Trace raised an eyebrow. “What if you married Finan MacDougal and you even thought of saying no to him?”
Chills raced through her body. She gulped. “He’d kill me,” she whispered.
“Not until he and Hugh got tired of raping and beating you.”
“Oh, my Godfathers!” cried Amelia. She staggered. Trace quickly stood, catching her before she fell. She rested a hand on her belly. “Unless I have a son before their father dies, Finan will own our ranch!” cried Amelia. “And if he’d do that to you—”
“Shh,” soothed Trace. “No way that son of a bitch is throwing you off your land. With the Double Diamond in the family, once Ben gets here, there’ll be twelve of us to stop him. Ben’s a lawyer now, so maybe he counts double.” He patted her hand. “That makes at least fifteen good men if the Circle C helps out, and I expect they will. Add the other ranches, Miss Lily, Rosa, Sophia McLeod, and Frank Chambers…” Trace cracked a smile at Amelia. “If we need more, there’s lots of other single men who’ll do dang near anything for your and Beth’s home cooking. And speaking of cooking, someone owes me some apple fritters.” He turned his head toward Beth
“I haven’t forgotten,” she said, rolling her eyes at Trace.
Trace made sure Amelia was settled. He turned back to Jessie. “Come here, Punkin.” He hauled her into his arms and hugged her like a bear. She clung to him as if she was still a child, eager for her big brother’s love.
“Give the man another chance, Jess. He thought he was protecting you the only way he knew how. I had a talk with him and explained a few things.”
“I’ll give him twenty-four hours,” she said. She knew she pouted, but she didn’t care. “After that, I’m coming for Nightwind.”
Trace set her on her feet. He curled his finger to her and pointed out the window. She remembered that look from long, long ago. Christmas morning and there was a present under the tree for her.
“What is it?”
“I guess this is Ace’s first apology. He says she’s all yours. And her foal.”
Jessie looked out the window. A regal black horse, white star between her ears, waited in the yard.
“Nightwind?”
The horse pricked her ears. She tossed her head, knowing the voice. Jessie left everything behind and ran out the house.
“Nightwind! Oh, my baby girl!”
She threw her arms around the glossy black neck, tears flowing. The horse nudged her shoulder, making her laugh. Jessie stuck her left foot into the stirrup and landed in the saddle. Not bothering to shorten the stirrups, she pressed her knees. The two of them raced away.
“That horse means a lot to Jessie,” said Beth, watching them ride as one.
“Ranger says Nightwind is the only thing that kept Jessie sane. She helped birth the colt and fought to keep it alive the first night. The MacDougal let her keep it because the colt was a runt, and he thought she’d die. Jessie hid her away so he wouldn’t know any different. She raised Nightwind, spending a part of every day with her. When she was forced to go to Virginia, she gave her to Ranger. I think that, deep down, Jessie thinks that horse is the only one who really loves her.”
“Ace, Sin, and Henry have a lot to prove to beat the love of a good horse,” said Beth.
“I need to borrow your wagon,” said Trace to Amelia. “I want my wife on my land, naked, so I can prove I’m better than a horse.”
“Help yourself,” said Amelia, smiling.
“I will. And Amelia?”
“Yes?”
“When I passed Gil, he told me to say he and Nev need you out in the meadow. He said to bring a blanket and some sweet oil.”
Amelia’s face turned pink. She gave an absent wave to Beth and Trace and scurried to gather what she needed.
Chapter Twenty-Four
“I’m going with you to rescue Molly Sinclair.”
“Absolutely not!” Ace jabbed his finger at Jessie. “You will stay with Beth and Amelia.”
Jessie slipped her slim knife from her sleeve into her right hand. She held the tip and dug a sliver out of her left palm. When she was satisfied she raised her left hand, palm facing toward herself. She inspected it nonchalantly.
“You see a ring on this hand, Mr. Kenrick bloody Langford?”
“Jessie, it’s not safe—”
Though she was surrounded by five large brothers from the Rocking E, three loyal cousins from the MD Connected, three lovers from the Double Diamond, and another three big men from the Circle C, she put her fists on her hips and read them the riot act.
“You’re not my husband, or my father. I found Molly’s family, and I’m going to be the one who tells her that.” She met his icy glare with one of her own.
“Actually, it would be a good idea to have a wom
an in the room when you burst in,” said Sin before Gillis could build up to a roar. “We have to get Molly out quickly and quietly. She’ll be frightened, and Jessie might be able to calm her.”
Jessie snorted. The frowns on Trace’s and Ace’s faces would curdle milk. But Sin was right, and they knew it. According to Frederick Smythe, the Sinclairs sold their ranch to him over a year ago. Miss Lily said Molly had only appeared in the BannackCity brothel about ten days earlier. They were still trying to sell her as a virgin, but she might be far too frightened to go anywhere with a man. Either that or her captors had hurt her so much she’d be fearful of leaving in case she was brought back and worse happened.
In either case, whether they wanted it or not, Jessie was part of this rescue.
“What if I hire Molly for my virgin son for the night,” asked Henry. “I can insist on waiting outside the room to let Jessie have his time. Meanwhile, Jessie can get Molly dressed in a set of her boy clothes.”
Luke nodded. “Gabe and I will come in through the attic when the fight starts. If Molly’s calm and looks like a boy, we can walk away once we’re back on the ground. How long do you think you’ll be able to keep fighting?”
Trace looked at Ace while Ranger checked out Sin.
“I think we can keep the momentum going for long enough,” growled Trace. He flexed his hand open and closed as if preparing for a punch. “You game?”
“It would be my utmost pleasure to convince you of a few important things,” murmured Ace. “This way, we won’t need to meet by Baldy’s Saloon and waste a day showing you up.”
Ranger and Sin sized each other up. Sin topped Ranger by three inches and was eager to prove he was worth Jessie’s attention. Ranger, however, had to show he could protect his sister and keep up the proud Elliott name. No one had bested an Elliott in a fair fight over the years, and Ranger wanted to keep the record unblemished.
Jessie rolled her eyes at the posturing between her brothers and lovers. Luke winked and Gabe nodded solemnly.
“I wouldn’t mind joining in for some fun,” said Ross. Nevin nodded.
“Ye are the cavalry,” said Gillis, “ready to step in if yer needed upstairs.” He glowered at Ace and Sin. “If ye stay alert, ’twouldn’t matter if ye broke a few heads.”
“Jessie and I will leave immediately and get settled,” said Henry.
“You’ve got enough gold?”
“Yes,” said Henry. He patted his pocket where he’d placed the bag of gold dust Trace had given him. Ten ounces, two hundred dollars. “I hope this doesn’t take all your gold.”
“It’s just crushed rocks,” said Trace. He leaned forward to emphasize his point. “When you dicker for Molly, make it look good. Let them think you really want to do this for your son but that virgin is so damned expensive. Jessie will poke you to say he wants Molly no matter what. Since you’re going to get to use her as well, it’s not a bad price for a nice piece of tail.” He wiped his fingers over his mouth as if to wash away the ugly words. “Use the whole thing if you need to. That little girl’s life is worth it.”
“We can’t save them all,” said Ross quietly. “But we’re going to save Molly.”
The men nodded solemnly, knowing Ross lost his young cousin to rape and murder. Though three of her attackers were dead, Ross kept an eye out for the fourth. He swore the last would take a very long time to die.
A few more final details and Jessie climbed up beside Henry. He slapped the reins and the horses started off. Jessie held on as the empty wagon rattled along. They were to bring back a load of fine wine and brandy for Miss Lily’s Parlor. There was a false bottom where Molly would be hidden. Jessie knew if Molly went in there, she’d go as well so the girl would feel safer.
Lily and Rosa told everyone not to expect Molly to trust anyone for a long, long time, if ever. Most of the town would do whatever they could to help the girl find as normal a life as possible. Some, led by Eudora Jennett, the banker’s righteous wife, already spouted it was Molly’s fault.
Molly would stay with Lily and Rosa for as long as she wished. She would see no prurient, pitying looks there.
* * * *
Henry flashed his poke while he paid for his drinks. He insisted his shy boy drink as well, though it was beer to Henry’s whiskey. He pointed out various fancy ladies to his son, who shook his head each time. Meanwhile, Trace and Ranger settled with their backs to the near wall.
Jessie gasped when a pretty girl with long, blond hair walked along the balcony at the top of the stairs. A large man stood behind her, one hand on her shoulder. It might look as if he just rested it there, but Jessie saw how the thin fabric of the girl’s white dress crumpled under the strain. The girl smiled and waved.
“Poppa, I want that one!” Jessie poked “his” father and pointed to Molly.
Henry laughed and slapped Jessie on the shoulder. “Knew you’d find one ya liked. That’s my boy!” He grinned and nodded as if he was half-sloshed. He looked around for someone in charge.
“My boy’s fourteen. About time he lost his cherry,” he yelled. “That girl the virgin I heered about? I want him to pop a cherry his first time.” He slapped Jessie again. “Get two cherries in one, eh, boy?” He laughed at his own joke.
An enormous woman draped in deep red satin waved her hand to the bartender in some sort of signal. She smiled like a spider spinning a web and ran her fingernail under Jessie’s chin. Jessie jerked her head away from the claw. She pressed her hand on her stomach. The stench of the men around them was bad enough without the woman’s attempt to use strong perfume to cover her smell.
“Virgins are mighty dear,” replied the hard-eyed owner. “It’ll cost you a hundred dollars in gold for that cherry.”
“A hundred dollars?” Henry gasped and frowned at the same time.
“But she’s worth it. Don’t you think?”
She pointed to the stairs. Molly smiled down at Henry. Her smile was wide but forced. The man behind her moved his arm, and Molly winced but smiled again and waved at Jessie.
“She’s real pretty,” said Jessie. She stared, gawking with her mouth open as she had for her first few days in Virginia.
“You want your son’s first time to be special,” purred the madam. She tugged on Henry’s arm. “He’ll thank you the rest of his life.” She trilled the fake laugh Jessie had been forced to practice. “He may never find another virgin in his entire life.”
Henry stared up at Molly and rubbed his stubbled chin. He looked at Jessie, who gave a pleading look.
“Well, if we have her for the night, I can use her as well.” He shifted his eyes to the madam and smiled. “After the boy has her, I can show her what a man can do to make a woman really smile.”
“If you’re both having her, it’s another fifty dollars.”
Henry stuck his hand in his pocket. He fingered the bag of gold dust, looking up at Molly.
“She sure is pretty. You sure she’s a virgin?”
“Yes, but she won’t be after your son is finished with her.”
“If he’s my son, he won’t be finished until breakfast.”
Henry laughed, loud and strong as if it was the best joke. Jessie dropped her head and shuffled her feet, pretending shy eagerness. She made sure her coat was closed to hide the lack of erection which every man in the place likely sported. Henry was hard and eager, thanks to Jessie’s handy encouragement before they went in the saloon.
“One hundred and fifty dollars for both of you. All night long.” The madam tilted her head. The man turned Molly around and pushed her through the curtain that masked the hallway to the rooms.
“Nobody better wake us up until breakfast,” said Henry. “I been waiting a long time for a woman.”
He pulled the bag of dust out of his pocket. The madam nodded and led them to the bar. They weighed out the gold dust, leaving little in the bag. Henry pretended to be too drunk and eager to notice the scales were fixed.
Familiar faces came through the o
pen door to the street. If she didn’t know her brothers were good men, she’d be afraid to get near them. Ace and Sin strolled into the saloon as if they owned it, sneering like the upper-crust aristocrats they had been. Ace wore his top hat. Lily warned him it would be destroyed, but he said he had no more use for it. Sin was dressed as a dude as well, though not with the same elegance. She blinked when the sheriff followed behind. Frank Chambers winked at her. He placed his hand over the spot he usually wore his badge.
“Fer Christ’s sake, boys, look what’s crawled into a real man’s saloon!” Ranger pointed at Ace, who sneered back.
No one paid attention as Jessie and Henry went upstairs. They passed through the curtain and into a long hallway. A narrow turkey carpet ran past the closed doors. They walked all the way to the end. The man waited outside the last door. The madam opened the door and let Jessie in.
“Molly, dear, there’s a young man to see you. He and his father want to get to know you better. You’re going to be very nice to them, aren’t you?”
Jessie barely heard the whispered “yes.” Someone shoved her between the shoulders. She stumbled forward, almost falling. Henry and the madam laughed. The door shut behind them. Jessie heard Henry settling on the floor outside the door.
“Don’t be too long in there, Junior,” called Henry. “I’m eager for my turn.”
Jessie waited for it to be quiet before she looked up. Molly stared back for a second then dropped her eyes. She was a bit taller than Jessie, but then, most people were.
“Do you want me to take my dress off now?” Molly’s voice shook along with her body.
Jessie put her finger to her mouth and raised her eyebrows. She looked around the room. A small window, barred, over a bed with only a white bottom sheet. A small table with a white tablecloth and porcelain lamp covered in roses. A washbasin and ewer, also with pink roses, with a white folded towel beside it.
“I’m not going to hurt you,” whispered Jessie. She slipped off her duster and hat, dropping them to the floor.
