Assassin Territory [Assassins Book 1]

by C. L. Scholey

  “Can you hear what I’m thinking?” Christy asked in a teasing way.

  “I can see what you’re thinking. You trust me when I say the man needed to die. You trust I won’t hurt you. Your doe eyes flicker in fear at some things I say, yet you know your life depends on me. Does the fact I’m dangerous arouse you?”

  “No,” Christy said honestly, her teasing tone abandoned. “I don’t want the dangerous side of you, that part I struggle to understand. Sitting and talking to you, it’s hard to believe that side exists, but I know you’re not lying. I want the gentle protectiveness you’ve shown me. Your possessive lovemaking was frightening at first. No one I’ve met comes close to you. Before Chad there were only innocent discoveries. Sometimes Chad laughed at my inexperience, making me feel inadequate. When you take me, I feel…I feel…”

  “What do you feel?” Lando demanded.

  “I shouldn’t want you,” Christy cried out. “My father saved lives. He would be so angry if he found out I needed you, wanted you. It’s not only desire I feel for you. I can’t help but compare you to Chad. Besides him and my father there is no other man I can compare you with.

  “My father was so loving and caring, he took care of me. He never hurt me; I always knew he loved me. Chad was going to be a doctor like my father. He would be saving lives. But he hurt me until I thought I was soulless and a shell of who I was. It took me months after the abuse ended to go out in public. You take lives and yet you’ve never hurt me. I feel so confused. Why does Chad feel more hurtful and hateful than you do? Why are you safer than he is? How can that be? I don’t understand.”

  Lando gathered her shaking body to his. “I don’t know why, sweetheart. You need me to survive. Perhaps that is all there is.”

  “No, it’s not just survival. If I was with Chad out here, I would be dead by now. I know that. He would’ve abandoned me. Declaring he would get help, only it would be his own life he would save. I would’ve been so hurt at another betrayal. I don’t just need physical acceptance or food. I need more than that to survive out here. Please don’t make me fall in love with you. I couldn’t take another loss. You’ve said we have no future. I understand. Really, I do. In spite of that, I can’t help feel there must be more. Please show me more, I need more.”

  The cooking snake forgotten, Lando captured Christy’s eager lips. He tugged her from her outer clothing. His large, calloused hands roamed over her willing body. Christy no longer shied away at his demanding need to consume her; she reveled in it. She wanted him as powerfully and possessively as he wanted her. She wanted his rock hard body against her, pressing to her flesh which seared at his touch. Her hands roamed his muscular chest and arms, tugging at his dark hairs.

  She pulled at him, wanting his entry, feeling her readiness, her body responding, needing to satisfy her needs. Her skin tingled in anticipation as each bare spot touched him. She wanted the protective covering he offered, a warm security blanket in the unending coldness. No one could hurt her while he was positioned over her slight frame, although it had become more than that. He had become more.

  She cried out at his entry, accepting him inside. She was amazed at his size, the powerful thrusts as he mounted her. His possessive grip captured her willing, writhing body to his. She looked up, gazing into the depths of his eyes. She could see her reflection. She was surprised at the need on her face; she blushed to her core, seeing also her own lust.

  Lando was grinning down at her. Her blush deepened at her exposure. She then thrust the thought off with a shrug. Her body tightened around him, and she closed her eyes, enjoying his movements, loving the sound of the growling moan deep in his throat. The guttural male, satisfied sounds he made as he thrust, encouraged her to release her own sounds of ecstasy. Her mind tuned only to him, all other thoughts were inconsequential. She released herself, her body her thoughts, into his eager, sensual care.

  * * * *

  Lando moved within her, grateful she hadn’t shied away from him because of their conversation. It will take time, the voice cautioned while she cried out her confusion. He was grateful they had time.

  He remembered his promise to himself and tried not to be so demanding. He strove to be cautious of her bruises. Christy writhed beneath him, becoming more demanding than he was. She begged him to possess her. She cried out her wanton, frantic desire. His resolve faltered. As always, her pleading struck a chord in him, and he gave in to what she wanted. Once more his hand tangled in her hair as he held her beneath him.

  Christy was screaming his name over and over, her hand locked in his hair, capturing him to her. Her body gave a violent shudder; she cried out one last time before she lay still. Lando thrust again deeply and found his own release. His hand untangled from her locks, he nuzzled her face from the crook of his neck. He ran a gentle finger across her bruised cheek.

  “Christy?”

  “I’m so hungry I could eat a snake,” she said, her tone barely above a whisper.

  “That’s good news. That’s all we’ve got,” Lando reminded her.

  * * * *

  The day dawned overcast and foggy. Though the snow had vanished, the cold wind whipped around them as autumn battled for its last breaths of power before succumbing to a greater foe. Lando and Christy rolled up the parachute they were using as a tent.

  Christy’s tummy rumbled. The snake she had eaten was indeed—interesting. Hopefully she would never have to partake of another. Lando hadn’t had any luck that morning fishing. He said he thought he detected the scent of snow in the air, and felt the parachute wouldn’t offer enough protection against brutal winter weather if it were to strike again. He didn’t want it collapsing on top of them from the weight of the elements. If they couldn’t find a cave or indentation they could build a lean-to against some rocks.

  They struck out at a steady pace. Lando’s only intentions were set on a stronger shelter and more food. Lando’s gun was within easy reach in case anything presented itself. Christy gazed amidst the foliage, wanting to be helpful. She followed Lando as close as possible. The thought of the cougar and Kodiak weighed heavily on her mind.

  Lando was wandering, his actions restless. The sky had been red when they woke. Not a good sign, he informed her, though she could’ve guessed by the look on his anxious face. Sounds of the day seemed intense. The vegetation had a more prominent scent.

  “What is it?” Christy asked with concern. She could see Lando’s agitation, the set of his tense shoulders.

  “I can feel something,” he answered barely above a whisper. “You can always feel the weather change deep in your bones, and I’m anxious to find a decent shelter.”

  When Christy stumbled moments later, he snapped at her. She recoiled from his harsh tone. He offered her no apology.

  “Lando?”

  “Damn it. If you keep making too much bloody noise we’ll never find anything to eat.”

  Christy clamped her lips shut. If he wanted silence, then silence is what he would have. She wouldn’t utter another word.

  * * * *

  They trudged on for another hour. Both were tired and agitated, their movements plodding. Lando heard a slight noise to his immediate right. Christy cried out in fright as Lando pulled his gun and fired. A painful squeal sounded as a large boar dropped to the ground, its hind legs kicking, his body flailing wildly in an effort to rise.

  Lando approached the boar with caution. He was furious with himself. The only time he ever needed another shot to finish a job was when he’d been younger and inexperienced. His first kill required three. The man he had been after thrashed in such pain, crying out pathetically, Lando felt almost sorry for him. He strived afterwards to make certain he only needed one shot. Unless they deserved more or more had been ordered.

  Wary of the boar’s tusks and large teeth at the side of its mouth, Lando pounced on it. Using his knife, he slit its throat, holding it while blood spurted, until it stilled. Lando grabbed the wild boar by its front and back legs. With a he
ave, he threw it over his shoulders and continued on with a backwards glance at Christy. Christy moved behind him, grabbing the extra bag he dropped when retrieving the boar.

  Lando continued on. Feeling the slight moisture from the sky beginning to fall, he began moving at a quicker rate. He could hear Christy’s labored breathing as she struggled to keep pace with him. He noted she offered no protest, nor did she make a single sound. He wondered if she was afraid he’d leave her if she were unable to keep up. The pace was too much for her, but exposed to a blizzard would be far worse.

  He saw a large cluster of rocks in the distance. Approaching them, he noted with relief there were huge logs surrounding the area. It would only take them a short time to stretch the parachute tent over the ready-made structure, offering them ample shelter. There were enough good-sized rocks to hold the parachute down to keep it from blowing away, or the strong winds from creeping inside the shelter.

  Lando dropped the pig to the ground as well as the duffel bag. He began to remove the parachute. With Christy’s help, their new shelter was secure as the wind picked up and the rain began to fall with greater intensity. Once a fire burned within the structure, Lando moved off to gut the boar without a backward glance in Christy’s direction.

  * * * *

  Christy watched the warped pot as it boiled water. She shuddered. The food would be welcome, yet she couldn’t help feel a sense of relief it wasn’t her lying motionless across Lando’s shoulders. The efficiency when he slit the animal’s throat, the power as he held it completely captive…. It was a god-awful sight, a disturbing sight. Lando seemed another man, a predator.

  Christy fought off confused tears, trying hard not to be emotional. Before the crash, she had been getting better at reining in her emotions but the feel of her sore body brought back too many thoughts. Lando had been abrupt with her all day. His pace was grueling to the point where she lagged and stumbled. She wasn’t trying to antagonize him on purpose. He yelled at her, not caring he frightened her.

  Stop being a doormat.

  The words resounded in her head. Lando had said that. He told her to yell. But he was such a commanding presence. How could she overcome her fear and defend herself when he could strike out at any moment? Old fears are talking. Lando never struck her. He never caused her any pain. Maybe he was different than Chad that way. Not all men are cruel, Lando said. Her father never once hurt her or her mother. Christy struggled with her thoughts. She knew deep down if Lando were to strike her it wouldn’t be the physical pain that would destroy her, but the emotional betrayal.

  Christy was still pondering her thoughts when Lando returned, carrying a great deal of meat. He placed most of it near the back of their shelter, where it would remain cold. A large chunk was placed in the boiling water. He explained in a brief way once cooked to remove parasites, he would make sure it was spitted and roasted. Christy sat, not offering him a word. Her thoughts were storming; he’d frightened her into being quiet and withdrawn. He never should have yelled at her for stumbling, making her feel so vulnerable.

  Lando was studying her. “Christy?”

  “You’re a bully,” Christy suddenly raged, surprising him and herself. “I fell from being tired and you yelled at me like I was actually doing something wrong. I didn’t do it on purpose.” Christy waited with trepidation for his anger to explode, but she couldn’t help herself. He had been unfair. Let him yell. Let him…hit her. Christy waited for his reaction. She tried not to cringe. She tried not to cower, though her body shook and her jaw quivered.

  Lando was watching her movements. She knew he could tell she was terrified at what he might do to her. She was taking a big chance at making him angry. She knew he could make her leave the shelter, or worse, beat her. They were at a critical juncture. If he were to hurt her, it would scar her for the rest of her life. Once more he had control over her life, over her emotions.

  “I’m sorry. You’re right, I shouldn’t have yelled at you. Stumbling wasn’t your fault; it was the pace I set out of worry. I shouldn’t have expected you to be able to keep up with me; it was ludicrous to think you could,” Lando said.

  “Really?”

  Her breath expelled in a whoosh; she hadn’t even been aware she was holding it. He wasn’t yelling. He wasn’t taking her hurtfully. He didn’t hit her. There was no anger. Christy shook with greater intensity, she was certain it was the look on her face that had Lando smiling.

  “I was apprehensive and concerned. I shouldn’t have taken it out on you,” Lando admitted.

  Christy cried out and launched herself into his arms. Lando captured her, his tension betraying his surprise.

  “You won’t hurt me. I didn’t think you would, and you didn’t.”

  Lando held her to his chest. Christy clutched his shoulders. She shook with horrific spasms. Her tears fell uninhibited.

  “He said he wouldn’t, but he did. You said you wouldn’t, and you didn’t. You say what you mean. You have always said what you mean. My father said what he meant. I can compare you with him. I can. Maybe it’s not what you do, but who you are and your actions that are important.”

  “Is that what’s important to you, comparing me with another?”

  “You’ve already said we are from different worlds. We think differently. I’ve only compared you to the most important men in my life, no, only one important man. You’re nothing like Chad. I can’t compare your profession with my dad’s. Yet, I can compare your actions. You are honorable, kind, and gentle. Thank you for not lying. Thank you for not hurting me.”

  Her relief was overwhelming, her confusion gone. All this time she hid away, holding onto the pain, thinking it would keep her safe. Putting her pain out in the open was a current taking her fears away.

  Another violent storm raged around them, shutting them in. The tarp flapped, but the solid rocks Lando positioned held. The fire flared, settled, flared. Wisps of freezing air slipped under cracks. Lando and Christy made a bed of coats over top sweet smelling pine branches. They held one another, seeking comfort and warmth. Their shelter, though primitive, held as the brutal, freezing rain pelted down. Lightning crashed and the sky rumbled ominously. They ate the meat Lando procured, but their want of each other stormed more intensely than anything thundering around them.

  Her hunger satisfied, Christy shivered when Lando stripped them both. The fire danced with a small breeze. Christy’s nipples hardened in the cold until Lando suckled first one then the other. She yelped when one of the pine branches nicked her naked thigh. Lando pulled her onto him. Her legs straddled him. He was hard and thick as she wiggled her hips onto his erection. The fire warmed her ass as she rode him. Lando was careful of her ribs as he clutched her waist. Before long their passion consumed them. Lando’s taking of her was as fearsome as the storm that raged.

  Christy clung to his body in desperation. The storm, though fierce, wasn’t warm and protective as Lando was. His body was more powerful than the intense crashing sounds. He was stronger than the fearsome, driving winds. Straining to hear his thoughts engulfed her more deeply than any loud crack from the sky. Once sated, they curled wrapped around each other’s bodies and slept.

  Chapter 9

  “Can we please rest, Lando? I’m so tired,” Christy asked. Without waiting for confirmation, she slumped to a large log. Her body trembled, feeling the exertion of the long day.

  After the storm had abated as morning set in, they’d struck out following the flowing stream. It was now mid-afternoon. They were both tired. Lando dropped his gear to the forest floor and rifled through the backpack. He pulled out two pieces of cooked boar meat. He handed one to Christy.

  “Stay here and eat this. I want to scout around the area,” he told her. “I want to fish again, but first we need to find a decent shelter for the night. I’m pretty sure I heard the screaming of a cougar back a ways. I hope it hasn’t been trailing us, following the meat carcasses and bones we’ve been leaving behind.”

  “Don’t
go far,” Christy begged. She looked up at him, wide-eyed. Christy had also heard the cougar, and remembering her last encounter with one, she was loath to repeat it. Especially if Lando wasn’t present to interfere.

  “It’ll be fine. I won’t go far, sweetheart, I promise. I wouldn’t leave you if I thought it was close.” Lando smiled down at her reassuringly. He traced a finger across her cheek before he turned and left.

  Christy sat, feeling anxious the moment he left her sight. She tried to calm her nerves while eating. She was hungry and tired, her body ached, and she hoped Lando would return soon and tell of a decent place to rest for the night. She sat listening to the sounds around her, always wary. It wasn’t long before she heard movement behind her.

  She rose and turned. Standing completely still, she resisted the urge to scream. Lando had left her alone before for short periods of time. He hadn’t been impressed to have raced frantically to her side, gun drawn, while she huddled, terrified of a chipmunk that noisily ventured forth from the foliage. The look he leveled on her on those occasions made her want to crawl into a hole with embarrassment.

  As the noise approached, Christy shook. The movements were definitely louder than a chipmunk. A large bush was suddenly thrust aside and she stared, dumbstruck, at a man who looked just as surprised from her sudden appearance.

  Christy’s fear turned to relief. She resisted the urge to throw herself into the man’s arms; she was so grateful to see him. Other people, finally other people. She anxiously approached as three other men emerged from behind the bush.

  “Well hell, little lady, what the heck are you doing out here all alone?” the man asked.

  His hair was blond and he was almost as tall and as well built as Lando. When he ventured closer, she noted he moved with almost the same calculating, predatory walk. The other three men weren’t as impressive, though also decidedly larger than she. All four seemed of various ages. All four wore the camouflage of hunters.