Total pages in book: 42
Estimated words: 38157 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 191(@200wpm)___ 153(@250wpm)___ 127(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 38157 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 191(@200wpm)___ 153(@250wpm)___ 127(@300wpm)
“You’re safe now, darlin’,” he whispered to her as she shuddered, and he glanced over at the now dead forms of Pearson, Monty, and the senator. “Now you’re safe with me.”
Chapter Eighteen
This thing of darkness I acknowledge mine. ― William Shakespeare
She couldn’t stop trembling. How was she supposed to stop it? Her hands shook as if someone was violently shaking her about the shoulders. Her father lay dead on the floor, the other filthy men piled in with them. Cole was shouting orders to the other men she was now familiar with, but she only noticed Doc and Preach. Immediately after he’d shouted instructions, Doc and Preach were hauling bodies out of the room, Junior standing guard lest anyone come running. But however they managed it, they knew what they were doing. Where was Justice? Where had they all gone to? It was all too much, too confusing, and she couldn’t understand how it was all happening, or why.
And who was Cole?
“He’s dead,” she whispered. “Cole, he’s dead,” but he didn’t reply, merely kept her tucked under his arm as he moved with decision and purpose.
“Justice and Monty’s men have moved the safe to Litchfield already,” Cole said to Junior. “They left before anything happened and won’t be the wiser for it. You go now, take the fastest horse we have, and you don’t stop until you meet—” he paused and glanced at Aida before continuing, “—our connection in Litchfield. She’ll know what to do.”
She?
Aida tried to speak but couldn’t. She opened her mouth. No words would come. As Junior raced ahead of Cole, he pulled her into the doorway of a room, and it took her a few minutes to realize it was the room they’d spent the night in. He closed the door shut tight behind them, sat on the bed, and drew her onto his lap.
“C’mere, darlin’,” he said softly. She sat on his knee, buried her head on his chest, but no tears would come. He stilled her trembling hands with his work-worn hands.
“You had to think I was one of them.”
She shook her head. Still, no words would come.
“You’ll see in Litchfield, Aida. You’ll see everything.”
“He’s dead,” she whispered. “He’s dead.”
“They all are,” he whispered back. “But you’re safe.” He pulled her head to his mouth fiercely, kissing her so that his whiskers brushed her forehead. “Put your head on Daddy, darlin’,” he said. “No one’s gonna hurt you now. You’re mine, little one. I came for you and I made you obey me, but I knew you were mine.”
“Daddy,” she whispered, closing her eyes.
***
Later, she remembered the hooded cloak he put about her as they moved in the stillness to retrieve their horses, and how his own bandanna and hat cast him into shadow. She remembered how he gave her commands, to keep her head down, to follow him, to talk to no one, and how easy it was to do what he said for she had only one instruction: obey. Preach and Doc followed behind, as Junior had gone on ahead.
They galloped in the early morning light, dust rising in billows from beneath the pounding hooves of his horse. He held her close, his body pushed up against her. His flank was to her back, his arms around her, holding her as if he never wanted to let her go.
Chapter Nineteen
I will love you through the darkness. ― Christopher Poindexter
Litchfield loomed in front of them now, after a long day’s hard riding.
They’d stopped for a brief meal and still, Aida hadn’t spoken. Cole had handed her food, hardtack, and coffee and she’d stared at him as if she had no idea what to do.
“Eat, little girl,” he’d ordered quietly but she’d merely blinked at him.
“Aida,” he’d warned. For a moment, he’d considered spanking her, not harshly, but enough to shake her out of her stupor. But she’d been hurt by all that had transpired, and he thought a different approach would now help.
“This happens to people who’ve witnessed trauma,” Doc said to him. “Give her time, Cole. Be gentle. She’ll come around.”
So instead, he took her upon his knee, his back to the other men, and fed her himself, speaking in low, hushed tones though they were rushed. She obeyed him, eating from his hand, and when it was time to go, he hoisted her upon his saddle. He felt as if he were taking care of a small child as her little hand slipped into his. It was a feeling he quite enjoyed.
Now, as dark began to descend once again, they came to the entrance to Litchfield.
“It’s important you obey me, Aida,” he warned. “You must obey me.”
“Yes, Daddy,” she said simply.
Though he liked her compliance, he now wished for a bit of her spirit to return. He wanted to know she was all right. But he had other, more pressing matters to attend to.