“Remember what I said about her being in my arms by the end of the night, John?” Viktor called out, grinning wide while he held the obstinate woman squirming in his arms.
John caught his grin and shot him back an eye roll, readying his sword for the incoming attack. “Get her out of here!”
Viktor leapt to the railing, peering down to the bushes below. The drop was too steep to make directly. He would need to scale down the stone wall. An easy task while alone, his kicking cargo made the prospect much more challenging.
Charlie leapt forward, ripping her dagger from the body of the man at her feet. Viktor heard the metal clank behind him when she engaged the assailant. “Viktor! Go!” she shouted again.
Nora continued to struggle in his arms, her skirt flying in his face as she kicked her legs like a seasoned swimmer. Viktor pushed the voluminous skirt from his face, squishing it down tighter with his arm around her backside. “You need to stop squirming or we’ll fall! Hold on tight, love!”
He dropped over the side of the stone railing, one hand clinging tight while the other held her rump securely in his arms. “Hold on to my waist. Do it now!”
She screamed and wrapped her arms around his waist, her legs kicking up over his head. He released his grip on her and grabbed the stone wall with both hands. He began scaling down, swinging from one jagged stone to the next, careful to keep Nora balanced above him. She squealed with each swing, her arms gripping so tight she began to constrict his breathing.
He glanced down, they were close enough to drop now. “Hold on tight, love.” His fingers loosened their grip and they plummeted into the bushes below. Her modest weight managed to pull him backward, causing them to tumble in a heap. She landed on her rear with a grunt.
“Ouch!” she squawked, fighting the thickets scratching at her skin and struggling to sit up.
“Come on!” He grabbed her hand and yanked her to her feet. She pulled against him, struggling to free her arm. “Stop. Fighting. Me!” he argued while dragging her toward the stables. His eyes scanned every direction, looking for the safest route. Following the bushes along the fence line would give them the most cover. He made a beeline for them, his unwilling companion fighting him each step of the way.
“Help! Help!” she shouted.
“Are you trying to get yourself killed? Did you not see the men who tried to kill you? There could be more! Be. Quiet!”
She snapped her mouth shut, those wide eyes two glittering orbs of terror. He saw his tacked horse hitched to a post. He’d “borrowed” the sturdy bay from an unsuspecting man when he arrived at port. The horse stared at them with wary eyes as they approached. Viktor loosed the reins from the wooden post and tossed them over the gelding’s neck.
“Get on!” he whispered, pushing her forward toward the saddle.
“I’m not going! I won’t!” she argued, turning to run back toward the mansion.
“Bloody hell!” He caught her by the waist, dragging her backward and hoisting her into the saddle with ease. He swung up behind her, his arms stretching around her waist as they found their grip on the leather reins. “Go! Go!” He kicked and urged the gelding on.
“Help!” she shrieked one last time. He clamped his free hand around her mouth once more as they leapt into a gallop. The force pushed her backward into his chest, her head snapped back giving him another look at the terror in her eyes.
“If you don’t stop fighting, I swear I’ll kill you myself!” he growled, and they surged on. The gelding huffed down the worn trail, his hoof beats the only sound as they expanded the distance between them and the mansion.
Viktor saw the glint of a lantern in the distance further up the path. Likely another guest headed in late for the party, but not worth the risk. He pulled on the reins, the gelding responding by veering into the woods. The trees provided dense cover while they drove deeper in. He could feel Nora succumbing, her struggle finally softening as she collapsed in his arms. Her eyelids closed, her fear snuffing out the fight and causing her to pass out. “Oh, thank God.”
He wrapped his arms tighter around her waist, holding her safe against his body and he kissed to the gelding to increase his speed. He needed to put as much space between them and the assassins as quickly as he could. He needed a place to lay low, to come up with a plan. A smile emerged along with the destination he intended. The perfect place to hide her was just a short ride away on the outskirts of London.
CHAPTER FOUR
THE HOOF BEATS CLOPPING on the stones drummed her awake. Her body swayed back and forth, a calm sensation washing over her as she started to come to. The relaxing rock of the movement and the cozy pressure around her, caused her to sigh while she snuggled in deeper. Her eyes flitted open, but darkness surrounded her. As her senses began to awaken, Nora looked around, a sleepy confusion still clouding her memory while she struggled to gain her bearings.
“Good morning, love.”
Her eyes shot open. The black mane of a horse stretched out before her, and the faint glow of lanterns in the distance broke the night sky surrounding her. She saw tanned forearms wrapped around her waist. Her eyes followed them closer, a cautious crane of her neck bringing her face to face with a pair of amber eyes staring back at her. White teeth greeted her behind a wide grin. Memories of the night rolled through her mind when she recalled the events that led her to be trussed up like this. On a horse. With a murderer.
The scream pushed out from her lungs, ripping at her throat while she shrieked in his face. It startled the horse, making it bolt forward several steps. The movement shook her loose from where she sat perched in his lap. Her body tumbled backward as another scream slipped out. A strong arm captured her back, pushing her back up into his lap. The horse danced nervously beneath them while the man pulled tight on the reins.
“Enough with the screaming already, love! Bloody hell, you have a set of lungs on you. Perhaps you missed your calling in the opera.”
She stared at him in bewildered silence.
“One more of those shrill squeals will send us both toppling off this poor beast. If you won’t stop screaming for me, at least stop screaming for his sake.” He shook his head and reached down to scratch the gelding’s neck. It soothed him, sending him walking forward again.
Fear gripped her. In the darkness, she wouldn’t make it very far even if she did manage to struggle free. It may have been minutes or hours since she’d lost consciousness, and she had no idea where she was. It wouldn’t be possible to escape. At least not yet.
“Where are you taking me? What are your intentions?” Nora fired off the questions while her fearful eyes found their way to his. She remembered him clearly now, the man who had insulted her on the terrace earlier tonight and the murderer of those men who approached her. Admittedly, she had thought him exceptional at first glance. His dark hair, square jaw, strong features, impressive physique, captivating eyes... the perfect male specimen. Then he spoke. All notions of a prince charming flew away when he opened his mouth. Now, infuriating replaced exceptional when she looked at him.
“I’m taking you somewhere safe. We need to hide out for a while.”
“Why have you kidnapped me? I have money. Lots of it. My husband will pay handsomely for my release, I swear it. Please, Mr. Miller, you must let me go. I’m begging you.”
He sucked the air through his teeth. “About that. My name isn’t Peter Miller.”
“What? Who are you?” She recoiled from him as far as his arms would allow.
“My name is Viktor. And I haven’t kidnapped you, so I don’t need a ransom. I’m saving you. Why is this so difficult to understand?”
“You murdered those men. I saw it!” she argued.
Viktor rolled his eyes. “Yes. I murdered the men who were there to murder you! Bloody hell woman, were you not there? A thank you is more appropriate than screaming in my face after what I went through to keep you alive. To think I was ready to take a dagger for you!”
She searched
her memories. It had all happened so fast. She was alone on the terrace watching the stars when a man appeared at her side and startled her. Before she could blink, he lay dead at her feet. Then Viktor appeared, and the fight broke out. Then the couple arrived. It was such a blur. This couldn’t be happening.
“Yes, I was there,” she spat. “I just don’t understand what happened. Why would someone want me dead?”
“That’s what I was about to ask you.” His eyes searched hers for an answer. “Someone wants you dead, and you aren’t safe until we find out who that is. So think hard. Who would it be?”
“Are you sure they wanted me dead? Maybe you had things all wrong? It doesn’t make sense. I can’t think of any reason someone would want to kill me.”
The realization began to set in that she had almost died tonight. Her lip trembled at the thought. Her mind searched for answers while she pushed back the tears that burned behind her eyes.
“Well?” he asked again, his head tipping in anticipation. Waiting. Demanding. “Who would want you dead?”
With one ragged breath, she lost the battle against her emotions. One by one, tears slipped from her eyes, each chasing the last down the path that dripped off her chin. “No one. There is no one who should want me dead.” Her voice cracked, a whimper followed.
“Bloody hell. No tears! I don’t do tears!”
She tried to choke them back, but it only made her cry harder. Sobs racked her body while the tears flowed freely now.
“I’m trying not to! I’m so scared! Don’t hurt me!”
“I’m not here to hurt you! If I wanted you hurt, dead or raped, don’t you think I would have done it by now?” Viktor’s voice weighed heavy with exasperation.
The thought of any of those outcomes brought on a surge of wails, fear gripping every inch of her body.
“Shite,” Viktor spat. He pulled up on the reins and the gelding came to a halt.
A rough hand slid underneath her chin, tipping it up to meet his softened gaze. “It’s all right, don’t cry. I’m sorry. You must be terrified. We are almost to where we are going and then we will sort this whole mess out.”
Nora searched his eyes for malice. Finding none, she sighed. His eyes reflected genuine concern where just a while ago, mischief had sparkled.
“I️ need you to trust me,” he continued. “I️ understand that is difficult given our situation, but I️ can assure you, I️ mean you no harm. There is no more capable man in the whole of England better suited to protect you. You are in good hands, and as long as you do as I say, I promise, no harm will come to you. Can you trust me?”
Nora felt her head nod up and down in agreement before she processed the question. Trust is not something she should give to the man she just saw slaughter another, but she felt wrapped in a cocoon of safety within his strong arms. A security she couldn’t deny. Something deep inside his eyes soothed her, and stopped the tears in their tracks.
“Good, I’m glad we can get past the screaming,” he joked. Nora sniffled away the last of her tears. “There is a place not far from here where no one will look for you. We can take refuge tonight, and tomorrow we will make things right.”
His finger brushed the last tear from her cheek, the gesture making her breath catch in her throat. Tenderness reflected back at her, not just in his touch, but from behind his eyes. She found herself falling deeper into his gaze.
His eyes lingered on hers for a moment before moving up toward the lanterns in the distance. She stared at his face a bit longer before following his line of sight. The cluck of his tongue urged the gelding back into a walk. She felt his arms tighten around her waist while he held her tight against him. It wasn’t an entirely unpleasant feeling if she was being honest.
Nora rode in silence the rest of the way, her mind reeling while it searched for clues about who might want her dead. The faint glow of the lanterns now illuminated the street that curved into the small village they entered. Several candles lit the windows, a sure sign she could scream for help now and someone would answer. Nora glanced back up at his face, his eyes falling down to hers. Something in them soothed her fears, dissipating any urges to call for help. Trust hovered just outside her reach, but her gut told her to take the risk. She heeded its advice, and fought the urge to run for help.
He pulled the gelding to a halt in front of a white house several stories high. Light flickered through all the windows, curious at such a late hour. The faint sounds of music and laughter rolled out from inside. It sounded like a lively party still raging long into the night.
“We’re here,” he said. He hopped off behind her, reaching up and grasping her around her waist. He lifted her to the ground before she could protest. A protective hand placed on the small of her back ushered her to the front door. He knocked three times.
“Enter!” a woman’s voice sung from inside.
Viktor turned his attention to Nora. “Now, I don’t want you to come undone again when I open this door. Remember, it’s just for a night and it’s for your safety.” His white teeth flashed again, the mischief returning to his eyes.
Nora blinked rapidly. Her breathing quickened and she now feared what lay behind this door. There wasn’t much time to react to his words before he swung the door wide open.
“I’m home, loves!” he shouted, barging through the door.
“Viktor!” a woman’s voice cried, this voice different from the last. Soon a chorus of “Viktor” chimed from dozens of women’s voices. Nora stood steadfast while she craned her neck and peered around his broad shoulders. Her face turned ashen when she saw them.
Women draped in next to nothing clamored to the door to see him. Their shrill squeals were as high as their partially exposed breasts. Kiss after kiss found their place on his cheeks while he rolled in laughter, greeting each one by name. Nora swallowed hard and took a healthy step backward. Viktor caught her by the arm and tugged her back to his side.
“Stay with me, love. I told you not to come undone,” he whispered.
“This is a whore house!” Nora squeaked, her voice louder than intended. A dozen sets of colorfully shadowed eyes all fell on her at once. She shrunk behind him, her hands grasping his coat.
“And who do we have here, Viktor?” A sultry voice rose above them all, hushing the chatter in an instant. Nora peered around his shoulder to see a raven-haired beauty descend the staircase. Black lace wrapped around her enviable curves leaving almost nothing to the imagination.
She sauntered down the stairs, one slow hip swinging a step at a time. Red lips curved in a seductive smile as she stepped through the women who parted before her like a sea of harlots.
“Vivian, my darling,” Viktor said, bending into a bow. As he bent at his waist, Nora stood frozen behind him, exposed in the gaping hole of dead air. He kissed the ivory hand she extended. His gallant action brought a surge of heat to Nora’s cheeks.
Piercing green eyes moved from Viktor’s to hers. Nora gasped as they invaded hers, a threatening gaze that sent a chill down her spine.
“A pleasure as always, Viktor,” Vivian cooed as he rose. Nora breathed a sigh of relief when his broad back popped back up, hiding her from the other woman’s lethal glare. “Aren’t you looking particularly dashing in that outfit tonight?” She reached out and fingered a gold button on his jacket. “And who may I ask is this lovely creature?”
“This, my darling, is a good friend in need. We are seeking refuge for the night, a place to lay low. I hope I wasn’t wrong in my assumptions you would be willing to assist us?”
Vivian didn’t respond for a moment. Nora fought the urge to poke her head around to see how the request had been met.
“I️ am always here to see to your every need, Viktor,” Vivian breathed. “Can I see this... friend of yours?”
Nora shuddered at the sound of her voice when she said friend. It sounded more like a threat than an invitation.
Viktor turned to face her. The look in his eye reassured her she wa
s safe. A nod of his head and a hand on her arm encouraged her up to his side. Nora shrunk before Vivian’s scrutinizing eyes.
“Your dress. It’s exquisite,” Vivian said, stepping forward. Her fingers traced the jewels that dotted the scooped neck of her gown. Nora shuddered at her touch, her knees quaking unseen beneath it. “They’re real. Incredible. This gown is worth more than you ladies make in a year.”
The women craned around, eyes wide as they examined the dress, but they stayed a safe distance behind the woman who commanded such respect from them.
“I am Vivian Bellarose. This is my establishment. And you are?” Her black eyebrow rose into a perfect peak, a stark contrast against her flawless olive skin.
Nora swallowed hard and struggled to find her tongue. The revelation that this woman owned this establishment caught her by surprise. In her world, women didn’t have power or control. Women listened to men. Men made the decisions. Men owned the businesses. An independent, powerful woman like the one standing before her was a concept that Nora had never even entertained. The fact she was roughly the same age as Nora in such a position of power was even more startling. The choice of her profession, however, still twisted a knot in her stomach.
Vivian stood silent awaiting her answer. Nora stammered over her words. “I, I am –”
“Her name is best left out of this if you don’t mind, Vivian.” Viktor inched closer to Nora, closing the space between them, his arm now rested against hers. In any other situation, having a strange man pressing up against her person would be highly inappropriate and immediately reprimanded. In this case, she pressed a little closer to him. Vivian may be beautiful, but the stunning woman intimidated Nora with her superior demeanor.
“Well, I suppose her name isn’t important. Any friend of yours is a friend of mine.” Nora could see her struggling to keep from rolling her eyes. Her knowing glance slipped from Nora and moved to Viktor. Nora sighed in relief as Vivian relinquished the full weight of her stare. “Now Viktor, do tell. Where have you been? You’ve been away too long.” Her red lip lowered into a pout.
Beneath The Assassin's Touch (Daggers 0f Desire Book 2) Page 4