My Assassin Lover
Page 10
Wolf knew by watching her she was still frightened; her body language was something she couldn't hide from him. Her shoulders curled inward in a defensive, protective position, her small hand shook ever so slightly. He had scared her terribly this afternoon. Wolf hoped it had worked. He didn't want to hurt her; he had been dismayed at the marks forming on her arm. He hadn't realized his grip had been so tight. He was furious with himself. He had been the cause of her bleeding. He hadn't meant for her to be injured.
Wolf had no interest in killing people he was not contracted to; the people he went after were loathsome, vile, disgusting murderers who killed at random; they preyed on innocents. He had no interest in ending Todd's life. He realized if he killed Todd in front of her, Casey would never talk. More than likely she would be so traumatized she would never speak again in her life.
Besides, the man before him was harmless; it would be a shame to have to end his life. He was an innocent, after all. Wolf realized he would be able to frighten him into silence, yet it could get messy, brutal. Men were harder than women. He also couldn't blame him for wanting Casey, as long as he never touched her again.
“So, you two known each other long?” Todd asked between large mouthfuls.
“Long enough,” Wolf replied. He handed Casey a clam that she dutifully accepted.
Todd watched the exchange between the two. It was easy for Wolf to see that Todd knew Casey was afraid and also that he, Todd, wasn't the cause. Wolf's fingerprints were still vivid on her arm and a nasty bruise was just peeking from under her shirt on her ribs. She winced when she tucked her legs beneath herself, favoring her one knee. Wolf saw Todd's eyes dart to the bloody wrapping around her toe.
“So, you're getting married?” Todd asked.
Wolf could tell the man knew Casey was still fearful. He sensed his curious concern. He knew he needed to settle this, now.
“Yes,” Wolf replied shortly, his impassive look settled on Todd in a somewhat challenging manner.
Casey slumped beside him. He considered that not only would she have to pretend she did not fear him, she had to act like she was in love with him. But, Casey had promised him anything; if she broke her promise she would be afraid of what Wolf would do. She was going to have to play the part to the best of her ability. He knew she would.
Wolf threw his empty shells and the other remains of his dinner into the fire; he set his bone plate off to the side. He then pulled Casey close with both large arms. She smiled up into his face and pressed herself against him. Wolf leaned down and kissed her tenderly. Casey stayed completely submissive, allowing him whatever he wished.
Wolf took note as Todd noticeably relaxed and realized he was no longer speculating about Casey. Wolf would have to be careful. They would be in tight quarters until rescued. He was going to have to keep Casey fearful, yet not enough that she would eventually run screaming from him in terror. This was an inconvenience.
Damn!
It wasn't long before night closed in once more on the survivors. The men had gathered enough wood to last well past the night and into the morning. Casey settled next to Wolf. She had no choice; for the most part his hands remained within close proximity, as if to stop a hasty departure on her part. But Casey was no coward; she would not abandon Todd to Wolf's wrath.
She yawned. It had been a long day and she was exhausted. She hoped now that Todd was here Wolf would leave her alone. Though his lovemaking proved fascinating, Casey admitted to herself she felt overwhelmed by him. He seemed intent on possessing every inch of her.
Blushing, Casey also admitted to herself she liked the feel of his powerful, yet gentle hands on her. However, when she gazed upon her sore arm, she realized also that his powerful hands could hurt. Her knee ached as well, and she tried to stretch it out. Wolf had hurt her when he had said he wouldn't. Every time he had seduced her, she had listened when he had voiced he would cause her no harm. The thought resounded through her head, his betrayal ate at her. She knew she had slipped, yet he had stopped her. He hadn't needed to hurt her so badly or frighten her the way he did; a stern warning would have sufficed. She was once again terrified of him.
Casey lay herself down and listened as the men conversed. Todd was a very curious man, yet liked to talk more. She was positive Wolf would know his whole life's story shortly.
Casey wondered about the red-headed woman. She heard Todd say he was also to be married, and then he launched into a detailed description of his fiancee. She had suspected it hadn't been the voluptuous red-haired girl aboard the yacht. More likely he had come aboard ship hoping to have a last fling. Hopefully, it was a last fling. The poor man's fiancee. Men! She would never understand them. Perhaps that was not such a bad thing, she surmised. Casey closed her eyes and, with a heavy heart, she slept.
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Chapter Nine
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Casey awoke to Wolf's hands roaming over her body. She tensed beneath him; a whimper escaped her lips before she could quell it.
“Easy,” Wolf soothed.
“But, Wolf...Todd,” Casey said, full of embarrassment.
“Todd has been encouraged to take a long walk,” Wolf replied. Smoothly he rolled her beneath himself.
“Wolf,” Casey whispered up at him pleadingly.
“How would it look if two young lovers didn't need time alone?” Wolf inquired.
Casey lay beneath him submissively, although this time she knew it would be different. Her mind was in turmoil, recoiling from her disturbing thoughts. She remained unmoving and quiet; her arms lay limp at her sides. She knew Wolf would not become physically violent with her, preferring to seduce her. She also knew he would not be able to encourage a response this time.
He had hurt her yesterday. She could see the bruising that had formed on her arm; as Wolf raised her knees gently, she took note one hurt and remained blood-smeared. She let her tears drop, but offered no sound as his hands continued to fondle her body, removing her clothing.
The coaxing, sweet words he always whispered she knew now were false. He would not protect her, or take care of her. She would not be fine. If she angered him, he would kill her without mercy. He was, after all, an assassin, a killer.
Casey tensed as Wolf felt for her readiness with a careful, probing finger. Her hands balled into fists at her sides, she gritted her teeth. She was not ready for him. She did not want him. She began to shake, feeling repulsed as he moved closer to her. His lips, as always, trailed tenderly down her throat. He nuzzled at her neck. He breathed her name soothingly into her ear. She could feel his heat gently pressing against her slowly, cautiously.
She moaned as he moved over her, teasing as always, while he waited for her willing acceptance. She could feel her body's traitorous response; her arms almost lifted of their own accord to clasp him tighter, but her mind would not give in to the pleasure he still invoked within her. Her tears flowed steadily as mind and body battled; she did not want him, she decided. Her mind won the battle... or did it? She sobbed at the thought, overwhelmed with confusion. She tried to remain quiet, not wanting to draw unnecessary attention to her taut features. She hoped he would stop his silly attempts at seducing her and just finish swiftly.
Wolf looked down into Casey's pale face, realizing something was seriously wrong. She looked as though he were hurting her. She was crying softly, her lips clamped shut to stop any noise. Her eyes were squeezed closed. Her body remained tense and rigid beneath him.
“It's all right, Casey, you're fine,” Wolf soothed, trying to calm her.
She remained quiet. He continued to rub at her body tenderly, although she still remained tight and unyielding. Her chin began to quiver; a sob escaped her lips. Feeling tremendous concern, Wolf removed himself from on top of her and once more tried to arouse her. He gently kissed at her tears. He stroked her, and again he was whispering encouraging words. This only brought about more sobbing, and his concern and confusion mounted.
“Just do it,” Casey finally whispered. Her eyes remained closed . Her breathing was ragged from her weeping.
“I won't hurt you,” Wolf coaxed, stroking the hair from her face.
“You already have,” Casey sobbed. When she opened her eyes to look at him, Wolf was startled to see her pain was impaling. “I will do as you say to save his life. I will play your foolish games. I will accept you, but I will never want you willingly again. Go ahead, take me. That is all you do, take. Take lives, take me.” Casey pulled her hands up to cover her face. Wolf moved away from her, and she pulled herself into a tight ball. She continued to weep.
“Get dressed, Casey,” Wolf said softly.
Still swiping at tears, Casey dressed and headed for the falls, stumbling. She stepped under the water fully clothed and gave in to the heart-wrenching sobs she needed to express. She realized she had allowed herself to get too close to him; this was her own fault for being so damned naive. When finally spent, she emerged, exhausted, and she returned to their small fire, where she noted Todd was now sitting, conversing with Wolf. She lowered herself to the ground and sat with her head bowed.
“Are you all right, Casey?” Todd asked with concern .
“I don't feel very well,” Casey whispered. Her head was pounding. She ached inside from her hurtful emotions. Once more lying down, she curled into a tight ball. Her arms covered over her face, and weeping, she soon retreated into the safety of slumber.
“Poor little thing, she must be so scared out here. It's a good thing she has you to depend on. I know my own fiancee; if she were alone or with strangers out here she would just curl up and die of fright,” Todd said with pity as Casey's tears dried upon her face.
Wolf scowled. Casey wasn't just with strangers; she was out here with a man who was sent to kill her, a man who had seduced her and threatened her life and the life of another unless she obeyed. Wolf had frightened her, all right. He had implanted his wrath so deeply within her that her mental health was suffering.
But that was what Wolf had wanted, he thought, to frighten her into keeping quiet. Looking at her defeated form, Wolf realized two things. He could no longer seduce her because he had physically hurt her, when he had promised not to, and he would not force her. The thought sickened him. Also, he was hungry, and she was the one who found and cooked the food.
Damn!
Wolf had outsmarted himself.
“I guess maybe bananas and mangos aren't so bad after all,” Todd mused, as his tummy rumbled. He rose to his feet, intent on looking for sustenance. “Think she'll be feeling better by dinner?” he asked Wolf.
Wolf glared dangerously up at him. Todd walked hurriedly away.
When Casey woke it was early afternoon. She slowly pulled herself into a sitting position, rubbing on the sand that had dried on her clothing. Casey was beginning to loathe sand. Right about now snow would be welcome. Sighing, she jumped when she spotted Wolf across from her, watching her intently; she was unable to discern his look. Casey bowed her head immediately and wrapped her arms protectively around herself. She glanced about in an obvious search for Todd. He was not around.
“We need to talk,” Wolf informed her. He had been watching her sleep, growing more concerned as the hours passed. Her body had remained completely motionless while curled within her tight ball. Wolf had been wondering if she had shut entirely down. He had witnessed others do that before, battling fear so great their minds takes them to a place that is unreachable. Threat of death does not exist, pain does not exist. They, in fact, no longer exist. He was relieved she had awakened.
“Fine, let's talk.” She interrupted him before he could continue. “You tell me when you take me you won't hurt me, but look at my arm. It hurts when I move it. You say you will protect me, but what good is that when I need someone to protect me from you? You say you will be gentle, but you dragged me through the jungle and then threw me to the ground and made me bleed.
“Before, your words were so comforting to listen to, but you lie. I know that now. You are keeping me alive for company. When a boat comes you will kill me, won't you? And Todd? Our lives mean nothing to you. My life means nothing to you, I am nothing to you. Why don't you just get it over with?”
“Is that what you want?”
“I want to go away, Wolf. I don't even have a home to go to anymore. I think that was why I so willingly listened to your kind words. I so desperately needed kindness. Whether David kills me or you do, what does it matter? I can die now or later. We both know he will try again, even if you do permit me to live,” Casey said.
“I can't let you tell who or what I am,” Wolf told her. “I promise you I will spare your lives if you swear you will say nothing and mean it.”
Casey summed him up, wanting so badly to believe, but either way knowing in the end she had no choice. “I won't tell Todd, I don't want him killed. If it makes you feel better, you won't have long to worry if I will talk once we get rescued. David will take care of that if you don't,” Casey said.
“You could hide,” Wolf suggested.
“No. Where could I go that another like you wouldn't find me? But I would like to thank you. You could have killed me already without compassion. You could have hurt me very badly when you took me, but instead you were patient and gentle. I think I know why. My friend and I still don't have that in common. I will still play whatever games you want to keep Todd alive, but please don't expect me to believe your lies anymore. We both know I am not safe with you, we both know you will not protect me or keep me from harm. I won't fight you. I can't, I'm too afraid.”
“You swear you will say nothing to Todd?”
“I will not be responsible for his or anyone else's death, I swear on my parents’ graves,” Casey vowed.
Wolf could see she was earnest. He had originally spared her life because he believed she was no liar and an innocent. He believed her now. Her pale face was drawn and haggard. She looked so alone and afraid. She was lost. He was moved to take her into his arms to console her. Wolf gathered her shaking form closely, knowing he was the cause of her great fear. She recoiled from him as he once more pressed against her bruised arm.
“Oh,” she cried out in pain, controlling the tears that once more threatened.
“I won't hurt you ever again, sweetheart, I swear it,” Wolf was compelled to say. He shifted her against himself. Gently he stroked at the angry marks.
He could tell Casey did not believe him. She perhaps once again felt it was his lame attempt at seducing her. She remained tight and unyielding in his arms, until Todd ventured back into camp. At once, Casey relaxed in Wolf's grip and even reached for him, returning his embrace. When Wolf kissed her forehead, she reached up to trail a slender hand down his rough face.
“You need a shave, handsome,” Casey remarked, playing the dutiful lover.
“Oh, thank God. You look so much better,” Todd exclaimed in obvious relief. His tummy rumbled in protest.
“I'm sorry about that, I was just feeling a bit overwhelmed from yesterday,” she replied.
“Look, I really am sorry. I don't usually come on so strong...well at least not nearly that strong. I was just so happy to see you. I'm sorry I scared you so badly,” Todd apologized, looking somewhat chagrined.
“It's all right,” Casey replied a bit tightly. Todd naturally assumed her great fear had been caused by him. He had no idea what peril he was in. Warning him would cost him his life. Casey removed herself from Wolf's embrace and rose shakily to her feet.
“Where are you going?” Wolf asked.
“To find something to eat; I can hear both of your bellies rumbling,” Casey said, smiling. Wolf noted she could not encourage the smile to enter her tired, fearful eyes.
“I'll come with you,” Wolf said, beginning to rise.
“No,” Casey ex
claimed, stilling his movement. Then replied, “I mean, you just relax, honey. I'm a big girl, I don't need a babysitter.”
Wolf studied her. He remembered he had asked her yesterday if she wanted him to babysit her while she sought food and she had been overcome with embarrassment. She was still smiling at him, but he could see the stirrings of defiance in her eyes.
Perhaps it would be best to allow her some time alone. He had no doubt she would return. Inwardly, he was impressed with her tenacity once more. After everything she had been through, she was still able to bounce back, although he was unwilling to give her the upper hand so readily.
“That's fine, sweetheart, Todd can stay and keep me company,” Wolf said, making sure Casey understood the underlying threat. She bowed her head, the defiance leaving her eyes.
“I won't be gone long,” she said, and moved off.
Casey wandered the shoreline, searching, yet not searching for anything edible. The clams were easy to find. She gave a wide berth to the dead jellyfish that rolled in and out with the gentle waves caressing the shoreline. She sighed. It was such a beautiful day. Not one cloud dotted the crystal clear, blue sky.
Casey became thoughtful. She realized, while pondering her dilemma, Wolf would not kill her or cause her greater harm, at least until they were found. He appreciated her aptitude at finding sustenance. He also did not want to be left entirely alone. She could understand the concept; she would hate to be out here all alone.
She knew Wolf would not have allowed Todd to hurt her, though felt that was more of a possessive thing, not a protective instinct. She realized she would have to keep up the pretense of wanting Wolf close whenever Todd was around, to keep him from becoming suspicious. Casey felt overwhelmed, knowing the fate of another's life was in her hands. She didn't know how Wolf could make an occupation of it.