by Marie Harte
That a man had any power over her at all spoke volumes about how far she’d fallen from the Amazonian dictates she’d been raised to believe. How could she think to return to a life where males were not only forbidden, but looked upon as inferior? Could she ever do enough to make up for the fact her mother and sisters had died because she’d been too busy having fun to do her duty?
Though selected a guardian, you were still a young girl when it happened. Your mother would not have wanted you to live with this guilt. Yara wouldn’t leave her thoughts today. Being around Hinto and his family reminded her of those she loved, those she’d left behind. Homesick for the past while wishing for a future with a man she’d never thought to have, Thais stared into the distance. She sensed Hinto approach before she felt him at her back. He did nothing more than hold her, and she blinked to prevent the tears from falling.
“It’s okay, honey. We’ll find them. I promise.” He kissed the top of her head.
“I feel lost,” she admitted. “I don’t know what to do.” About Hinto, about the future, about her worth to a now-vanished tribe.
“Lost, but not alone. Not anymore,” he whispered. “Thais, I hate to break it to you, but you have family here now.” He paused, and his voice was thick when he finished, “You have me.”
Chapter Seventeen
“Boy’s got more bees buzzing under his tail than a damn hive,” Dan grumbled three days later as he watched his sons argue in the middle of the corral. For the better part of an hour Hinto had tussled with Wolf to show he’d regained his strength, only to have Mahpee put him down with one swift kick to his thigh.
“Mahpee is much the warrior,” Thais said beside him.
They leaned against the railing of the corral, as did several of the ranch hands. Even the horses took note of the wild men tumbling in their training area. Beyond the vores watching with avid interest from a smaller pen, the Dakota boys made quite a ruckus as they tried to outdo one another.
“Mahpee’s a warrior, all right,” he said with quiet pride. “The best fighter of the bunch, but none of them can match Hinto’s hunting skills.”
He glanced at Thais out of the corner of his eye, aware she always focused her attention on his middle son. There was an energy about the pair that would have made his wife sit up and take notice. Sky had a feel for such things. He knew, had she been alive today, she’d have approved of the woman Hinto had chosen, even if his stubborn son refused to admit how he felt about the girl.
“Hinto exposes his weakness for all to see.” Thais scowled.
It hadn’t escaped his attention that the girl his son called an Amazon was chomping at the bit to find the Flower Gang. Woman had more than a run of violence in her, that much Dan could tell. Whether she could carry out her ill-intent remained to be seen. But Dan didn’t judge. Hell, if he’d been able, he’d have ripped through every one of the bastards who’d shot up the ranch those many years ago. No longer bitter, he nevertheless bore the scars of that terrible day, as did his family.
Wolf escaped from care with women, the joy of breaking in wild creatures, and farming, which had stunned Dan to no end. Mahpee avoided any woman who might make him think of Dana, which made his acceptance of Thais’s presence all the more interesting. And then there was Hinto. His mulish son refused to believe that death courted his father. The lung sickness wasn’t leaving this time. Just walking anymore took real effort to catch his breath. Though Dan had carefully planted the seeds Thais had given him days ago, he had no real hope that he’d live past the summer. He’d miss his boys, but he looked forward to seeing Sky again. She’d told him enough in dreams that she waited and watched. He wondered if she’d had a hand in throwing Thais and Hinto together, and smiled at the thought.
Thais’s exotic accent, in addition to her unique beauty, made her a prize for any man worth his salt. Hell, the hands had fallen in love with her from day one. Even the gruff and lumbering Rudy, who hated anyone not born and bred in Shine, had volunteered to help Thais with anything she might need. He’d fought with Jon to oversee the care of Thais’s mare while she stayed with them. Jon had ceded the fight and contented himself by guiding Thais on her many walks outside the ranch.
“Hinto, you put too much weight on your right leg. It’s an obvious sign of vulnerability,” Thais shouted, coaching her “partner.”
Though they kept pretty silent, Dan hadn’t missed the breathless cries from Hinto’s room the other night, and he couldn’t be happier for the pair. Still, he couldn’t wait for the downstairs to be completed. He didn’t exactly like knowing when his son and soon-to-be daughter made nice.
Hinto glared at her as he fought to his feet. “I know damn well how to fight. I don’t need your advice—” He whooshed out a breath as Wolf hit him hard in his middle and took him to the ground again.
“Yessir. That boy is as stubborn as the day is long. Like his mother.” Dan chuckled at the look Thais shot him. “Well, maybe he gets a bit of it from me. Now Wolf, he and I are a lot alike.”
“Charming and handsome. I’d agree.”
Dan flushed. “Well, ah, thank you.”
“And modest.” She grinned, the glory of feminine strength apparent in her vibrant green eyes. He had no doubt she’d breed strong sons, and hopefully, stronger daughters.
“I give him another day or so. He knows how much you want to leave,” Dan said softly, sorry to see the joy fade from her gaze, but needing to say what was on his mind. “You’re taking Rudy, Jon, Mick and Salvatore with you. No arguments.”
Her lips flattened.
“From what Hinto’s told me about what you’re facing, you’ll need the help. No matter how good you may be with that knife, you can’t outrace a bullet, Thais. Or a dozen bullets, for that matter. Butch McKenzie and his men are killers.”
“This I know,” she said stiffly.
Dan sighed. “Talk about stubborn. Thais, Hinto told me about you, about your troubles. Now don’t get angry. He wanted to help.”
“He had no right to share this.”
“Didn’t he?”
She flushed and glanced away.
“Honey, you’re family now, whether you want to admit it or not. I know my boy, and he’s takin’ a real shine to you. He’s not going to let you go. Not ever.”
“But I don’t want him to.”
“You don’t want him to let you go?”
“Yes. No. I wish he would not be so, so—” she followed that with a flurry of language Dan couldn’t understand.
“Thais, you need to know something about Hinto. He’s a lot like my dearly departed Sky. Takes a promise to heart and never breaks it. He feels deep, and he’s fierce about those he loves.” He speared her with a look she couldn’t ignore and was pleased to see a flush on her cheeks. “My wife and I taught all of my sons to respect the good earth and the people on it. My Hinto, he’s special. I gather you’ve already seen him track the impossible.”
She nodded, her gaze intent.
“The sky rocks. They affected him, just like they affected Dozie. Woman knows things, and she’s never been wrong. Hinto, well, he can sense the living from a distance. Boy can track just about anything once he sets his mind to it.”
She didn’t seem surprised or dismayed by what he’d said.
“You’ve seen him do it, eh?”
Thais nodded, not realizing what that meant.
“If you tell the UTO about what you saw, they’d string Hinto up by his toes.”
She frowned. “Why?”
“Because if it doesn’t fit the Nature Laws, the UTs want to kill it. Nothing Hinto does hurts the land or its people. But it’s different, something the UTs can’t explain. Hinto trusts you, or he never would have shown you what he can do.”
“Yes, he trusts me. As I trust him. Not many know where I come from. But Hinto has earned my respect. He’s a good man. I don’t want him hurt by what I must do.”
“You can’t dictate his actions, Thais. He’s a man full grown, muc
h as I call him a boy. He’ll do what he must. He took a bullet for you once, and he’ll gladly do it again.”
She grimaced. “I would that he not be so brave.”
He chuckled. “We’re talking about Hinto. He doesn’t know how to be any other way.”
“Your wife was blessed by the Goddess. She must have been a truly good woman to have born such sons and to have married a fine man.”
“My Sky was a special lady, and I miss her.”
“I’m sure you see her when you look on your family. You must be very proud.”
Dan swelled with satisfaction. Damn it all, Thais loved his son. He could feel it. “So when are you gonna give me some grandbabies?”
She sputtered in shock. “I—I—Amazons do not breed.”
“From the stories I’ve been told, Amazons don’t leave the jungle and they hate men. Yet here you are. Thais, if your women never breed, how do you procreate? Where do your warriors come from?”
“From, ah, well, some do breed. But only those who are chosen by the queen.” She swallowed hard, and he recalled what else Hinto had said about her people. That they were all but gone.
“She may be gone, honey, but you’re still here. You’re a warrior, yes. A woman, yes. But you can be and do whatever you want to,” Dan said softly. “My Mahpee, there. When Dana died, he died inside too. Felt the same guilt and failure for not being able to prevent her death. Almost left this world full of hate and a loathing for himself. But love saved him, love for his family, and for himself. We can’t go back and undo the past.
“Much as Hinto wants to drag my sorry butt across the Divide, it’s not gonna happen. I’m content to sit the rest of my days with my family in a place I love. We’re all meant to die at some point. It’s the living you do while you’re here that counts.”
She studied him, clearly troubled. “You would have me forget the oath I made to my queen?”
“No, honey. I’d have you share your troubles. Take help when it’s freely given. Find the justice you need and use it to heal those aching wounds so you can see to the future. Live to honor your mother’s memory. It’s a hard thing, I know. The first days, hell, the first years after Sky passed, I struggled each day just to get up in the morning. But I had the boys, and they needed me. Hinto told me about your sisters out there. They need you, and Hinto needs you, too. There’s so much more power in living, and living well.”
Dan leaned close and gave Thais a hug. She stiffened in his arms, but he thought he detected a subtle softening before he let go. “I’d be pleased to call you daughter, you know,” he said, unable to help his gruff voice.
She blinked rapidly. “I… I have to think on what you’ve said.”
“You do that. Why don’t you go on in and let Dozie make you some of her famous cookies. Good for what ails you.” He winked, hoping she didn’t see the glaze of tears he could feel gathering.
“Yes, cookies,” she murmured and left him with an uncertain smile.
As soon as she left, Hinto dragged himself to his father’s side. “What’s wrong? What did you say to her?”
Mahpee and Wolf joined them.
“Can’t a man talk to his future daughter with a little bit of privacy?”
“Future daughter?” Wolf whooped. “Hell, Hinto. Why didn’t you say anything before? If I’d known you were serious, I wouldn’t have been invitin’ her to my room the past few days.”
He lost his grin and grunted in pain when Hinto’s elbow connected with his gut.
“Ass.” Mahpee sneered. He turned his gaze to Hinto, his expression sober. “I hope you know what you’re doing.”
“I’m not doing anything. Dad—”
“Don’t play games, son. You’re heading back into danger, not for me, but for that Amazon you’re so fixed on. I like her. Your brothers like her. Hell, even Rudy likes her.”
Hinto frowned. “He does?”
“Even Dozie’s warmed to her some. Let her in the kitchen yesterday,” Mahpee added.
Wolf raised his brow. “No shit?”
“Point is,” Dan interrupted, “that woman needs your help. She’s confused and from what you’ve said, mired in a well of guilt. She needs you. And if you’re set on keeping her, which we all know you are, you need to help her fix what’s broken.”
Hinto swore. “Don’t you think I’ve tried that?”
“Maybe you could show her what to do.”
“What do you mean?”
Dan knew the time had come. “She needs to let go of the past to find her place in the now.” He paused, looking each of his sons in the eye before settling on Hinto. “Twenty years ago I lost your mother. I’ve missed her ever since. Five years ago, a terrible thing happened out here to all of us. But life moves on, and we move with it. Hinto, I’m not crossing the IZ.”
“No, we talked about this.”
“You talked about this. I’ve told your brothers, and they’re okay with my decision. I want to spend my days here with my family in my home. Not gallivanting around the damned Divide. Son, you know the kind of trouble we’ll have trying to cross. Besides the hefty fees, you need to be in the best shape possible to make it out alive. I can’t do it.”
“You can. I’ll help you.”
Dan settled a hand on Hinto’s strong shoulder. “Son, I love you. I really do. But I’m not going.”
Frustration, anger, and fear filled him until Hinto wanted to explode. “You can’t do this,” he choked. “Dad, you’ll die.”
“We’re all gonna die, son. My time’s coming sooner, is all. I’m not giving up, mind you. But even if I made it across the Divide, there’s no guarantee the doctors in the East can help me. You know that.”
“But it’s a chance.”
“Yeah,” Mahpee interrupted. “A chance at losing Dad a lot sooner. Forget it, Hinto. He’s not going.” Mahpee crossed his arms.
“Fuck you.”
“Nice.” Wolf shook his head. “Hinto, we know you’ve been busting your ass for years. Hell, if Dad keeps the gold, he can really get to work on the house. The house he wants to enjoy while he’s still alive.”
Mahpee added in a low drawl, “Yeah, stick around long enough this time and you can help out around here.”
“That’s what this is really about,” Hinto lashed out at his brother, infuriated they all seemed against him. Didn’t they know how much it hurt to leave each time? To know one day he might return only to find his father gone? “You’re just pissed I left you here. Well it’s not a party, asshole. I’m hunting scum because no one else will. It’s dangerous.”
“Yeah, Thais seems real dangerous,” Mahpee mocked.
Hinto struck him in a fit of rage. Mahpee took the blow to his jaw but didn’t fight back, making Hinto feel even worse.
“Mahpee, you’re out of line,” their father said. “Hinto, I know you want the best for me. I really do. But son, ask me what I want.”
“Well, Dad? What do you want? You want to quit us, to quit this life?”
“Ah, Hinto. I don’t want to leave you. I won’t lie and say I wouldn’t mind seeing Sky again. But I want to see my grandchildren first. I want to see my boys married off and happy.” He glanced at Mahpee, who refused to meet his eyes. “I want to see you hobble that wild Amazon of yours and settle here with us. I don’t like you leaving us each time, never knowing if you’ll come back. I worry for you, and that’s taking its own kind of toll.”
Hinto blanched at the sight of his father’s sorrow. “Dad, I—”
“Let me do what I want to do, Hinto. Stop trying to save me and let me enjoy this time I have left.” He gave Hinto a watery smile. “Who knows? Maybe your woman’s magic seeds will grow into the plant that cures me.”
Wolf wrapped an arm around his father’s shoulders. “Hell yeah. Look at how fast Hinto’s leg healed. Only twinges now and then, right?”
Wanting to believe yet scared to, Hinto agreed just to set everyone’s mind at ease. “Yeah, sure.”
“I kn
ow it isn’t easy, son. It wasn’t easy to watch Sky waste of the sickness, and it wasn’t easy to see Mahpee take such a blow when Dana passed. He’s still suffering, but too damned ornery to stop.”
“Dad.” Maphee sighed.
“You help your Amazon, then you come back home with her. We’ll make it work, you’ll see.”
Damned if Hinto didn’t want his father’s version of a happily ever after. Seeing the hope in his face, the plea to finally let him go, Hinto couldn’t deny what he’d known for some time.
“Shit. Okay. Fine. Once I’m done with the McKenzies, I’ll…I—” He stuttered, not trusting he could say what he now understood, what his brothers had known all along.
“We’ll be waiting for you,” Mahpee said quietly. “Dad will be right here. He’s not going anywhere without seeing you and Thais battle it out.” Mahpee’s ghost of a smile undid him.
Hinto nodded once and left before bursting into goddamn tears before his family. He heard his father murmur, “Let him go. He’ll be alright,” and wanted to hit something. He wouldn’t be all right. Not for a long time. But maybe with Thais’s help, he could manage well enough to take care of the McKenzies and return with the woman of his heart. Enough to patch the wounds in his soul, if not heal him completely.
He found Beast waiting for him outside the barn, as if the vore knew what he needed.
“Let’s go for a ride, fella. I need some air.”
Beast snorted once and took off in a fierce gallop, giving Hinto the brief respite of freedom, for all that it would last.