Dallas at Midnight [Midnight in Montana 1] (Siren Publishing Classic)

by Bella Settarra

  “I’ll do it,” she said, sitting on the floor of the boat. He wasn’t exactly gentle, and her leg throbbed. He held her in place between his knees as he sat down.

  “See? Told you she was keen, didn’t I?” Ed sneered and she looked around at the other two guys who were lazily draped on the bench-seat. They were two of the men who had been in the house the night she’d left. The one at the wheel had his back to her, but she guessed he must be the ‘photographer’.

  Pain seared through her as she tried to remove the second boot, and she realized that blood was pouring from her leg. Pieces of plastic and glass from the van’s back light were still jutting out from her skin and she hissed as she tried to pull them out.

  “Watch what you’re doing, you stupid bitch!” Ed spat at her as blood dripped onto the floor.

  She was certainly seeing him for the heartless bastard he was today! Dallas finally managed to remove the second boot and pull off her socks, just as they pulled up alongside a larger boat.

  “You won’t be needing those,” he snarled as she went to pick up her boots and clothing. He grabbed her roughly by the arms and hauled her up. Someone was waiting to take her from his grip, and she was passed like a sack of potatoes over the side and into the larger boat. This one was sleek and she guessed it would move a lost faster than the small one. It held about six guys who all looked like businessmen, although with Ed Powell’s friends it was hard to tell how genuine they were.

  Hands grabbed at her body as they “helped” her on board, and she shuddered. Ed followed her on, and the two guys from the other boat clambered on before the guy in the wheel house started up the engine again. It was getting dark now but this boat was well lit up.

  “Right, bitch—I wanna know how much you’ve told the cops before I decide how nice I’m gonna be with you, understand?” Ed’s tone had changed completely as he threw her onto the seat which ran the perimeter of the ship’s well. She was jammed between two men, who seemed delighted at her proximity, and she froze.

  One of the men obviously noticed her foot. “She’s bleeding, Ed.”

  “She’ll be bleeding a damn site more than that when I’m finished with her.” Ed Powell’s expression was feral as he snarled at her.

  Dallas gasped. There were nine or ten men in this boat, and just her. She didn’t stand a chance as they sped off down the lake.

  “I–I didn’t tell them anything. I don’t know anything,” she told him in a weak voice.

  “Then how come they were onto me the minute you ran out on me?” His voice was gruff and his eyes were mean.

  Dallas shook her head. “I swear, I didn’t know anything. I don’t know why they were after you.”

  “Maybe you’ll have to refresh that memory of hers, Ed?” A portly guy on the other side of the well called over to him, jeering.

  Ed grinned wickedly. Dallas’s mouth went dry and the sick feeling returned to her stomach.

  “Y’all wanna watch?” Ed was already removing his shirt, and whoops and hollers resounded around the boat.

  Dallas felt herself go very hot and bile rose in her throat. She looked around for help, but the guys were all leering at her.

  Ed had already heeled off his loafers and was unfastening his belt, licking his lips as he stared at her.

  Panic gripped her and she squirmed back into the seat. Suddenly a hand was on her breast and she looked up to see the guy to her right ogling her lecherously as he squeezed her soft flesh through the thin lace of her bra.

  “Warming her up for me, are you Hank? That’s mighty neighborly of you, pal.” Ed’s voice was as rough as gravel as he opened his fly.

  “Anytime, Ed. Can’t wait for my turn, that’s all,” Hank said, pinching her so hard it hurt.

  “You’ll have to be quick—they’re onto us!” A shout came from the wheelhouse.

  All eyes looked ahead, to where a couple of speeding boats could be seen on the horizon. Dallas’s heart leaped, until Ed looked back to her with a derisive look. “Don’t get your hopes up, bitch. We can outrun ’em. Gonna be a bumpy ride though, in more ways than one!”

  Guffaws and sneers rippled around the boat and Dallas felt Ed yank her to her feet.

  “You gonna take these off or am I?” He was staring at her jeans.

  “I will,” she said quickly, hoping she could stall for time.

  He gave her a scornful look. “Well, hurry it up, slut, or there’s plenty people here who’ll help you out.”

  She tried to ignore the mocking laughter of the passengers, and slowly her trembling fingers fiddled with her zip.

  “Fuck it—you’re not giving them a striptease, you filthy whore! Give it here!” Ed grabbed at her waist and yanked at the soaked jeans which clung to her body. It obviously wasn’t as easy as he’d hoped and he cursed as he wrenched them from her skin.

  Dallas let out a scream as he tore the material over her wounded leg.

  “Shut the fuck up!” he jeered angrily.

  She was shaking and crying as she stood in the well of the boat in just her underwear. The men around her were leering at her and shouting out lewd suggestions. For a few seconds Dallas thought her life was over, and then a sudden image of Shane flashed in front of her eyes and she felt hot and angry.

  Jutting out her chin, she felt her face tense as she looked the motherfucker in the eye. “You are one son of a bitch! How dare you blame me for your downfall? You’ve done nothing but lie and cheat to me and all your friends.” She waved a hand around the people sat in the boat. “Now everyone knows your game and you try to land the blame on anyone but yourself! Take some damn responsibility for your own actions for once! You’ve fucked up and now you have to pay the price! Everyone knows that drugs and money laundering are a mug’s game and guess what? You’re the mug!” She jabbed him in the chest as she yelled the accusation and he looked genuinely shocked for a second or two. There were gasps and mutterings from the men around them, and then pain seared through her as Ed grabbed her by the hair and threw her violently onto the floor of the boat.

  She felt the weight of his body over her and his hands mauled at her breasts, pushing the lace of her bra out of the way so he could grab and molest her soft flesh in the worst way possible. His breath was rank as his lips nipped painfully at her neck and throat.

  The boat swayed violently to the port and Ed rolled sideways. Dallas heard the men shout as they grabbed the sides, but she was busy sliding out from beneath the hefty bastard. She realized that they must have been trying to evade the cops and her heart leaped. Next the boat pitched heavily to the stern and bodies rolled down toward her. Quickly Dallas shot up and pulled herself up onto the seat. As the jolt of the boat caused the men to tumble toward her she took advantage of the momentum and threw herself over the side. A couple of other bodies flew off with her, and she swam hard to avoid them.

  The dark air was filled with screams and yells, but Dallas didn’t look back. Without the weight of her clothes, she was able to glide through the water. She gritted her teeth and forced her leg to comply. Her heart was pounding and she threw herself into every stroke.

  Suddenly she was under the water and a great weight was on top of her. Panicking, she flailed her arms, punching and grabbing the body which was pushing her further into the deep. Strength came from nowhere and she found herself throwing her body into her assailant. She met the fresh air with a gasp and pushed the fucker away from her. Panting hard, she saw Ed Powell resurface. He looked treacherous as he reached for her again, but she dodged his arm and he ploughed back under the black water without her. Dallas swam for her life as she felt him gaining on her once more. She took in a deep breath, ready for his onslaught, and he pounced on top of her, thrusting her head deep into the murky lake. Her eyes were open and adrenaline was pumping through her like a combustion engine. She could just make out the shadowy darkness of his body as she went down and she made a last-ditch grasp for his balls. Squeezing the living daylights out of them gave her more plea
sure than she had ever experienced, barring making love to Shane.

  His body crumpled as he folded into the water, releasing his grip on her head. She shot up, gasping for air, and was gratified to see his eyes bulging as his head finally sank.

  She shivered in a daze as a boat drew up alongside her in the dark, and hands reached down to pull her from the water. Thinking it was those bastards again she hit out and tried to fight them off.

  “Easy, darlin’,” a familiar voice soothed in her ear, and her heart melted in an instant. Strong arms surrounded her trembling body, and the scent of the man she loved enveloped her in warm security.

  She snuggled into Shane’s ripped chest as she was lifted from the icy water. Her hands reached for his neck and she wrapped herself around him, sobbing her heart out. A warm towel was draped over her freezing body and she could hear voices all around her but no words. She was being rocked steadily to and fro, and soothing sounds were being whispered into her ears. Gradually her heart slowed and her sobbing eased. Her eyes were still closed but she knew that she was in the safety of Shane Patrick, her rescuer, her hero, her lover.

  Chapter 12

  Dallas slowly opened her eyes, blinking hard to focus. As the haze lifted she was aware of two deep blue orbs gazing back at her.

  “Hi, sweetheart.” Shane’s voice was deep and gentle as he softly stroked her cheek.

  She gazed into his beautiful face as a strange calmness surrounded her. The earth seemed to have stopped turning. Everything was still and quiet in her world as she took in the man in front of her. She felt a smile cross her lips, mirrored in the gorgeous guy facing her.

  “You’re safe. You’re at the hospital but I can take you home soon. Ed Powell’s behind bars, as well as a whole heap of his so-called friends, including that double-crossing bastard, Jake Johnson.” Shane had obviously not lost his knack for information overload, and she struggled to understand what he was saying, but it didn’t really matter. She understood “safe” and “take you home.” She didn’t need anything other than that. He was here with her and she couldn’t want for more.

  “Hi.” A young nurse suddenly appeared at her other side with a thermometer in her hand. “I’ll just check your vitals. How are you feeling today?”

  Dallas felt like she was in some kind of dream. Nothing had seemed real since she was pulled from the water. Her head was full of marshmallow and she couldn’t think straight to save her life. She made a quick inventory of her body. A dull throb came from her leg, or her foot, or somewhere down there, and she felt generally achy and tired, but that was about all.

  “I’m OK,” she muttered.

  “Great. When you’re ready you can sit in the chair for a while and they’ll bring your lunch over in about an hour. If you’re still OK after that we might just let this man of yours take you home.” The nurse grinned over at Shane and Dallas guessed he had been badgering the staff for permission to get her out of here. He didn’t look at all comfortable in a place like this, and she guessed he probably hated hospitals as much as she did.

  “Do you want some water?” Shane offered once the nurse had gone.

  She nodded and he helped her sit up. Her head seemed a little clearer once she was upright, and she looked around the small side-room. “Small” was the operative word, and poor Shane looked like he was struggling to get comfortable in that tiny bucket chair they’d given him. The poor guy was far too muscular for hospital furniture, and she sniggered as she watched him.

  “Are you laughing at me?” He cocked a sexy eyebrow, and Dallas flushed as she remembered what had happened the last time he had caught her giggling at him. She felt her pussy clench and a warm feeling flowed through her whole body.

  She smiled at him sexily. “Is that a problem?”

  “Not a problem for me, darlin’. I get to take you home with me tonight, and guess what? We’ve still got houseguests so have a guess whose bed you’ll be sleeping in?” His voice was husky and did unholy things to her girly-parts. His face was shining and his eyes twinkled. Dallas couldn’t avoid the hot liquid which suddenly gushed from her aching pussy, and she blushed.

  “I’m guessing by that look that you’ve already worked out what revenge I have in mind for you, darlin’.” He gave her a dazzling smile and she gushed again.

  “Well, in that case I think I’ll be laughing at you a lot more in the future,” she told him with a promising smile.

  “You just laugh away, sweetheart.” He leaned over and took her lips in a kiss which set fireworks off in her head. His hot, wet lips teased hers and his thick tongue delved into her welcoming mouth, where it danced with hers to their own private tune. Dallas felt the heat of that kiss all the way down to her throbbing pussy and longed for the night to arrive.

  Voices outside the door reminded her of their whereabouts as Shane slowly finished the kiss with small nibbles of her neck.

  “You’re awake, honey!” Kerry-Leigh came in carrying a half-eaten bunch of grapes. She went straight over to the bed, oblivious of Shane, and wrapped her soft arms around Dallas’s neck. “I’m so glad you’re all right. You had us all real worried there for a while.”

  Caleb was right behind her and took his turn at giving Dallas a warm hug before pulling over a couple of chairs from behind the door. None of them fitted the seats in this place!

  “I should never have let you go with that dang cowboy,” Kerry-Leigh said. “And I knew you weren’t sure about him.”

  “From what I hear you didn’t have much choice,” Caleb said, putting a gentle hand on his wife’s shoulder.

  Kerry-Leigh was holding one of Dallas’s hands while Shane held the other from the opposite side of the bed.

  “You did all the right things. Heck, I was the one who introduced him to you. He was just a cunning son of a bitch!” Shane agreed. “None of us could have guessed he was on Powell’s payroll.”

  Dallas was relieved—she was afraid they would all think she was stupid for being taken in by the guy, but it seemed they were all of the same mind.

  “The cops went through that list you wrote and found the drug money, and a whole lot more scams besides. They must have filled the prison twice over! Ed Powell only got out yesterday. He’ll be rotting in jail with the rest of them by now.” Kerry-Leigh said with a massive grin.

  “Out?” Dallas frowned.

  “Yeah. Had to bring him in here. Down the corridor he was, with an armed guard outside of his door—not that he was capable of going anywhere, mind you. You nearly killed him back there, you know.”

  “Well, he certainly won’t be fathering any babies,” Caleb said with a smile as he rubbed his wife’s large tummy.

  “Unlike some other guys I could mention,” Kerry-Leigh blurted out.

  Dallas stared at her, watching her blush as she looked at Shane.

  “I’m sorry, it just kinda…”

  “Like always,” Caleb said with a sigh. “My wife the blabbermouth. I’m guessing there was probably a much more romantic way you were planning to break the news, wasn’t there, Shane?”

  Dallas gaped at Shane and had a funny feeling in her tummy. He looked up at her, a little sheepishly.

  “Darlin’, it appears we’re having a baby,” he told her, squeezing her hand.

  Sheer joy spread through her body like a wildfire and Dallas gazed at his smiling face. All the things she had thought about in that awful van came flooding back to her, and she remembered about her fears and then her happiness of the prospect of being pregnant.

  “Well, say something,” Shane said, standing up. He looked a little anxious. “Are you happy?”

  “I…well…how…yes!” she stuttered as reality gripped her.

  “Oh thank God for that!” Shane wrapped his arms around her, and Kerry-Leigh and Caleb whooped for joy.

  “I told you these guys were potent!” Kerry-Leigh laughed, stroking her stomach.

  “You’re not too mad at me, are you?” Shane searched her face.

  �
��No, of course not, but how…?” Dallas was flummoxed, although deliriously happy. She couldn’t stop the massive grin which was already making her face ache.

  “You were right, honey. I told you—a woman knows these things.” Kerry-Leigh chirped with a wink.

  “But how do you know? It’s too early?” Dallas asked, confused.

  Shane chuckled. “You’ve been in here nearly a week, darlin’. They had to keep you sedated while they patched up your leg—you had some glass stuck deep inside it, but they managed to get it all out. And you’d swallowed a lot of that dirty water, and developed a slight breathing problem ’cos of the amount of time you’d spent underwater. Anyways, they were doing all sorts of tests on you, when one of your urine tests suddenly showed up you were pregnant.”

  “But surely it’s too early to tell?”

  “Honey, you’re in a hospital. They can practically tell you’re pregnant before you’ve even had sex, in these places.” Kerry-Leigh laughed.

  “It’s really early stages, but they seem pretty convinced,” Shane told her as he kissed her cheek. “Are you all right with it?”

  Dallas beamed. “I’m having your baby!” She grabbed him gleefully and took his mouth in another loving kiss.

  “Get a room!” Caleb groaned.

  “They already did, honey, we’re sitting in it!” Kerry-Leigh swatted him playfully.

  “You were dang lucky with all that violent stuff going on and all. We must have a tough little fighter in there. From now on I’m gonna wrap you up in cotton wool, though. No more riding off with strangers or swimming or—what was it—sticking your leg through the back light of a van? Where in hell did you get an idea like that anyhow?” Shane looked at her incredulously and Dallas couldn’t help giggling.

  “It just came to me,” she shrugged.

  “Well, we’ll have no more of it, d’ya hear? You need to take things easy from now on,” Shane admonished playfully.

  “Hey, not so fast cowboy! She’s got a gig to do, remember?” Kerry-Leigh piped up. “I’ve got some backing singers and a band already lined up, and there’s a few supporting acts interested in helping out, too.”