Josie turned around, having listened in on their conversation. “Then what did you come here for?”
Gareth took a deep breath. “Ever heard of a guy named Angel.”
While Josie looked confused, the husbands glanced between each other, a few taking deep breaths.
“Yes,” said the spokesman. “We’ve heard of Angel. Up in the Dead Zone.”
“Correct. He has a number of fertile women.” The room went silent. “That he’s using as basically broodmares.”
And it remained silent. Dela looked around, trying to gauge each person’s opinion on the matter. The children looked confused, as she expected, but the older boys and some of the men looked disgusted. Others looked conflicted—as though they were angry about it but knew what was coming next.
“Don’t even think about it,” snapped Josie before Gareth could even ask.
“We made a deal with Dela that she would come peacefully if we free the women.”
“And how do you four boys expect to do that?”
“Silence, Josie,” ordered the older man. “You want our help?”
Gareth nodded.
“And what do we get in return?” asked one of the other husbands. Dela glanced his way. He had chocolate brown hair with a matching beard.
“You’re not…”
“Josie!” Leroy snapped.
Gareth sighed. “They have a lot of supplies. Metal, for example. Pipes. Plenty of stuff to scavenge.”
“And the women?” asked one of the older sons.
“Well, they wouldn’t be welcome at the Harem House, but… I don’t know.”
“We could find them husbands,” said Dela, jumping in for the first time. “Like an… an unofficial harem house. They could…”
“Stop, Dela,” whispered Lath.
“You really think they’d be better off getting sold off in marriage than where they are now?” asked one of the husbands. He had black hair and high cheekbones.
“I was in their mating huts with them. I talked to one of them. I had one of Angel’s men try to…to mate with me. I’m telling you this,” she pointed around the cabin, “this is better than what they’re… experiencing.”
Everyone went silent again.
Dela finally continued. “One man gets the girl. He rapes her each night until she becomes pregnant. Once she’s birthed, she goes back to the huts and a new man gets her. The girl I talked to had already had two children by this method…and she had to have been younger than me.”
Dela didn’t actually know that, but she was happy to lie on the subject. She glanced up at Josie, whose eyes were rimmed with moisture. At least Josie empathized with the captive girls, but Dela wasn’t sure if it would be enough for the woman to agree to the plan.
“Even with us joining in,” began Leroy, “we couldn’t take on Angel’s forces.”
“What about the McMillians?” asked the one with a beard. “They have a number of boys of marrying age… not too picky. They would likely be game if they got wives for their boys.”
“What about us?” asked the same boy as before.
“You don’t want a girl from the Harem House?” asked Josie.
The boy shrugged. “The Harem House is a gamble. Chances are we won’t be lucky enough to get brides. I say we take what we can get. And we’ll be kinder to those poor women than Angel’s men.”
“No,” snapped Josie, despite the tears in her eyes. “No. I’m not losing you over some women we don’t even know.”
“There are children there, too,” added Dela.
“I don’t care,” lied Josie. “I don’t care. My job is to protect my family. They are not my family. I protect my family.”
“That’s enough, Josie,” said the man with the high cheekbones. “We’ll sleep on it tonight. Discuss it again in the morning.”
With that, all the men rose from the kitchen table as if that was the end of it. Dela opened her mouth to argue when Gareth gripped her wrist. He gave a tiny shake of his head. Dela pursed her lips but settled back. The cabin turned into a whirlwind of activity as the older siblings helped the younger siblings prepare for bed.
“Bill, Jordan, Matt, and Ty, you’ll be on the floor tonight.”
“Ah, mom,” a boy who looked a lot like the husbands' spokesman whined.
As if on cue, another husband smacked him over the head. “You don’t like it, you can sleep in the barn.”
“It’d be more comfortable,” complained one of the other boys forced to give up a bed.
Dela tried to match the boy with one of the husbands, but they all had similar features.
“Fine,” growled the spokesman. “Take your whiny asses out to the barn. And don't ever let me hear you talking back to your mother like that again.”
The four boys shuffled out of the house, not even allowed to take a blanket. Dela tried to count the bodies and beds, but everyone kept moving about. The children began climbing into bed, having changed into their night things at some point during the melee. Slowly, Dela began to suspect there still weren’t enough beds for those still standing. She prepared to sleep on the rug—it would still be more comfortable than the ground.
“One of you boys won’t mind sharing with Dela, right? Gareth, you take her.”
Dela felt her face flush crimson. The three others glared at Gareth, looking as though they thought he had struck some sort of deal with Josie. Thankfully, their attention was quickly taken by the spokesman of the husbands.
“And if I’m not mistaken, my dear, I get you in my bed tonight.”
Josie giggled like a virgin. “I believe it is ‘I get you in my bed’.”
Despite her words, she allowed herself to be led toward a narrow ladder leading up to a loft. The other husbands grumbled, waving at the happy couple. Dela wondered how Josie felt about being with an older man. Dela followed their movements, noticing the loft for the first time. It was mostly obscured by a thick drape.
The other hunters, still grumbling, climbed into the three upper bucks. Gareth gestured for her to climb into the bottom bunk first. Dela obeyed, knowing she would have a better night in the bed, even if she had to share it with Gareth. As she scooted across the thick mattress, she did her best to keep her borrowed skirt tucked around her legs. It wasn’t the most ideal clothing to sleep in, but she wasn’t about to take it off… not with Gareth so close.
He unbuttoned his shirt, his features looking almost strained even though he had seen the panic in her eyes. Hanging the shirt on a peg on the bed-supports, he sat on the edge to remove his boots. Dela watched as the muscles across his back rippled. He wasn’t as bulky as the five ranchers, but that didn’t mean he wasn’t strong. Not by a long shot. The other men were simply giants.
Gareth had barely removed his boots when the first sound of snoring filled the cabin. A second later another man began to snore. Even if Dela had chosen to sleep on the floor she doubted she would be getting much sleep. Gareth turned and tucked his bare feet under the token blanket. They didn’t need much in the summer.
Just as he settled into the mattress, Dela caught the sound of someone panting and a rhythmic thumping sound. She had heard a similar noise as a child, and it didn’t take her long to realize what it was or where it was coming from. Yet another blush burned her cheeks. Worse yet, it made her tingle in places she didn’t want to tingle.
“You okay?” Gareth whispered as yet another snore joined the others.
Dela nodded and prepared to roll over. Gareth grabbed her shoulder to stop her. Somehow, her loose tunic had dropped off her shoulder, and his hand had found skin. His thumb caressed back and forth across her smooth skin, sending yet more sparks down toward her nether regions.
“You don’t care.” She didn’t know why she had spoken.
It was true, though. Though Gareth flirted from time to time, Dela knew that Gareth wasn’t interested in her. Not like the others. The others wanted her, just as much as she wanted them. But Gareth always looked passive, no matt
er what was happening or how much she was hurting.
“Dela,” he sighed. He stared at her for a long moment, until Dela began to wonder what he had to look at. She wasn’t much to admire, especially with her blonde locks cut short. She didn’t mind. It made it easier to hide. Finally, Gareth leaned into her, taking her mouth in a gentle kiss.
Dela had been so lost in her own thoughts she didn’t see the kiss coming, but when it did, it was all-consuming. It wasn’t like Lath’s. In fact, other than their lips and Gareth’s hand on her shoulder, no other part of them touched. And yet, Gareth’s lips were so gentle and his tongue so thorough, Dela felt overwhelmed with heat and pleasure.
Sparks shot from her lips down to her toes and fingers. Without any conscious thought, her hands found their way up to his bare chest where they tangled in his trail of chest hair. As if her movement was a cue, Gareth grabbed her waist, dragging her across the mattress and up against his chest. Dela’s fingers climbed up to his hair as she arched her back, pressing herself into his body.
He let out a groan, his fingertips digging into the flesh of her back. Forgetting the flimsy protection of her skirt, Dela pulled her leg up to drape it over his hip. Gareth grabbed her thigh, preparing to roll onto his back, hoisting her onto his chest. He was halfway through the move when he froze.
Not again, she thought as he pushed her off him.
“We can’t.”
“Right, 'cause I’m just a commodity to sell,” she snapped just above a whisper before rolling over onto her other side and facing the rugged wall of the cabin. She heard Gareth let out a long sigh and roll over to face away from her. Their backs barely touched.
Chapter Fourteen
The morning chores had been done. Breakfast was long gone. And the dishes had been cleaned. With the children playing outside, the adults sat around the empty kitchen table. Everyone knew Josie’s opinion—she didn’t want them to go, no matter how charitable the cause—and everyone knew Dela’s opinion—it was a requirement for her to go quietly to the Harem House.
Lath scanned the faces at the table, trying to glean an idea of their opinions on the matter. The others appeared to be doing the same thing, each waiting for someone else to start the discussion. Finally, Josie crossed her arms and spoke her mind.
“I don’t know why we’re even discussing this. You’re not going.”
“Josie,” snapped the husband with the high cheekbones; Dela guessed he was the youngest of her men. “We all love you and we know you rule this roost with an iron fist, but say one more word about what we will or will not do and I’ll kick you out of the house.”
Josie inhaled, ready to fight back. Leroy rose with a speed that proved his inner youth. “What did Alex just say?”
Josie flushed crimson, her features frozen in a look that suggested she was sucking on a lemon. Slowly, she lowered herself back onto the bench. Once she was fully seated, Leroy sat too.
“I appreciate the desire to save these women,” continued Leroy. “I do. I really do, but in this world we have to make our family a priority. It’s dangerous out there without going after a gang, especially one like Angel’s. So… I vote no.”
It was the young one to reply. “We have to. Our boys need women. And Billy was right. Not all of them are going to get wives from the Harem House. There just aren’t enough women to go around. No woman should be used like those girls.”
“So what ar…” began Josie.
All five of her husbands turned to give her the same glare.
“I agree with Alex,” said one of the men who hadn’t spoken up; he wore his dusty brown hair in a shaggy mop, with a few days growth on his chin. “Our boys need wives. We need to do it for them. And the McMillians boys will want wives, too.”
No one appeared to agree other than Alex. The other men shook their heads, their eyes going to Leroy.
“Well, we’ve heard both sides,” began Leroy.
Dela jumped to her feet. “No, you haven’t. You've heard two sides, but there is a point no one has bothered to make.”
They all stared up at her, even the Hunters looking surprised.
“No one has bothered to mention we should do it because it’s the right thing to do, and there aren’t enough people in this world doing the right thing.” Dela took a breath. “Save those women because they need saving, not because you get something out of it.”
Lath stared at Dela. Thus far he had not seen much depth in the girl. She was attractive, yes, but beyond that… Well, Lath had been wrong. He had started to wonder when she struck the deal to save the women. Now, he knew she was the real deal—she was exactly what he wanted in a woman.
He forced his gaze from her healing face and onto the men sitting at the table. Most of them were hanging their heads, their eyes on their hands or on the grain of the table. Even Gareth looked chastised. The room remained in silence for a long time, the only sound coming from the children chasing the chickens outside.
“I’ll go to the McMillians,” Leroy said to the table. “Which one of you will come with me?”
“I will,” replied Gareth.
Leroy stood. “We’ll be back tomorrow with the help… hopefully. Keep the place running.”
Without any sort of goodbye or packing, Leroy and Gareth left the cabin. Lath heard more shouts as the children caught sight of the men heading toward the barn. Slowly, the other adults rose to their feet and headed toward the door. Lath caught sight of Josie, her face a mask of anger. She glared at everyone, especially Dela. He would have to keep the two women separate.
Outside, Leroy and Gareth were checking the tack on their horses before dragging themselves up into the saddle. They looked down at the large gathering, and Leroy said, “We’ll be back tomorrow.” He eyed Dela. “The men who nab you up from the Harem House will be lucky, indeed.”
Lath glanced over his shoulder to see how Josie would take the compliment. She was pouting like a sour school girl. The remaining husbands would have their hands full with her. Comparatively, Dela was a simple woman.
Gareth and Leroy rode off, mere moments after Dela’s lecture. Once they were out of the front yard, everyone began to separate, getting to the work that needed to be done. Lath glanced around, unsure what they were supposed to be doing.
“Hey, boys,” called Alex. “You up to a little hard work?”
Lath smiled at Mason and Adrian. “Yeah. What should Dela do?”
“I’m sure Josie has something she can help with.”
Lath glanced up at Josie, who had stopped on the porch. The curvy woman planted her hands on her hips as if by her might alone she could keep Dela out of her house. Dela, on the other hand, hung her head in submission—a look Lath hated to see on her.
“Um… Alex… I don’t…”
Despite his age, Alex caught on quickly, glancing between the two women. He considered their options for a moment.
“Go change out of that getup and come with us,” Alex said. “We’re dredging the irrigation ditches today.”
Lath nodded for Dela to head on inside. He and Alex followed at a slower pace. Josie stood beside the door, glaring at each of them as they entered her home.
Dela snuck past the passionate woman, heartbroken that they had found themselves on opposite sides of the fight. But Dela knew the lives of those women were more important than her budding friendship with Josie. She scurried to the bed she had shared with Gareth and scooped up her own clothing before ducking behind the curtain of the little bathing room.
In record time, she was changed. She folded the tunic and skirt as carefully as she could before emerging. She handed them over to Josie. “Thank you very much for letting me borrow them.”
Josie just grunted as she snatched them from Dela’s hands. Dela skittered across the open room to Lath’s side.
“Seriously, Josie?” Alex asked. “It’s not her fault. We chose.”
“We did not choose anything. Leroy chose. I wasn’t allowed an opinion.”
&nbs
p; Alex stomped up to her, his hands in fists. “No. You had an opinion. We heard your opinion and, in the end, we did not agree with your opinion. Now stop stomping around like a child. We’re doing the right thing, and you know it.”
Lath’s hand rested against the small of Dela’s back and guided her out of the cabin, Alex on their heels. Outside, they joined the other husbands and grown lads, and trekked into the acre set aside for gardening. Without any instructions, the boys began sorting through their tools before jumping down into the main irrigation ditch. Dela glanced up at Lath.
“Why don’t you sit down over there,” he suggested, pointing to a fence post dividing the gardening acre from the field of cattle.
Dela took a seat, yanking her boots off and rolling her trousers up. She dipped her feet in the ditch, her heels barely reaching the water. The men were stripping their shirts and climbing into the ditch themselves, using hoes and shovels to dig out the dirt that had slipped in over the winter. As they dug, Dela watched, for once happy to be surrounded by men. If this was what Josie had, then maybe Dela could enjoy her future life after all.
After an hour of work, Lath climbed out of his ditch and collapsed next to her. “Enjoying the scenery?”
Dela gave him a grin. “I’ve seen worse.”
Lath burst out laughing, drawing the attention of the other men. They gave him a good-natured glare before going back to their work.
“What made you want to be a Hunter?” Dela blurted out.
Lath frowned at her for a moment. “Why do you ask?”
Dela’s cheeks glowed pink. She knew why she was asking, but he’d have to torture her to get the truth out. She shrugged and nodded toward the working men. “You seem good at ranch work.”
Lath smiled a little, tossing a little twig into the ditch.
“So, why Hunt?”
He let out a long sigh. “Gareth chose Hunting.”
“And you do whatever Gareth tells you?”
Lath rolled his eyes. “Not exactly. But we’ve always been together. I’ve never seen a reason to break up the duo. At least, not until… never mind.”
Dela's Hunters (The Harem House Book 1) Page 9