Rafael calmed himself as best he could. “Tell the men to ready themselves. We ride to the Ortega ranch immediately.”
When Rafael walked to the stable where his men waited, mounted and ready, they stared. He looked like one of them, only more powerful, more dangerous. He wore heavy leather leggings over his pants and soft leather shoes with low heels. The enormous rowels on his spurs jangled as he walked. The points were filed down so the animal would not be injured by them, but they were blunt enough to let the animal know he meant business. A short jacket covered a light linen shirt and his hat rode low on his forehead.
The men stiffened in their saddles as they watched him mount his mare with ease.
He slipped on his black leather gloves, checked his rifle snug in his saddle, and made certain his knife was tucked securely in his boot.
“We ride!” he yelled, and led his men out of the hacienda.
Rafael’s first thought when he spied the smoke was that time somehow was repeating itself. His stomach tightened in fear and he urged Bella on. Once he reached the hacienda he slipped off his saddle as soon as he brought his mare to a halt and ran past the chaos around him and inside.
He found Eduardo barely clinging to life.
“Took the girls,” he choked, trying to get the words out.
“Who?” Rafael asked while attempting to discover the extent of his wound.
“Men... Isabel.” Eduardo shook his head, finding speech too difficult.
“Isabel is responsible for all this, isn’t she?”
Eduardo nodded.
Rafael called to his men for help, then ripped the blood-soaked shirt open. “I still don’t understand why.”
“Father,” Eduardo got out and patted his chest.
Rafael stared, the white linen cloth he had grabbed from a nearby table hung from his hand. “You’re the twins’ father?”
Eduardo closed his eyes and nodded.
“No wonder she wants the girls dead.”
“Evil man,” Eduardo said with difficulty.
“Renegades?”
Eduardo nodded again.
“Isabel had no idea what she’s gotten herself into,” Rafael said more to himself than the injured man. “How much time do they have on me?”
“Thirty, forty minutes,” Eduardo managed to say.
“I’ve sent one of my men back for help. I’ll leave a few more here to look after those who have survived. You will be all right, my friend?”
“Daughters—bring home,” he sighed with tears in his eyes.
“I promise,” he said, squeezing the older man’s hand.
Rafael then left him in the care of one of his vaqueros.
He mounted his horse, as did the men who were accompanying him.
“We ride hard. I want the men who did this and I want them this day,” he announced calmly, too calmly.
The men knew he was beyond anger and that’s when a man became dangerous. None had any doubt that by evening they would have the men and Rafael would personally see to their punishment.
~~~
“He has not taken his eyes off you,” Rosalita whispered to Gaby as they sat huddled together not far from the fire. Each of their wrists were crossed and tied in front of them.
“I noticed,” she murmured, fearing the outcome of his obvious interest.
“It is dark.”
Gaby spoke the words Rosalita was too afraid to. “Too dark for Rafael to find us tonight.”
“He must find us,” Rosalita insisted. “That man means you harm.”
“Then we must think of a way to escape.”
Rosalita opened her mouth to protest the impossibility of such an idea, but Gaby silenced her with a harsh whisper. “We have no choice. We must protect ourselves. There is no one here to do it for us.”
“But how?”
“There is only one weapon we have that would free our hands.”
Rosalita looked about them. “What weapon?”
“Our bodies.”
“I don’t understand.”
“What do men always want from women?”
Rosalita smiled. “Oh, that.”
“Miguel seems interested. Perhaps we could interest him in twins.”
“The two of us? At the same time?”
“Well, he’d certainly free our hands for that.”
“I don’t know,” Rosalita said doubtfully.
“He’s been drinking. He’s slow to react and by the time he’s realized what we intended, he’d be out cold and we’d be free. No one would come searching for him for awhile, fearing they would disturb his fun.”
“It sounds as if it could work.”
“Of course it can. We only have to offer a little encouragement.”
“I’m not good at that.”
Gaby produced a beautiful smile. “Leave that to me.”
“With pleasure,” Rosalita said, relieved.
Gaby’s smile was enough. Miguel continued to stare. He moved uncomfortably on the ground. Then he stood, swayed before gaining his balance, and walked toward the women.
“I think I’ll keep you,” he said, looking at Gaby.
“Why not keep both of us?” she said softly. “We both could pleasure you at the same time.”
Rosalita felt the color drain from her face.
Miguel stood there, his head swaying back and forth slightly as he gave her idea thought. “You’re both good?”
“Very good,” Gaby teased with a lick of her lips, glad the man was beyond intoxicated or her plan would never work.
Miguel instantly stiffened... all over.
“Free our hands and take us somewhere where the others can’t watch and we’ll make you happy.”
“Very happy,” Rosalita emphasized with a smile.
Miguel leaned down and slipped his hand beneath Gaby, pinching her buttocks. “I like the feel of this,” he said and grinned.
Gaby forced a smile and held back from spitting in his ugly face. He was the one who had chased her and tried to rape her. His hands were the ones that had pinched her unmercifully. She wanted to scream in revulsion but she didn’t. She continued to smile pleasantly as if she enjoyed his touch.
Miguel grabbed the rope that held Gaby’s wrists together and pulled her up with him. Then he reached for Rosalita and pulled her up.
“You don’t need your hands untied. Your mouths will do fine to start with.”
Rosalita choked at the disgusting thought. And Gaby doubted the wisdom of her plan as he dragged them toward the fire.
“Where are you taking us? I thought we were going to have fun.” Gaby said, fearing the obvious.
“We are,” Miguel said with a laugh. “I enjoy others watching as a woman takes me into her mouth.
Gaby received a jab in the ribs from Rosalita.
Before Rosalita was pulled away from her, she whispered, “Get ready to run.”
Miguel pushed her to her knees in front of him. He laughed and took another drink from the bottle that the men had been passing around. Then he reached down to open his pants.
“Your mouth is forever getting you in trouble.”
Gaby closed her eyes and thanked the heavens for that stern, powerful voice.
“I wouldn’t do that if I were you,” Rafael warned and walked into the camp.
The men instantly aimed their guns at him.
Miguel stood, his hands still on his pants. His eyes were bleary, but fixed intently on Rafael. “Why not?”
“She bites and hard!”
Miguel jumped back and closed his pants. “Who are you?”
“You don’t know?”
Miguel stared long and hard at the man who dared walk into his camp alone, unprotected, and who didn’t look a bit bothered by the fact he was unarmed and all the weapons were pointed on him.
“Welcome, Don Rafael,” he said, and jokingly gave a slight bow.
Rafael acknowledged it with a superior nod that annoyed the man. “I’ve come to claim what is
mine.”
Miguel stepped toward Gaby, grabbed the back of her hair and pulled her head back roughly. “This is the one you’ve come to claim, the one with the ass that was made to be grabbed?”
His men laughed.
Rafael’s jaw tightened. His eyes fixed with evil intent on Miguel and he took another step closer to the fire. “Take your hands off her.”
His voice sounded so ominous that the other men backed away.
“Si, Senor Cabrillo,” Miguel said and shoved Gaby’s face forward, smashing it against the dirt before releasing it.
She turned her head as she raised it, but not before Rafael saw the blood trickling from her nose.
His anger was about to explode, but he spoke calmly. “Hand the women over to me.”
Miguel laughed, tossing his head back. “You are a fool. You enter my camp alone and demand I obey you. You think me stupid?”
“I know you’re stupid if you honestly think I’ve come alone,” Rafael said and raised his hand.
The camp was surrounded instantly by his vaqueros, their guns drawn and two aimed at every man there.
Miguel didn’t hesitate, he grabbed for Gaby. She wasn’t about to let him touch her. She brought her tied hands up with force aiming for Miguel’s face. His hand lashed out at her and chaos erupted.
Rosalita kicked the large man that held her and rushed to help Gaby. Rafael was prevented from getting to her when one of Miguel’s men jumped him.
Rosalita pounded Miguel’s back as he tried to drag Gaby out of the camp. Gaby bit his hand. Rosalita kicked. Miguel swung. Rosalita hit the ground with a thud. Gaby bit harder and Miguel drew the gun that was tucked in his sash.
She heard Rafael’s intense scream. “Let her go!”
She heard the shot.
She watched the blood spill from Miguel’s chest before he fell to the ground, dead.
Rafael’s arms were around her instantly, holding her, comforting her, protecting her. She buried her face in his chest, listened to his pounding heart and knew she was safe, alive, loved.
“You are foolish,” he whispered harshly when she looked up at him. He gently wiped the blood from her nose with his handkerchief.
She smiled and raised her arms to slip over his head and around his neck. “I love you too,” she said and brought his mouth to hers.
Their kiss was urgent.
Rafael had to taste her, feel her, know she was alive and well in his arms.
“Are you all right? The baby?” he asked, softly touching her belly, wanting to protect, yet fearing he was too late.
Gaby covered his hand and held it against her stomach. “He is safe; you saved us both.”
Rafael smiled at her words. She was attempting to rid him of any guilt he felt when the guilt actually all belonged to her. “You are stubborn and from this day forward you shall—”
“Rosalita?” Gaby yelled, interrupting Rafael’s orders and frantically looking around for the woman.
Rafael helped her to stand and followed her to where Rosalita lay unmoving, a slight bruise darkening her right cheek and chin.
“Rosalita,” Gaby said anxiously lowering herself down beside the woman who had become like a sister to her in such a short time. “Rosalita!”
The girl stirred and her eyes fluttered. “Gaby.”
Gaby began to cry. She didn’t know why; she didn’t care. They were safe and everything was going to be just fine.
~~~
“What do you mean you forbid me to go riding ever again?” Gaby demanded.
Rosalita sat with a cool cloth to her swollen cheek. The vaqueros smiled and shook their heads.
“You heard me,” Rafael said, adding more sticks to the fire.
“I’m not deaf—”
“Just obstinate,” he finished.
“You’re being unreasonable.”
“I’m being a good husband.”
“We aren’t married yet.”
“We will be soon enough.”
“You can’t—”
“I can.”
“I won’t—”
“You will.”
“Why are you being so unreasonable?”
“Because I love you,” he shouted.
A silence descended over the camp.
“And I love you, Rafael,” she said for all to hear. She leaned over and kissed him and he kissed her back.
The vaqueros cheered and Rosalita cried.
The late night took over with its familiar sounds; the fire crackled, a twig snapped here and there, and an owl gave a lonesome hoot.
Rafael sat on the blanket he shared with Gaby, his long legs stretched out in front of him and his back braced against his saddle. Gaby sat cuddled next to him in his arms, a blanket wrapped around her.
Rosalita sat across the fire from them. She clutched the blanket that was wrapped around her tightly in her hands against her chest.
“Does Don Felipe know what his wife did?” Rosalita asked.
“No,” Rafael answered. “He doesn’t know anything. When I left he was joyously making plans to leave for Spain with his family.”
“He had no idea we were in danger?” Gaby asked, forgetting that Rosalita wasn’t really her sister.
Rafael shook his head sadly. “He is blind to so many things. He assumes all people have a place in life and they must do what is expected of them. As his daughters, he assumed that of both of you. You would do as he directed without question.”
“Just as his wife did all those years,” Rosalita sighed.
“You mean as she led him to believe she did,” Gaby corrected.
“She was a cruel woman,” Rosalita added.
“You take after your father,” Rafael said, sensing the girl’s concern. “You’re kind and thoughtful like him.”
“Thank you. Is... is he all right?” Rosalita asked, reluctant to hear the answer.
“I don’t really know. His wound was serious and I had to leave. I left him in capable hands. My people will see that he is well cared for.”
“He’s probably fine. We’ll find out as soon as we return tomorrow,” Gaby assured the worried woman.
Rafael suddenly sat up straight and looked about, his brows drawn in a frown and his lips set tightly.
“Is something wrong?” Gaby asked, feeling the tension in his body.
“I thought for a moment...” He let his words trail off. “It’s nothing.”
“Your instincts are as good as ever, Rafael.”
Rafael remained still at the sound of the deep voice that seemed to echo out of the darkness.
His men instantly aimed their rifles into the blackness that surrounded them.
“Hold your fire!” Rafael yelled. “And put the weapons down.”
“Wise decision, my friend,” the voice said.
“I know you too well. Your men surround my camp. We have no chance against you.”
“This is true.”
Rafael released Gaby and stood. He spoke into the darkness as if the strong voice had the power to be everywhere at once. “What is it you want, Esteban?”
A dark figure emerged from the shadows of the night, but kept on the outskirts of the campfire’s light so as not to be seen.
“You have something that belongs to me.”
Rafael stared at the black figure, puzzled. “I have something that belongs to you?”
“Yes, although through no fault of yours, but I must insist you return it.”
“I don’t know of what you speak, but if I have it in my possession and am free to return it, I will gladly do so.”
“Good, then you’ll receive no trouble from me.”
“I’m glad to hear this. Now, what is it I have?”
“My wife.”
“Your what?”
“Wife!”
“I don’t have your wife. Gaby belongs to me and Rosalita—”
“Is my wife and belongs to me.”
Rafael turned and looked at Rosalita as if it could n
ot be possible. This sweet young woman could not be married to such a monster.
Rosalita stood slowly. “I’m sorry. I should have told you.”
“I can understand why you didn’t. Esteban isn’t known for his kindness,” Rafael whispered, feeling sorry for the young woman. “Do you wish to go with him?”
“Do I have a choice?”
“Of course you have a choice,” Gaby said, standing and joining the three by the fire.
Rosalita smiled at Gaby as if she was a child unaware of the danger that surrounded them. “It is best I go.”
“Rafael, tell her she doesn’t have to,” Gaby insisted.
“No,” Rosalita said. “I will not place any of you in danger.”
Gaby turned and stepped away from the fire. “Rosalita is staying here with us,” she shouted.
Rafael ran his hand over his face in frustration and Rosalita cringed.
“You control your woman good, Rafael,” Esteban said with a laugh.
“She is my sister,” Rosalita yelled to protect Gaby. “You will not hurt her.”
There was a heavy silence. Rafael reached out and pulled Gaby back behind him.
“Rafael may not object to his wife speaking such, but you will hold your tongue or suffer the consequences.”
Gaby opened her mouth and Rafael quickly clamped his hand over it. “Shut up,” he ordered sternly. “You will only make it worse for Rosalita.”
He released her and she remained quiet.
“I will go,” Rosalita said.
“But—”
“No, Gaby, I must go,” she insisted before Gaby could object any further. “You have given me strength and courage, and I am grateful.”
Gaby threw her arms around her and hugged her tightly. “I shall miss you.”
“And I you,” Rosalita said with tears in her eyes.”
“Will I see you again?” Gaby asked.
“I will be in touch with you somehow. I must learn how my father is. Take care and thank you for all you have done for me.”
Rafael stopped her from going any farther with his hand to her arm. It got the desired response.
A fierce growl sounded before Esteban warned, “Let go of her.”
“I will, but understand she has been through much. She has a bruise on her face and I imagine on other parts of her from the fight she took part in.”
“Who inflicted this bruise?” Esteban demanded angrily.
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