“Think so?” He returned his attention to the man beside him. “I’ve been wanting one of them like that. Can’t do everything I want with the wife.” He cackled and clapped Leon on the back again. “Don’t get married. Stuck with a cold bitch is all you get from it.” A burp escaped him and he guffawed. “And some land too.”
“I believe she’s beckoning you over.” He gave the man a good shove to get him to his feet and moving to the blonde. Like a pro, she shifted her attention away from Leon as the other man approached, turning her allure his way.
Standing, Leon grabbed his drink and moved over to Ryder. Taking a seat next to him, he followed Ryder’s gaze—still riveted on the girl, who was growing more and more fidgety around him—and said, “Pretty. Too bad she’s not one of the Madame’s girls.”
Ryder only turned to him and leered. “Money can buy anything.” With that, he turned back to the girl and held up his glass. She approached him cautiously, tipping the decanter to fill his glass. Ryder’s hand instantly cupped her bottom, and she jumped away, spilling some of the liquid onto the floor. She passed him a glare, but then apologized and finished pouring his drink.
“You’re interested in the slave?” Leon asked, forcing as much incredulity as he could into his voice. “In the midst of all of these finely dressed women, you want the slave girl?”
A loud laugh greeted his question and Ryder returned his attention to him. His eyes were a bit glazed over. “Most of them are whores, Arnaud. Professionals trained to do whatever I want. I don’t want them. I want someone who’ll fight me, who needs to be broken in. Her.”
Leon didn’t say anything. He was too disgusted so he sipped on his brandy.
“I know you understand.”
“Excuse me?” Ryder had spoken so softly if not for his superior abilities, Leon wouldn’t have heard it.
“What?” Ryder replied with a little smile.
“You said something,” Leon pressed.
Ryder chuckled and nodded. “I said I know you understand the allure.” When Leon stared blankly at him, he shook his head and grinned. “Penny. You’re fucking her.”
Crude words from a crude man were always expected. “I’m not—”
“No need to deny it to me. I get it. Pretty but stubborn. Walks around like she’s better than a white man. Did you break her yet?” He drew in a deep, ragged breath as if imaging how it would feel. “Did she fight you? She always seemed like a fighter—”
Leon saw red, but luckily for Ryder, one of the girls moving around the room took that moment to throw herself in his lap. A few seductive words and caresses later and she was gone. And so was Leon’s need to rip the bastard’s throat out. At least, for now.
“What about the shifters, Mr. Ryder? Have you learned anything else of them?”
Ryder’s smile fell before he looked around and moved closer to Leon. “I’m closer to proving it. Its voodoo, I say. Niggers shifting to animals and back, probably trying to kill us with their magic.”
“Closer?” Leon questioned softly, sipping his drink and trying to look both interested and yet skeptical. He tried to enter the man’s mind once more, but once more, found himself blocked.
Nodding, Ryder continued, “Closer. Shifters right under my nose and I didn’t even know it.”
“Really? Who?”
Suddenly, the man stood and looked down at him. “You think I’m a crazy old man, Arnaud, but I’m not. Soon, you and everyone will see.” He grinned and looked around, pinpointing the servant girl. Moving in that direction, he cornered her. Shaking his head in disgust, Leon looked away.
What did Ryder mean by “shifters right under his nose?” Was he talking about Penny? Was that why he’d offered so much money for her? Had someone told Ryder off on his mate? Penny had said the slaves in her quarters knew about her. Perhaps one of them?
He felt a chill snake up his spine. He’d sent out his missive two days ago. It would get there in about three more days, and if his brothers were still at the plantation in Virginia, which he prayed they were, it would take another week for Étienne to return. Almost two weeks. That seemed too long, especially with Ryder’s recent comment. He wanted Penny away from here as soon as possible. Even if he had to take her himself.
***
Penny was restless. It had been four days since her conversation with Leon, four days since she’d spoken to him beyond the “yes, Massa; no Massa” responses, four days since she’d been in his bed, taken him into her body, felt him caress her mind. Four days since frowns had become his way of greeting with her. She didn’t care. He’d hurt her.
From the moment she’d met Leon Arnaud, he’d treated her as his equal. Even if society didn’t think it, the fact that Leon saw past her skin color was enough for her. Four days ago, when he’d thrown around his superiority, his status, to get his way, she’d felt as if he’d yanked something precious from her. In a way, he had. He’d reminded her that in spite of his views, beliefs, and his were nature, he was still her master, and she his slave. He could do whatever he wanted with her—send her away on a whim, kill her even—and he would be right in the eyes of the law. She’d forgotten that. Briefly.
Only slightly did it appease her that Leon was doing this for her. He feared for her safety, feared Patrick’s Ryder’s very enthusiastic interest in her. She groaned as she rolled over on her uncomfortable cot. It was just after midnight and the slaves were all asleep. By now, and before the incident with Leon, she would be wrapped in his arms, fast asleep or getting there.
She missed him. She missed his conversation, his infectious smile, the way he looked at her like she was the only woman in his world…and that irritated her. He hadn’t apologized for using his status to get his way, and yet she missed him. Craved him in a way that bordered on the painful.
With a frustrated sigh, she sat up. She was contemplating slipping from the window, defying Leon and going for a quick run when she heard them. Voices. Far away. Penny caught words and fragments before she closed her eyes and focused.
I don’t see nothin’.
There was a slight rustling sound—like fallen leaves.
You see anythin’ boy?
No, sir. I don’ see nothin’, sir.
Dammit, boy. Talk lower. We watchin’ for wild animals. Don’t want none of ’em sneakin’ up on us ’cause of you.
Penny’s brows furrowed even as a chill snaked down her spine. These men were on Leon’s property, possibly hidden in the woods that preceded the bayou. One had said they were watching for wild animals.
It was possible they were hunters poaching on Leon’s territory but intuition told Penny that wasn’t the case. In the years she’d lived here and roamed these grounds, she’d never encountered a poacher.
Stop fidgetin’, boy.
I’s sorry, sir, but I gotta pee.
The other man released a stream of curses. Hurry it up, boy. You ain’t gonna be seein’ nothin’ facin’ some tree.
There was a slightly rustling and Penny heard the sound of water falling against leaves. She tried to pinpoint other sounds that would tell her if there were more people, but heard nothing.
There was more rustling and then, more talk.
Good. Now you stay where you is and do what you been doing all long. Watch for any movement. You see anythin’, you lemme know.
Yes, sir.
Penny stayed awake the entire night, her body on alert.
Although she tried to dismiss it, she couldn’t help but wonder. Were they looking for her?
***
Leon had had it. He’d given her time. Four days, to be exact, but Penny still kept him at a distance. He was her mate, for Luna’s sake! Didn’t she understand what that meant? He would do anything to keep her from harm’s way, and that included using his position, if need be, to get her away from this place. And with Ryder’s recent actions, and the conversation he’d had with him at the whorehouse, he had every right.
Tapping his fingers anxiously against
the desk, he waited for her to enter his office. It was still early, but after he’d awoken to an empty bed, he’d dressed and marched his way there, intent on burying himself in work. It hadn’t worked. All he’d done was think about her.
Almost two hours later when she stepped through his door, he pushed to his feet, jaw clenched, about to tell her this was for her own good, that by punishing him, she was also punishing herself.
The words froze on his lips when she turned to face him and leaned against the door. There was a curious expression on her face, as if she was trying to piece together something and was in need of his assistance. He didn’t like it.
“What’s wrong?”
She took a step forward and tilted her head slightly to the left. “Two men were on the property last night.”
“Men?” Penny nodded once. “I think they were hunters.”
“Hunters?” His lips were already curling back from his teeth as he asked, “Did you leave your cabin?”
She shook her head immediately, and gave him a chiding look that clearly said he should know better. Leon only glared at her.
“I heard them speaking. They were looking for wild animals.”
“Wild animals? There are hardly any—” He broke off as it struck him. A wolf traveling the grounds of the plantation at night constituted a wild animal. First, Ryder’s exuberant interest in Penny, then the conversation about shifters being under his nose, and now hunters scouting his grounds. Leon Arnaud was not a believer in coincidences, nor was he stupid. “Where were they?”
“Near the bayou, I think. They were far from my cabin but I still heard them.”
He nodded once. “Étienne should be here in a few days. Until then, you’re staying in the house.”
Outrage flashed in her eyes. He ignored it and took a seat, picking up the first document on top of the pile.
“You’re doing it again,” she hissed, disbelief echoing in her voice.
“Doing what, Penny?” he asked with his eyes still trained on the papers. He saw only garbled writing. Blood pumped furiously through his veins. Hunters had been on his property, looking for his mate. Had she been out, she could have been injured or killed.
His nostrils flared as his fangs descended, cutting into his lip. Leon closed his eyes as sound enveloped him. The furious pounding he heard was of his own heart. He wanted them dead, everyone who’d threatened her. Starting with Ryder.
“You’re a hypocrite!”
Blinking, he looked up to find Penny leaned over his desk, glaring down at him. He’d heard only one thing and that was her calling him a hypocrite. The blood still pumped in his body. His adrenaline was on high. With slow precision, he pushed himself to his feet until he towered over her, forcing her to look up to him.
“What did you say?” It was a growl. Leon closed his eyes in a struggle to get himself under control, but she repeated it, punctuated the words with pauses so it would have its intended effect.
It did. His eyes flew open and he saw her lips round out to a slight O. She took a quick step back moments before he pounced.
Penny shrieked and backed away as Leon advanced on her. Nostrils flaring, he stalked her like prey. His eyes had gone yellow, and fangs gleamed white against his lips.
He stopped inches from her, inhaled once, and repeated his question.
She swallowed. It would take little to join her mind to his, to see why he was so angry, but she held out stubbornly. She was still upset, even if she admitted that he’d done it for her.
“I’m not afraid of you, Leon,” she said instead, keeping her gaze trained on him. He’d told her that he would never harm her and she believed him.
“Then why are you running?”
“I’m not running. I’m making sure to keep from being trampled.”
He moved even closer, forcing her back until she was pressed against the wall. His body pressed up against hers, and she attempted to push back the burning lust that accosted her at the feel of him. It had been so long….
“Did you call me a hypocrite?” he asked softly. Those eyes never shifted back to their green. His yellow held hers.
She nodded. “Only because you are.”
His teeth snapped together. “How?”
“You act as though you believe everyone is equal but when it suits you, you use your position to your advantage. I don’t care if you’re doing it for good reasons; it still makes you a hypocrite.”
“It makes me your mate,” he countered immediately. “I will do whatever is necessary to keep you safe, even if it means me, your Master, sending you elsewhere.”
“You won’t apologize?”
He shook his head. “I will never apologize for keeping you safe.”
Penny nodded, brought her hands between them and to his chest, and gave him a solid push. He moved enough for her to slide out from between him and the wall. She turned from him and headed for the door.
“You said I’m to sleep in the house, Massa?”
He growled and then he was at her back. An arm wrapped about her middle and his breath tickled her ear. “I’m not your master, Penny. I’m your mate.”
“As long as you treat me like a slave, I will refer to you as my master.” She pushed at his arm until he released her. Turning to face him, she repeated the question.
“Yes. You’ll remain there until Étienne takes you from this place,” he added.
“Where should I sleep, Massa?”
“Wherever you want.”
It was a snarl, and she felt a little surge of pleasure that he was so upset with her. She’d come here with the intention of telling him about the men, accepting his apology, and discussing ways to figure out why they’d been on the plantation. When he’d refused to apologize, something inside her snapped.
“Most house slaves sleep in the kitchen, Massa, though I doubt they’ll be happy sharing quarters with a field slave.”
The glare he tossed her was hostile. Instead of coming after her, like she’d anticipated, he went back to his desk and sat down. “Sleep wherever you wish, Penny.”
“Thank you, Massa. You so very kind, Massa.”
She caught his glare as she spun and marched from the room. It was perhaps childish to bicker with him such, but she’d gleaned a heap-load of pleasure from doing so.
***
It took conscious effort to pull his gaze from her as she worked.
Armand sat behind the oak desk in his office, pretending to review business documents as he watched Julia dust the books in the bookcase to his far right. She wore a light poplin gown, one of the many dresses that had been left behind by the previous owner of the plantation. He’d given it to Maud for her because he wanted her to have them. Pretty things. Things she hadn’t been exposed to.
In the days since he’d told her he’d sent for her sister, she’d gradually relaxed around him. She no longer cowered when he drew near, nor did she freeze. In fact, a few times, he’d even caught the hint of a smile. Never a full smile, but until that happened, he was willing to take whatever she gave. She was also quick to ask if he needed things done, and started bringing him snacks and food when he was in the office.
As she worked, she hummed soft and low. From his distance, he shouldn’t be able to hear the hymn, but he could. It was a church piece, something sad but beautiful. Like her. In the next half hour, she finished and turned to him. He felt her stare as she stood to the side, wringing her hands. She wanted to ask him something. Before he could enter her mind, she spoke.
“You need anythin’, Massa?”
Looking up from the document he’d been blindly staring at, he allowed his eyes to drink her in. If only she weren’t human, he might have laid claim before now. She’d moved forward a bit and was standing by the window. A pale stream of sunlight washed over her, illuminating every inch of her body. Her curly mass of hair was pinned atop her head, but wisps had fallen around her face. He watched as she tried to brush them back, and failed.
A little
smile curved his lips. “No, thank you, Julia.”
She nodded and picked up her duster and the rest of the cleaning items she’d brought into the office. Armand watched as she moved to the door, unable to help the way his eyes roamed her body.
Julia turned suddenly, and he hastily lifted his gaze to her face. She didn’t seem to realize he’d been ogling her and spoke softly. “Massa, you need anythin’, you call me, right?”
For a brief moment he was transported back to the night that she’d come to him, terrified and repulsed. Was she propositioning him again? No, that wasn’t it. For one, there was no fear wafting off of her—no, disgust. His jaw clenched. He’d only gotten to Pleasant, but he wished he could kill them all. Every man who’d touched her, hurt her.
“Yes, Julia. I will call you if I need something.”
She nodded once and dipped her head, but not before he saw it. A smile. So small and quick had it not been for his heightened sight, he might have missed it. As he stared at her in fascination, wishing she’d lift her head so he could fully bask in that smile, she turned and left the room.
With a long sigh, Armand leaned back in his chair. She was human, and not just human; she was a human who’d been ill-treated at the hands of men who couldn’t see her worth. He would break her. Closing his eyes, Armand repeated that mantra over and over in his head, hoping if he said it long enough, his instincts would stop contradicting common sense.
Chapter Fourteen
Penny rolled over on the narrow cot previously occupied by Julia, and sighed. She could feel Jolie’s eyes boring into her back, but ignored it. Jolie had already made her opinions known. She didn’t think Penny belonged in the house with the rest of them. Penny, however, did not care. As long as Jolie’s thoughts didn’t swing to injuring her, the girl had nothing to fear.
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