by Kari Miller
“Now Love, what I have to say to you is very important so you need to listen very carefully.” He started.
Her eyes were open and he knew they wanted to be closed. He saw the shame and fear in her eyes and knew exactly what was going through her head.
“I heard everything that you told Peter, you’ll never have to speak out loud of those events again if you choose not to.”
She looked frightened, as though he was her judge and jury and she was about to be sentenced.
He leaned down and kissed her lips, gently.
“The drug that Sebastian gave you was an aphrodisiac. It’s not meant to affect your mind, it is meant to affect your body. Most women give in to their body and throw caution to the wind, you did not. Even if you had Love, I would have never blamed you, ever. Those drugs are potent and you cannot fight your body’s responses to it. No matter how hard you try, your body will always react to it. You did absolutely nothing wrong Katherine, nothing. Even if you wanted to give in to him and even if he gave you release, I do not judge you - that’s what the drug was meant to do.”
“I tried Salvador, I really did. He wanted me to admit that I wanted him but I never did.” She confessed in a tortured voice.
He was having a hard time remaining calm. Just the thought of another man touching her was beyond what he could endure, but this was harder because it was through the most evil form of rape that there is. If Sebastian had forced his way on her and let her fight, this would have been much easier on her. But thanks to the drug, her body became a willing participant and that’s what got to her – and him.
“I’m going to take you home and I will never let anyone touch or hurt you again. Do you believe me?”
She stared at him for a moment. He supposed she was trying to see if there was any rejection or condemnation in his eyes but she found none.
“Yes” she whispered.
“Good. Now, how is our child holding up?” he asked gently.
He had felt the bulge in her stomach and he was desperate to see how she was progressing.
“I...I don’t feel any cramps or pains if that’s what you mean.” She responded shyly.
Women weren’t used to men enquiring about their conditions, it wasn’t usual practice for the husbands to get involved, but he wasn’t the usual husband.
“May I see?” he asked with a hopeful note in his tone.
Her beautiful eyes widened and then she slowly nodded.
He helped her out of his lap and then stood her in front of him so her belly was level with his face.
He gently placed his hands on her legs and then slid them up, caressing them as he went along. When they reached his shirt – the one he replaced Sebastian’s with when she fell asleep – he started to lift it and he heard her intake of breath.
When the shirt was lifted to just under her swollen breasts he looked up at her face to see how she was doing. She looked unsure.
“Hold this for me please?” he asked her.
She took the shirt into her hands and held it up for him.
She was even more beautiful then he remembered. Her skin was porcelain and the little bump that was coming out of her belly was endearing.
He placed his hands over her belly and gently kissed her belly button.
With her free hand, she softly caressed his hair and it was in that moment that he knew she would be alright.
When they would get back home, he planned on spending an entire day making love to her and erasing Pennington and Sebastian’s touch. He was so grateful that he hadn’t taken it all the way and that his ship had made it there on time.
“You are so beautiful” he spoke into her belly and then kissed her again.
“Is the baby moving yet?” he asked in wonder as he admired his child within her.
“Sometimes I feel little flutters but no kicks yet.”
“That’ll come” he said while smiling.
Dropping her shirt when a knock came at the door, he tucked her into his side and covered her with the blanket.
“Come in” he called out.
The door opened and Alex walked in with a tray of food.
“I thought your little lady may be hungry - and you too.” He said as he placed the tray on a small table near the bed.
“Thanks Alex” he said as he eyed the food and felt hunger for the first time in days.
Kat stared up at him with her large green eyes.
“Are you alright?” He asked shyly.
She nodded her head.
“Look Katherine, I’m sorry that I man handled you…I thought you were a wench!” he confessed.
Salvador would have exploded at that moment if it weren’t for the smile that came to Kat’s face.
“No need to apologize Alex…even if I was a wench.” She replied, keeping the smile on her face.
Alex returned her smile and started for the door, then stopped and turned around.
“Katherine…I know this isn’t the most appropriate time but, how’s Angel?”
“Other than the morning sickness, your wife was doing fine.” She replied in a gentle tone. “She misses you and she’s driving everybody nuts with that fact.” She tacked on.
Alex smiled and nodded his head at her and then left them in peace again.
Chapter 32 - Picking up the Pieces
They arrived in Port just over a day later. The remainder of the trip was quiet. The Captain was slowly recovering and was very apologetic towards Salvador for ever doubting his command. Salvador never left Katherine’s side and Peter pulled his cot into their room to share with them while Charles and the others fixed up the room that Peter had destroyed and bunked there. Katherine never saw those rooms and only went above deck a few times to get some fresh air and stretch her legs. She seemed to be recovering fine and never mentioned another word of what happened to her.
When they got to port - Salvador, Charles and Alex headed back to the estate while Ed, Simon and Peter went off to gather info about Pennington. Salvador and Peter had only spoken of their plans when Katherine was asleep. They were to go find out if Pennington had made enquiries into an annulment and they were to have Cedric follow Pennington everywhere. An annulment was not even possible and figured that Pennington knew that, which is why he tried to stow her away. Salvador had gone through all the legal documents with the lawyer and there was no mention of the contract that he spoke of, Salvador doubted it even existed.
When they arrived at the estate they were stopped by five guards, Salvador bid them to return to the estate with them.
Katherine knew he was trying to keep his cool in front of her, but when he jumped back into the carriage, he was just barely suppressing his anger.
“It wasn’t their fault” she said quietly.
He looked at her and smiled.
“Of course not Love.” He replied and kissed her forehead, tucking her into him.
Salvador had stuck close to her since her rescue and not once did she sense that he despised her. She believed what he said about the drug and was able to forgive herself because of it. She had never heard of a drug that could do such a thing, but thinking back to the incident, she didn’t doubt what he said.
The carriage stopped and Salvador tipped her chin up, giving her a gentle kiss that spoke of love and devotion before releasing her and jumping out of the carriage. When he turned to help her out, she heard the guards gasp and then cries of relief from the door of the house. She looked up and saw Angel and Rachel running towards her and then she was caught up in tears and hugs.
When they released her, they heard the clearing of a man’s throat and when they realized their husbands stood behind them, they gasped and ran into their arms.
“Come love, let’s get you inside.” Salvador said gently as he took her in his arms and led her to the door.
She could hear the others following behind and at one point heard Rachel ask Charles what had happened, he told her that now was not the time.
When the
y entered the house, the servants bustled around and made a fuss of her return. She should have felt comfort from the warm welcome but instead she felt intimidated. She started to tremble at the thought of having to tell them what happened.
Salvador didn’t miss a step. Instead of leading her to the receiving room, he barked orders for Sarah to run their baths, for Jenna to be prepared to see them in their chambers in an hour and for the cook to bring them some food. Leading her up the stairs without a backwards glance, they headed straight to their chambers.
Salvador waited for Sarah to enter the room before closing the door behind her and then led Katherine to the sitting area.
“Do you want something to drink before you take your bath?” he asked as he seated her down.
“Maybe some water?” she asked, not wanting him to go out of his way but at the same time feeling parched and needing it.
“Of course Love; I’ll get that for you while you take off your boots.”
With that, he kissed her forehead and joined Sarah in the bathing chamber.
He was back with her glass of water before her second boot was off, he prompted her to sit back and drink while he took over the task.
The boots were far too big for her. He had found one of the crew members who was smaller than the rest and took a pair of his spare clothes and boots for her. The clothes were too big and she felt awkward wearing a mans breaches, but she was thankful all the same.
Sarah quietly let herself out while Salvador pulled her towards the bathing chamber.
“I can undress myself” she mused as Salvador started tugging at her shirt.
“Where’s the fun in that?” he replied with a smirk as he smacked her hands away and continued to undress her.
When she was completely naked, he wasted no time in lifting her into the tub. Once she was settled, he undressed himself and joined her.
She felt spoiled as he proceeded to wash her body and hair and then insisted that she lay back and relax while he bathed himself.
Finally her muscles were starting to relax and she was thankful to him for taking her right to their chambers. She had no desire to answer any questions and wasn’t ready to face her Sisters.
“Come Love” Salvador prompted her as he held out his hand to help her out of the tub.
She let him dry her and then took one of her nightgowns and put it on her before scooping her up and taking her to bed.
“You don’t need to do all this…” she whispered as he tucked her under the covers.
“Sure I do, now hush.” He replied affectionately as he fluffed pillows behind her back so she could sit up comfortably.
A knock came at the door and Salvador walked over to open it. Taking the tray from the servant, he shut the door behind him and returned to the bed.
Sitting on the bed with her in his robe, they both ate in silence. Before she was finished, Jenna came to the room. Salvador pulled her aside to speak with her quietly while she finished her meal.
When Jenna and Salvador reappeared, Jenna looked sympathetic but did not ask her any questions.
“Jenna’s going to examine you love and make sure the baby is still healthy.” Salvador told her in a gentle tone as he took the tray from her.
“But, I feel fine.” She protested.
“Even still.” He responded with finality in his tone.
Taking a deep breath, she closed her eyes and waited.
Jenna pulled back the blankets and then clucked at Salvador to give them privacy. She opened her eyes in time to see Salvador giving Jenna a look of warning as he sat on the bed next to her, taking her hand in his.
Closing her eyes again, she flinched as Jenna started poking and prodding her.
When she was finished, she gave Katherine a clean bill of health and then excused herself from the room.
“Lie down, Love.” He whispered to her.
She was still exhausted from the whole ordeal and felt no need to protest.
Salvador laid down with her and pulled her into his side, cradling her against him as she quickly found her sleep.
~
Salvador stayed with her a bit longer, just to assure himself that she was alright. He found that he’d become anxious when separated from her and wouldn’t rest until Pennington was dead.
He carefully untangled himself from her and dressed himself to face the guards. He wasn’t surprised that she would try to defend them, but he knew better. There was no way anyone could have gotten in and out of this bedroom window without being noticed. They would have had to climb up the terrace leading to the window and then down it with her slung over their shoulder or walked through the house and out the front door. Either way that should have caused notice.
He made his way downstairs and spotted Jenna in the hallway.
“Jenna, I’d like for you to go sit with Katherine until I get back.” He called out to her as he continued on his way to the study where everyone was waiting for him. He didn’t even wait for her to reply, knowing she wouldn’t disobey him.
When he entered the study, he paused at the door to the scene before him.
Peter had a knife to a guard’s throat and blood was trickling down the guys neck while Ed had another guard face down on the floor with his knee lodged into his back. One of Cedric’s goons stood beside his desk observing the scene with disinterest. Simon, Alex and Charles held the remaining guards against the wall at knife point as everyone was trying to talk over each other.
“Silence!” he boomed as he shut the door behind him.
The room froze and all eyes turned to him.
“Charles, explain!” he yelled out as he took his own dagger out of its sheath.
“Peter, Ed and Simon returned not long ago reporting that a couple of our security guards had been spotted with Pennington after Katherine’s kidnapping. They brought Paul with them to identify the guards here.” He nodded to the guards being held by Peter and Ed “We don’t know if any of the other guards were involved so we are holding them for questioning.”
“Peter, you’re going to get blood on my carpet. Please take him outside. Ed, bring yours with him.”
He eyed the remaining guards as Peter and Ed dragged their captives with them outside. One of the guards blanched and appeared to be sweating a bit too much for an innocent.
“Alex, take him outside as well please.” He said calmly as he pointed to the man in question.
“No! Please don’t! I have a wife and child!” he bellowed as Alex dragged him outside.
“Anyone else?” Charles asked the remaining guards in general.
“Naw, Percy there is on the up and up I can vouch for that and good ‘ol Henry ‘as a soft spot for t’ladies if you know what I mean. Been watchin’ them through this all and the rest of the bloats ‘cept the one you just took seem to be in a shock like you.” Paul piped up.
“Thank you Paul. Can any of you tell me what happened that night?” he asked as he took his seat behind his desk.
“No Lord Salvador. We were guarding the Northern and Eastern Perimeter, except for Henry who was guarding the entrance, but he was clocked on the head. The house was guarded by those you carried away.” Percy spoke up.
“What happened?” Charles asked Henry.
“I was clocked on the head from behind but it was not hard enough to render me useless. When I tried to get to my feet, they snuffed me with a poisoned rag.” He defended himself. “I swear I went out like a light and woke up in the house.”
“I want you guys to stay close. Percy, you’ll remain on as Katherine’s guard. When I or any of my brothers are not with her - you will be. The rest of you can find temporary quarters, my steward; Henry will help you find accommodations. John, you’ll be Percy’s replacement when he’s not on guard, the two of you can come up with a schedule. Henry, please show these gentlemen to their new quarters.”
“Yes My Lord.” Henry replied as he gestured for them to follow.
“Lord Salvador, I must advise you…”
Percy started.
“Not now Percy, I’ll come see you for a full report when I deal with the others.”
“Yes My Lord.”
“Paul, my footman will take you back to the city. Thank you for assisting us with this matter.” He continued on.
“Nasty business taking a woman of fine breedin’ it is. Those men should rest with the fishes I reckon.” Paul commented as he left the room.
Salvador nodded to Charles to follow him.
Outside, Peter was wiping his bloody dagger on the unmoving body of his captive while both Alex and Ed had theirs laying face first on the ground with them on top.
“Peter?” Charles called out.
“The man had a death wish, I simply complied.” He responded as though he was relaying the weather.
Salvador nodded at him and then turned his attention to the other two.
“Bring me that one.” Salvador nodded to the captive Alex was holding.
The man was sobbing as Alex brought him to Salvador and Charles. When Peter joined them, the man flinched away from him.
“What is your name?” Charles asked the man.
“B-Benny.” He sobbed out.
“Benny, I’m assuming you can be bought.” Salvador drawled out lazily.
“B-Bought? I-I…”
“Yes Benny, bought! To the highest bidder - unless of course your loyalties are to Pennington.”
“No! I-I tried to warn him” he pointed to the dead man “on the day of the kidnapping, I didn’t know he was working for Pennington too. When I went to warn Henry”, he pointed to the other man lying on the ground “caught up to me and told me that if I said a word he would turn me over to Pennington and then go after my family. I-I’m s-sorry My Lord b-but I only needed the money.”
“Pennington knows you tried to turn traitor! I took care of that!” the man on the ground laughed out.
Without a word, Simon slit the mans throat and then wiped the blade on the mans shirt.
“I can still use you. I’m giving you a chance to redeem yourself. Pennington knows you tried to turn traitor so I cannot send you back to him. Once he learns his men have been disposed of, he’ll start cutting off all ties. I need you alive. There is a boat leaving port in three days, you and your family will be on that boat. I’m giving you a second chance at living and I suggest you do not disappoint me.”