Jacki and the Giant

by T. Lee Garland

  “You are a distraction, my dove, and one I can ill afford.”

  “Please. I promise to do as you say and stay out of your way. I can’t stay here, not knowing. It will kill me inside.” Jacki allowed her hand to drop from his face, but still, her tear-filled eyes searched his for any sign that he may relent and let her go.

  “What a fool I am, for I can’t deny you anything. Very well, you may come. I pray I don’t live to regret this decision.”

  “You will not. I promise.” Jacki rose on her toes and kissed him quickly on the mouth and rushed to put her shoes on before he changed his mind.

  “I’ll go out and hook up the wagon. We may as well pick up some supplies and marry while we are in the village.”

  Jacki stopped tying her boots and looked up at him. The thought that he could so easily talk about killing a man in one sentence and in another talk of marriage frightened her. Was he taking Tavis for granted? Underestimating the effort needed to kill him? If so, it could be his undoing. “Ben, do not think Tavis will let me go without a fight. Don’t misjudge his madness.”

  Ben turned from the door and frowned at her. “I have known cowards like Tavis my entire life. I felt their wrath when I was but a boy and much smaller. Have no fear. I have his measure. He targets those he sees as weaker than himself … women, children, and even helpless animals. When all along he is the one who is weak. He preys on those he sees as puny to make himself feel stronger and more of a man than he is. I can promise you this, my dove, tonight we will sleep in our own bed as man and wife and all thoughts of Tavis will be gone from our lives.” He slipped a long sword into a belt around his waist.

  Jacki watched him whirl and go out the door. She bit down on her lower lip and fear swirled within her stomach. Puss Puss jumped up on the bed beside her and she mindlessly stroked her soft fur. “I pray you are right, my love,” she whispered to only the cat because Ben had already gone.

  ****

  Tavis watched dispassionately as Molly sucked his cock. The busty blonde had proven to be quite skilled, having taken on all three of them last night. She didn’t even seem to mind the bruises they’d left on her creamy skin. When he woke this morning, he had a hard cock, having dreamed of Jacki and the many ways he would make his stepsister pay. He’d rolled in the bed to find Molly curled up beside him. She would have to do.

  Grabbing her by her hair, he dragged her between his legs and without having to instruct her, she’d immediately opened wide and taken him inside her swollen and split lips. Yes, she would make a nice addition to his whore house. The bitch liked it rough and his cock always got hard when violence was part of sex. The lusty barmaid would make him a pretty penny, too. With his stepsister and Molly under his control, he would quickly become a very wealthy man.

  Reaching down, he grabbed a handful of hair and ruthlessly held her bobbing head still while he shoved his cock down her throat as far as it would go and released his seed. The greedy whore gulped it all down. Maybe he could use her to teach Jacki how to please a man. When he had finished, he pushed her to the side with disgust. “Be gone.”

  Standing, she hurriedly pulled her dress over her head. When she was done dressing, she held her hand out. “My payment first, and I’ll be on my way, sir.”

  Tavis looked across the room where his two hired men waited. “Pay the whore and get her from my sight.”

  The biggest, who called himself Cutch, tossed her a coin. She caught it easily and bit down on it. Smiling with satisfaction, she pocketed the coin and sashayed to the door. “It’s been fun, gents. I’ll be waiting and ready for you when you come back.” She pulled the door open.

  “Wait!” Tavis called. “How do we get to the mountain and this so-called giant who has my stepsister?”

  “If you wish to live, you don’t. He’s the biggest man I’ve ever seen and he’s most fierce-looking, with a scar from here to here.” She ran her finger from her eyebrow to her chin.

  Tavis shot his gaze to Cutch. He reached out, grabbed Molly by the hair, and yanked her back. “Answer the man.”

  “Very well, it’s your head, not mine. Go east out of the village and look up. You can’t miss it. If you survive, you’ll be coming back for me, won’t you? You promised I could work for you in your new house.”

  Tavis nodded. “We will be back in two days. Be ready.” Cutch released her, shoved her out the open door, and slammed it shut.

  Tavis climbed from the bed and started to pull his clothes on. “Get ready, men. We go to kill an ugly giant.”

  Cutch looked over at his brother, Red, and something passed between the two of them. “We didn’t sign on to kill a fucking giant. We’re getting paid to track and bring back the girl. We’ve done our job. You know where she is now.”

  Tavis glared at them. “Let me guess, you want more money?”

  “No, boss, we want out.”

  “There is no out. Not until we get Jacki. I’ve promised you all the pussy you could ever want at my whore house. I’ll pay you double if you help me. Our deal isn’t done until I have the bitch in my hands.”

  The two brothers looked at each other and finally, Cutch nodded. “Fine, but we’ll be taking partial payment now.”

  Tavis dug angrily into his pocket and tossed a bag of coins on the floor in front of the men. “Greedy bastards, you best earn this price.”

  Red bent, picked up the bag, weighed it in his hand, and then nodded at Cutch. Cutch’s gaze shot to Tavis. “We’ll earn it, have no fear. You just better hope you live long enough to pay us the rest due.”

  Tavis growled at them and spit on the floor with disgust. “No, honor among thieves. Go and ready the horses. Before the night ends, we’ll all be sharing the sweetness of my stepsister. The freak will be well worth the fight.” Tavis shrugged. “And it’s not every day one can brag that they killed a giant.”

  “The bigger he is, the harder he will fall,” Cutch noted.

  The three men laughed nervously. “And fall he will,” Tavis said. “Fall he will.” Tavis watched them leave the room to do as he had bid. He grinned. The imbeciles actually expected him to pay them double and allow them free rein in his whore house? Oh well, he hadn’t hired them for their smarts, but for their muscle and tracking ability. Once the giant was dead and he had Jacki, he would have no more use for them. Maybe he would get lucky and the giant would take care of them for him. Tavis strapped a knife to his waist. Things were definitely looking up.

  Chapter Sixteen

  “Are you sure you are comfortable, Hollis?” Jacki looked over her shoulder at the little man riding in the back of the wagon. He yawned and patted his mouth before answering.

  “I am most comfortable, miss. Thank you. It’s true I could have used a bit more sleep after my excursion into town, but otherwise, I am fine.”

  Ben, never taking his eyes from the narrow mountain road, grunted. “You can sleep all you desire once our mission is complete.” Beside him, Jacki gripped the wagon seat with knuckles gone white. “Relax, my dove. I have traveled this road my entire life and I know it well. Naught bad will happen.”

  Jacki giggled nervously. “I wasn’t this fearful climbing up the mountain, however going down it is a little unnerving.” She looked over the side of the mountain and gasped.

  “It’s best to not look over the edge. Keep your eyes forward,” Ben instructed.

  “Sire is correct, miss. Look forward, or better yet close your eyes,” Hollis called out from the back.

  “Sire?” asked Jacki.

  “Of course, the Stalk family has owned this mountain for generations. He became king of the mountain at the death of his father, the fourth Benjamin Stalks.”

  “Hollis,” Ben growled a warning.

  If Hollis heard, he didn’t let on. He continued with his explanation. “Benjamin’s great-great-great grandfather was my first sire. I was gifted to the Stalk family by a witch who was most grateful for the royal families’ intervention in what would have been her immediate d
eath by an angry mob. I have served them proudly ever since.”

  Jacki’s mouth dropped open. “Precisely how old are you? You scarce look more than forty.”

  Hollis smoothed down his jacket and pulled his hat further down over his tiny ears. His dark eyes looked up and met Jacki’s shocked ones. “I am ageless, miss. I was granted immortality by the appreciative witch. I will serve your children and your children’s children and so on and so forth.”

  Jacki looked up at Ben for confirmation, but he kept his face neutral and studied the road only. She swallowed. “In what capacity do you serve the family?”

  Hollis shrugged. “I am here to ensure the survival of the royal line, of course.”

  “Meaning what exactly?”

  Hollis looked up at Jacki. “I locate mates for the king to ensure the line does not die out. I guard and protect the family when necessary. I also am the only one who knows where the family treasure of gold is hidden.”

  “Royal family? Treasures of gold? Mates? Wait, you sent me here purposely to mate with the giant … I mean, king of the mountain? You choose me for Ben?”

  “Aye, miss. You are his destiny. I knew it the moment I saw you in the pub. In all my years, I’ve only made one error in judgment and that was the choice of the sire’s own mother.”

  Jacki looked up at Ben for his reaction. His face was blank except for a rapid tic in his tense jawline. “And you go with us now to keep Ben from harm?”

  Hollis looked at her in confusion. “Nay, Miss Jacinda, I go to protect you, for you carry the future king of the mountain.”

  “Hollis, that is enough,” Ben ordered sternly. He could feel Jacki’s gaze on his face so he sighed with resignation and pulled the wagon to a halt and turned to her.

  “You have questions? I can see it on your face.”

  Jacki touched her stomach and looked at him in amazement. “Yes, I have questions. Is Hollis correct? I am with child?”

  Ben shot a glare over his shoulder at Hollis. “Yes, he knows these things somehow.”

  “Did you know?”

  “Nay, Hollis has a big mouth at times. I would have preferred a different telling, or that you came to the conclusion yourself.”

  “My most ardent apologizes, sire. Though it is early in his growth, I thought you would like to know.” The pudgy little man stood and bowed low to Jacki. “Have no fear, miss. I will guard you and the babe. No harm shall come to either.”

  “It is a boy?” she whispered.

  Hollis’s gaze moved to Ben and he sighed and gave him a curt nod. “Aye, miss.”

  Tears filled Jacki’s eyes and she looked down and gently rubbed her flat stomach. Ben lifted her face with a finger under her chin. “Are you happy, my dove?”

  “In nine months we will be blessed with a child, a son. Yes, I am incredibly happy.”

  Ben leaned forward and touched his mouth to hers for a soft kiss. He pulled back and looked deep into her eyes as one hand cupped her face. “You are more precious to me than any treasure or any gold. Our child will know only love his entire life. This I promise.”

  “As it should be,” Hollis pointed out with a curt nod of his head.

  Ben hovered over Jacki’s lips and a slight smile lifted the corners of his mouth. “Hollis, hell’s bells, shut up.” He took her mouth then so possessively as to imprint her on his soul forever and she kissed him back with just as much ardor.

  “Well, now that this is settled, shall we be on our way, sire? I have a nap planned for this afternoon and would like to be back in my stall.”

  Jacki looked back at Hollis when Ben snapped the reins to get the mules moving again. “Hollis, why do you stay in the barn? Perhaps Ben could build you your own cottage instead.”

  Hollis looked at her with his eyes wide in horror. “The barn is my home, miss. It’s where I belong. Where I’m among my friends. A cottage? Beg your pardon, but that is an absurd suggestion. What in the world would a goose do with his own cottage?”

  Jacki blinked once, twice, and with mouth agape, glanced up at Ben who was slowly shaking his head and grinning. “Hollis, you should have stopped while you were ahead.”

  Chapter Seventeen

  Right before they got into the village, Ben turned the wagon to the right and down a narrow, tree-lined road. “Where are we going?” Jacki asked.

  “I’m making a stop to see a friend. Someone I want you to meet.”

  He pulled the wagon to a halt in front of a large building and within seconds, the front door flew open and about twenty-five small boys came running toward them. “What is this place?”

  “It’s an orphanage. It’s run by my friend Brother John.” Ben jumped down from the seat and walked around to pull her to the ground too. Hollis, she noticed, was immediately surrounded by the boys, who obviously knew him well. Jacki watched him pull an endless supply of sweets from his pockets and hand them out to the children.

  “Benjamin, what a wonderful surprise, it’s always good to see you.”

  Jacki looked up to see a thin man dressed in priest’s robes coming toward them. He had kind blue eyes and a genuine smile, and she liked him immediately. The man offered Ben his hands and the giant gripped them both warmly.

  “How have you been, Brother John?”

  The man smiled. “Well, thanks to you and your generosity. The children all have warm coats and new shoes for the winter, and they especially loved the books you sent.”

  Ben ran his hand through his hair and looked a little sheepish. “You know if you need anything, all you have to do is tell Hollis and we will see that it happens. I’ll not have the boys want for anything when I can provide.”

  “Yes, bless you, son.” His kind regard fell on Jacki and widened in surprise. “Who is this lovely young lady?”

  Ben put his arm around her waist and pulled her forward. “This is Jacinda. Brother John, I’m hoping you could do us a favor?”

  “Of course, what can I help you with?”

  Ben looked down at her and Jacinda nervously bit her bottom lip. Why had he brought her here? He could no doubt see the confusion in her face and he eased it by smiling and pulling her closer to his side. “Would you do me the honor of marrying me and Jacinda … today?

  Jacki gasped and Brother John looked speechless. “I have been blessed, Brother John. Hollis has found the one for me and I don’t want to lose her. I hope you understand the haste and I apologize for the short notice but…”

  “Think nothing of it. I would be honored to perform the ceremony.” Brother John put his hand up on Ben’s shoulder. “I am happy for you, Benjamin Stalk. Long have you lived alone and I know your heart and it is capable of too much love to not be able to share it. Come inside to the chapel.” They were quickly hustled into a small chapel. Surrounded by the suddenly solemn boys and Hollis, they stood together before the plain altar. They quietly spoke the words that would bind them together forever.

  Ben pulled a ring from his pocket and slipped it on her finger. Jacki looked down at the large ruby and gasped. “It was my mother’s. The color reminds me of your hair, my dove.” He leaned forward and touched his lips to hers, and the deed was done.

  Jacki was married to the giant of the mountain.

  ****

  Brother John had encouraged them to stay for a celebratory dinner, but Ben explained they were headed to the village to pick up supplies and needed to get back home before dark. He made no mention of Tavis or their true intent. Ben promised they would return in the spring for a visit and he slipped a bag of coins into Brother John’s hands before they left. He hadn’t lied. They did need to pick up some supplies, but mainly he needed to find and kill Tavis. He would not have the shadow of him hanging over them for the rest of their lives.

  He could sense Jacinda’s nervousness the closer to town they got, and he wished there was something he could say to ease her mind. She was just going to have to trust that he could keep her safe. Ben pulled the wagon to a stop at the livery stable and cli
mbed down before reaching up and pulling his wife down beside him. He leaned forward and touched his lips to hers and delighted in the horrified look that came over her face and the pinking of her cheeks.

  She placed her hands on his chest and attempted to push him away. “Ben, please, people are looking at us.”

  He didn’t care who was watching. Let them all know that this woman was his. “You’re my wife. Let them look.” He leaned back down and gave her a brief kiss again before tossing some coins at the stable hand who stood silently by. “Feed and water them, but don’t unhitch. We won’t be long.”

  Ben took her arm and they strolled down the walkway through the village. Hollis followed closely behind them. As was the custom, the villagers moved out of his way and tried to look like they weren’t staring at him. Now they had even more reason to pretend to not see … Jacinda. Anyone who even looked at them askew got a growl and a glare sent their way from him. He wanted it to be known he would not tolerate the mistreatment of his wife.

  “Where are we going, husband?”

  “There is a market area just ahead. We can pick up some supplies there and you can get whatever your heart desires, my dove.”

  “I’ve already obtained my heart’s desire—you. What more could I possibly need or want?”

  “Hell’s bells, wife, how you tempt me. How am I going to make it the rest of the way home without stopping to raise your skirts and take you?”

  Jacinda giggled. “Perhaps the addition of Hollis in the wagon will cool your ardor. We wouldn’t want to shock him, would we?”

  “He can close his damn eyes and ears, or better yet fly home.” Ben scanned the area around them as they walked. He kept the conversation light in hopes Jacinda would not notice the stares they were generating, but he could feel the tremble in her body. He was proud of his new wife and the strength and courage she portrayed.

  They moved into the market area and people hurried away from them. “Get yourself some fabric to make more clothing.” Ben stopped at a table laden down with material. “My wife gets whatever she wants,” he said to the merchant before laying gold coins on the table.