Lakota Honor (13 page)

Nora pressed her nails into his hand trying to rip the flesh. She wiggled her head from his, avoiding his lips.

The dog barked and growled again, a low rumble that even had the hairs on her neck standing.

Elwood spun around. "What in hell?"

Pal was hunched low to the ground, his hind legs straight. Saliva dripped from his fangs as he showed his teeth.

"You son of a bitch." He kicked Pal catching him in the teeth.

The dog lunged for his foot, biting right through the boot. He shook his head, attacking the bastard's leg.

The two men ran toward them guns drawn.

"Don't shoot him. You may miss and hit me," Elwood screamed.

She eased away from him and faded into the shadows. Once she was a safe distance from them, she called Pal off.

"I'll kill that damn mutt yet, and then there will be no one to protect you." He wiped his mouth and spat. "I will marry you, Miss Rushton, if it's the last thing I do." He limped away smirking and his men helped him inside.

She wasn't waiting around for Elwood or his men to come back. She crumpled the hem of her skirt in her hand and ran all the way home, Pal beside her. She locked the door to the cabin and pressed her forehead against it. It wasn't until her heart resumed its normal rhythm that she knelt in front of her protector and hugged him.

CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

Otakatay packed up his bedroll and tied it to the saddle. He couldn't stay here any longer. He couldn't kill the girl. Unfamiliar emotions stirred inside him, and he didn't like it one bit. He was a killer, a breed. Not wanted anywhere but in hell.

He'd begun to care, to feel pity for Nora, and it pissed him off. He clenched his jaw. He didn't need some sniveling little girl getting inside of his head, making him feel things he had no right to feel. He had to get away and fast. He needed to find another victim, one whose face he hadn't seen.

He'd fought with himself for days about why he should kill her—why it was the right decision. She would be the last one. He'd have his money, have his freedom. He'd fulfill his promise. He flexed his hands.

He was going crazy. The killer in him shrieked of the good that would come from taking her life, he wanted her blood. Otakatay battled back and forth until all he saw when he closed his eyes was Nora's face. All he heard were her cries of agony, of hopelessness, and he understood. He remembered.

He pulled the blade from the deerskin case. It fit perfectly within his palm, and he stared hard at his reflection. The assassin he'd become cried out and he fought to control it. To calm the need for revenge—for the satisfaction of knowing she would be the last.
I've seen her face.
He'd heard her voice, kissed her lips. Sweat beaded on his forehead, and he tightened his grip.

He couldn't change the past, couldn't stop what he'd done, or what he'd become. He was Otakatay one who kills many, and he had. The last victims had been innocent—their only fault was a red mark upon their scalps. He killed for a purpose, and he'd paid the price. He'd never forget. Both the sleeping and waking nightmares would haunt the rest of his days.

Nora had the mark, the sign that could change his future forever. The answer to what he desired most. How could he walk away from everything he'd fought so hard for? The memories of the others plagued his mind, yet he'd had to do it to accomplish his goal.

He rocked back on his heels and threw the knife. The tree spat wood from the trunk as the blade struck it. Why couldn't he do it? Why couldn't he kill her? The act consumed him, kept him from sleep, from thinking of anything but her and the blue eyes set within a porcelain face. He made a promise, and this was all he needed to fulfill it. She'd be the last one.

"Shit."

There was no one to help him, to listen. There hadn't been since Ina died. He'd grown accustomed to living alone, to relying on no one. He closed his eyes. If he concentrated hard enough, he could see his mother's face. He could hear her, and on the days he felt most alone, he was sure he smelled her spicy, earthy scent.

He thought of his brother, Little Eagle and his heart ached. He hung his head and allowed the despair to fill him, drowning all thoughts of goodness from his mind. He wasn't good. Hell, he wasn't even close. Yet the one thing he strived for, the one purpose he had was what pushed him to do the things he'd done.

After seven years, he was so close to having enough money to fulfill his promise. Now, he was wrapped in a cloak that clouded his judgement and whispered words he did not want to hear. His mind was foggy, and the battle between the monster he'd become and the boy he once was raged inside of him.

He made a fist. He couldn't will them, or his mind to kill Nora. He yearned for a fight, for a way to get his emotions out, to calm the beast that screamed inside his head. He needed to smash something. He turned toward town. It'd be easy enough to find someone there to fight. The wasichu were always looking to put the lowlife breed in his place. He pulled the knife from the tree and placed it back inside the case. His body vibrating, he kicked leaves over top the ashes, when he heard someone approach.

"You haven't done your job," the wasichu said as he came through the trees. He stood face to face with Otakatay.

He growled, and did nothing to hide the angry expression on his face.

"The day is not over."

There was no need to tell the wasichu how he'd backed out the other night. How instead of killing her he'd helped her.

"You've had five days."

"It will get done."

"It damn well better. I've paid you half already, and I want her dead!"

The wasichu was no better than he was. In fact he was worse. He hid behind men like Otakatay to get the dirty work done, while sitting back and living as if he were the kindest of fellows. He was a deceiver, a manipulator, and Otakatay despised him.

The wasichu picked up a rock and tossed it in the air catching it in his palm. "If you do not kill her by tomorrow evening, I will find someone who will."

"Do you really believe she is a witch?"

He often wondered if any of the women held the magic the man spouted of, or if there was another reason, a personal reason for his wanting them killed. His people didn't believe in those types of things, and he found it hard to understand they even existed.

"Yes, of course I do. They're evil."

"Evil lurks on the earth in the killers I hunt, in rabid animals, and in men who pretend to be something they are not." He scowled at the wasichu, seeing right through him to the cold-hearted son of a bitch he was. "Evil is not in the face of a woman."

"What do you know? You're a bounty hunter. A damn breed." The man scrutinized him. "You haven't seen what they can do. I've been there. I've watched them kill by touching a person."

The urge to bust the wasichu's clean-shaven jaw vibrated over him.
In time, I will end his life.

"It's in their hands. Their hands hold the power. They all have to die. They must," the wasichu went on half hysterical, and Otakatay watched as his eyes glazed and his face flushed crimson.

"Her father is dead."

"Yes, and soon she will be, too." He threw the rock onto the ground.

"Did you kill him?"

"Of course not," he scoffed. "Jack Rushton was at death's door anyway. If it wasn't a bullet that killed him, it would've been the alcohol."

Otakatay waited. He didn't care that the man was a drunk or that he'd been shot. All he wanted to know was if this wasichu had done it.

"You will do it. You will kill her."

He didn't know if it was the matter-of-fact way the man said the words, or because it was an order that caused him to bite down hard, and clench his fists. No one told him what to do. This was a job, nothing more. He chose to do it, and damn it, he'd choose when to end it.

"I want her scalp." He poked Otakatay's chest with his finger. "You will kill Nora Rushton, and you will do it by morning."

The fight he'd been looking for had presented itself. Otakatay smirked pulled back his arm and punched the man in the jaw. The wasichu stumbled backward, landing on his ass. A red welt brightened his chin and bled down the front of his shirt. He gaped up at Otakatay with dumb surprise.

"I work on my own terms." He glared. "Not yours." He grabbed the wasichu's throat and lifted him to his feet. "You touch me again white man, and you will die." He pressed his fingers into his neck.

The man nodded, his eyes bulging out of his head.

Otakatay released him with a shove.

The wasichu brushed the leaves and twigs from his pants. Fury and indignation shot from his eyes when he stared at Otakatay. He worked his hands at his sides, and Otakatay waited for him to charge. He wanted to smash the wasichu's face a few more times. He wanted to beat the life right out of the snake. But without saying another word, the white man pivoted on one heel and left.

Otakatay took a deep breath. The wasichu was the evil one, but he no longer held the money over his head. He'd find another way to get the remaining funds he needed. He'd stop by the sheriff's office and take a look at the wanted posters on the wall. It would be another month before his promise was fulfilled.

He rummaged through his saddle bags and pulled out the last of his pemmican. He bit into the dried meat and climbed onto Wakina. He thought of Nora. The wasichu would kill her.

He sat tall in the saddle, staring at the mountains ahead of him. He wouldn't allow the white man to take Nora's life. She was pure and innocent. A gem he'd not only had the pleasure to see but also to touch.

Thunder clapped in the sky, and he smelled rain. Dark clouds moved from the east toward town. This was going to be one hell of a storm. He took another bite of the meat and leaned forward to give Wakina the rest. They'd find shelter until dark, and then he'd warn the girl before he left town.

Nora placed a log on the fire and listened as the orange flames crackled, eating up the dry wood. The wind whistled through the cabin walls, and she sat back in the rocker while wrapping the quilt tighter around her legs. She hadn't been able to sleep in her room since Pa died, and tonight with the storm, she'd decided to sit by the fire with Pal.

A loud crack followed by an intimidating bang shook the cabin walls. Nora jumped. Pal whined beside her.

"It's okay. It's only rain," she said soothingly, unsure if it was for the dog's benefit or hers.

She glanced out the window and saw her reflection. It was darker than Pal's fur, and she couldn't help the slight shiver that shook her body. With her toes she pushed the chair back and forth, allowing the heat from the fire to warm her. Pa would've stayed in on a night like this and kept her company. Thunder clapped again, and Pal inched closer to her feet. She yawned and leaning her head back, she closed her eyes.

She needed to find a job. She had no money, and in time she'd have to restock the ice box. She'd stacked as much food as she could in there, but soon it would start to go bad and she'd have to throw it out. She'd find a job. She couldn't sit around here all day and do nothing. She couldn't stay in the cabin when all she thought of was Pa and how it was her fault he died.

She rocked the chair. Pal had nestled himself over her feet, keeping them warm, and she left them there not wanting to disturb him. She covered her mouth with her hand to stifle a yawn. The rain pelted the roof. The familiar and comforting
tap tap
lulled her to sleep.

Nora woke to Pal's growl. The room was black. She sat still. Someone was in the cabin. The hairs on her neck stood and her heart raced. The fire had burned down and the coals glowing orange offered little light in the room. She tucked her bottom lip between her teeth. Pal growled louder and the whites of his fangs glowed. She took a deep breath, held it and stood.

The blanket fell to her feet, and she turned around. A tall, wide shadow stood in front of her, and before she could scream the shadow lunged forward placing a hand over her mouth. She shrieked into the large palm cupped over her lips and went hysterical, thrashing her arms against a hard chest.

"It is me," a familiar voice whispered.

She inhaled through her nose as he pushed her closer to the fire so she could see his face. A loud sigh muffled against his hand when she recognized Otakatay standing before her. He stared into her eyes, waiting until she calmed down before he slowly removed his hand.

"You scared me half to death."

"There is no time. You must leave." He glanced around the cabin as if he were searching for something.

"Leave? But why?"

His eyes met hers, raw and obsessive.

Nora's stomach flipped. Terrified of what the feeling meant, she looked away.

"Someone is going to kill you."

Her head shot up. "What? Why would someone want to kill me?"
Did someone know? Had Jess or Joe told? It's what Pa feared all along.
She chewed her lip while trying to understand what he'd said.

"Because of something he thinks you have."

The room grew bright as lightning flashed outside followed by an ominous clap of thunder. The walls moved and she swayed to her right. He caught her arm. She blinked up at him and tried to focus on his face.

"But I have nothing."

"You must go." He pulled her toward the door. "Now! You must go tonight."

Things were happening too fast. She needed to know why and how he knew someone wanted her dead. She tugged her arm free and planted her feet into the wooden floor.

"But where would I go?"

He paused. "Where is your family?"

"I have no one."

Lightning illuminated the room, and she saw the hint of sadness cross his face. She touched his cheek. His skin was soft except for the whiskers, and she skimmed her thumb over his lips.

She couldn't explain why she'd touched him so intimately, other than she was drawn to him. Touching him felt right. She wasn't afraid of him, and she knew he wasn't the vile beast he proclaimed to be.

He moved closer, his hard chest pressed against hers. He bent and his black hair tickled her cheek. She felt his breath upon her lips and closed her eyes. He released her and stepped back, his shoulders rigid.

"You must go."

She stood motionless and watched as sadness, anger and confusion crossed his handsome face.

"I have nowhere to go."