The Bear King's Captive: Curvy Paranormal Shape Shifter Romance (8 page)

Otso opened his mouth and Leah threw a warning finger. “Don’t interrupt me. It’s not nice.” Leah paused, waiting to see if Otso remained quiet, which he did. “If you weren’t the most conceited son of a bitch I’d ever met, you would’ve realized your
guests
refuse to join dinner because our faces and hands are etched with mold and dirt. I haven’t brushed my teeth, taken a shower, or changed my mildewy clothes in…I don’t know how long. All you’re concerned about is you.”

He glared at her for a moment, walked toward the door, then turned. “No tricks, Princess. My temper is short.” The door shut, lever scraping the metal. From the hall, a huge burst of laughter penetrated the thin walls.

“Jerk!” Leah kicked the door, sending another jab of pain in her toe.

TWELVE

Ten minutes later, pounding on the other side of the locked storage room door ricocheted off the rust-splotched walls. Leah put fists on her hip. “Now who?”

A muffled voice filtered into the room. “Hola. We go.”

Go where? Otso--the commander--whoever the hell he was said thirty minutes. What did they have planned? Could she trust Otso’s words about not hurting them? The only other choice was to hide again, and more than likely, starve to death.

“Sí, we go.”

The door opened slowly and Maricio poked his head in and looked around before entering. He smiled and motioned for them to follow him.

They trailed their guide, with two more men bringing up the rear, down a long corridor and then climbed stairs to the higher decks. Several flights up, Maricio pointed down a hall. “Eat.” On the next level up, nice carpet and wallpaper decorated the area. White doors with brass numbers lined both sides of the hall. Maricio stopped two doors from the end.

He opened the door and turned to Ivan. “Diego’s room. Now for you.”

Leah and Ivan looked at each other--she was unsure what their escort meant. Maricio placed his hand on Ivan’s back and shoved him into the room. “You room.” He closed the door and stepped to his right. Opening a second door, he motioned for Leah to enter.

“¿Para mi?” Leah smiled and looked at him.

“Sí, señorita.” A relaxed smile spread across his face. A spew of words came from him in which she translated only a few. Something about a dress and a wife who did laundry on the boat.
Commander
was said, but she didn’t catch anything after the word. Hopefully it wasn’t important. She smiled and said okay. He smiled back.

She entered the room, not knowing why they were suddenly allowed cabins, but not caring either. Maricio closed the door. Immediately, a knock sounded behind her. She opened the door.

Smiling from ear to ear, Ivan bobbed up and down, trying to peek over her shoulder into her cabin. “Do we get to stay in these rooms?”

Leah walked farther into the space. “I hope so. I really want a shower.” The square room held a small sitting area with a plaid upholstered chair, desk, half fridge, TV, and bed.

She opened the narrow door across the room from the bed and gasped. Inside, she came face to face with the one item she thought she would never see again: a deep tub with shower. On the short countertop, shampoo, soap, comb, toothbrush and paste lay next to a small white hairdryer attached to the wall.

She rushed Ivan out the door. He glanced over his shoulder. “Hey. Don’t forget about eating.”

Yeah, yeah. She’d deal with that when the time arrived. She closed the cabin door and couldn’t get to the tub fast enough. She turned on the faucet and let the hot, silky water run down her arm and over her fingers. While the small tub filled, she took the toothbrush out of its plastic wrap and loaded on the paste.

After undressing, she tossed her over-worn clothes onto the floor in the main room. She pulled the door to, then stepped into the tub of exquisitely hot water.

The white cast-iron basin was too short for her to fully stretch out, but after lying on steel, she’d take anything offered. Bending her knees, she slid under the water, letting the heat warm her chilled bones and soothe her sore muscles.

After thoroughly scrubbing every inch of skin, the intoxicating comfort calmed her anxiety and washed away the remains of her headache. She leaned her head against the side of the tub and released a slow, deep breath, almost forgetting she was a prisoner.

* * *

Hannes tapped on Leah’s cabin door. After no reply, he knocked again and waited. When no answer came, he opened the door. He peeked his head in and peered into the dimly lit area. He frowned and stepped into the room. No Leah? Perhaps she was in the boy’s room. He’d just leave the bundle he carried on the bed.

Halfway across the room, he saw her clothes on the floor next to the bathroom. Hannes stopped and noticed the door slightly ajar. He laid his delivery on the bed, then slinked to the bath. Pleasing fragrances of shampoo and soap floated in the air.

Thoughts of various possibilities raced a twinge of excitement through his body. She would be quite exposed and susceptive to his commands. He grabbed the knob. Looking down at the back of his scarred knuckles, he couldn’t move. Anger, pain, regret consumed him. He turned and quietly left the room.

In the hallway, he put his hand over his pounding heart and wiped the sweat from his forehead. Why was this irritating American bothering him so damn much? He should just be done with her. But questions still nagged at him.

Loud explosions echoed in the hall--one after another. Inside the bathroom, Leah stood frozen in her flannel Hello Kitty nightgown. Child-sized hands covered her ears. Her heart pounded; fear choked every breath.

The noise stopped. She watched the bathroom door glide open the same way it always did in her nightmare. Her mom’s flower-scented soaps in the basket next to the vanity sink did nothing to block the burning gunpowder floating in the air.

On the hall wall, Leah saw the family picture Daddy made everyone dress-up for. She hated the dress she had to wear.

Emerging from the darkness, a strange man held a shotgun and looked down on her. He had one blue eye, one brown eye. They burned a hole into her soul. She would never forget them as long as she lived.

The man rested the two gun barrels against her forehead.             

“Leah, run! Hide!” The sawed-off metal end scraped across her skin. Simultaneous shots blasted in the hall. She screamed, squeezed her eyes shut and balled up on the floor. She prayed God would take away the bad man. Daddy told her bad men liked hurting people, and he worked really hard to put those people in jail. Her daddy was in the hallway; she just heard him. Why didn’t he arrest this man?

Ringing filled her confused mind. She opened her eyes. The man had fallen against the wall and was making it back to his feet, leaving a red handprint directly under the family picture. He slapped his hand against his cheek and fell to a knee. Blood seeped through his fingers, down his arm, onto the flecked carpet. The brown eye dangled from the socket.

“You run and hide, señorita. I find you one day.”

Leah jerked to a sitting position, choking back a scream. Cooled water in the tub splashed over the end.
Run and hide. I find you one day.
The nightmare faded. Anguish tore her heart as it always did after the dream.

She hated them for leaving her. Why couldn’t she have gone with them? She’d never trust anyone or let anyone into her heart ever again. Push down the pain, deep inside, no memories, no guilt. It was her fault they were dead.

After taking a deep breath, she stepped out and grabbed a towel off the bar over the toilet. The plush fibers felt like silk gliding over her skin.

The thought of putting on her old clothes rolled her stomach. If she could wash them, several times, she’d be okay.

Her foot pushed the door open and she saw a stack of stuff on the bed. Where did that come from? She ran to the door and flipped the deadbolt. Damn, how could she forget? Anyone could’ve entered.

When lifting the white material on top of the stack, a ruffled, white cotton dress unfolded. She laid it on the bed along with accompanying undergarments and dug through the items, mostly bathroom and feminine stuff. Otso must’ve asked one of the female workers onboard to put a care package together for her. That was nice of him--not thinking about himself, for once.

She slipped the simple shift dress over her head and shimmied it down her body. Unfortunately, full length extended above her knees. This was meant for someone much shorter, but she wasn’t complaining. She tugged up on the deep scoop neckline. Cleavage wasn’t something she cared to show-off. Not with that animal Korhonen walking around.

Three bangs shook the door. “Leah, time to eat.”

So soon? She wasn’t ready yet. In front of the half-unfogged mirror, she combed her wet hair straight back.

Ivan knocked again. “Come on, Leah. Maricio is leaving.”

“Go on. I’ll catch up.” She didn’t hear a reply so she assumed they left. Leah dug through the items on the bed for deodorant and a razor to mow her legs. Crap. She hated dressing-up, even as a kid she only wore jeans. Never staying in a foster home for long, only the basics were required.

But she had to admit, she did want to look nice, not for Hannes, either. Okay, maybe a little for him. Didn’t matter anyway. She never held much hope of getting off this ship alive.

THIRTEEN

Hannes waited with his men at the galley table for Maricio and the guests. This would be the first woman to join them in some time. Hopefully he needn’t remind his men no farting, belching, or cursing at the table.

Hearing noise behind him, he turned and watched Maricio and Ivan walk in. The boy sported faded camo pants, five sizes too big, and a worn sage T-shirt probably older than he was. Where was the girl? He glared at the boy.

Ivan spurted out, “She said she was coming. I swear.”

He repositioned in his chair. If she thought she could pull a no-show against his order…he glanced at his watch. 1800. Being late was unacceptable. Every second counted in a mission; being one minute late could be the difference between life and death.

Remaining outwardly calm, he propped his elbows on the table. Ivan and Maricio took the last two seats along the table’s sides, leaving the chair at the foot, directly opposite him, available.

Time crawled while everyone sat in silence. Patience. The longer he thought about her, the more fury built. He looked at his watch. 1806. He delivered a solid pound onto the table with his fist. Glasses and silverware jumped, making a clatter when landing.

“I’m going to kill her.” He rocketed from his chair, almost knocking it over. Turning toward the exit, his eye caught a white flash. He snapped around, but the hallway outside the door remained silent. Even though his intuition remained quiet, he reached behind his back and under his jacket.

A second later, Leah’s head popped into view from the side of the doorframe. “Thank god! I wasn’t sure how to get here.” A smile lifted her face. She tugged on her dress and sauntered into the room.

His heart skipped a beat. Who was this luscious woman? Her deep dress neckline teased with each heavy breath. The flush on her face brought a sparkle to her eyes and warm red to her lips.

Reminding himself to breathe, he let his arm fall to his side. Simultaneously, all at the table turned to see what quelled their commander’s rampage.

She looked each man in the eye. Be nice. “Good morning, afternoon or evening, gentlemen. Whatever time it is for you.” Several strands of hair lay wispy against her face. She tucked them behind her ear. Her every move sent tingles down his chest, gathering below his belt.

With her chin up and a cocked brow, she spoke directly to him. “Sorry, I’m fashionably late.” Her gritty voice gently throbbed in his head.

He watched her as she passed. The dress hugged her curves and flowed with the sway of her hips. How he desired to see what the thin white material covered. Another thrill ran through him. He cleared his throat and turned to the table. This seraph cleaned up well. Everyone’s eyes followed her. Maybe cleaned up too well.

Passing Otso on her way to the other end of the table, Leah couldn’t interpret the look in his eyes. It wasn’t anger, so she pushed it out of her mind. She sat and placed the white linen napkin across her lap and glanced up. Otso’s expressionless face stared at her from the far end of the table.

A flash of disappointment coursed through her. She’d hoped he liked how she looked, but he gave no indication he cared one way or another. She tilted her chin down, looked up at him, and shined the most innocent smile she could. He grimaced and looked at his plate.

If she were anywhere else, she’d be laughing so hard, she’d be crying. He wasn’t in control of her, and it irritated the hell out of him.

Leah picked out the onions in the meat sauce and ate quietly with everyone else. Discreetly, she eyed each man at the table. These were “his men.” The four at his end of the table resembled Paul Bunyan with big muscles and stout chests. The three Spanish men sitting closer to her looked like somebody she’d see on the sidewalk in California. For bounty hunters, they blended well. Where was Diego? Not that she cared…

If she and Ivan were going to get out of this alive, she’d have to pretend friendship with these men, play politely. Be non-threatening. Maybe even come on to Otso. She pinched her thigh. What a stupid, childish idea. But that’s not what her body said.

Her body wanted her to come on to him. It was actually trying to encourage the crazy thoughts running rampant in her brain about him, her, a bed, and lots of moaning and groaning. Damn. She needed to think of something else.

Maybe now was the perfect time to show the play-nice Leah. She looked up with a plastered smile. “So, is every dinner this exciting?”

A couple of the men straightened and looked at each other, but no one spoke. Otso looked up from his food. “Actually, no.” His friendliness eased the tension. Axel continued eating. Ivan glanced directly across the table at Maricio lifting his glass of water.

Otso continued. “When it gets too boring, my lieutenant shoots someone in the head.” His end of the table erupted into howling laughter.

Maricio jerked forward, spewing his mouthful of water across the table. Seeing the oncoming shower, Ivan shoved his chair back and the hind legs caught on the floor, dumping him over backward. All of the men exploded into another bout of laughter. Even Otso succumbed to the humorous antics.

Leah’s fake smile wavered. Was he joking? The bald monster caught her eye and winked.

Hitching up his pants, Ivan righted his chair. He reseated himself and the laughter slowly ended.

Otila still chuckled. “Well, I must say this dinner is different than usual.”

Everyone returned to eating while Ivan sopped up the water on his plate with his napkin. Once again, the only sound in the room came from metal forks clicking on ceramic plates. Not long after, Otso set his fork on his empty plate and left the room.

Leah sat befuddled. No mention of going back to the store room, nothing about not roaming the ship. Why didn’t Otso restrict her movements? Perhaps he didn’t care what she did, because his decision about what to do with her and Ivan was made. Was she enjoying her last meal?