“Moldy bread, that’s all, Baron. If you want something more substantial, you’ll have to go out and shoot it.”
Baron sipped at his coffee for a moment. “Well, you know, we don’t have to be in Nevada City until tomorrow. I don’t suppose it’d hurt to let the two of you have a final meal. Kind of like getting ready for an execution.” He rubbed his thigh. “Yeah, an execution.”
Delaney felt a spurt of hope, but nothing showed on his face. His expression remained impassive, and he shrugged his shoulders. “Up to you” was all he said.
As for Chauncey, she had to lower her
head. She was afraid that they’d see the glitter in her eyes.
“Jasper,” Baron said, “let’s see if you can hit anything. We’ll feed up the little honey here real good. Think of all the fight she’ll have if she’s got more strength.”
Jasper muttered under his breath, but rose.
“First, let’s make sure Del here won’t try anything stupid.” Baron tore strips off the blanket and bound Delaney’s hands behind his back, then his ankles. He sent an interested look in Chauncey’s direction.
“You leave her tits alone, Baron! I want her first.”
“I’ll do nothing more than warm her up a bit,” Baron said.
I should have thrown the coffee at them and taken my chances. Delaney closed his eyes a moment. Now he was helpless, and he knew Baron would delight more in watching his fury than in actually touching Chauncey. He began jerking and pulling on the bonds.
Jasper stalked out of the shack. “I’ll be back in a flash,” he called over his shoulder.
“Take your time, Jasper. Take your time.” Baron spoke very softly, only for Delaney and Chauncey’s hearing. “You know something, Del? With you out of the way, I think I’ll teach that little whore Marie a real lesson. The bitch had the gall to tell me that I didn’t have anything a real man had. Yes,” he added, his voice sounding a bit dreamy, “I’ll show her what I can do.” He straightened suddenly, and looked purposefully at Chauncey. “In fact, Del, I think I’ll practice on your wife. After all, both she and Marie have shared your bed. We’ll let her tell us about how a real man acts.”
“Don’t you touch her, Baron!”
“Now, Del, be reasonable. There’s nothing you can do about anything. Grind your teeth all you want. Me, I lied to Jasper. I do want to see those pretty tits again, and without him salivatin’ all over me and her.”
Delaney yanked with all his strength at the bonds about his wrists, but they didn’t give. He gritted his teeth against the pain and continued working them. He watched in horror as Baron moved lithe as a stalking tiger toward his wife. He met Chauncey’s gaze, and froze. There was no fear in her eyes. Indeed, if it were possible, he read anticipation there. Fierce urgency.
“Stand up, little honey,” Baron said. “I wanna peel off those clothes.”
Chauncey rose to her feet. She even smiled a little at Baron. She said in a taunting soft voice, “You need a gun? My husband has never had to use force with me.” She shrugged. “But then again, you aren’t really . . .” She let her voice trail off.
Baron’s eyes narrowed. “What are you about? You think to overpower me? Honey, I could break your neck with one hand.”
“Is that what you want to do?” she said, her voice still mocking.
He rushed her, flinging down his gun. He clasped her against him, pressing her arms to her sides.
Chauncey heard Del yelling at him, cursing him in language she’d never before even imagined. But she didn’t move. She felt his mouth on her cheek, moving toward her lips. His grip on her arms was still too strong. She couldn’t get to the derringer. She went limp against him.
“See this, Saxton? Your wife is nothing more than a whore. They’re all alike!”
He hooked his leg behind hers and shoved her onto her back. She felt the hard wooden planks biting into her, felt his weight crushing her down. A flash of pain went through her shoulder, but she ignored it. His mouth was all over her, his hands ripping at her blouse. “You love it, don’t you?” he said, laughing. He bit her neck and she moaned with pain. He laughed louder.
He tore her blouse free, and leaned up on his elbow. “Poor Jasper,” he said, panting slightly. “I get to touch you first.”
Chauncey didn’t move. She felt his tongue thrust into her mouth, and forced herself not to bite down on it. Just a moment longer, she told herself. He reared up suddenly and flung her skirt to her waist. He sucked in his breath and stared down at her. “Jesus,” he said, licking his lips.
Chauncey raised one arm and laid her palm against his shoulder. “Yes,” she whispered, smiling at him. “Oh yes.”
Baron began pulling open his breeches. Then he fell forward on her, his heavy manhood pressing against her closed thighs.
Chauncey shut out Delaney’s furious voice. She shut out everything. Oh yes, she said to herself. Oh yes.
The muffled sound of the derringer caught Delaney in mid-curse.