Thirteen
Once Breech was gone he extended his arm to me, placing my hand in the crook of his arm so he could lead me around the cavernous building. Lane followed behind with a clipboard, his phone attached to his ear as he conducted business for his employer.
Brom pointed out several mares that were heavily pregnant, giving me the breeding history. One mare nickered softly when I walked over, lowering her head over the half stall door so I could scratch behind her ear. Her velvety nose huffed as she searched my shirtfront, looking for a treat she thought might be hidden in my pocket.
I laughed, “Sorry, pretty girl, I have nothing for you.” Brom snapped his fingers and a stable boy ran up to him with some carrot sticks. Bowing, he presented me with the treats. The mare could smell the carrots and butted against me ‘til I held one out for her. She lifted it daintily from my palm, crunching contentedly.
Brom had moved behind me. I felt him press against my back, sliding an arm around my waist. He pulled me against him away from the stall door, allowing the stable boy to enter the stall. He released me immediately. “I’m sorry, Jiji, I did not want to see you fall, my dear.”
I don’t know why, but having his arms around me caused the hair on my neck to stand up. My gut was telling me to get away. Following my instincts, I moved down the row of stalls, keeping Brom in my sights but not allowing him to touch me again.
Breech returned from showing Drake his bike. I saw them walking down the center aisle of the barn towards us. He laughed at something Drake said, the sun shining through the barn doors and highlighting his masculine good looks.
The classically chiseled features of his face and the morning stubble covering his cheeks and jaw only added to his masculinity. His long legs were showcased in worn denim, the tight fit hinting at the package it encased. He wore a red flannel shirt with both sleeves rolled to the elbow, allowing his muscular forearms to swing casually by his side, his colorful tattoos visible for all to see, swirling all the way down to the backs of his hands.
I didn’t notice Brom watching me ogle my man. I was too engrossed in the feast to my eyes that was Breech. Had I been aware of his perusal, the look on his face would have scared me enough to not ever want to be near him again. As it was, when I turned to him, the affable look he gave me told me nothing of the monster lurking just beneath the surface.
When Drake reached us, he asked Brom if he could have a few minutes to discuss farm business. They excused themselves and walked further on down the aisle before stopping so Brom could see some papers Lane handed him. Breech pulled out his phone and moved me so the horse’s head was draped over my shoulder. “Smile, pretty girl,” he said, snapping away. I didn’t notice him switch the camera around, taking pictures of Brom and Lane instead.
Breech slid an arm around my waist and I eagerly stood on tiptoe to kiss him hello. He smelled of sunshine and man, his strong arms holding me effortlessly; his blue eyes had a wicked glint in them.
“I don’t know what you’re thinking about, Breech, but whatever it is, I’m in.”
He chuckled. “Doll, I was just thinking it’s time we get out of here, swing by the hotel to pick up a blanket, some food and drinks, and find us a sunny spot for a picnic.”
“I’m liking that idea, Breech. Maybe we can bring the pistol Fighter made Opry get for me and do some practicing.”
“Sounds like a plan, doll. Let’s go tell our host goodbye.”
Putting his arm around me, he guided me through the barn ‘til we got to Brom and Lane chatting in front of an open stall. The mare inside moved around restlessly. I knew from my studies that horses preferred to foal in the dark and in solitude, usually at night. They could even delay labor ‘til they are alone as they waited for a time where they could be undisturbed.
“Brom, thank you so much for showing us around the farm. It’s beautiful.”
“You are so very welcome, my dear. Please come into the main house and lunch with me.”
“I appreciate the offer, Brom, that is so sweet of you, but Breech and I have plans for the afternoon and we were just coming over to say our goodbyes.”
He frowned, not liking my rejection of his invitation. “Very well; I’m sorry you declined, but I understand.” He turned away from us, swiftly walking away—completely ignoring Breech and freezing me out as well.
Lane stopped and said, “We will have the foals ready to travel when you need them. Please keep me informed of your plans and I will make sure everything is in order for transport.” With that, he left at a fast lope to catch up to Brom.
Shaking my head at the abruptness of Brom’s departure, I followed Breech to the bike, put on my helmet, and slid on behind him.
After leaving the foaling barn, I looked around to make sure no one was around to see me. I opened the door silently, sliding inside the stall area. In the front there was a tack bench containing everything the horses would need to travel. I removed enough to make a spot big enough for my body to fit in.
Taking the rest, I backed out of the trailer as quietly as I could. Returning to the barn, I made my way to the tack room and distributed the pieces I had taken around the room. Satisfied that no one had noticed me, I returned to my duties taking care of the mares. Soon I would have to make my move, but for now I had done all I could to allow myself to escape Brom.
Stupid, stupid me, I really shouldn’t have talked to the big man—Breech, they call him. He was nice to me, helping me do my job, which no one else around this place would do. I normally tried to stay invisible, otherwise it just brought Drake’s wrath upon my head and face. Breech had noticed the bruises on my face and I had to think quickly so he wouldn’t get suspicious. He seemed to accept what I said and had moved on when the pretty girl called his name.
How I would love to have someone look at me the way Breech looked at Jiji.
Unfortunately, I also saw the lascivious way Brom was looking at Jiji. The man was an animal, immoral, and no woman was safe around him.
He had extreme tastes. On more than one occasion, I witnessed a girl being escorted off the property under cover, usually not under her own power, either. His lechery was only known to those closest to him, as they procured the women who ‘entertained’ him at night.
Drake knew of his proclivities and kept me in the barn—or stashed in the loft. He demanded I dressed in loose, baggy clothes, kept my hair in a braid up under a hat, and that I stayed out of sight as much as possible. I tried not to anger him or I usually got to see the back of his hand. At least I was fed and warm, so I stayed out of his way as much as I could.
I hid whenever Brom was around. I knew Lane knew about me; he was aware about everything that happened at the farm. What I didn’t know was why he let me slide under Brom’s radar for so long.
Two nights ago, all that changed.
Drake was in the office when Lane appeared. I didn’t pay much attention until Drake raised his voice, shouting at Lane, who remained impassive. Creeping closer to the slightly open door, I listened to the men talking.
“You should have quit while you were ahead, Drake. You are so far in the red now that the only thing of value you have left is Gia. She will settle your debt and Brom will be satisfied with her ‘til she’s all used up.”
Drake was shaking his head no. “Lane, there has to be another way. I promised her dad before he died that I’d look out for her. She’s not my kid, but I wouldn’t wish what you’re proposing on any woman, no less someone as innocent as Gia.”
Drake shrugged. “You have a week to figure out how to pay what you owe. The girl he’s with now will probably last that long. If you can’t come up with it by then, you will hand over Gia and your debt will be paid—and that’s the end of the story.”
Crawling away from the door, I scrambled up the ladder to the loft. My time at the farm had come to an end. No way would I let Drake hand me over to that madman, to be used in the obscenest ways. Drake thought I was innocent. He had no idea I was not the dumb teenager he thought I was. I fooled him and I’m glad I had. I gathered my few possessions together, ready for a quick getaway. If the opportunity to escape came, I was taking it.
With my mind made up, I made my bed in the fresh straw I had brought up earlier and, with one ear open, tried to get some sleep.