Project Rescue - A Shifter Novel (NaNoWriMo19)

Recap

“Are you okay?” Daisy asked.

I was surprised she was talking to me. It took me a few seconds to answer her. “I’m fine. I was in my head about my ex-husband. All the things he did to me,” I answered honestly. Although, he wasn’t my ex but my future mate. It was the same for me.

Daisy changed the subject. “Want to play blackjack?”

“Sure, but you are going to have to tell me how to play. I was never to play games while I was married,” I told her, telling the truth. I was never allowed to waste my time playing games.

“What did you do all day?” Daisy exclaimed.

“Let's see, learn how to cook, learn how to carry myself, sit by his side when he was not busy, watch his men train, train myself, smile, and look pretty,” I rattled off one by one.

“He was a right shit wasn’t he?” Daisy asked, causing me to laugh.

“Yes, he really is,” I commented. “I’m afraid he’s still looking for me, wanting to subjugate me and get me pregnant but I’m not going to make it easy for him. He’s an older man and just gross,” I told her truthfully.

“Why did you marry him?” Daisy asked.

“My parents died, so I was basically sold to him, without my knowledge.”

Daisy nodded and showed me how to play blackjack. It was an easy game to pick up. We played for a couple of hours. As she was talking, I zoned out.

I went back into my mind while we were playing, although Daisy hadn’t quit talking since we started playing. She was trying not to pry but she still was. I don’t think she knew she was or she was trying to trip me up. Who knew? I was ready to lay back and get some sleep just to have time to myself. I didn’t want to seem rude but I wanted some quiet time to myself.

“Daisy, I need to get some sleep. I’m really tired. Can we play later?” I said, yawning a real yawn.

“Okay. Are you going to be able to sleep with how rough the waters getting?” She asked.

“Yep,” I mumbled, already falling asleep.

Daisy walked off and I laid my head on a soft spot in our small storage area. I tried to go to sleep when I laid back but for some reason, I was wide awake. I could feel eyes on me, something I couldn’t stand. I barely opened my eyes, turning sideways. Stupid hunters. I bellowed, “Quit staring at me big game hunters! You will have to do better than that to catch me unaware!”

Our group laughed, shaking their head at him and then me.

The other group was staring daggers at me. “Still staring, big game hunters.”

They finally turned their back, but I didn’t feel comfortable sleeping now. I didn’t know what they would do to me. I should say, what they would try to do to me. I would never let anyone put their hands on me. Never again. It was why I trained harder than anyone. I didn’t trust men, not in general. They would have to prove themselves to me. And, it would take a lot of proof.

“I think she’s asleep. How about we keep watch. I don’t like the way those guys were looking at her,” Greg murmured.

“I agree,” Daisy said.

“Want to take turns? We can sleep first or later,” Tiny murmured to Daisy and Greg.

“Two of you can go to sleep, leaving the three of us to watch, okay?” Greg asked.

“Guys, still awake. Believe me, I can take care of myself but thank you.”

The guys still moved a little close, causing me to feel a little safer. It wasn’t long before I finally fell asleep.

It wasn’t two hours later when I felt the footsteps. I kept my eyes closed, slowly reaching for a blade. I waited to see if anyone tried to grab me but there was nothing. I turned over to the other side, cracking open my eyes a little. Great! I knew they were going to attempt something. And, my beautiful security....asleep.

Well, I needed a workout.

Two of the hunters moved closer. They weren’t as quiet as I thought they would be for big game hunters. Their steps were heavy, causing some creaking on the deck of the boat. I felt one kneel down and reach out to stroke my arm. I didn’t move, I wanted them comfortable before all hell broke loose. It took them only a couple of minutes to get comfortable.

“See? Asleep and vulnerable,” one of the hunters said.

I exploded off the deck, grabbing the hunter closest to me and putting my blade at his throat. “Not sleeping but it looks as if you want to die.”

“We were just making sure you were okay, little lady,” the other hunter lied.

“Liar. Your exact words were, ‘See? Asleep and vulnerable.’ Doesn’t sound to me as if you were worried about me. I would quit while I was ahead.” I looked at the leader and nodded to the man in front of me. “Or, he loses his head.”

“You’re too delicate to kill, missy. You wouldn’t do it. I know pe...”

I cut, the guy in my arms, neck a tiny bit but enough to draw blood, causing him to scream. Not that anyone was still asleep. “You were saying?”

“Damn, you’re a cold b-”

I cut him off. “Yes, I’m a cold bitch when someone wants to take advantage of me. Why are women always bitches when we are right? Now, you fucker, take your bleeding friend, and don’t come near me again.” They started to walk off. “And I would think again about trying to shoot me. I don’t miss with my blades or with my guns. Before you even think sliding the rack back, you would be dead and it would be self-defense then too.”

“I’m reporting you when we get to one of the villages,” the idiot said.

“Go ahead, I have plenty of witnesses, including the men piloting the boat,” I hissed at him, getting a nod from the captain.

“Well, so much for a quiet trip,” Tiny mumbled, causing everyone to laugh.

“Aw, is someone missing their beauty sleep,” Daisy threw in.

I shook my head at them, laying back down and going to sleep. I was definitely going to be sleeping with one eye open, or my panther's ears open. She never let me down.

A couple more hours of sleep and I heard, of course, a slide racking back. I was almost positive they were testing me but it was pissing me off. “You fuckers, are seriously pissing me off.” I opened my eyes, staring at the shit-head. “Oh, right, you were just checking your gun on a rocking boat, smart,” I said sarcastically.

“Shut up, little missy,” the hunter who slid the rack back drawled.

“Or what?” I threw back at him.

He picked up his gun, looking through the sight. I saw his hand getting ready to pull the trigger. I had my guns up faster than he could blink. “I have two, want to play?”

He put his gun back down as everyone but I took a deep breath. I was calm, too calm. But, I wasn’t falling apart because of some fucker who thinks he’s God’s gift to women. He probably had to rape women to get any pleasure out of it. We would need to lose them when we got off the boats. Good thing I was a master of hiding