AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“He’ll oblige our requests because he’s scared of us,” Will Scarlet said. “And because he knows not to try our patience, lest he end up like his uncle’s guards.”
John sighed. “We aren’t threatening our wealthy hostage again, Will.” He glanced at me. “At least will you lower that hood? Let us see your face a bit more?”
I shook my head adamantly, and ended up tightening it and pulling it lower.
There was something about my reaction—the way I hugged myself, becoming small and vulnerable—that made Will Scarlet slant his head.
“Wait a minute . . .” he murmured, trailing off. “He refused to fuck Elysa, unlike any proper man. He won’t bathe in front of us . . .”
Oh no. I tried to take another step back, but couldn’t. There was only tree, hemming me in. Realization dawned on his face and my heart beat faster the more he unraveled.
Abruptly, Will broke free from Little John’s lax hold, made easier by the fact they were both wet and slippery. Water splashed all around them, and John yelled, “Scarlet!” as the younger man lunged to the bank of the river.
I squealed, as Will Scarlet’s hands grabbed hold of my tunic. The sound was high—not the low, measured tone I’d been perfecting.
High and feminine.
And Will Scarlet tore my tunic with a harsh ripping sound, manhandling me like he owned me, not willing to let go until the tight cloth band over my breasts showed clear as day.
“You’re no man at all!” he exclaimed, presenting me to the others like I was a trophy.
For a moment, everyone was still and silent. Mouths fell open, understanding reaching their faces.
Tears filled my eyes. I hugged myself tighter, trying to hide. I felt violated and used.
Alan-a-Dale tilted his head. “No woman, either,” he mumbled, eyes scanning me up and down with a pout.
“Alan, you ass!” Tuck scolded him.
He shrugged. “What? I’ve seen bigger tits on a—”
“That’s enough!” Little John roared.
Birds cawed into the sky, frightened from the tree behind me. The breeze whistled, as if John’s angry outburst caused the leaves to shiver.
The huge man stormed onto the bank and shoved Will Scarlet, hard, in the chest. Will went stumbling back, nearly falling over. “You have no right to violate the poor girl or blame her for not wanting to get into a river with a bunch of strange men. And we are strange men, Scarlet. When do you think this highborn lass has ever locked step with men like us?”
Will flared his nostrils. “You say that like you’re ashamed of us.”
“I’m ashamed of your actions and impulsiveness. We’re better than that.”
“We aren’t, John,” Friar Tuck said behind him. His voice was sad. “You saw what we did to those carriage guards last night. So did she. We are vicious bastards, one and all. It’s folly to pretend otherwise.”
John let out a grunt, keeping his body in front of mine as I pulled my tunic closed. Not that it was any use now.
“We can learn to be better, then. And we can start by not assaulting the one young woman in our charge.” His words sounded valiant, and made me swell with hope. But then he added, “Besides, if we harm our property, she won’t be worth anything in a trade.”
Will Scarlet crossed his arms over his chest. He examined John suspiciously, eyes narrowing. “How long have you known?”
The big man was taken aback. “What?”
“How long have you known the boy was a girl?”
John averted his eyes and rubbed the back of his neck. “I’ve had my suspicions from the start,” he mumbled.
Will let out an incredulous scoff. “And you couldn’t trust us with that? What is this, Jo—”
“I know how feral and ugly you can become, Will Scarlet, perhaps better than anyone. As the captain of this little operation—”
