AllFreeNovel
Share Us
His brother hesitated, before following them up. “I don’t think it is a good idea to bring her in—”
“Keep quiet Prescott.”
He sighed and replied, “There’s a room booked for her in the hotel.”
“I’m well aware of that.” He dragged her to the back of the establishment and came to an abrupt halt in front of the stage. He spun her around to face a chorus of ladies kicking their feet high in the air and showing off their knickers underneath. “Is that what you want?”
She felt fear running up and down her spine and refused to look at the women on stage.
“Wade, please.” Prescott tried again, but was ignored.
“Well, is it?” He seized her by the shoulders and gave her a shake. “Because that is the only job available to women in an establishment like the one you just came from.”
“Wade,” Prescott raised his voice, realizing they were beginning to draw an audience.
Anna began to shake and literally recoiled from his touch.
“How long do you think you could have kept up the charade?” His eyes were glaring down at her. “It didn’t take us long and it won’t take others long either.”
“Please, Wade, let’s take it to your room.”
His angry glance shot at his brother, but he sighed heavily noticing the people watching them. Grabbing her arm, he turned to drag her to the staircase that led to the second floor.
“I’ll just go back to the saloon where we found her and try to settle things over that way. She might have put in a few hours’ worth of work, but they also fed her, clothed her and allowed her to clean up.”
Anna shot a terrified look at him, not wanting to be left alone with Wade when he was this angry. But Prescott had already left and Wade was dragging her up the stairs. Instinctively, she reached for the banister and clung to it. Feeling her resistance, he turned and snatched her hand away from her security clutch. Then in one swoop lifted her into his arms and took two steps at a time until he reached his room where he kicked open the door and tossed her carelessly onto the bed.
“What the hell is the matter with you?”
Anna’s eyes grew wide with fear. She scrambled quickly off the bed and tried to run for the door.
“Oh no you don’t.” He reached around and captured her about the waist. Anna strained against him, trying unsuccessfully to free herself from the iron-like band around her midsection. A terrifying memory came flooding back. She wanted to scream, but no sound came forthwith so she used the only weapon she had left. Using her fists, she struck him over and over until he seized her wrists and pulled them tight behind her back. She stood p
anting heavily as fear and terror shadowed her face.
Wade looked down and the anger instantly vanished. “Calm down, Anna, I’m not going to hurt you.”
But she continued to struggle forcing him to pull her tight against his body. With one hand he held her wrists tightly bound, with the other he reached up and drew her head against his chest. “It’s all right.”
Her breathing came in deep, shallow spurts, but she felt his warmth embrace her as he closed his arms around her and held her close. Against her ear she could hear the faint beat of his heart and Anna was struck with an urge to break into tears. None came. He stroked her hair and cooed soft words until, finally, she felt her breathing return to a normal course.
When Wade felt it as well, he cautiously released her wrists and gently held her away from him in order to look down into her face. “What just happened?”
She shook her head, not wanting to remember that horrible recollection.
He reached up and stroked the side of her head, giving a loud sigh as he did. “Hell, I must be a fool.”
Her eyes came up to meet his with a puzzled look, but he only shook his head as if to say never mind, then led her back to the bed to sit her down. “Did you have a memory flash?”
She nodded and dropped her chin.
He was silent then asked, his voice sounding slightly harsh. “Did my anger trigger it?”
Anna nodded, then heard him curse and shove off the bed. “What an ass I am.”
She looked up and stared at his back. So broad and full of strength.
“You must hate me,” he muttered and ran two angry hands through his hair.
