Page 25 of The Secrets of Jane: Forgotten (Improper Bastards #1)

No one has asked me about Jane; Bones's glare is the closest to questioning what in the hells happened, but that’s it. I know everyone is wondering why someone I've been sent to capture—who subsequently escaped—merely looks tired and unharmed.

And it's none of their fucking business.

The clouds give us a reprieve from the blaring sun on the fifth day of our journey—despite it being rather brisk outside—and I sense how tired Jane is on her horse.

Her body is aching, even if she doesn’t tell me.

I'm still processing how if it weren't me that was assigned to her, Jane would have managed her escape. What the fuck do I do with knowing I’m not even mad at what Jane did to me? She’s acting as a daughter of a Zenith should. It would have been comedic to see the rest of the Council’s faces if they heard she escaped .

Unless they know who she is… but I never got that sense from any of them. All I ever heard was that a few scouts spotted a suspicious woman, Blackwell demanding she be brought in and that his reasoning would be made clear once she was among us.

Jane yawns, the energy exhausting me as a wave of her fatigue washes my way.

"I'm going to fall off my horse at this rate," she quietly says.

"It will help if you look a little miserable. And we’re getting closer.”

She looks my way and I slowly meet her gaze; those round, yet lively, honey-colored eyes capture my attention. My cock hardens as I remember how full of lust they were only a few day ago, how she couldn't admit that she enjoyed when I bound her.

"Staring at me for more information?" she asks, yawning again. "Don't you have enough?"

I smile, glad that we ride so others can't hear us, the rhythm of Phantom's movement mindless to me at this point. "You've been guarding them since you learned of my powers. Means I have to exert extra effort."

She snorts. "Only an idiot would let you read them like an open book."

Scanning the lands that pine tree forests line, I lift my head to see where the sun sits in the sky. Perhaps a break isn’t unwarranted. Then again, we’re almost there. I can see Jane’s not lying about being tired. Her breathing is slower, like a deep sleep is about to consume her. It would be nice to have her sleep against my chest on this horse, to further add to her confusion about why she wants me. I greatly enjoy being the one that binds her tongue, tempted even more by the fleeting thoughts that perhaps hinted at something deeper brewing in her chest.

She wants to trust me. To use me as comfort.

But that’s not for now. Not yet.

Facing forward, I give a call that’s strictly for Bones, the sound like that of a bird.

The black horse he rides slows down, waiting for Jane and me to be nearby. At least this conversation should keep her awake, Jane's weariness already staving off at the sudden break in monotony.

Bones rides next to me, eyeing Jane carefully. I haven't spoken about her since I returned with her on Phantom, and I know someone like Bones sees the undertones. We’ve been on these dirt roads for five days already, Jane kept at a distance and sitting alone when we rest for the night.

I nod ahead to the blonde he so carefully watches over, the woman surrounded by others. "None of the other villagers have followed this far. Yet she has. It’s time we talk about her, Bones. We can't take random people with us. She has to go her own way in Skull’s Row, or you house her there.”

Bone's gaze flicks at Jane—I know he's aware she's not just a prisoner anymore. I don't know what the fuck she is, but I'll steal the woman straight from Skull's Row if they make it complicated. Let alone all the words that Cypress spoke about the Scorpion being alive, and having to protect his daughter.

I have yet to confide that with Bones or Anya. I’m not quite sure if I should keep it all to myself or not.

Bones says, "I'm taking my Kathleen to Skull's Row and getting her situated there. She won't travel with us once I get her settled."

Settled… so he plans to keep her? I start with, "Does she want to?"

"What of your treasure? Does she like being bound like that?" he asks, looking at Jane with annoyance, flaring his nostrils.

I wickedly grin, knowing that she does. "She is currently a captive for the Council. The sooner we get that over with, the better. She stays bound. It helps that she likes it."

If I were to look at her, I bet I'd see Jane glaring at me like she's going to stab me. I try my best not to laugh at how quickly her fire burns.

Bones’s voice grates against the air like it's made of sandpaper, "Kathleen didn't grow up in that village. My kitten is a worldly woman," he says with pride. There's a threat in there as well; he won't give her up so easily. “She will survive Skull’s Row. There’s no reason not to take her there.”

Discomfort bleeds from a silenced Jane. These two are like testy fucking dogs fighting over territory. “Then she can handle a conversation with me,” I say, a fraction of concern flashing through Bones. “You stay here with Jane. I’m riding ahead to Kathleen.”

I’ve watched her from afar for the last few days. Not much exudes from her other than an undeniable interest in Bones. Sometimes fear.

She hardly seems to feel any real emotions, though. Either she knows about me, or she harbors a vacant heart.

And I’m about to find out.

I don’t bother to wait for a reaction from either one of them as I untie Jane’s rope and hand it to Bones. All I say is, “Ignore Jane if she gets an attitude. That’s for me to deal with.”

It doesn’t matter if this bothers Jane or Bones. There’s something about Kathleen that doesn’t fit the usual frame. Riding ahead, I stare at the back of her head until she looks over her shoulder, her eyes widening when she realizes it’s me, not Bones. “Kathleen,” I command. “Ride back with me.”

The others with her watch like vultures, no doubt bored. It’s been a while since we had a good fight, and I know my men need to be bled soon. Perhaps a good pillage after all of this is said and done.

Kathleen slows her horse’s trot, not looking at me once. I even let the silence sit for a while, the woman doing the best she can to breathe slowly.

“So… you seem to be coming with us,” I begin.

Her lips part, but nothing comes out. Her heart frantically tries to cover itself, which tells me she’s deliberately trying to keep me out of there.

“I know you’re aware I can read you. Don’t know how you know, but it’s clear you do,” I warn. “Jane guards you in her heart, which means you two are close. Risking Skull’s Row for her is quite an act of loyalty.”

“Why are you asking me this now?” She inhales deeply and dares a glance at me. “You had this whole time. Did something happen to Jane?”

“Initially, I was preoccupied with little Miss Jane. You never let off anything out of the ordinary—just normal feelings of dread and fear… but you didn’t remain in Dryhill with the others. And you’re starting to relax around us.”

“I can’t leave her to go through this alone,” she defends, facing back ahead. “She’s my friend. I know you’re aware of that by now.”

Fine. Time to pry. “You distracted Bones when Jane was trying to escape.”

Fear freezes the moving parts of her mind. She barely controls the wavering in her voice. “Or Bones distracted me .”

I stare at her while her aura seeps into the air around us. Little truths are fleeting around her, echoes of Jane attached to many of them. Kathleen’s trying to hide it, to think of other things, and she’s failing; I can read her so much better now without Jane nearby. “What are you hiding?” I ask, still trying to be gentle. I’ll only be rough when the time calls for it.

She doesn’t reply, her thin fingers gripping the reigns tighter, staring down at the mane of her horse.

I softly threaten, “If you don’t tell me, I am leaving you behind.”

Then, there it is. Something crosses in her mind and heart that she’s desperate to cover as if accidentally letting something slip and reclaiming it as fast as possible. She might sit there like a proud woman who can control the fear on her face, but underneath is a deep sea of anxiety. And he is in there.

My eyes widen. “Seems like you have secrets of your own, kitten ,” I hiss.

“I’m not going to talk to you.”

I laugh. “ Yes , you are.” I slowly lick my lips. “Why the fuck are you hiding things related to the Scorpion ?”

It’s the first time she’s glanced up to truly look at me. Her lips press together like she’s forcing certain words back down her throat until she can’t contain herself. “You’re a bastard for having that skill, you know.”

I raise my brow. “Little bit mouthy, aren’t we?”

“You can handle it. Jane is unable to not be mouthy, and she’s not dead.”

“No, but she’s also not you . I don’t trust you .”

“I don’t owe my loyalty to you.”

“You do if you’re sticking around. Do you also understand that Bones is not a normal man? The violence that lives inside of him will tear down those around you. Betray him, and he might only give you an hour’s start before he hunts you down himself.”

Familiarity . For some reason, that only brings up memories for her that make his actions seem normal.

“No matter what, Jane is my friend. Bones attaching himself to me isn’t my issue.”

“No, you’re right. Your issue is that you avoided telling me why underneath all those layers in there, I can sense Jane’s father.” I stare intently, those words, so far, being the only thing to truly shake her foundation. “There hasn’t been much chance for any of us to demonstrate why we’re of the Zenith’s world, but don’t mistake Bones’s fascination as being our hospitality. One of the reasons they send me is that I can feel whatever haunts you. What kind of pain terrifies you.” I ride Phantom closer, looking down at her. “And with a world full of healers, torture can be uniquely lengthened to a disturbing degree… I wonder how long your grandmother would last before her heart gives out.”

Pleading eyes connect with mine as she snaps her attention back on me. “ Please , don’t.”

“Might want to try another tactic.”

She fidgets in her saddle, reminding me of a thief who’s been caught but still is certain they can weasel their way out of it. She’s battling something in there, wondering who she owes the most, until she blurts out, “I swore an oath.”

I roll my hand through the air as if leading to the next words. “To whom?”

“Charles Ritter.”

* * *

When I kick Phantom to turn around after getting everything I need from Kathleen, I trot my horse back to Bones and Jane. The two are as tight-lipped as captives sworn to die rather than to speak. Rounding them until Phantom is facing forward once more, I take the rope from a concerned Bones, his aura exuding that he wants to ask about Kathleen without actually doing it.

“Ride ahead, Bones. She’s not a threat.”

I don’t know what this all makes Kathleen. The information I pulled from her confuses me, making this entire mess like a drunk trying to draw a map. Oddly, it makes me feel like I’m betraying Jane, knowing more about those around her than she does.

Including her father, now.

Bones doesn’t wait for more orders before entering a light gallop to reunite with the group ahead. I eye the woman next to me, who doesn’t say a word. “You’re oddly quiet.”

“I’m exerting self-discipline.” Jane looks down at her hands, her pretty lips thinned and her jaw clenched. My mind races with thoughts of wondering what those hands would have done if they weren't bound a few days ago... does she dig her nails into flesh when she's on the verge of climax? Would she slide her fingers through my hair? Or how would they feel as they grab my legs for support when she's on her knees and choking on my cock?

I withhold those thoughts from reaching my expression. I’m not sure how dangerous it is to let them fester, my interest in her growing beyond the initial fucking. Instead, I ask, "What do you know of Kathleen?”

She sighs. “Just read me instead.”

"I want to hear you speak the words, and then have it align with what I feel.”

Running a hand through her dirty, reddish hair, she then covers a yawn before saying, “Her and I both appeared in Coalfell around the same time and have been friends ever since.” She heaves a great sigh, the Zenith’s daughter finally moving with the riptides of her predicament rather than fighting it. "Let me speak to her, before we get there, in case something goes wrong with the Council.”

"No. Not before. There's decorum that needs to be upheld."

She raises her brows like she’s so shocked, her anger hasn’t quite reached her heart. " Decorum ?"

"I’m sure your father taught you this," I reply, my tone resolute.

She silences, shaking her head. She knows that men of Skull's Row, especially mercenaries or any of those belonging to warlords, are very cautious in giving their attention to lovers, even if they're mere pets. Our world sniffs out weaknesses like blood in the air.

Jane must remain my prisoner until the Council has met her, or else they will talk; prisoners simply don't have conversations with their friends. And while I trust my men, I also trust how easy it is for words to slip.

I add, "We’re going to arrive and go straight to the Council. Get this shit over with. Then you can sleep."

That heart of hers spins and twists like it doesn't know how to operate outside of survival mode. Should I say anything else to her? Let her know of any plans that I have? Of what Cypress told me? Of what Kathleen’s been hiding from Jane this entire time?

The sun breaks through the clouds, furrowing my brows to partially block it out as she holds a hand over her eyes. I decided to give her something . "Spin whatever lie works best on your tongue, and I'll tell the Council it's the truth."

She doesn't speak for a while. "You’re serious?"

“Yes.” I don't like answering that question, as it's already against my nature to help someone to such a degree that’s not my immediate family or those within my circle. Reaching for some water in my canteen, I pop the cork and drink the warm water that tastes like leather. "What were your plans after the ship, by the way?"

"I'm not saying. I may need them," she replies with absolute conviction.

My head tilts to the side, knowing she needs her deluded plans of escape to survive. I grab the rope connecting our horses and pull us closer, handing her the canteen. She takes it, her balance off with her bound hands, and she downs it in an almost dramatic fashion as if to display I won't have a drop left.

"That’s the second time you’ve done that.”

She coughs as she laughs, then hands it back to me, wiping those plump lips. A victorious pride spreads through me knowing that she still can't hide that she finds me funny. "Whatever. If you want water, anyone here will give it to you. Who knows when I'm getting my next drink."

Such a good little Skull's Row fighter.

I have this urge to fist the back of her soft hair and kiss her until she's moaning as if to prove I can. Prove that this creation of a world that I revere belongs to me.

Instead, I release the ropes so there's slack, our horses getting to a comfortable distance next to each other.

We ride over a hill as a salty breeze brushes through the tall grass, the pine trees smaller as we reach the forest’s edge. On the other side, we pass by our first set of wooden spikes with skulls affixed to them. Every other ten heads is a black flag with a golden skull on the front, the fabric rippling in the wind.

Once we encounter the fifteenth flag, we crest over a tall hill, the castle visible before the rest of the city. It's a monstrously sized settlement, so large that people live and die without ever meeting half of the citizens. Tall stone walls establish the perimeter, and civilization settles outside of the overgrown place. Smoke rises into the air from the chimneys, birds flying throughout as the ocean is Skull's Row’s backdrop. I can’t see it from here, but I know a couple dozen ships are manning the waters, all sailing in and out of our ports adjacent to the steep, jagged cliffs.

To the right, the dirt road winds downward in a gradual decline, leading to our more easily accessible ports that are a day’s ride away—just another mechanism that makes it hard to storm our city.

It's a kingdom built by men seeking glory, riches, and flesh of all kinds.

I glance back at Jane, whose chest swiftly rises and falls as a hundred things afflict her aura.

She's awake now.

Jane better listen to me once inside. I don't want to have to kill a Zenith that she pisses off or fight through an army of them if it means keeping her daddy happy.

If that bastard gets me to Serena, I’ll keep his daughter safe.