Page 41 of The Last True Hero
McClain wouldn't look either of them in the eyes. "Think you can do this, Mia? You’re going to have to play the part. Look them in the eye, spit on their boots and keep your hand on your gun at all times. The women in these towns don’t take shit. They can’t afford to."
She'd killed one of them back in Vegas. It all happened so quickly, but afterward she’d gone back and examined the body. The woman had shaved both sides of her head, and her hair was ruthlessly braided down the center of her skull. Tattoos scrawled up her gaunt cheeks, and she'd been missing several teeth, but the thing that made her stand out in Mia's memories was the absolute lack of humanity in the woman's eyes, that she’d glimpsed before she pulled the trigger.
"I'm not much of a fighter." Vegas made that clear. Mia considered it for a moment. "If someone tries to take me on, then I don't know if I can stand my ground. I made it through Vegas, but most of that was taking the reivers by surprise."
"I'll protect you," McClain said, earnest and raw, as if he sensed how much it scared her. "You're my woman. That's the cover story. And I protect what's mine."
"Why not mine?" Jake interrupted.
He and McClain stared at each other for a long moment.
"Because you and I get along like two cats in a burlap bag," Mia pointed out. "Plus you're in the market for a new slave. Preferably Sage."
"And you're the lucky owner of this one," Ellie said, buckling the collar around her throat. Despite her unwavering voice, her hands shook. "No offence, McClain, but you're a bit too old for me."
The look on his face was priceless. "I'm thirty-four."
"And I'm married," Jake squeaked, as if Ellie had just propositioned him.
"And I'm gay." Ellie rolled her eyes. "Relax, guys. We're playing pretend, remember?"
Jake's eyes near bugged out of his face. Mia couldn't resist a smile.
"How are you going to cope down there?" McClain asked Ellie seriously. "We're going to stop most of the touchy-feely, but we can't play too nice."
"I can bear being touched, McClain." Ellie replied. " To a point. They'll want to see the merchandise too, I expect." Her jaw tightened as she glanced at the three of them. "And I know you won't let it go too far, but you guys need to promise me that you won't break our cover. If you're a slaver trying to sell me in Rust City, then you can't be too protective. There's a lot I can handle. You need to promise that you can keep your mouths shut and let some of it happen. Just enough to get us in."
"It's not going to come to that," Jake growled. "I’ll think of something. But if you think I can just stand there whilst someone feels you up... Christ, you're like my kid sister."
"We might not have a choice."
"Like hell. There are always choices. Apparently you'remyslave, and I don't like sharing either. If someone puts their hands on you, then I can rip their heads off without retaliation."
Ellie let out the breath she'd been holding. "Thank you."
"Just one problem," Mia said, realizing something they'd all overlooked. "If this Rykker and his reivers see Ellie, they might recognize her."
That slammed their plans to a halt.
"Shit," Jake said.
"Maybe," Ellie said, with a frown. "They kept me in the trunk of a jeep while we were travelling and it wasn't always good light."
"That blonde hair's kind of distinctive," Mia pointed out.
Ellie ran a hand through her curls, then her expression firmed. "Anyone got a knife?"
"What?" Jake blurted.
"I'll shave it," Ellie said, with pure determination. "We can work some charcoal into my brows and my across my face to make me look dirtier. And I'll keep my head down if I see one of the reivers that hit the ranch."
"Might work," McClain muttered.
"We don't have much of a choice at this point," Mia murmured. They couldn't just leave Ellie here.
McClain drew his knife. "I'll do it. You're not used to shaving with a knife. Better leave you with both ears."
Ellie flashed him a grim smile. "Preferably."
