Angel in Black (33 page)

Unsheathing his own knife, Blake again faced Mack when he charged like a mad bull, sending them both tumbling among the debris. Together they rolled about, each grappling for an advantage. Blake stuck his knife deep into Mack’s thigh. The smaller man screeched in pain and fell back, blood spurting from the open wound and running down his leg like water from a spout. Horrified, he scrambled away, panic in his cries as he tried to stop the bleeding.

Blake staggered backwards into Ralph’s meaty grip and he tossed Blake into the air like a sack of flour. He smashed into the wall, the breath knocked from him. Before he could manage to get out of his reach, huge hands encircled Blake’s neck in a strong, deadly grip. Visions of Katrina flashed in Blake’s mind as this man choked her to death. This gave him unbelievable strength and he slowly pried the steel-like fingers from his throat. Finally breaking the giant’s hold, Blake brought up his knee up into his groin, sending him crashing to his knees. Blake seized Ralph from behind in a choke hold, his arm across his throat, crushing it, preventing him from taking in air. Determined, Blake tightened his grip and slowly drained the life from the groaning giant.

“This is for Katrina, you bastard.”

Blake whispered the words into Ralph’s ear as he gurgled and struggled to free himself. Finally, his movements ceased and he went limp, but Blake continued to hang on, showing no mercy for his victim. It wasn’t until he heard the sound of bones crushing he released him. The giant slipped lifelessly to the cold, garbage-strewn ground.

Breathing hard, Blake walked away from the alley, stumbling from exertion. He glanced at the blood soaking his coat; the wound in his arm bleeding badly. He pulled a handkerchief from his pocket and wrapped it tight around his arm, tied it securely. When he stepped out into the street, something caught his eye and he bent down to pick it up his knife, bloody from Mack’s wound.

He followed the trail of scarlet, leading him in the direction of his victim. Within minutes he found his prey, weak from the loss of blood. Blake envisioned Katrina as he last saw her, still and cold, her beauty forever destroyed by this beast’s brutality. He did not hear Mack’s pleas for mercy. Like an enraged animal, Blake let out a guttural cry — pain, hate, sorrow, and pure terror coursed through him. It all culminated into a deadly mixture, leaving him insane with a cold, ugly fury.

Blake’s large hand grasped Mack’s face, his fingers digging painfully into the other man’s skull. With another bloodcurdling scream, his heart filled with unbearable torment, Blake lifted the smaller man from the ground. He slammed Mack’s head against the wall with so much force it split like a ripe melon. When Blake released his hold, Mack fell dead to the ground, his one good eye mirroring the fear of his last seconds in life, his mouth gaping open in a grotesque, silent scream.

Chapter Nineteen

G
RANT
W
ALKER WATCHED WITH
satisfaction as the seaman hauled the rolled-up carpet aboard. Roughly, they dumped the roll onto the ship’s deck, and a muffled moan reached his ears. One of the seamen grabbed the edge, and with a jerk, unrolled it, the woman tucked inside tumbling out.

Grant looked down as Katrina landed at his feet in a tangle, her petticoat riding up to her hips, exposing long, shapely legs. He ordered the gag and restraining ropes removed.

The man did as told, and Katrina remained passive until the last rope binding her hands and feet was cut away. In an instant, she came alive, ignoring all the pain from being gagged, tied, and rolled in a carpet for transport. She brought her feet up and shoved the seaman back, sending him sliding across the ship’s wood flooring. Katrina sprang to her feet and darted for the railing, but, too soon, found herself surrounded by the crew and unable to jump overboard. She picked up the only thing within reach, a boarding pike, and prepared to defend herself against all comers.

Walker made no move to interfere and casually leaned back, his arms crossed on his chest. Katrina Easton looked damn good to him, standing there like a wildcat, unafraid of the men encircling her. His curiosity as to what she would, and could, do kept him silent. Unfortunately, every man on deck now watched the beautiful captive as well, all attention drawn to the fracas.

Katrina watched the men inch closer. Their taunts, jeers and leering faces went unheeded while she concentrated on their movements. She lunged forward and took one man by surprise, brought the blunt end of the pike up to catch him under the chin. When he stumbled backward, she shoved past him, breaking out of the confining circle to run down the deck. Two of the younger men reacted, quick and agile, catching up to her easily. When one reached out to grab her, Katrina whirled and slammed the pike into his stomach, his breath knocked from him. The other faced her, his eyes roving over every detail and curve.

“Give me the pike, girl. You’ve no place t’ go.” Willy had never seen so beautiful a vision, and vowed to have this woman, no matter the cost. He attempted to sooth her, his voice soft and gentle. She made no move to give up and her angry eyes flashed in answer.

“Do not be a fool, give Willy the pike.”

Katrina faced him squarely, without a flinch; her stance dared him to make a move. “Go to hell, Willy.”

He jumped for her, but she was ready and moved from his charging path. In the same graceful motion, she expertly brought the pike across his arm, grazing it enough to draw blood before slicing across the other in turn.

Willy was surprised but appreciative of her skill with the clumsy pike. Again, he sprang for her, this time he anticipated her move. He managed to dodge the pike dangerously thrust at his heart and tackled the woman, bringing her down hard onto the deck. He landed on top of her, his weight slamming her against the wood with so much force it stunned her. Willy grabbed both hands when she clawed at him and grinned down at her as she struggled beneath him.

Katrina saw the lust in his eyes and felt him grow hard, rubbing against her stomach and legs. He whispered into her ear, sending waves of repulsion through her.

“You were made for a man t’ ride between your legs, she-cat.”

Walker pulled Willy off her, shoving him roughly aside. “That’s enough. All of you get back to work — the show is over.”

He turned to Willy and growled, “Keep it in your pants, mate, or I’ll kill you. I’ll not abide anyone abusing my merchandise — especially this one. Do I make myself clear?”

Willy grumbled beneath his breath but nodded before he walked away, anger clearly written on his face. When everyone’s attention turned away, Katrina jumped up and ran to the side. She climbed onto the rail and was about to dive into the water below when Walker’s strong arm snaked out and pulled her back onto the deck.

“You don’t ever give up, do you?” laughed Walker.

Katrina lifted her chin and looked him straight in the eye. “No, never.”

“Put her in the hold,” Walker ordered a man standing nearby. “You had best be a good girl, Katrina. My men are mean and ugly. Give me trouble and I will let them have you. I don’t think you would survive.”

A shiver passed over Katrina and the seaman shoved her down a ladder. All of the sudden, she felt sore and bruised and a numbing tiredness seeped into her. Left in a gloomy, dark hole, Katrina watched as he pulled the ladder up behind her, leaving no means for escape from the pit she found herself in. She continued to stand and stare while a heavy grating was lowered to cover the cargo hold.

The deck came alive and the crew made ready to sail. Within moments the ship moved — they were underway. Katrina finally turned away to look about, willing the hopelessness to disappear.

“It is a lonely feeling, don’t you think?”

Katrina turned toward the voice and peered into the shadows. A young Chinese woman stepped out, her head shyly bowed. Long, shiny hair, black as coal, hung thick and straight past her waist.

“Yes, it is. I have never been away from England before.” Walking to the young woman, she smiled at her. “I am Katrina Easton. It seems we are to share this hole for the trip to Mexico.”

“I am Chin Li. But everyone calls me Li.” When she raised her eyes to meet Katrina’s, a tear slipped down her satiny cheek. Katrina said nothing, merely pulled her into her arms and held Li to comfort and ease her fear. They sat huddled together for a long time.

With gentle prodding from Katrina, Li told her story. Her family was poor, farmers barely able to hack out a living to feed many mouths. When she was thirteen a drought destroyed everything and, in order for the family to survive, Li as the oldest daughter had been sold to a traveling merchant. After being sold from one master to another, she ended up in one of the finest brothels in London. Her life there was better than it had ever been in China, her exotic beauty making Li valuable to her mistress.

It had been six years since she had been sold into slavery, and, again, was to face a new world and a different master. Unsure of her future and fate, Li was frightened. England had more or less become her home in the last four years. And there was a young man, Yee Ling, a free man, who worked in the kitchen of the brothel. They fell in love, but when the Madame found out, she sold Li to Grant Walker.

Li burst into tears and hung her head in misery. “I shall never see Ling again. I fear this more than anything. I cannot bear it.”

Katrina’s heart went out to the young girl. “You must not give up, Li. I have no intention of being a slave to anyone, and neither shall you. We must be strong.”

When Li looked at Katrina, she nodded. “My heart tells me to trust and believe you. Yes, I will be strong, my friend.”

Katrina also felt sadness tearing at her heart, but did not express it. She thought of Blake and wondered if Mack and Ralph’s cruel plan had been successful. It surprised her at how far they would go to collect the rest of the money Langsford offered them. If they succeeded in their ploy, everyone would think she was dead and end all attempts to find her. Disheartened, Katrina realized she was on her own. Exhaustion finally brought sleep; her last thoughts of Blake.

A
S THE DAYS WENT
slowly by, their lives settled into a pattern. They received two meals of coarse bread and something resembling a stew. Once a day, they were allowed to exercise on deck, watched closely by the men. Katrina thought it silly — where could they go? Everywhere she looked was only the greenish blue of the ocean. Li experienced some seasickness but it soon vanished and the next two weeks passed without incident.

Their bond grew and soon it was as if they had been friends for years rather than weeks. Katrina finally confided in Li how she became Walker’s property, and revealed her own heartbreak and longing for the man she loved. She spoke of the pain her sudden marriage to another had caused him. Katrina wondered if she should have run away with Blake when he asked her to. They would be together now, if it hadn’t been for her stubbornness, her determination to fulfill the promise made to her father. Instead of being in a dark, dank hold of a slaver’s ship, shivering from the cold and the painful gnawing of hunger in her belly, she could be curled safe and secure in his arms, warmed by his ardent lovemaking.

These thoughts plagued her as much as the haunting nightmares. How could she let him know she was alive? More difficult still — how would she manage to get out of the mess she found herself in? She told Li to have faith and be strong, yet, at times, Katrina came close to giving in to the overwhelming despair constantly battering her strength and will. When all appeared lost, the ever-present anger would well up inside of her and give her the resolve to go on. To survive — no matter the odds against her.

As the weeks passed, Chin Li felt a growing devotion to Katrina. Everything Katrina did made it evident she was a noble lady, but it didn’t seem to matter to her that her new friend and companion had been a prostitute. Never had Li experienced warmth and kindness from another woman. Katrina always said the right words of encouragement, and her faith never faltered. Li’s admiration grew even stronger when they took their morning walks.

To ignore the lustful stares of the men proved difficult, but they did their best. The men knew enough to keep their actions to looks and wishful dreaming, for Captain Walker made certain to remain nearby during their strolls. Only Willy acted unafraid of the captain’s retribution. When he could, Willy made lewd gestures or whispered crude remarks to the women. He frightened Li, but Katrina ignored him all together; this irritated him further. He sought every chance possible to be near her, to make certain she knew he wanted her, and worse, he intended to have her.

One morning, as they enjoyed the fresh air and sunshine; Captain Walker left the deck, called below to settle some urgent matter. Willy took the opportunity at hand and followed the women until they were out of sight of the other seaman.

Willy jumped out and blocked their passage, a wicked grin spread across his face. “Well, well, our li’tle darlin’s are out for their mornin’ stroll.”