Saddled (The Stables Trilogy #3) (12 page)

Her gut twisted in fear. She shook her head. There wasn’t any need for him to go! But then he was there, kissing her, kissing away the fear and worry and replacing it with love. With valor. It was important to him, she realized, to take care of her this way. It wasn’t quite cowboy justice, but it was damned close.

J.B. was old school. He cherished and protected what was his. That’s what he was telling her. As much as she was concerned about him getting tangled up with Gus and Tony, she also craved knowing they’d be in prison, locked away from ever hurting anyone again.

“Baby, I think I understand why you did this.” He tugged on her tail. “You needed the kindness. The discipline. Proof that you weren’t… weren’t his anymore. Is that right?”

Mute, she nodded. J.B. was eviscerating her, tearing her open, scooping out everything. He was making her hollow of the hate, the anxiety, the constant tearing-down she did to herself.

“You don’t have to anymore. I didn’t understand, and you were trying to tell me. I should have listened. I thought--” He shook his head, his face softening as he considered his own actions, “I thought that you were trying to punish me. To scrub out Rachel.”

She shook her head. No, she’d never wanted to hurt him or try to take Rachel’s place.

“I know that now. The pain of her death, I made it into armor. She was a fine woman. Strong, beautiful, and a great business partner. She pushed me to be okay with who I am and what I want. Because sometimes,” his eyes flared with lust, “what I want isn’t palatable for most.”

Had he ever been this open? Even with Rachel? J.B. was filling her back up with his solidness. His stories. He was making her his, completely, and she was desperate for all of him.

Her face warmed with a smile. She found anything, everything he had to offer palatable. Maple craved him, in all his forms, so long as he was hers-- truly hers.

“I’ve been an ass. Knowing what you’ve been through, what you’ve let me put you through-- Christ, you’re tough. Tougher than I ever would have suspected. That first day you came in, you were this meek little mouse. I thought I wanted that, wanted you simpering underneath me.” Not that Maple minded, but where was this coming from? Reece had been so certain J.B. wouldn’t change in time. Maple had set her heart for disappointment and heartbreak. This honesty was like a sword, cleaving her apart, and she wouldn’t trade the painful joy for anything in the world.

“You… you’ve changed me. You’ve changed how I do things, how I perceive the world. That’s no small feat, Baby. I see your strength and it fucking inspires me. Stubbornness is in my blood; it was in my father and his father before. You’re the first woman I’ve met mule-headed enough to really challenge me, and I think I love you for it.”

She swooned, feeling light and airy and free. He loved her. He’d said it and, for the first time, she truly heard him. It was truth, and it was hers.

“Maple, talk to me,” he whispered.

She kissed him, soft and full on his grim mouth. Then, just as gently, she shook her head.

“But I don’t want you in there anymore. It clearly isn’t good for you. And… I’m sorry. The other pony, she looks so much like Rachel. It got to me. It shouldn’t have and I could shoot myself if I’ve caused you hurt.” There was a pained edge sneaking back into his gravel voice, and she winced. Maple didn’t want to cause him any hurt. But he needed to understand-- she couldn’t quit. Not now. His apology, though… it was everything.

The change she’d wanted was happening, but it wasn’t complete. Maple felt stronger, more capable. She was learning to cherish the dark desires inside of her. The tail? The bit? She felt glorious with them. An equine goddess, sent to entice. To pleasure.

But she’d still waivered so much. She’d let her past and her doubt get the best of her time and time again. He was right. She was strong. And this was something she needed to see through if she was ever going to be able to let him love her.

J.B., thankfully, didn’t question her. Maple was grateful, reaching up and cupping his cheek. He kissed her again, his tongue sliding in, claiming her, until her body began to shake and yearn.

They went back out to the stable. He made no effort to hide his affection for her as he led her to the stall. Maple could feel the burning stares of the other ponies as he stroked her hair and pressed a last kiss to her forehead.

“Whatever you need,” he whispered, “I hope you find it. Only two more nights until auction, and then we’ll be done with this. But please, Maple. Be safe. And if anything at all feels off, just yell. I’ll be there for you in a flash. ”

He left her dazzled and dizzy, his words turning like stones in her head. Done with what? Would he quit training other ponies? Why would he think she’d need to yell?

Maple hadn’t considered this prospect before. She’d never given much thought beyond just surviving his training. Which she had, though not in the way she’d hoped. Her war with Brie had stifled her own growth and development.

Or at least as you thought it should happen. Didn’t you hear what he’d said about you? You’re strong.
Rachel’s voice ghosted through her mind, melting, until it became her own. He
had
said that. She was strong, and she felt it.

Tony, Gus, Brie… these had been trials. She’d suffered, felt sorry for herself, let herself feel defeated and broken. But she was still here. Standing. In a few days, she’d have J.B., emerging from the stable his woman, her heart fortified and completely his. But one of those trials wasn’t over.

Brie.

Maple was going to find out exactly what she was up to, and then she’d run to J.B. and tell him everything.

Oh, she knew he’d believe her. But what had the call been about? What if Maple told J.B. now, and he sent Brie away, but damage had already been done? Without knowing what the devious brunette was up to, Maple was afraid she’d be doing more harm than good by telling J.B. now. Besides, she was strong.

Chapter Fifteen

As soon as J.B. left, Brie spoke up. “Well, damn it. You win, Maple.”

Maple’s stomach lurched. She turned toward the brunette pony, unsure of what was happening. “You got the guy. I didn’t think you could do it. And…” she took a deep breath and looked thoroughly ashamed. “And you must not have told on me, because I’m still here. I’ve been nothing but awful to you, and you still didn’t tell.”

What the hell was happening? Brie appeared genuinely remorseful. Maple was left reeling. Was this real? What had the phone call been about? Before she could ask, though, Raúl came in with dinner.

It was a “last supper” of sorts.

Mariela had outdone herself with a chicken in mole sauce, roasted corn in a cilantro and lime infused butter sauce, and-- Maple began to drool-- cinnamon-sugar empanadas filled with cream cheese.

All of the ponies stood, staring at the feast, long after Raúl had dished it out and left. It wasn’t that the food had been bad in the stables. Nothing that came out of Mariela’s kitchen could be labeled “bad.” But it had been fairly uniform, with nothing sweet or as luxurious as real butter.

Maple fingered a still-steaming ear of corn. Obviously J.B. didn’t require them to not use their hands this time, either. She brought it to her mouth, shutting her eyes in delight as the steam burned her lips. Piping-hot food, fresh from the grill, the smells making her whole body lean in closer.

“Wait,” Brie said from behind. She’d snuck into Maple’s stall again.

Maple froze, afraid there was a trick. That she and the girls would power in and eat the food.

Instead, the brunette held out her hand. In the palm was her empanada, the sugar coating Brie’s pale skin like a crystal crust. “I’m sorry. Please, take this.”

“It’s okay, I’ve got one. Enjoy it.”

Brie looked pointedly at Maple’s ribs and hipbones. “That’s my fault. You deserve two. After all, we’re leaving soon. You’re obviously not going up for sale, but I am.” She bit her lip and looked at the floor. “... I’d like to leave knowing I can make better decisions. I came here to try and learn how to not be a bitch. That obviously didn’t work out for me.” Brie laughed bitterly, and placed the empanada in Maple’s trough.

Maple watched her then portion out her food to each of the girls, giving them the choicest bites and whispering apologies.

It was startling, but the other three seemed content to accept her gifts, popping the bites into their mouths and eating with gusto.

Because Brie walked by her, looking, Maple took a bite of the empanada and smiled. She’d come back to the dessert after digging into the corn, which smelled like joy, fair rides, and childhood.

As they ate, Maple began to feel her eyelids weighing down. It had been such a long journey, she thought. One with more trials than she ever could have anticipated. Had she grown as much as she wanted?

She hoped so. Brie’s gift sat on her tray.

In truth, Maple didn’t think she could eat two desserts. Her happiness filled her more than food could, and she wanted to sleep and dream of J.B. It was hard to accept the olive branch, too. Brie had been nothing short of a terror. The woman had purposefully tortured her, had manipulated and hounded her. She still had the phone somewhere.

Maple guessed that tonight she’d be calling in a taxi or ride, because Brie wasn’t the kind of girl to get sold. Like she’d said all along-- she got what she wanted, and she’d have no control over the auction. It was impossible for Maple to believe Brie would relinquish that kind of power over her life.

But it was almost over. She took a deep breath, feeling more sated and content than she had in awhile. Let Brie think she could smooth things over with a pastry. Let her call whomever she called and disappear in the night.

Just let her disappear, so Maple could run to J.B.

Speaking of which, the brunette was leaning on the side of Maple’s stall, looking expectantly.

“Sorry,” Maple mumbled through a mouthful of food. “I’ll get to it, I promise.”

“Just another bite. That’s it. It would make me feel so much better.” Brie’s eyes never left the empanada.

This is weird.

Maple nodded and took the sugary-sweet pastry in hand. It was then that the silence registered. No chewing or shuffling from the other three girls, or quiet chatter. This group had been talkers all along. Wouldn’t they be excited or nervous about the auction? Gossipping about potential owners? Futures?

But the stable was silent. Brie was frowning now.

Guts churning, Maple wondered if she could scream loud enough to be heard. J.B. had said to just scream, but that had to have been a figure of speech. An endearment.
Just call my name and I’ll be there
. Maple didn’t think so.

Thinking quickly, she took a huge bite of the empanada and smiled, chewing slowly. Then, carefully, she made a huge show of swallowing. Most of the bite she managed to keep tucked into the roof of her mouth, but a little escaped down her throat.

Brie’s smile reappeared, but it was her true smile. The nasty one. “Thank goodness, you dumb bitch. You’re about to get what you deserve.”

A wave of lethargy passed through Maple’s system and what she’d suspected was validated. They’d all been drugged. Hoping to God that she was a good enough actress, Maple sank to her knees, batted her eyelids angrily, as if trying hard to stay awake, then let her body slump to the ground.

Brie’s footsteps padded close. Maple’s insides were twisting, racing. The bite of food rested at the top of her mouth and it was so difficult not to swallow any more. With her eyes shut, she could feel the effects of the drugs more strongly. Her mind danced and waved behind her shut eyelids; it reminded her of one of the few times Tony had made her drink to excess.

The room had spun and even her thoughts had seemed to slip through her fingers.

That was what she felt now, but with enough--just enough-- cognisance to stay conscious. A wad of cold hit her back, and she knew Brie had spit on her. Stifling the chill that threatened, she waited. Brie waited. Each trying to see if the other would do something.

Maple must have been convincing enough, because Brie finally stormed out.

She desperately wanted to sleep, the drugs coursing through her system. Biting her lip hard enough to taste copper, Maple forced herself to stay awake. Brie’s voice rang through the stable.

“Okay, everyone’s out. You’d better have held up on your end, or I’m in big shit,” she hissed. There was a pause as whoever her partner was answered. “So you saw them? J.B.’s gone?”

Oh, fuck. Maple remembered. J.B. was going to catch Gus and Tony at the rendezvous point for their sale. The coincidence of that, the phone call--

“Gus, I’ve done all the work here, so don’t get that tone with me--”

Maple thought she might throw up.

“Fine. Yes, I know. She’s out, too, dumb whore. It took some prodding. I thought I was going to have to cram it down her throat. I’ll jimmy the lock--” Brie paused, frustrated, her foot tapping. “Give me ten minutes, and I’ll have the front gate open. Then we can load all these bitches and get out of here. And bring some clothes. I’m sick of being naked.”

The phone call must have ended. It was so difficult to maintain the appearance of being knocked out. Maple’s heart was racing. Her mind hurt.

Gus. Which had to mean Tony, too. They were coming here. They were coming here, and they were coming for
her
.

The lock clicked, and she heard Brie leave.

Maple was alone, with three unconscious girls. She had ten minutes to do something. Except that doing anything suddenly seemed monumentally hard. Her limbs felt as if they were weighted down. The urge to sink into sleep was close to overwhelming.

Move, Maple
!

Slowly, she was able to drag her hands under her chest and push up. The bite that had been sitting in her mouth fell out and to the ground. Stumbling, she stood. The ground shifted beneath her, and her feet were unsure, her thighs quaking to keep her upright.

Focus.

One lumbering step after the other, she made it to the edge of her stall. At this pace, there was nowhere for her to run. If she left the stable, she’d be in the open. It would take them seconds to find her trying to flee.

Mapl racked her brain, searching for something. She needed an answer
now
. 

It came to her, lightning striking through her muddled thoughts. In the grooming area, the floor had a grate to accommodate the large amount of water used in rinsing the girls and their waste buckets. When she’d worked in the stable, it had become clogged. J.B. had made her take off the grate and shimmy in a little to pull the goop in the clog out.

The space was miniscule, but with her new diminished figure, Maple thought she might be able to squeeze in. How wonderfully ironic that Brie’s torture might be the thing that allowed her to escape.

You haven’t escaped yet, Maple. Go!

It was difficult. Twice she fell. The second time she didn’t bother standing, finding it quicker and more steady on her hands and knees. The grate’s rusted metal was soon beneath her fingertips. It was hard to tell time when her brain was riddled with dope, but she knew she didn’t have much left.

Hoisting with all her might, she tugged at the grate. It had taken J.B.’s help to lift it before. Now it rattled but refused to shift for her. Panic bloomed in her chest, and tears sprang to her eyes. There wasn’t time for any other option.

A memory flashed. The carts. Hell, she’d pulled the weight of this grate over and over for J.B. Her muscles were roped now, strong and capable. Taking a deep inhale, she heaved. Her back, shoulders, and arms screamed at her, their protest overriding the fugue. Grunting, she pulled harder, straining so much she was afraid of tearing something.

She was more afraid of getting caught by Gus and Tony.

It slid. It slid just enough that she wiggled in, the metal pinching and tugging at her skin. Once under, she was able to brace her legs, using their strength to help guide the grate back into place. The exertion taxed her remaining strength, and she collapsed just as the stable doors banged open.

“Ok,” Gus’s voice boomed. “Grab the girls and load them up. Brie, where’s my special, stupid whore?”

There was some shuffling as shoes pounded across the floor and then a cry of disbelief from Brie. “She-- she was here! This is her stall!”

“Well, where the fuck is she now?” Gus’s voice was low and lethal.

“I don’t know!”

“Fucking find her!” He bellowed. There was a sharp crack and a cry of pain, and Maple knew Brie had been struck. She didn’t feel bad.

Tony’s voice piped in, close to the grooming area. Maple knew she couldn’t be seen. Only if someone was shining a light directly into the grate would her body be visible. But knowing that didn’t make her tremble any less at his appearance. “Maple’s not here?”

“No,” Gus growled. “Brie’s fucked it up. But there isn’t anywhere she can go. Brie is out running around, looking for her. She’ll see her and then--” there was a slap, like a hand punching a palm. “I owe her so much pain. And her bastard of a boss. Who the fuck thinks money would make someone forget almost being killed?”

“I can’t wait to watch that motherfucker go down,” Tony added gleefully. “I hope his stupid friend does, too.”

There were random bangs and crashes. Tony and Gus were overturning everything, searching for her. Wood splintered and metal clanged as things were dismantled and destroyed. These sounds increased in intensity as their frustration grew from not finding her.