Kidnapped

Chapter 9 - Daddy

Dutch didn't really want to leave you, but he figured you wouldn't wake, and there was business to discuss.

He sat in the sitting room, adjacent to the bedroom, with Josiah, Hosea and Arthur.

"So," he began, "they think we're stupid enough to bring Emmeline into St. Denis in exchange for the money!"

Josiah nodded, "evidently!"

Dutch hummed, "I'm guessing that Bronte knows we have Emmeline, but he doesn't know we're aware of his connections to McKenzie? Correct?"

Josiah nodded again, "as far as they know, we'll be expecting McKenzie to pay."

"Now would probably be a good time to use those photographs then!" Dutch suggested.

Josiah glanced at Arthur, whilst Hosea frowned, looking slightly perplexed.

"You know about..." Josiah began, slightly flustered.

Dutch rolled his eyes, "of course I know! I may have been slightly distracted this morning, but I'm not stupid!"

"Oh...Arthur said..." Josiah stuttered slightly.

Dutch chuckled, "I've no doubt what Arthur said! Don't tell me or Hosea!"

"Tell me what?" Hosea interjected, "would someone mind telling me what's going on."

Arthur rolled his eyes, "Josiah took some pictures this morning, to use as leverage!"

Hosea glared at Josiah, but said nothing. He found the whole idea of taking pictures of you, quite unsavoury. He did however realise that given the situation, they may come in useful.

"I'll arrange for another letter, along with these photo's," Josiah suggested.

"I think you need to be a little less subtle, Josiah. Tell him that unless the money is forthcoming, I will send his daughter back to him a piece at a time!" Dutch growled.

Hosea blanched, "you don't mean that Dutch...do you?"

Dutch chuckled, "of course not, Hosea. You really think I would hurt a hair on that little girls head?"

Hosea frowned, "you have already!"

Dutch rolled his eyes and shook his head, "That, Hosea, was an accident," Dutch retorted.

"Beating her for stealing that money wasn't!" Arthur mumbled.

Dutch stood up, folding his arms across his chest, "enough! That young lady is in my care, I won't have her behaving like a delinquent, but nor will I hurt her, if it can be avoided!" he snapped.

"Now," Dutch added calmly, "I suggest you go about your business, I'm going to check on Emmeline!"

Dutch walked into the bedroom. You still lay there, in the same position he had left you, before he left the room.

He sat on the edge of the bed, gently stroking your face. You didn't move, nor make a sound. Putting his hand behind your back, he gently sat you up, and removed the shirt he had put on you that morning. You didn't wake, so he laid you back down.

Dutch watched your chest rise and fall. Your breathing was now regular.

He slowly took off his own shirt, and climbed onto the bed. Wrapping his arms around you, he pulled you into his chest. Your back pressed against his chest. He buried his face in your soft golden locks, inhaling your scent.

"Your so fucking perfect. If he's laid one hand on you baby girl, I'll kill him," he whispered in your ear.

You slept on, completely oblivious to the man who had wrapped his arms around your naked body.