3. One Step Closer to Danger

When Rose awoke, it took a minute for her to remember where she was. She lay there with her eyes closed, listening to the gentle snoring of her friend beside her, before her awareness shifted to a dull, aching pain in her hip.

'Dadgummit,' she muttered crassly under her breath, rolling over with a muted groan and pulling herself into a seated position. She wasn't in the habit of cursing in front of others but it did give her a sense of satisfaction to express herself like the men were allowed to (when nobody else was listening, of course).

Blinking blearily, Rose dragged the back of her hand across her eyes then stood up and looked around, sucking in a sharp breath as everything came rushing back. Yesterday she and Lisa were holed up safely in some anonymous town – miles from nowhere – but then the bounty hunter had come along and ruined everything.

It had been twelve and a half months since Rose fled from Saints Town with her best friend in tow - after their private tutor, Miss Sonya Karp, warned them that the Lisa was in grave danger. Lisa had been grief-stricken by the death of her family and weak from her recent illness, so Rose had taken charge. Eager to protect her friend from harm, she'd planned their escape and mapped out a route north-west, bypassing any towns where they might be recognised. The girls were well aware that travelling unaccompanied through the untamed western frontier came with certain risks, so they made every effort to protect themselves; keeping to the main roads and never staying more than a few weeks in each place. They assumed false names, avoided male company of any kind, and were careful to leave no trail behind them to ensure they weren't followed.

But the truth was, both girls had grown complacent. The 'imminent danger' Miss Karp warned them of hadn't shown itself for over a year, and Rose was beginning to wonder if there was ever really a threat to begin with. Lulled into a false sense of security, they had remained at the last town for over a month, and that's when fate finally caught up with them in the form of Mr Dimitri Belikov.

Rose stalked a few paces away from her sleeping friend by the fire, filled with remorse. She'd promised to protect Lisa from harm but now, if Miss Karp's warning was to be trusted, every step they travelled closer to home was one step closer to danger. It was so frustrating she wanted to cry – or punch something.

'Dammit to hell,' Rose hissed angrily at a lone Joshua tree that stood a short distance away from their camp, picking up a rock and hurling it as hard as she could into the mesquite bushes that grew around its base. The violent physicality of the act gave her a brief sense of satisfaction, but she nearly jumped out of her skin when the Joshua tree replied in a deep Russian accent.

'Not a morning person, Miss Hathaway? You sound like you just walked out of a saloon,' Dimitri reproached her, stepping out from behind the tree and striding back to the campsite. 'If you were trying to hit me with that rock I'm sorry to say it, but your aim is terrible.'

'No, of course I wasn't aiming for you,' Rose frowned, hurriedly smoothing out her sleep-tousled hair, her cheeks flaming in embarrassment.

The bounty hunter had a strange effect on her, and she felt slightly breathless as she took in his huge frame and purposeful gait. The leather duster she'd sheltered beneath only hours ago had been reclaimed by its owner, encasing the man's muscular body like a warrior's armour, and Rose couldn't help noticing how Dimitri's dark hair peeked out from beneath his cowboy hat, the fringe at the front falling shaggily along the strong outlines of his face, while the back was pulled into a low ponytail that obscured the tattoos on his neck. A wild, secret part of her wanted to loosen the cowboy's hair from its tie and run her fingers through it to see how thick it was, but, ashamed of her irrational feelings, Rose masked her discomfort by going on the attack.

'What were you doing hiding back there anyway?' she asked scornfully, as her captor came to stand in front of her. 'Planning how you're going to spend your bounty money?'

Dimitri eyed her curiously. He thought he'd made progress at developing some level of trust between them just a few short hours ago, but now the girl's spiky attitude was back with a vengeance. 'Catching breakfast actually,' he answered truthfully. 'Hungry?' the man raised an eyebrow in invitation.

Rose let out a little scream and backed away as the bounty hunter held up a small, tan-coloured scorpion for her to inspect, dangling it by its tail. The angry little critter twisted and thrashed in his grip, but Dimitri was unfazed, lowering the scorpion slowly into his mouth while he watched Rose carefully to gauge her reaction.

'Ugh!' the girl screwed up her face and looked away as the bounty hunter crunched into his snack. 'There's no way you're getting me to eat one of those!'

'Chicken,' Dimitri taunted her, with laughing eyes.

'Take that back!' Rose demanded immediately. 'I'm not scared. I'm just not very hungry at the moment, is all.'

Her stomach grumbled traitorously.

'A chicken and a liar,' the man's normally-stern face lit up with quiet delight, 'and a mouth on you like a drunk prospector at closing time. What will Sheriff Peterson say?' The Hathaway girl might be hard work but she was so much fun to provoke.

A soft voice spoke up then, cutting-off Rose's reply. 'What are you two arguing about? Is everything alright?' Lisa asked with concern, peeking out at them from under her blankets.

Rose was the one to answer. 'Morning Lis. Mr Belikov was wondering if we'd like to eat some scorpions for breakfast,' she replied coolly, glancing back at her friend as her Russian tormentor struggled to stifle a grin.

Lisa shrieked and disappeared beneath the blankets, not daring to emerge again until she smelt the soothing aroma of coffee and warm corn bread.

When it was time to set out again after breakfast, the bounty hunter found some pretext to suggest that Rose wasn't to be trusted with a horse of her own.

The young woman narrowed her eyes in annoyance, but this time she relented without too much of a fight and allowed herself to be lifted up onto her captor's stallion.

Despite the fact that Dimitri Belikov frustrated the living daylights out of her, Rose had to admit that she felt a strange thrill being so close to him. Yesterday, Dimitri's arms had been a cage but today they seemed more like a shelter, his body providing her with both warmth and shade as they travelled across the windy desert plain. Sitting in the protective circle of his arms she fell into a quiet reverie; breathing in the heady aroma of his cologne; hearing the deep thrum of his voice reverberating through his chest when he responded occasionally to Lisa's polite conversation; noticing the points of contact between them when he leaned forward every now and then to reassure his horse.

'How long will it take us to get back home?' Lisa asked some time later in the afternoon. 'Rose and I have moved from town to town so many times in the past year I'm not sure I know exactly where we are anymore.'

The other girl's ears pricked up at this. She, too, was wondering how much longer it would be before they had to face the wrath of Alberta Peterson and Madam Kiroy. And maybe she was also a tiny bit curious to learn how much time she had left to spend with Mr Belikov.

'We should reach Greenston by lunchtime tomorrow,' Dimitri advised them, referring to a thriving settlement a few days' coach-ride from home. 'I sent a message to Sheriff Peterson via the pony express several days ago, informing her we would be returning to Saints Town via Greenston within the week. I expect the sheriff will meet us there and accompany you the rest of the way home herself.'

Rose groaned. 'Only one more night before we'll have to face the music.'

'Dance, little bear, dance,' Dimitri whispered in her ear, and she laughed despite herself.

When evening fell, the three travellers camped much as they had before, with the girls on one side of the campfire and the bounty hunter on the other. Dimitri appeared to be tired after the long day's ride and slouched motionlessly by the fire with his hat tipped down over his face, allowing the girls to converse with one another in privacy.

'So, are you worried about going back?' Lisa asked Rose in a hushed voice. 'Do you think Miss Karp was right? Are we still in danger?' Lisa wasn't weak, exactly, but she had a gentle temperament and often turned to Rose for reassurance and support.

'I don't know, Lis. I'm a little bit worried, I guess,' the other girl replied honestly, with a shake of her dark hair. 'But no matter what happens, I promise I'll still look out for you. Even if they try to separate us as punishment for running away, we'll still be together for our lessons with Miss Karp. Maybe she can tell us more when we get back?'

'Of course,' Lisa smiled bravely. 'I'm so glad I've got you, Rose. I don't think I could go back otherwise.'

'Not even for Mr Aaron Drosman?' Rose asked coyly, trying to steer the conversation around to something lighter.

Lisa smacked her on the arm. 'Ssh. I don't want the silent giant learning about my beaus,' she whispered, scandalised. 'And anyway, we've been apart for so long I don't think I still feel the same way about Aaron as I did before we left.' The blonde girl sighed. It had been a long, difficult year, and she missed the simplicity of her old life – that innocent time before she lost her family and everything had changed forever.

'Maybe there will be a new Mr Right in town for you when we return?' Rose suggested cheekily, prodding her friend in the ribs and grinning at Lisa's mortified expression.

'And what about Mr Ashford?' the taller girl teased back. 'At least there's one person guaranteed to be pleased you're home!'

Rose took a quick breath in and flicked a glance over at the bounty hunter napping on the other side of the fire. 'You know Mason is only a friend,' she corrected Lisa grumpily.

'Yes. A handsome friend who finds an excuse to pay you a visit every time he's home from the trail drives,' Lisa shot her a knowing look. 'I shouldn't be surprised if you two run off together to get married soon. Then I'll really be left all alone, with only cranky old Madam Kiroy left to remind me how terrible my life has become.'

'That will never happen, Lis, I assure you,' Rose replied indignantly. 'I'd rather grow a beard and join the circus!'

Mr Ashford – a dear childhood friend – was sweet and attentive but he lacked a certain… something. Rose couldn't put the feeling into words, but she knew that Mason would never truly make her happy. She needed somebody strong enough to handle her temper and her passions; somebody she could be herself with; somebody more like…

There was a cough of laughter from the other side of the fire, and Rose realised that Dimitri had been listening to every word they were saying. How dare he?! Her cheeks flushed with colour, but she wouldn't be cowed into silence by the uncivilised foreigner.

'And what are your plans after you've returned us to Saints Town, Mr Belikov?' she called out to him with a note of sarcasm in her voice. 'Going to catch a gang of bank robbers? Take on a tribe of Indians single-handedly?'

When Dimitri removed his hat, his face was schooled into an expression of respect and politeness. 'Perhaps,' he replied mildly. 'I guess I will see where the road leads me. I'm on friendly terms with a few law men in the neighbouring towns who might have some work for me – Hank Croft in Greenston and Mickey Tanner over in Silver Springs. Of course, I wouldn't be entirely surprised if Sheriff Peterson hires me to hunt you down again, Miss Hathaway,' he added, watching her steadily from across the fire. 'I'm sure you'd find a way to slip past any guard they put on you if you stuck your mind to it, but we both know I'd have no trouble catching up with you in the end.'

Rose met his gaze without blinking then dipped her head in a slow, condescending bow. 'You are welcome to try, Mr Belikov,' she deigned to respond. 'You are welcome to try.'

Later, when Lisa finally gave in to sleep Rose remained awake, her body exhausted but her mind still buzzing with anxieties about returning home. Hearing footsteps, she looked over to see Dimitri approaching and she watched breathlessly as the tall Russian came to kneel beside her. There was no rope in his hand tonight – no tether to stop her from running away. So why was he here?

'Give Miss Draymore your blanket,' he instructed quietly, being careful not to disturb the sleeper. 'The girl deserves one good night's rest before we arrive in Greenston tomorrow.'

Rose studied Lisa's face and nodded in assent, spreading the thick rug over her exhausted friend then lying back and wrapping her arms around herself for warmth.

'And you need to have a proper sleep too, Miss Roza,' the man added, his accent flavouring the words more thickly than usual as he removed his leather duster. 'Please allow me,' and he bent forwards to lay the long jacket over her.

Rose held up her hand to protest. 'But what about you, Mr Belikov? You'll freeze to death out here. I'll be fine. I can just share with Lis.'

Dimitri looked down at her with unexpected tenderness. 'You might be as hard as nails, young lady, but just for one night can't you do as you're told?'

The girl gave him a sleepy smile. 'Maybe just this once,' she whispered, accepting the duster and breathing in its familiar scent, already feeling more relaxed. 'Goodnight Mr Belikov,' she murmured as her eyelids grew heavy.

'Goodnight Miss Roza,' his hand brushed her hair for the briefest moment and then he was gone.

The three travellers pulled up in Greenston just before lunch, as Dimitri had anticipated. When their horses were tethered outside the hotel on the main street, the bounty hunter directed his charges to follow him.

'I need to check if Sheriff Peterson has sent a reply to my letter before we stop for something to eat,' he explained, pushing open the hotel's swinging doors to enter, but his words were drowned out by a high-pitched squeal.

'Lisa! Rose!' came the piercing cry, as a short, awkward-looking girl approached them with her arms outstretched, lunging herself at the newcomers and wrapping them both in a warm embrace. While the poor thing hadn't been blessed in stature or appearance, she made up for the deficit by employing an attitude of genuine friendliness so extreme she almost seemed manic.

'Natalie! What a surprise! What are you doing here?' Lisa returned the hug, while Rose stood back slightly – pleased to see a familiar face, but growing increasingly anxious at the prospect of returning home.

'Daddy and I came to collect you,' the girl beamed widely, her curls bouncing as she tossed her head with excitement. 'I just can't believe you're really back. Come on!' she urged them eagerly, ushering them to an upstairs table where her father was waiting.

Dimitri allowed the girls to follow their friend but accompanied them closely, unsettled by this unexpected development.

Natalie's father stood when he saw the group approaching, sliding his chair back from the table and stepping out to welcome them. He kissed each of the girls on the cheek in greeting then eyed them with fatherly concern. 'My dear Miss Draymore, Miss Hathaway,' he crooned, looking from one to the other. 'How blessed we are to see you returned to us safely. And you, sir,' he fixed his gaze upon the hulking figure that hovered behind them. 'I believe you are responsible for rescuing my daughter's bosom friends?'

'Dimitri Belikov,' the bounty hunter's expression was guarded as he extended a hand to the stranger. 'And you are?'

'Victor. Victor Dashley,' the old man replied warmly, with a slight crackle to his voice.

The man would have been in his early fifties but he had a look of sickliness about him that made him seem older – the kind of sickliness that comes from too much of a good thing rather than too little. His ruddy cheeks might have looked jolly to an untrained eye, but Dimitri noticed the sallowness behind the man's eyes and the way he winced when he moved his left leg. Gout, he assumed – probably brought on by a lack of exercise combined with a lifetime overindulging in rich foods and alcohol. Given how difficult it was to acquire even the most basic supplies out here in the west, Dashley must have been very well off to afford such luxuries.

'And how is it that you know of the young ladies' arrival in Greenston, Mr Dashley?' Dimitri asked, his eyes sweeping the room looking for anything that appeared to be out of place. 'I only informed one person that we were on our way.'

Dashley's eyes narrowed slightly but he remained polite, reaching into his coat pocket and thrusting a letter into Dimitri's hand. 'Yes. The sheriff told me you were coming. Unfortunately, dear Alberta has had a little accident. Thrown from her horse only a week ago. She's not fit to travel so she asked me to come and collect the girls on her behalf.'

The bounty hunter looked over the page carefully. He was more or less fluent at speaking English but his ability to read the language was not quite as strong. 'This appears to be in order,' Dimitri he said finally, returning the letter and shifting his attention to Rose and Lisa. 'A slight change in plans,' he explained to them sternly. 'You are to travel onwards with Mr Dashley and his daughter, but I will accompany your party as far as Saints Town to ensure you are delivered safely into the hands of Sheriff Peterson.'

'Oh, it's no bother, really,' Dashley tutted dismissively. 'The girls will be perfectly safe with me. I have a private coach at my disposal, and my man will guard us on the road,' he added, pointing out a burly looking gentleman who sat at the bar nursing a whiskey. 'Between you and me, Mr Belikov, Spiridon is a brute but he's fiercely loyal and will see that no harm comes to anybody I instruct him to protect.'

Dimitri studied the stranger at the bar then shook his head. 'Not good enough,' he replied. 'I will accompany the ladies personally.'

Rose frowned at Dimitri's steely expression, unsure why he was being so reticent. 'It's alright, Mr Belikov,' she spoke up to reassure him. 'Mr Dashley is a close family friend of the Draymores. He's well known and respected in our town. If he says we'll be safe, then I believe him.'

The old man held a hand up to quiet the girl. 'Hush, my dear. I don't think the bounty hunter is really concerned about my character. I think he just wants to make sure he receives his payment. Here,' he finished, motioning for Spiridon to join them and accepting a thick wad of notes from the servant. He passed the money to Dimitri with a look of condescension. 'Your reward, Mr Belikov. Now your work is done. Leave us.'

The Russian bristled with irritation and shoved the bills back. 'It's not about the money, Mr Dashley,' he said through gritted teeth. 'I swore I'd return the young ladies safely to Sheriff Peterson, and that is exactly what I intend to do. If there is something you don't like about that, then I will be taking the girls with me right now,' he finished icily.

Lisa's eyes widened in alarm, and Rose bit her lip nervously, half-suspecting that Dimitri was going to start throwing punches any minute.

Mr Dashley must have been suspicious of that too, and his mouth twitched with something between a grimace and a smile. 'A gun-for-hire who takes his word seriously. How rare,' he remarked. 'If that's what you've set your mind on, boy, then we would welcome your protection on the road... but not today. You have all travelled far and are in need of rest. Let us stay here tonight, then be on our way in the morning.'

There was an uncomfortably long pause before Dimitri finally spoke. 'Agreed,' he conceded at last, 'but I will stand guard over my charges' room during the night. I've spent a long time tracking these two and I don't plan on losing them now,' he said, with a meaningful look to Rose.

Rose rolled her eyes at him and huffed in frustration. It didn't look like they were going to get a chance to escape after all. It was time to prepare herself for the inevitable. They were nearly home and there was going to be hell to pay.

.

Author's Note:

* Things are about to change dramatically for Dimitri & the girls when they get back home to Saints Town, but that will just make things more interesting for us!

* Hope you like the dynamic that's building between Rose & Dimitri! Incidentally, 'dadgummit' is a real cuss word used in the old west (a spoonerism of Goddammit)

* A note on place names: Greenston is a place mentioned in Spirit Bound (where the alchemists stay near Court), Silver Springs is a real place in Nevada & Saints Town is obviously a reference to St Vladimir's Academy.

Modified character names mentioned in this chapter;

- Aaron Drosman (Aaron Drozdoff)

- Hank Croft (Hans Croft)

- Micky Tanner (Mikhail Tanner)

- Victor & Natalie Dashley (Victor & Natalie Dashkov)