"Get behind me." he told her grabbing her hand and forcing her to stand behind his massive chest. "Who's the big fat one?"
"That would be Faisal Mohammed. He's the bastard that wants me." she croaked as he felt her hand squeezing his wrist as he held onto her.
You mean the dead man walking.
A man, dressed in a robe similar to Imam's stood there staring openly at Jack. "Jack don't look up no matter what you do." He told her as they walked passed a dozen or so men.
She didn't need to be told twice. This little encounter was Riddick marking her as his and he wanted to make damn sure that they all knew it. She felt his hand on the small of her back and it felt like tiny hot rods were warming her. "Jack, you and I are gonna talk, when we get back and I don't want you to leave anything out. You understand me?"
She nodded and they bought their bread and meats. He asked her what she wanted and she spoke in a hushed hurried tone as he spoke to the butcher, then the baker. Then a girl, of about thirteen handed her a flower and wished her blessings and he could have sworn it had been a signal of some sort.
"Thank Yasmine for the flower and tell her I receive it with humble thanks." She said in flat, docile tone.
He hated it instantly.
The walk back was silent and he wondered how she could be so calm on the outside when he knew she was freaking out inside.
When they walked into the villa, Imam was waiting and the look on his face was one of resignation and regret. The fear that the look betrayed in her eyes tore at Riddick and he got the message quickly enough.
"Child, go to your room for a moment. I must speak to Mr. Riddick."
She bowed and retreated walking up the stairs without a word of protest. Riddick looked at her and was speechless. The disobedient streak was completely gone and was replaced with a subservient one.
He hated this worse than that voice she used in public.
What the fuck did they do to her? I should have taken her with me…
"I am glad you did not dawdle. We must talk about Jack. In less than two days, she will be brought before the council, in this very house and bid on as wife. I have already been sent marriage proposals. Several prominent men want her as wife." He told Riddick and sat down with a heavy heart.
Over my dead body.
"I am not her legal guardian and she will be seventeen in a matter of days. I will no longer be able to fulfill my oath to protect her. You must. She is a coveted prize and will be bartered like an animal. I will not have that for her. She is too precious to me to let them."
"No one's gonna do a damn thing to her holy man. I won't let them." Riddick said low and menacing.
The relief from Imam's chair was palpable.
"She will not be permitted to leave openly. They will hunt her down." he told Riddick and Imam's face showed a concern that he had been trying to hide for some time. "The men who have influence will try and kidnap her if they can. They want a certain type of wife, many having several already. The laws here are very unique in the system. Hellion Prime is the only planet where the age of majority is seventeen."
"Cause these bastards like them young." he said pacing with a thinly veiled fury.
"The house is being watched. I have no doubt of that. What will you do?" he asked in desperation.
"Don't worry holy man. I'll get her out. It's my turn to take care of her. And I plan to…" forever. He wanted to say. "How much of a payday is she?"