She did wonder why he had been imprisoned, but then it didn’t take much of an accusation to be incarcerated. He had probably been in the wrong place at the wrong time or he didn’t have enough money to pay the bribe on trumped-up charges. Either way, it was not her concern.
He glanced back at her from where he walked a few feet ahead. He had done that from time to time, almost as if he watched out for her. She needed no one doing that. She was more than capable of looking after herself.
She did have to give him credit for keeping up the tough pace she had set for the group throughout the night. He looked sturdy enough, muscled arms and thighs attested to his strength. His dark trousers were torn at the knee and his white shirt ripped at the shoulder. Dark brown eyes were set in a rugged face marred by a few cuts and bruises and covered with dirt and sweat. His unkempt brown hair brushed his shoulders, and she had noticed that his hand had drifted often to his side—a common gesture for a man used to having a weapon strapped to his leg.
He looked back again and held her glance. There was determination and annoyance in his brown eyes, which suddenly widened as he rushed at her.
She mumbled an oath as her foot caught on an exposed tree root and she tumbled forward.
Storm felt his hands snag tightly around her slim waist and yank her up on her feet. She wobbled, and her hands shot out to grab hold of his forearms. There was a solid strength in them that could not be denied.
“I got you, don’t worry.”
She gave him a hefty shove and waved off Tanin, who approached. “Keep going. I’m fine. I need a few minutes with this man.”
“No need to thank me for helping you, yet a third time,” he said with a grin.
“I have no intention of thanking you and I don’t need you rescuing me.”
“That’s debatable.”
“No. It’s not,” she said firmly. “I do fine on my own. Now where is it you’d like to go? I’ll see that you get there.” She wanted rid of him as quickly as possible, or else she had the distinct feeling he’d forever get in her way.
“Dunwith.”
“A day’s journey. What takes you there?” she asked, curious.
“Personal business.”
“Anything to do with what landed you in prison?”
“That was a complete misunderstanding,” he said emphatically.
“It usually is, though the magistrate rarely sees it that way.”
“A robbery, a fight, and a—”
“Setup,” she finished. “They took all your money and you had nothing to pay the fine. Did you tell them you could get more money?”
“I’m not that stupid.” He sounded insulted. “Besides, the money I had arranged to be brought here won’t be available to me for two weeks.”
“So you’re presently penniless and homeless.”
“Only for the moment, and, like you, I can take care of myself.”
His brown eyes flared, giving his rugged features a devilish appeal that momentarily stunned her. “Good, then I’ll see that one of my men makes sure you get to Dunwith.”
“What of the others?” he asked.
“Those prisoners unable to walk much farther will be left with friends who will see them moved to a safe location. The others will be given a choice to go off on their own or to join with my group.”
“What if I want to join with your group?”
She stopped short and glared at him. “Why would you want to do that?”
“Don’t want my help?”
He was obviously amused by her remark, a half smile highlighting his sweat-dappled face. She wasn’t at all amused. “No!”
“Why?”
“You don’t take orders well.”
“I don’t take them at all.”
“Obviously.” She admired his abrupt honesty. “Why would you want to join us? I thought you said you had personal business in Dunwith.”
“I do, but until my funds arrive, there isn’t much I can do. Besides, I’m sure you could always use an extra pair of skilled hands.”
She shook her head. “I don’t think so. My men are well trained to obey me. Can you obey me?”
“I can follow orders.”
“Can you obey me?” she repeated.
She could see the struggle in his eyes and in the pinch of his narrow lips. He was fighting with himself, though the answer was clear. He couldn’t obey a woman.
“I’ve been taught to protect women.”
“I don’t need protection. I need obedience.” She smiled when he cringed.
“I’ll do my best.”
“Not good enough. My men work together under my command. I never worry that they won’t obey me and they never worry that I will fail them. That is why we’ve been so successful in our rescues. Go to Dunwith, Mr.—”