watching them in a sick, egotistical way. As if this was a game he enjoyed playing.
"Paco. My Leg." She let go of his hand, adrenaline making her rush.
She pulled at the hem of her jeans and flashed the blade of the knife. If she could get the weapon off her, she could kill Askook.
Life flashed in Paco's gaze. A growl, resembling a groan, tumbled from his mouth.
"Enjoy the reunion because in fifteen minutes, I'm going to kill him. Then, I'll teach you to ever leave me again. Your father paid his debt. You're mine," said Askook behind her.
She froze, jerking her gaze over her shoulder. Askook stood in the archway with the man who'd escorted her to the house.
The proud stance disgusted her. Unable to hide her reaction to him, her lips pulled away from her teeth.
"He needs help." She moved, but Paco squeezed her hand, keeping her in front of him.
The room pulsated, and pressure tugged at her leg. Aware that Paco was going for the knife taped to her calf, she continued to face Askook.
"Let me take him off the Rez," she said.
"Neither of you are going anywhere." Askook stepped toward her, stopped, and looked down at Paco.
She straightened her spine, trying to keep Paco out of Askook's view as he tugged on the tape. Afraid Askook would hear the noise, she yelled her frustration.
"You've already killed my father. Why are you doing this to me?" She raised her hand, fisting her fingers. "This wasn't how you were raised, Askook. I knew your mother. I knew your sister. You've turned your back on the blood running through your veins. If they were alive—"
Askook strode across the room. She got up on her knees, wanting to block him from Paco.
"How many of our women have you sold?" She almost toppled as Paco freed the knife from her lower leg. Using the moment to get on her feet, she slapped out, swiping Askook's chest with her hand. "How many lives have you taken? How many times have you looked up at the sun and pretended you were honorable?"
Askook slapped her across the face. In her rage, she bounced back and took her fists to him. Seeing what he'd done to Paco, she feared he'd die before she could get him help.
She couldn't stop Askook. She couldn't stop time. She couldn't stop the massacre.
She couldn't live in a world where one man was responsible for taking innocent lives without being punished.
It had to end.
The basic need to survive unleashed inside of her. She forgot everything she was taught about loyalty, honor, and giving. She forgot about her own safety. She forgot what the man in front of her was capable of doing.
She lost it.
Savage and fixated, she threw herself on Askook. Hands tried to stop her, and she ignored the pain encompassing her and pummeled her fists, raked her nails, kicked out, beating any part of his body she could reach.
Blinded with her fury. Deafened by the wounded howl. She hit and scratched. She tore and ripped. She pushed Askook like a train, getting him away from Paco, inch by inch.
Strengthened and powerful, she bellowed her hate as she strived to cause as much damage as she could with her bare hands.
She trembled with revulsion and clawed her hands, reaching for his eyes, wanting to tear them out of his skull.
Hands grabbed her arms, pulling her limbs behind her. Dragged away from Askook, she flung her body, but the other man held her back.
Paco, a large presence on his feet, weaved across the floor in front of her. She fought harder to get loose, knowing he would need help. Barely holding on, Paco staggered from all the blood he'd lost.
The knife she'd brought with her, now covered in Paco's blood, led him across the floor. She cried out. He wasn't strong enough to go against Askook.
Her body, dead weight in the man's hold, hung from his arms. Nah-doo-si, Nah-doo-si, Nah-doo-si.
She couldn't look away and prayed to the creator. Nah-doo-si.
Summoning up all the spirits from lakes to mountains, horses to eagles, trees to the sky. Helpless, she embraced the teachings she'd grown up with, relying on a heritage that she'd turned her back on.
It was the only hope she had left.
Paco's breath bubbled out of him. "You touched her."
Askook bent his knees and raised his hands to his sides, walking around Paco. "She's mine."
Paco lunged. Wanting to close her eyes but unable to look away, Josie watched him fall onto Askook. Both