Free FlakJacket by A Nichols Page A

would pick it up. That’s how I got my name— the white witch .”
    “I see.” Jordan knew that the punishments of his land would look barbaric to the Western world.
    “No man has touched me, Jordan—until you.” She threw the gauntlet down. “You know I’m telling you the truth.
    “And the three men who abducted you and drugged you?”
    “I don’t really know what happened that night. I was with my friends; three men came up to me that I didn’t know, and they pulled me out of the party. I fought with them, but I could do little. I think someone had put something in my drink because everything became a blur. If they had wanted to rape me, they could have, but they didn’t. I never understood why they didn’t or what they wanted with me.” Jordan thought again that her abduction had more to do with stripping her of her aura and letting people think that she had been raped—tainting her reputation. A second thought came to him.
    “They might have been taking you to someone, Madison, a person who had paid them to abduct you. They were unable to make the trade with this person, and they dumped you. That is a mystery that I will solve, but I am thankful that they were unable to complete the transaction.” He hesitated to ask his next questions. Why are all these people coming after you? Can you think of anything?”
    I know the future, she thought, and I will have a child of great power.
    Her brows puckered, she dropped her eyes, and Jordan knew she was hiding something from him. “I sometimes see things.”
    “Sometimes?” He straightened, remembering her when he first saved her. “You knew me when I saved you in Jordan, didn’t you?” It was said with some wonder in his voice.
    “I did. I could never forget your face, but my vision didn’t say you would save me, just that you would enter my life. It made me very afraid; I thought you might be my future killer. You’re very intimidating, Jordan.” She wanted to tell him she would bear his child soon, but she didn’t know how he would react, so she said nothing. Perhaps he was just to be the seed. She didn’t know.
    “Have you seen other parts of my life?” he asked. She hesitated to answer, but finally nodded, and he stepped back from her.
    Her chin came up. “Are you afraid of me now, Jordan, because I see things?”
    He smiled his funny little smile. “No. But I will curb your recklessness and bring you to heel. You will struggle with that, so make sure that you really want my protection. If I take your body again, I won’t settle for less than all of you—and that will include your obedience. Think about that.” He had no idea from where that had come. He put his lips on her forehead, pulling away as he said, “Enough of this—we have an event for which to prepare. But then we WILL talk, about everything.” He turned her and pushed her towards his room.
    “My room is upstairs.”
    He glared at her. “Not after last night. Make sure I find you where you belong; you will not like me if I have to come and fetch you. Go and get a bath, and I’ll get your clothing, your backpack, and your laptop and move it.” There was shock in her gaze, but she turned obediently to do his bidding. Why couldn’t she see the future now? What was she going to be to him?

CHAPTER 10
    T he two of them entered the ballroom of the Hyatt Hotel. Madison was dressed in an off the shoulder full skirted gown that skimmed her body and flared gently over her hips. The color was black, offsetting the strawberry red of her hair. She wore it pulled up on the top of her head in an elegant swirl, and dangling earrings completed her look. She chatted amiably with some of the other guests at the affair, shaking hands and smiling sweetly. Underneath that beauty, there were brains. He stood just to her right, making note of anyone who looked her way. His tux complemented him, his presence off-setting to some.
    “Jordan. I didn’t know you would be here this evening.” A