The Escort

chapter 14

Tonio hung his black-fringed jacket over the chair back and stood gazing out the window to the bustle of Cedar Street below. The temporary offices of the Western Federation of Miners occupied the second floor of the building, above the offices of one of the few lawyers in town. Sparsely furnished, the room had all the necessities—desk, chairs, table, bulletin board. Baker was late.

Probably intentionally, Tonio thought. Baker liked the element of control. Everything was a power game with him. The door opened and Ed Baker strolled in.

"Good morning, Tonio. Have a seat." Nearly forty, Ed Baker was a tall, slender man with a receding hairline and a conservative mustache. His appearance belied nothing of his radical nature. Born in County Donegal, he spoke with the slightest of Irish brogues. He had lived in the States for nearly twenty years.

"I prefer to stand, Ed."

Baker nodded. "Coming to my meeting on short notice the other night proved your loyalty to the cause, even if you were slow to leave your lady friend. Have you considered my proposal?"

"Yes."

The two men stared at each other coldly.

"Good, then I'll make the final arrangements. We have not always been pleased with your association with the Bunker management, the likes of Jim Burte. But now it may prove useful to our purposes."

Baker's personal assistant, Clell, closed the door as the meeting between the two continued. He sat at a small desk in the adjoining room doing nothing more than eavesdropping and waiting for his boss's next instructions, so Tonio imagined.

"Bunker Hill management has not been listening to us." Baker swiveled in his chair. "The time has come to get their attention. Blowing up something near and dear to them ought to do the trick. You're the best damned explosives guy in region. If anyone can do the job for us, you can."

"I sympathize with the union's plight." Tonio had to step carefully with his words. A trip of the tongue could set Baker off. "You know that, Baker. That's part of the reason I left the Bunker and went into business for myself. Me, and the gang at the Hole, treat our men with respect. We pay a fair wage and look after safety concerns. Half the time we're down the hole ourselves. We're miners and mine owners. Surely you can appreciate the bind that puts us in?

"We don't want any trouble. We've decided to remain neutral in this fight for the sake of our business, as well as to preserve Harry and H.L.'s political careers."

Tonio hoped that Baker's friendship with Harry and the other Days would allow him to respect Tonio's decision and not take it personally. No one wanted to experience Baker's wrath.

"I can't get involved without jeopardizing our own concerns. You'll have to find someone else."

Tonio stood. By refusing the task, he'd put himself on dangerous ground, but he wasn't going to do anything criminal. He used his skill to mine legitimately, not destroy other people's property.

Without spinning around to look at him, Baker called out for his assistant. "Clell! Show Mr. Domani out."

Baker faced the windows. He looked back over his shoulder as Tonio left. "Make no mistake. It's still war."

Small and wiry, Clell was not the kind of bouncer one would expect the union leader to employ, except that every ounce of him was muscle. Tonio had never liked him. He liked him less now. Clell's small eyes leapt with malice as he showed Tonio the door.

He leaned close and looked up at the much taller Tonio. "Watch your backside. A word of the plan leaks out…" He smiled significantly as he opened the door and stepped back to allow Tonio to pass by.

Tonio stepped out into the street and the cool morning air, shivering slightly as he left the warmth of the building. "Bastard!" he said under his breath.

He doubted Baker knew of his assistant's violent nature. Baker was an honest man as far as he could tell, radical only where laborers' rights were concerned.



Angelina was about to turn the corner off Cedar Street when she spotted Tonio coming out of a building farther up the street. He stood in his shirtsleeves on the boardwalk for a moment, then suddenly turned to reenter the building he'd just emerged from. He should have worn a coat. It was too chilly to be out without a coat, though the day held the promise of warmth.

"Tonio!" She wanted to catch him before he got away. He turned in her direction. "Tonio!" She was breathless with excitement as she approached him. "What a beautiful day, don't you think? Look at the lilacs, they'll be blooming soon."

"Angelina, what are you doing here? Shouldn't you be locked in the kitchen baking at this time of day?" He looked genuinely pleased to see her.

She took his arm and smiled. "I've just come from the Colonel's. Good news, Tonio! The Colonel wants to start a baking business and I'm going to be his partner. I'll be doing all the baking. We'll be selling only exotic, fancy confections. My talent is being wasted on cookies. That's what the Colonel thinks."

Tonio leaned close to her and whispered in her ear. "I think so, too."

She ignored the pleasing innuendo in his tone. "He thinks he can sell them to fancy restaurants and rich people as far away as Spokane. The Colonel has connections." She sighed. "Connections I don't have on my own."

"Does this mean you won't be up at the mine selling them anymore?"

"I hope not as often. I don't like the mines." She took his arm playfully. "Come, Tonio. Let me buy you a cup of coffee to celebrate. You look like you could use some warming up."

"Indeed I could, Angel. But I have a better idea. Why don't I take you out to dinner this evening? That would be a real celebration."

"I'd love that, Tonio." His offer sent her heart pattering. "But why not do both?"

"I have business to attend to right now. I'll be back at the house around seven to pick you up."

"Are you courting me then?"

He looked at her oddly. "Courting so soon after being widowed? I thought you were turning down all suitors."

"I'm being selective."

"Well then, if you can survive the scandal, yes, I am courting."

"See you at seven, Tonio." She patted his arm, and turned towards home, giving her skirt a flirtatious flip as she did so.



The dining room of the Fuller House twinkled with candlelight and white linen tablecloths. The dim electric lights created an intimate atmosphere. Tonio and Angelina were led to a quiet table away from the kitchen. Tonio held her chair as she was seated. "Two glasses of wine. Something dry and light," he instructed the waiter.

Bright red tulips closed in tight bud decorated each table. Angelina set her small purse on the chair next to her. She wore her green day suit, hoping to impress Tonio.

"Wine?" she said. "Shall I dare be so scandalous? An American woman wouldn't."

"But it would be perfectly acceptable for an Italian girl."

"Is that what I am, Tonio? I don't feel like I am so much anymore."

He reached out and took her hand across the table. "I'd say you weren't a girl anymore at all."

She smiled. "You know, we could eat May's food at home."

He put a finger to his lips. "Shh. This is a celebration. The Fuller is the nicest place in town. Someday I'll take you to Spokane and we can eat in real splendor."

The waiter arrived to take their order and disappeared quietly. They exchanged pleasantries and chatted about her new partnership with the Colonel, but Angelina had the sense that his thoughts were elsewhere, his attention diverted. He sat opposite the door, a position that allowed him to scrutinize people as they came and went and his gaze never strayed far from it.

He acted different than usual. She felt that he studied her, looking for something, weighing his words carefully, as if he wanted to make a confession. They had finished their dinner and were being served dessert when a friend of Tonio's interrupted them.

"Isn't this a cozy setting?"

"Hello, Nokes," Tonio said.

Nokes moved around the table to look at Angelina. "So nice to see you again, Signora Allessandro."

Charley Nokes was a regular at the Fuller House. Charley frequently hung out by the kitchen, watching her work and snitching samples. She supposed he could be described as handsome in a pale way. Charley liked to flirt with her, with anyone. She enjoyed sparring with him but nothing more. He sometimes complained to her that Tonio had claimed her before he'd even had a chance with her. She'd told him that he was not her type of man, which did not seem to dampen his spirits greatly.

Uninvited, Charley pulled up a chair and sat down next to her. "I hear this dog has taken up residence with the Halls, the same home that you are staying in Signora."

"It was his home first, Mr. Nokes. It is I who intruded on his territory."

"Nokes thinks he saw you first, Angelina."

"Mr. Nokes, Tonio and I are old friends. We met in New York."

Nokes smiled. "The lady defends you."

"She has good taste."

Nokes summoned the waiter. "I think I'll join you and have dessert."

He was about to order when Angelina interrupted him. "Mr. Nokes would like coffee and sweet biscuits, the currant studded ones that I made this afternoon," she said. "They are the very best ones." She winked at Nokes. "I know they are your favorite so I saved you a few."

Nokes returned her wink. "You see how she looks out for me, Tonio? You better watch yourself or I might just steal her away yet."

They chatted for a moment until Nokes' dessert arrived.

"I hear there's going to be a big union meeting the twenty fifth," Nokes said. "They'll probably call a strike. They're asking all the union brothers to go to the Bunker in a show of support."

Angelina interrupted before Tonio could respond. "If you men are about to talk mining, I will have to insist that Tonio take me home now. I am in no mood to hear another word about mining difficulties. This is a celebration, Mr. Nokes."

Something in the distance caught Tonio's attention. Angelina turned to look but saw nothing. He rose and pulled her chair out for her.

"Come, Angelina. I think you're right. It's time to take you home." Confused, she stood up.

Tonio looked at Nokes as he rose. "You have a winning way with the ladies, Nokes." He threw some money on the table. "Angelina, wait for me at the cloakroom. I need to talk to Nokes."

Tonio joined her just minutes after she retrieved her cloak. They walked back to the Halls' in silence, taking a circuitous route that led them under every streetlight in town. Tonio seemed uneasy and on guard. Neither spoke. Finally, as they arrived at the front walk, Angelina couldn't stand the silence. "Thank you for dinner, Tonio."

"Yes, very nice. Poor old Charley, he needs to go home and marry a socialite who'll keep him in his place. He's just play mining out here." He hardly seemed aware of her as he spoke. He'd been distracted since Mr. Nokes had interrupted them.

They stopped in front of the door. As Angelina reached for the knob, Tonio grabbed her hand to stop her. "I'm not going in, Angelina."

She looked at him, puzzled. "Don't tell me you have more mysterious business to attend to at this time of night."

"No, I'm heading back to Burke."

"Now? This late in the evening? It can't wait until morning?"

"No."

She stared at him. "Tonio, are you in trouble? Please tell me." She reached up and stroked his face. A stiff stubble met her fingertips. She wanted to run her hands over his entire body. "Tonio, please! You can trust me."

"Women! You like to imagine the worst." He took her chin in his hand. "Angel, I'm fine. I've neglected the Hole and I need to get back to work. That's all."

His eyes were dark, unreadable. She closed her eyes for a moment and looked down trying to steady her emotions. He was hiding something. When she looked back up he was studying her intently. Without thinking she reached up and kissed him, throwing her arms around him and pressing tightly against him. He kissed her back deeply and fully, but for the first time he was gentlemanly and respectful. His hands didn't wander. He pulled back.

"Tonio, I—"

"Angelina, right now you can't afford to be involved with me. I was careless in taking you out in public tonight."

"I knew it! You're lying! You are involved in something!"

"Yes, I'm involved in something that you don't understand and the less you know about it the better. It doesn't concern you. I've foolishly put you in danger. I didn't realize how much until tonight. If certain people believe we care for each other—"

"But I do care for you, Tonio! And you care for me, you must!"

"Angelina, I want you to go into the house and lock the door behind you. Do you understand me?"

She nodded.

"Then go straight to bed. Grab my stiletto and keep it beside you. I should have thought ahead and taught you to shoot."

She stared at him. "Tonio, what is—"

"I'm going to Burke immediately to guard the Hole. Damn that weasel Clell! He knows I can't be in two places at once."

"Tonio?" Tonio's cautious attitude frightened her.

He grabbed her by the shoulders. "Listen, Angelina, I don't want to leave you, but I have to get back to the Hole and warn Gus to post guards. The union's planning trouble any day now. Baker's mad as hell. He wanted me—" He stopped himself.

"Clell, Baker's goon, you remember him from the train?"

She nodded affirmation.

"He's been following me all day. He showed up while we were at the Fuller tonight and sent a very clear message. He wanted me to know he was there.

"Clell has a vendetta against me. For too long I was more in Baker's favor than he was. Call it a kind of rivalry.

"Angelina, I don't want you to go anywhere near that a*shole. He's had his eye on you since he first saw you on the train. If I flinch in this game we're playing, he'll have all the excuse he needs to go after you. And believe me, he's dangerous. The ladies at the Lux don't even…"

Although she tried to look brave, she must have looked scared.

"I did something this morning that set him off. Now he's forcing me to choose which front I'm going to protect. I'm betting he'll follow me if I head to the Hole. He'll see where he thinks my priority is and leave you alone. You should be safe with May and Al."

"How long will you be there? When will you be back?"

"I don't know. Angelina, promise me that until I return you won't go near the mines. Any of them. I don't want you near the railroad either. And no going out after dark. Not unless Al and May are with you." He grabbed her by both arms. "Promise!"

"I promise."

He looked relieved. "Truthfully?"

"Yes. I have no reason to go either place now."

"Will you consider going back to New York?"

"No! Tonio, what's going on?"

"I'm leaving now, Angel." Suddenly he pulled her close, burying his face in the top of her hair. He let her go and opened the door, guiding her in by her arm.

"Tonio, whatever it is, be careful."

"Goodnight, Angel."

Once inside Angelina leaned against the door, shaking uncontrollably. "Tonio, what have you done?" She listened as his footfalls receded into the distance.



On April 25th, the Western Federation of Miners held a secret session at the heart of its camp in Wardner. At five thirty, the men filed out three abreast. Headed by President Baker, the 400 men formed a winding line nearly 1000 feet long. They wound their way up the hill to the Bunker Hill Mine where they demanded a chance to talk to the workers. Superintendent Burch complied. Cheers resounded each time a Bunker employee walked over to join the union.

Tensions escalated on the twenty-sixth, and shots were fired. After an all-night initiation session the union leaders decided to meet the Bunker dayshift as they came off duty. Enroute up the hill they stopped a quarter of a mile below the mine at the Last Chance Mill where they encountered a group of nightshift workers on their way to work. Baker encouraged them to join the union, but not one would. Several of the men tried to push through the union crowd but were turned back after members told them that the union did not mean for them to work.

T.S. Murray, a young smooth-faced union leader, emerged from the crowd. "Walk down this hill inside of four minutes or go down some other way!" He drew his watch and looked at the second hand. President Baker had his hand on a pistol but did not draw it. The men retreated.

In a futile attempt to defuse the tension, the Bunker Hill management capitulated and agreed to raise wages to union scale, but they held firm in their refusal to recognize the union. The union called a full-fledged strike.

In retaliation, the Bunker Hill posted no trespassing signs on their property and armed a small contingency of loyal employees as guards. Sheriff Young was summoned from Wallace to Wardner. Local officials hoped that the presence of the local law enforcement would discourage any illegal or violent activity.

May read aloud from the newspaper as she and Angelina prepared to leave for work.

"It is absolutely and finally settled that the Bunker Hill and Sullivan Company will never recognize the miner's union, Frederick Burbidge, resident manager of the company, said upon his return from Spokane.

"Armed union men have even stopped butchers' and grocers' wagons, preventing them from taking supplies for the men and their families. Teams hauling freight have been stopped and those having goods for the Bunker Hill have been turned back by the strikers and ordered out of town. Despite all this we are keeping right at work, and we shall tie up the mine rather than recognize the union."

"What difference do the Bunker's troubles make to us, May? Everyone is so concerned about them, but the Bunker's miles away. It's not our fight." Angelina tied a scarf over her head to keep her hair in place for the walk to the hotel. May shot her a look that said she didn't know what she didn't know.

"Miners are miners and they all belong to the same union. You can bet our boys here in Wallace will be involved in helping their brothers out. There'll be trouble and it'll affect us. If it comes to blows, and it will if the Bunker doesn't recognize the union, our economy will be affected as well. The men will strike in the local mines and without money they won't be coming to the Fuller House."

"The Colonel can weather the tide." Angelina felt confident of the Colonel's business skill. "We're going to be doing a lot of business in Spokane. Anyway, why worry personally, May? Al works for the railroad and Tonio is up at the Hole. You've said it before that it won't affect the Hole, even if our men walk out."

She wanted reassurance. Tonio had her looking over her shoulder.

"I wouldn't be too sure."

"You're worried about Tonio, too." Angelina studied her closely.

"Maybe, but Tonio can take care of himself."

"May, what's going on? No one will tell me anything."

"Maybe that's because you've got no need to know. Now, come on. We'll be late, and the Colonel won't like that. The breakfast crowd will be waiting."

Angelina grabbed her spring jacket on the way out the door. She was going to find out. They could be sure of that.



For two days it was quiet in the Silver Valley. Not a single incident of violence erupted. Work at the Bunker went on with a limited crew. Some attributed it to Sheriff Young's presence in Wardner, others thought the union had given up, but the majority believed that it was the calm before the blow up. The union was up to something, something big that took time to plan.

Angelina felt the uneasiness in town as keenly as anyone. The men who came to the Fuller House were quiet and subdued. They didn't joke and flirt as usual. People were cautious and exceedingly polite, as if a misplaced word would set the violence in motion again. Angelina overheard snatches of conversation on the street and at the hotel. Tonio's name was mentioned in hushed tones. Many times she walked up on a conversation only to have the participants still abruptly and look embarrassed or cover by suddenly being very interested in the weather.

Finally she could take it no longer. There was trouble coming and Tonio was directly involved. Whatever he was up to, she had to stop him. She had the sinking feeling that it had something to do with blowing something up. More than once she'd heard the men mention explosives. She remembered clearly the excited look in his eyes the day he'd set the charge in the Hole. She could almost still feel his heart thumping as he'd pressed her against him. She had to stop him. She prayed she'd be in time.

Angelina rose early the morning of the twenty-ninth, pacing and planning. She dressed with care and primped before the mirror. Her heart fluttered. She looked pretty but confident. Like a person to be taken seriously or at least she hoped. She wasn't sure whether to charm Tonio out of his plans with feminine wiles or to try and meet him as an equal and use reason on him. She was at a disadvantage not knowing exactly what his plans were. Should she bluff?

Al was scheduled to take the train to Burke and she intended to go with him. She would have to think on her feet when she met up with Tonio. May was already at work at the hotel by the time Angelina came downstairs and approached Al. May would never have permitted her to go to Burke, but Al was a soft touch. He readily agreed to take her along.

"I'm running a passenger car today, Angelina."

"That's nice, Al."

"So, you going to see your beau?"

"Al, you're a sentimental fool," she teased. The quiet man just smiled.

"May won't like me taking you."

"I'm worried about him, Al."

He nodded. "Might be you've got reason. Get your things and let's be gone."

She grabbed her purse and jacket. "I'm ready now, Al." She was halfway to the door when she stopped and turned back. "One minute. I've forgotten something."

In the bedroom she opened the bottom bureau drawer and reaching beneath the clothing she pulled out the small leather sheath with a strap. She pulled Tonio's stiletto from its holder and stared at it, shivering. She hated knives. Then she holstered it, and hiking up her skirts, strapped it to her thigh before rejoining Al.

Angelina fumed as the train steamed toward Burke. Al rode up ahead in the engine. She found herself alone in the passenger car with only a dark sense of foreboding for a companion. The town was too quiet. Why weren't there any other passengers?

Al's engine toted a passenger car and nine boxcars. Al let loose with his familiar whistle as they steamed past crossings. The trip to Burke should be quick and uneventful. She stared out the window, unseeing. The day outside was clear and beautiful.

As had been normal for the last few weeks, she felt like an outsider. Something was about to happen, something that she was not privy to. "Hurry, Al, hurry!" she silently willed. "Don't let me be too late!"



Al and his assistant Joe chatted about nothing as the train chugged along towards Burke. Both were experienced men who had run this route hundreds of times before. On a day like this the worst that could be expected would be that an animal would find its way onto the tracks. The tracks were clear and the day looked fine. As they approached Burke and the head of Canyon Creek, Al blew his distinctive whistle call, warning the local merchants to lift their awnings to let the train by. Their whistle was an unintentional battle call. Suddenly, out of nowhere the tracks ahead streamed with masked men wearing white armbands. Joe threw the brakes. "Shit!" he said.

"Looks like we're in for trouble," Al replied calmly. "Joe, go back and see to the safety of our passenger."



In the back Angelina bounced forward as the train lurched to a stop. Before she could grasp the situation, throngs of armed masked men boarded the train. She held back a scream. Everywhere she looked more men scrambled onboard, hundreds of angry unruly men.

"Al!" She rose, prepared to run for the engine.

A man from the crowd blocked her path. "What have we got here? Looks like a sweet little piece to me."

She recognized the insulting voice before she even turned to look at his masked face. Clell! Her hope fell.

"Of all the luck! Seems our meeting is inevitable, Angel."

She wanted to slap him for using Tonio's name for her, but he had a gun rammed into her ribs. "I think you'd better come with me."



Tonio heard Al's whistle and headed toward the depot. He needed to talk to his old friend. He'd been worried about Angelina since the night he'd seen Clell looking at her at the Fuller House. He was sure it had been Clell who had followed them home that night. He was stepping out of the stand of trees on the hill where he'd been waiting when he saw the mob. From his vantage point he could see directly into the engine. They had Al at gunpoint. Tonio untied the Hole's work horse from the tree where he'd left him and took off for Wallace. He knew a shortcut that avoided the railroad. He had to tell May about Al and find some way to help.



Clell took Angelina to the engine. Relief washed over her when she saw that Al was safe. His eyes conveyed the same. The apparent leaders of the operation were giving Al instructions.

"You do what we say and no one gets hurt. Not you or the lady. Any sign of resistance and I can't speak for the actions of my men. They're a determined bunch. We've got a mission to accomplish. Are the boxcars empty?"

"Yes," Al replied.

"Good, we were counting on that. You're going to take us to Wardner where we're going to take care of a few business matters. But first we'll be making a few stops to pick up reinforcements and supplies. The plan is nice and simple. When I tell you to, you stop. We'll be running past the Frisco to pick up some powder. Now, let's be on our way, shall we?"

Clell ran the barrel of his pistol along Angelina's cheek in a perverted caress and whispered in her ear. "I don't mind using force to get what I want."

The leader looked their way. "We should put her off."

"She's Tonio's," Clell replied. "I guess we can teach him a thing or two about cooperation."



Tonio took the front steps of the Hall home in one bound. "Angelina! May! Are you home?"

May met him at the door. "Tonio? What are you doing here? The Colonel sent me home when he heard there was trouble brewing. You need to get out of town before you find yourself deep in it."

Tonio shook his head. "Too late for that. The union men hijacked Al's train. I came to warn you. They're headed for the Bunker. I'm on my way there now to help Al."

"How many men, Tonio?" Her face went sheet white.

"Hundreds."

"They have Al and his train?" May sank into a chair. "I had no idea."

"Listen to me. Lock the doors and windows. Stay in the house at all costs." Tonio looked around for Angelina. "Where's Angelina? Angel!" he called to her.

"Angelina isn't here." May's voice was flat, shocked.

"Where is she?"

"With Al. He left me a note. Said he was taking her with him on the train to Burke. She wanted to see you. She was worried."

Tonio's pulse raced with fear and anger. "Damn that woman! I told her to stay away from the railroad."

"She went because of you. You should have told her."

"Close the curtains. Stay put, May. Hear me?" He ran out the door, mounted his horse, and rode hard for the Bunker.



Al argued calmly with the gang leader. "I can't jump off the OR&N tracks onto the Northern Pacific's. We don't know what trains are scheduled. We could meet one head on."

"It's the only way to get to the Bunker. Proceed." His eyes reminded Angelina of steel, hard and unyielding.

"Ordinarily a cornfield meet is bad enough," Al continued. "But after our little detour to the Frisco we're a rolling powder keg. How much powder did we take on?"

"Nearly three thousand pounds." The leader laughed.

"Look I'm responsible for OR&N property and the lives of my crew and passengers. You've loaded me up with upwards of a thousand men."

They'd made several unscheduled stops and at each one they took on several hundred unpaid male passengers.

"We meet a train," Al continued, "and they could all go up."

"We'll chance it." The leader thrust his gun more firmly into Al's ribs. "Take the tracks."

Clell had Angelina on his lap. She looked straight ahead out the window, silently praying and trying to think of other things to stifle the revulsion that his touch stirred up. He stroked her skin with his fingers and ran the gun barrel along her bustline.

"How do you like the feel of cold steel? Wouldn't the feel of a man be so much better? It's time to warm up to me, don't you think?"

She didn't reply. She concentrated on the faces of the people in the streets of the towns they passed. Everywhere she saw looks of horror and shock. Women gathered children and ran screaming for cover. The men onboard the train were angry and menacing, and with their mob mentality, out of control. They yelled and shouted and leered and fired their guns in the air for effect. Other people were hurriedly packing and preparing to leave town. Perhaps to the safety of Spokane or other parts of the Inland Empire.

Clell unbuttoned the top buttons of her dress and smiled at the sight of the top of her soft cleavage. She didn't try to stop him but steeled herself trying to remember how Tonio wielded his knife. Tonio's warning became all the more clear now. She had no doubt as to Clell's intentions. She wouldn't let this disgusting little man violate her. His hand ran the length of her thigh and she stiffened. He mustn't find the knife. It was her only defense. The leader looked over and admonished him just before he reached it.

"Leave the lady alone. I don't need you raping her in front of me. We have a job to do."

Her captor dropped his hand from her leg but whispered for only her to hear, "What'll Tonio do when he finds out I've had his woman?"

Al stared straight ahead, concentrating on the tracks.

"You have the misguided impression that Tonio will care. He won't but I will. I'll kill you if you touch me, you filthy thing."

The man laughed. "Is that any way to talk to an admirer?"

A wave of revulsion washed over her as she thought about the gifts and the notes with their allusions to her becoming his mistress.

"Didn't I warn you I always get what I want?" He stroked her cheek.

Angelina imagined the knife in her hand. She would have to wait for the right opportunity. She couldn't possibly take on all of the armed men present, even the few in the engine. But if the beast got her in private, she could. With her inexperience and his greater strength, it would be a tough battle, but she had the element of surprise on her side. She flexed and relaxed her hand, praying that she would recognize her opportunity to escape.