The Untamable Rogue by Cathy McAllister Page B

this fiery gypsy, so why would a man like Ivo give a person like me a second thought?
    ‘Pull yourself together! This man is a dangerous devil, and if you’re not careful then he won’t only rob you of your innocence but also your soul.’
    *
    People had begun to extinguish the fires and pack their things. In a short while the journey was to continue. I had wanted to help a little but every family here seemed to pack up for themselves, and my help was superfluous. Probably things would happen more quickly without my help, because everyone was used to their tasks and carried them out quickly and without needing to think about them.
    As I wandered across the area my eyes fell on Santino’s caravan. Ivo was standing in front of it talking with his mother. Jelana was brushing her son’s hair from his face and she kissed his forehead as he hung his head humbly. This woman really did seem to have her men in her power, if this cantankerous Santino and the wild Ivo ate from her hand like this. I was really very curious about Jelana.



Chapter 7

    J elana was kneeling at her husband’s feet, pulling off his leather boots. She was measuring him with her eyes, taking in every detail: the ruffled hair, the dark rings under his eyes and the frown on his forehead. He seemed to be tired and aged. The leader, who was otherwise always full of energy, had collapsed into his favourite chair, his legs on a stool and a cup of brandy in his hand.
    “What a horrible day!” he complained. “I knew at his birth that he would cause nothing but trouble. So now I have had to ban my own flesh and blood.”
    He sighed deeply, drumming with his fingers on the arm of the chair whilst he put the glass to his mouth with the other hand, emptying it in one go.
    “You did the right thing. – Ivo understood that,” said Jelana. She got up to fill Santino’s glass and poured herself a brandy, too.
    Santino raised his head. “He’s been here?”
    Jelana nodded and put a hand soothingly on her husband’s shoulder.
    “Yes, he was here to say goodbye and – to ask forgiveness.”
    “Why does he only ever go to his mother and never to me?” roared Santino, clearly insulted.
    “Because he’s just as stubborn as his father. You are so alike, and unless I’m very much mistaken, you also took pleasure in another man’s woman in your youth!”
    Santino snorted  and sat up straight in his chair.
    “So does the lad necessarily have to copy all the sins of his father?” he ranted. “At his age I was already married to you. He should finally find himself a woman of his own instead of poaching on other peoples’ territories!”
    Jelana smiled knowingly and stroked Santino’s arm.
    “He will marry at some point. The right woman is already here – they just have to both accept first that they belong together.”
    Santino looked at his wife in amazement. Even after many years of marriage he still could not get used to the fact that his wife always knew more than he did.
    “How do you know that, woman?” doubt could be heard in his voice.
    “I may not be as strong as my mother, but I, too, have powers, as you know!”
    Oh, yes! And how he knew it! He uttered a disgruntled grumble and washed down his irritation with brandy.
    Jelana, likewise, took a large gulp of the strong brandy and sat down on the stool opposite her husband.
    “You speak in riddles, just like your mother. Did
she
tell you that Ivo will find a woman?”
    “I know it myself! Moreover I have eyes in my head. You seem to be struck by blindness.”
    Santino grasped Jelana’s wrist roughly.
    “Ow!”
    “Don’t mock me, woman!” he threatened sinisterly.
    “I will make sure that your testicles shrivel if you don’t let go of me immediately!” hissed Jelana quietly, but in a tone equally threatening.
    “You witch!” snorted Santino miserably, but he let her go. His testicles were sacred to him and he would rather not take the risk.
    Jelana got up and passed her husband his