No one had so much as turned to glance in his direction as he slipped in through the front entrance. Those present were too enthralled with the conversation between the young 'boy' in the bright-colored cape and the man at the bar.
Zach's hand settled over the pistol at his belt. He was dressed all in black, like a pirate, and far more dangerous.
He knew sooner or later his crewmen would come here in their search. A quick look around the dimly lit tavern confirmed that they hadn't arrived yet. Whatever he decided, he was on his own.
From where she stood near the bar, it seemed the entire tavern erupted at once. Deciding that she would have to look elsewhere for someone to take her to England, she stepped back and tried to get past thebearand make it to the door.
She screamed when he lunged for her. From somewhere over her shoulder she heard a sharply barked command that was oddly familiar, then her name as the bear tried to grab her.
Zach! She almost cried out, she was so glad to hear his voice. But it carried a sound of urgency. Looking up, Elyse saw the danger.
The bear was descending on her. She ducked, losing her hat, then heard a loud exclamation as her hair tumbled to her waist. She seized that momentary advantage of surprise as she glanced in the direction she'd heard her name.
Curses filled the air. Elyse was grabbed from behind, an arm closing around her neck. Then she saw him, and no sight had ever been more welcome.
Zach left the shadows at the wall, the expression on his face more frightening than anything she'd ever seen. He raised the gun and aimed it at her. Elyse screamed as the gun discharged. Instead of feeling a bullet rip into her, she felt the arm at her throat loosen, and the weight of the man who'd been holding her suddenly drop to the floor.
Zach grabbed her and pulled her behind him. He fired at several other sailors who lunged toward them. With a hand on her wrist, Zach propelled Elyse toward the small room at the end of the bar.
"Get out of here!" he shouted at her. "There's a door out the back, through there." He fired two more shots, and two men fell at his feet.
Elyse felt as if she were fastened to the spot. She couldn't run and she couldn't scream. Then she saw him, the great bear of a man who'd attacked her. He slowly rose from the splintered wood that had once been a table, drew an equally long blade from his waist. Immediately the wall of men descending on Zach fell back and the bear pushed his way through. A vicious smile appeared below the pig eyes.
"So, Zachary Tennant, we meet again."
"Leave off, Vimeiro."
"Even if the girl gets away, I will still have you. There are at least twenty of us and you... are alone. A fatal mistake, my friend."
"Only for you, Vimeiro. As it was once before," Zach reminded him. If it was possible, the pig eyes narrowed.
"Only you would be so daring to remind me of that. But in truth, I have never forgotten it. Now, you see, the situation is reversed. I am in control, but I can be generous."
Keeping up the conversation with Vimeiro, Zach slowly backed Elyse to the door of the room.
"I am an honorable man, Zach Tennant. I will give you a chance to fight for the girl.”
"Why should I fight for her when she's already mine?"
The bear snorted at the arrogance of the man. "But only yours if you can succeed in getting her out of here and away from twenty men. On the other hand, if you were to fight for her and win, I would be forced to allow both of you to go unharmed."
Zach laughed, a cold sound. "That is, of course, assuming that you are honorable, which everyone here, including your crew, knows that you are not."
Her knees practically buckled beneath her. What was Zach trying to do, provoke this bear into attacking?
"Whatever happens, you get to that door," he whispered. "Don't stop. Get to the ship."
"I won't leave you."
"You can't do me any good!" Zach hissed at her, his body a protective shield between her and the man known as Vimeiro.
"Get out of here."
"Right," Elyse muttered, knowing full well she wouldn't. He'd risked his life in coming after her. She might be foolish, but she wasn't ungrateful. She backed up a few steps, glancing over her shoulder to the closed door and praying it wasn't locked.
"All right, Vimeiro. I'll fight you and I'll beat you again," Zach told him.
"Agreed. We'll fight with cutlasses, like true pirates. And we'll both turn our guns over to my men, for safekeeping." The man was already gloating.
