"Well, well, what a charming little ceremony," Sharpe drawled, his mocking voice echoing off the stone walls. "But I'm afraid this charade won't be necessary."
Ada's father rose from the pew, his face ashen. "What is the meaning of this intrusion, Sharpe?"
Sharpe chuckled darkly. "This pathetic attempt at a merger through marriage is futile. You see, I've come to inform you that both your companies will soon be crumbling under the weight of their own corruption. And when they do, I'll be there to pick up the pieces and take control myself. And while I do not care if this wedding goes forward or not, this did present a rather convenient time to inform you of my plans and bring your daughter with me.”
Ada's heart hammered in her chest as Sharpe's gaze fixed on her. "For you, my dear, will be coming with me. I'm sure that will persuade your father and fiancé to cooperate."
No one stopped him as he strode up the aisle toward her, reaching out to grab her arm, his grip bruising. Ada tried towrench away, panic rising in her throat, but his hold was too strong. Just as he began to drag her towards the doors, a shout from outside sounded through the church.
Jonny burst inside — and he wasn’t alone. Ada's eyes widened as she saw Emmaline, Lily, and Minnie standing among Rhys, Colin, and Tommy, their faces all set with determination. Relief flooded through her at the sight of Jonny, his fists clenched and eyes blazing with fury as he took in the scene before him.
He had come. Despite what he had told her to do, what he had thought was best for her — for both of them — he had received her note and something within him had cared enough to reach out for help and to come.
"Let her go, Sharpe," Jonny growled, his voice low and dangerous. "This ends now."
Sharpe sneered. “Well, if it isn’t the half-back and his ragtag band of misfits. You really think you can stop me, boy? I’ve told you time and again, you only have one option — to join me. I don’t think I’ve ever told you the other option. That is for you to go away forever. I think even you can figure that one out.”
Jonny fisted his hands, ready to do battle, as Ada’s heart welled with a fierce hope. Jonny squared off against the man who had caused so much pain, the air crackling with tension between them, the silence broken only by the ragged breathing of the onlookers, no one else brave enough to say a word.
Sharpe's men moved to intercept them, but Jonny's group was ready. The men clashed in a flurry of fists and shouts that echoed off the church walls.
Ada didn’t know who she would prefer to win the battle of munitions — her father and the Carters or Sharpe — but what she did know was that she would choose Jonny and the friends who meant so much to her again and again.
She seized the moment of distraction to stomp hard onSharpe's foot. He cursed, his grip loosening just enough for her to tear free.
She ran towards Jonny, her skirts tangling around her legs. He caught her in his arms, pulling her close as the fight raged around them. Ada clung to him, breathing in his familiar leather and soap, feeling the solid strength of his body against hers.
"I've got you," Jonny murmured, his breath warm against her ear, his scent filling her and making her feel like she was coming home. "I won't let him take you."
Together they faced Sharpe, who was now alone, his men subdued by Jonny's friends. The man's face was twisted with rage, but beneath it, Ada could see a flicker of fear. He knew he was outmatched.
"This isn't over," Sharpe snarled, backing towards the doors. "You can count on that.”
“There are not many things I can count on, Sharpe,” Jonny said, his brow furrowed low. “You certainly do not make that list.”
Sharpe hurried out of the church, his men going with him.
“Well,” Ada’s father said, standing and pulling down his jacket. “That was quite something. Thank you to all for your assistance. Come, Ada, let’s get this done.”
Ada stood firm, hooking her arm around Jonny’s.
“No,” she said, quietly but firmly.
“Pardon me?” her father said, leaning toward her.
“I said no,” she repeated. “I will not be marrying David.”
David’s shoulders released in relief. He hadn’t wanted to marry her, but clearly he also had been too scared to be the one to call it off.
“Ada,” her father hissed angrily. “Theyknow?—”
She lifted her hands, deciding that she didn’t care anymore — about any of it.
Her friends had left it all behind, and look how happy they were.
“Tell whomever you’d like. I don’t care anymore. Let the truth free. I’ll tell you mine. I do not want to be forced into marriage, and while I would prefer that Sharpe not take over your company, Father, there are other ways to merge it. You don’t need me, and I refuse to be used any longer. I want you in my life, Father, but I would prefer that we find a way out of this together. These people can help,” she said, waving her hand at her friends. “If you want to discuss it more, you can find me through Lily.”
At that, she hooked her arm fully through Jonny’s, and walked through the door, choosing a new future.
