A warm trickle ran down her chest and Christian drew his sword. “Stand down, Thorne.”
Men began to pour from the trees with muskets pointed at the giants.
“The cannons we heard?” Thorne’s lips pulled into a snarl.
“From my ships as we overtook yours. You’ve nowhere to run, Thorne. It’s over.”
Ships.
Samantha’s heart soared.
Christian took another step toward them and Thorne lowered his sword. She lifted her fingers and pressed against the cut he left behind while she struggled to her feet.
“Drop your weapon.”
Thorne stood rigid, his gaze never leaving Samantha. He lifted his arm, held his sword out at his side. But he didn’t drop it. Something flashed in his eyes.
He wasn’t going to give up.
Samantha took a step back.
“Not so fast, dear.” His hand snaked out and closed around her shoulder. Before she could spin away, he yanked her around his front and swung his outstretched arm back in, resting the blade against her throat once more.
“If you want her to live, call off your men.”
Christian came to a stop. After an agonizing second, he lifted his hand and his men halted their forward progress.
“We outnumber you four to one. Your ship is crippled. No matter what, this ends with you in chains.”
Thorne tugged her against his chest. “I guess it all comes down to how much you want this pretty little piece of yours to live.”
Forest-green eyes sparkled in the sunlight as Christian stared them down. A rustle came from behind and the pirate spun. Her crew still held their swords and edged closer.
“Stay back,” Thorne warned. He twisted and began to edge away from the two groups of men. When they were clear, he backed up to the edge of the sinkhole.
Christian followed and the blade’s pressure against her neck increased.
“I’ll slice her throat right in front of you, boy. I mean it. Take your men and leave. Then maybe I’ll let her go.”
“She’s innocent. Why shed her blood?”
“I told you, no one is innocent. Least of all her family.”
Samantha glanced down at the crumbling edge of limestone they perched on. A pebble broke free and splashed into the water below. If she pushed hard enough...
Her eyes flew to Christian’s, but he remained focused on Thorne.Look at me.She widened her eyes and tilted her head to the side. He frowned and took another step forward.
Blast.
She would have to make her move and hope he followed.
Closing her eyes, she took several deep breaths while sliding herfoot forward to brace against.
One.
Two.
Three.
