Smity’s grin couldn’t be wider, nor the evil gleam in his single eye brighter.“What ye waitin’ fer.Haul ’er out.”
The two pirates pushed the chest through the water toward the entrance.A gush of the sea rushed in through the hole, stopping them momentarily, but as soon as it withdrew, they managed to get out with the chest, Smity right behind them.
Cadan followed, happy to be free of the close confines of the cave.Also happy because the tide was slowly coming in and soon the cave would be flooded.
Smity ordered another pirate to assist in carrying the chest up the rocky cliff, his full attention on the treasure.Cadan stared at the water rising in the pool, sending white foam swirling around rocks.It wouldn’t take but a few seconds to jump in, dive behind one of those boulders, and make his way out of the outcropping.He was a good swimmer and could easily make it to another part of the island.
He locked eyes with Gabrielle, and she nodded as if she understood his plan.
But nay!How could he leave her now?Smity might kill her just for spite.
The moment—and the chance—passed as Smity turned, pistol leveled at Cadan’s head.
“Say goodbye, Cap’n.”He ran his other thumb down his wrinkled face.
“Nay!Nay!”Gabrielle screamed and struggled in the pirate’s grasp.Matthew’s cries bounced off the rocks, spearing Cadan’s heart.Still, he stood his ground, staring at his adversary.He would not go down like a coward.He would face his death with honor.His only regret, as he stole one more glance at Gabrielle, was that he wouldn’t see her again, couldn’t protect her and love her as she was worthy of being loved.
The sound of at least a dozen pistols cocked, along with the chime of swords being released from scabbards.
“Time foryouto say goodbye, Smity.”
A reprieve?A rescue?Nay, not from the sound ofthatvoice.
Cadan knew before he looked up who he would see standing on the top of the cliff with that cocksure grin on his face.
Damien Allard.
Chapter 31
Gabrielle’s shock at seeing Damien was only matched by the look of horror on Cadan’s face.At least he was still alive!Her heart barely had a chance to settle when Damien glanced her way with a lascivious grin.“We meet again,ma douce.”
At least a dozen of his pirates surrounded them, and without much resistance, Cadan’s crew dropped their weapons.All four were quickly subdued and forced to the ground, ropes tied about their wrists, while Damien ordered two of his men to climb down the cliff.
“You dare betray me?”Damien turned to Smity.“Hoping to abscond with the treasure without me?”
“I...I...”Smity blubbered, his tone spiked with fear.
Then, without even blinking, Damien ordered the man beside him to shoot him.
Horror widened Smity’s eye.Horror and panic.A shot rang out.Blood spurted from his chest, and he fell backward into the pool with a mighty splash and sank in the murky water.
Lowering her gaze, Gabrielle clung tightly to Matthew.Her blood turned to ice.What would be her fate now?
She hadn’t long to find out.
After ordering his men to grab Cadan, who still had not taken the chance to escape, Damien turned to her.“Come with me, my sweet.You will be my wife, and we will raise our child together.”He extended his hand, the lace at his cuffs fluttering in the breeze, his lavender perfume stinging her nose, and an almost desperate pleading in his tone.
Shuddering, she glanced at Cadan.
Damien followed her gaze and scowled.“If you come with me, I will let him live.”
But she knew Damien, knew that tone.He would never allow Cadan to live.
“I will never go willingly with you,” she spat back, clinging tighter to Matthew.“Nor will I ever be your wife.”
A few of his men chuckled, earning a searing glance from him.
He slid his fingers over his thinly-coifed mustache, a storm clouding his blue eyes.“Very well.As you wish.”He turned to one of his men.“Hugo, grab the child.Francois, escort the lady to her lover below.”
