Adam caught the staff mid-twirl and violently shook off the man’s grip.Commandeering the staff, he shoved the man backwards with the butt of it, hard enough to make his head collide with a pine.He slithered unconscious to the ground.
When Adam turned back to Aillenn, she had somehow managed to knock one of the outlaws senseless.But the other two were on the attack.One of them had a makeshift club.One of them had a dagger.
Before he could reach her, she dropped her satchel, hiked up her skirts, and dove in front of the man with the club, bowling him off his feet.Then she hopped back up as if she did such acrobatics every day.
Whowasthis lass?
There was no time to wonder.While the man on the ground scrambled to right himself, the outlaw with the dagger charged at her with bloodlust in his eyes.
Adam only killed when it was necessary.And he hated to surrender a weapon.But he had no choice.The outlaw was too close to Aillenn.
Flipping his dagger around to pinch the blade between his thumb and fingers, he hurled it forward.It lodged in the man’s throat.The outlaw dropped his weapon and clutched at the wound, gurgling as he dropped to the ground.
Now Adam was defenseless.And the second man had the same thought as the two of them raced to claim the dropped dagger.
But the outlaw was closer.He dove for the weapon, wrapping his fingers around the haft just as Adam skidded toward him.
Chapter 8
Eve had to do something.
Unfortunately, she had limited resources.Out of desperation, she attacked the outlaw clutching the dagger.She kicked him repeatedly in the arse, so hard she bruised her toes.
But it worked.Distracted by her pesky jabs, he rolled over to snap at her.In that instant, Adam was able to seize his wrist and wrench the dagger free.
She wondered if Adam meant to stab this outlaw in the throat as well.The idea sickened her.
But for now, he seemed content to take ownership of the dagger.The man was no threat.
For a moment, victory filled her veins.They’d done it.They’d defeated the six outlaws.She didn’t even feel the least bit of remorse.After all, it had hardly been a fair fight.
Then the man bellowed, “Tom!John!Help!”
The riders.She’d forgotten about the riders.
Adam wrenched the man around, choking off his cries, and set the dagger at his throat.But it was too late.The horses were already thundering back.
Now they’d lost the element of surprise.And the only leverage they had was one man.She only hoped he wasn’t the least favorite member of their band.
“What the Devil?”the first rider said, perusing the carnage around them.
“Dick!”the second man cried.“What did ye do to Dick?”
He dismounted and would have run to the dead man, but the first rider thrust out a boot to stop him.“Nay!He’s got Roger.”
Apparently Rogerwasimportant enough to warrant a hostage negotiation.
“That’s right,” Adam said.“I’ve got Roger.So don’t make any fast moves unless ye want to see him join Dick in hell.”
The first rider worked his mouth, taking time to consider his options.
The second rider looked aghast at the first.“Ye’re not goin’ to let him have Roger.”
“How much have they got?”the first rider asked Roger, nodding to the satchels.
Eve blinked.Were they actually weighing the worth of the man’s life?
Roger squealed in his throat, as appalled as she was.
