“East,” Ransom said.
“South,” Strathaven said.
“West.” Kent looked at Adam. “Unless you want it?”
“Gentlemen, I will entrust you to find Gabriella and bring her to safety.” Inhaling, Adam looked into the faces of his allies and prayed he was doing the right thing. “She is everything to me, and I need to know that she is in good hands…no matter what happens.”
“We’ll look after Mrs. Garrity.” Ransom’s promise was delivered with a wry smile. “Or ourownladies will have our heads.”
As the others nodded in agreement, Murray asked, “What will you be doing?”
“There is only one surefire way to protect Gabriella and my family. I have to eradicate the root of the problem.” Cold rage flowed through Adam. “I’m going after De Villier.”
Gabby started at the loudboomthat shook the walls.
Was that an explosion? Her ears pricked. She thought she heard men shouting…what were they saying? Their voices neared, becoming more distinct…
“Mrs. Garrity, where are you?”
“I’m in here!” She stumbled to the door, pounding on it with both fists. “It’s me, I’m here!”
More booming, more shouting, the fracas so loud that she became panicked that her rescuers couldn’t hear her. She continued yelling, her lungs straining, her fists beating a desperate drumbeat against wood.
“I’m here, Mrs. Garrity, I’ve got you.”
Relief filled her as she recognized the voice filtering through the thick barrier. “Oh, Mr. Murray, thank goodness—"
She heard the key turn in the lock. Her eyes adjusting to the sudden flood of light, she saw…the scarred face. De Villier’s guard had returned.
She backed away. “Get away from me—”
“Not to worry, Mrs. Garrity.” Mr. Murray appeared behind the villain. “Livingston here works for your husband. He’s been spying on the enemy for us; he sent us word so we were able to spring a surprise attack on De Villier. He led me to you.”
She looked at Livingston, whose brutish face was transformed by a toothy grin.
“Beg your pardon, ma’am, for pushing you earlier,” he said solicitously. “I had to make it look real so as not to rouse De Villier’s suspicion.”
“Thank you, sir,” she said gratefully. “Where is my husband?”
“He’s going after De Villier.” Mr. Murray took her arm. “Come, we have to get you to the boat—”
“I’m not leaving without Adam.” Fear for her beloved made Gabby dig in her heels. “You don’t know De Villier, he’s capable of anything—”
“Believe me, so is your husband when your well-being is at stake. The sooner I get you to safety, the sooner he can focus all his energies on vanquishing his enemy.”
Although she understood the logic, she couldn’t bring herself to leave Adam. Not when he’d been left to survive on his own so many times. “The three of us can find him together—”
“I was hoping it wouldn’t come to this,” Mr. Murray muttered.
“Come to what?”
“Your husband anticipated that you might be reluctant to leave without him. If that were to happen, he gave us a message to convey to you.”
Seeing the ruddy color on the other’s face, she asked curiously, “What message?”
“Go to the ship, Gabriella.” Murray cleared his throat. “Your sultan commands it.”
38
