“Are we to fight with swords? Or will you just shoot me?”
“Swords definitely. I am never beaten, but I have heard you are tolerable and so will put up a fight.”
“I am more than tolerable. If she is safe, I will fight you,” Gabe nodded to Dimity.
“You do not dictate terms, Lord Raine,” Ombrage turned his head slightly. “Turn on the wheel!”
“No!” Gabe looked at the gun pointed at his chest.
“Move, and I shoot.”
Gabe watched the woman he loved start to move closer to the water. He could wait no longer; he dived low at Ombrage, taking out his legs. The sting of a bullet grazed his arm, and then his nemesis fell backward. Gabe ran, jumping down inside the wheel.
“Dimity!” Pulling the knife from his boot, he sawed through her ropes as the wheel rotated. They’d be crushed or drowned if he didn’t get her out of here.
“Stop the wheel!”
He heard Ombrage’s roar, and the wheel shuddered to a halt as he sliced through the last tie and she fell into his arms.
“Get out here now, Raine!”
“I have you,” Gabe whispered ignoring Ombrage’s fury. “He won’t hurt you.” He gently pulled the gag from her mouth.
“You should not have come.” Her eyes blazed with fear and rage. “Dive into the water and flee.”
“I would never leave you. I love you.”
“Diard, Gabriel. He killed him.” He absorbed the shudder that rocked her body.
“I know, sweetheart. But he will not kill us.”
“Run, Gabriel, please!”
“As touching as this reunion is, get out here now!”
“Not without a promise from you that she will leave unharmed!”
“I will not leave you,” Dimity whispered.
Trust me,” he said into her hair. “And know I love you.”
“Please don’t die.” She spoke the words into his neck. “Slip your knife into my bodice.”
“Run when you get the chance.” He did as she asked.
“No.”
“Dimity, you must find my brothers. They are here somewhere and will help you escape.”
“Now, Raine, or I order my men to shoot you both!”
“I’m not leaving without you.”
She was a mess, her hair half up and half down, her clothes torn and dirtied.
“You struck her!” Gabe roared as he noted the bruise on her chin.
“Diard struck her,” Ombrage clarified.
