“What’s that supposed to mean?” she demanded.
But he remained silent, going about his task once more.
She blew out her breath in irritation. Protection? This was growing more bizarre and more confusing by the minute. Was he trying to say that the tattooed man she had come across in England had meant no harm?
She thought back to their last encounter. When he had dashed down the street after her. He had called to her. Used her name and asked her to wait.
She frowned. Hardly characteristics of a thug bent on injuring her. She rubbed her temples, weariness buzzing about her head like a swarm of locusts. God, she was tired. And more disheartened than she could ever remember being. Even when she was stuck in a hole, naked and alone.
Her eyes flew open at that revelation. To her amazement, she realized it was true. Not even her three-month-long captivity had affected her as badly as having betrayed Ridge.
I love him.I love him.
She chanted it over and over in her mind. The fire blurred before her as her eyes swam with unshed tears.
She couldn’t do this.
“Juan Miguel, I have to go back,” she said.
“Senorita?”
She stood up. “I have to go back to San Sebastian. There is someone I must talk to.”
He stuck out a hand in a placating manner. “We can’t do that. We would risk too much by going back.”
“I risk too much by going on.”
“I understand your agony, Senorita, but too many lives are at stake. I cannot allow you to return until we have done what we have come to do.”
“And what is that exactly?” she challenged. Her hands went to her hips and she stared at the Spaniard. “I don’t believe all this nonsense about my father being threatened. You’re too bloody nice. You could have killed me long ago and taken the bracelet. Yet, you haven’t even asked to see it.”
Juan Miguel sighed. “It is true that your father is in no real danger...from me or the others, but what I’ve said about many lives being at stake. It is very true. We must hasten to the city.”
“Is he really alive?” she demanded. “Or was this a ruse to get me here.”
Distant hoofbeats sounded and Juan Miguel whirled around, his eyes searching the darkness.
“Quick!” he hissed. “Help me douse the fire.”
She scrambled over and they began stomping on the fire to extinguish it.
Before they could complete the job, two men on horseback rode into view, their outlines just visible in the waning light of the fire.
One slid down and strode forward.
“Get behind me, Senorita,” Juan Miguel whispered, pulling her with one arm.
“She doesn’t need your protection. Yet,” the man said through clenched teeth.
Ridge! But how had he known where to find her?
He moved closer to the fire, the light bathing his face. His angry face.
“Surprised to see me, India?”
Chapter Twenty-Six
India’s heart started hammering double time as a very large, very angry Ridge stood before her, his stare not wavering for an instant.
