He turned to Samantha, who looked like she planned to unsheathe her claws and give the goading whore hell. The stern use of her name forced her attention away from the woman. “My guess is she wants to distract you. Don’t let her do it.”
Samantha flattened her mouth and gave a curt nod.
“Aw,” said the whore. “Afraid he’ll prefer what I’m willing to offer to what little you might be capable of?”
Ignoring her, Adrian crossed to the wardrobe and flung open the doors. Nothing looked out of place atfirst glance. The piece of furniture was filled with bedding and what appeared to be various types of costumes. Samantha, who’d come to stand at his shoulder, frowned with clear confusion.
“Fancy playing a bit of pretend?” asked the whore. “Does parlor maid and lord of the manor intrigue you?”
A quick glance over his shoulder informed Adrian that the woman had risen. She padded across the floor to where they stood, not bothering to cover herself. He swiveled, unsheathing the dagger concealed in his boot with one fluid motion. “Don’t move.”
“Come now.” The whore splayed her arms wide. A glint of humor shone in her eyes. “You can clearly see I’m unarmed.”
She was right, but the three men who now entered the room weren’t. Her chatter had given them time to arrive. Adrian muttered a curse as the first of the three, a hardened sort who looked like he took part in fights for amusement, slashed his blade through the air.
Behind him stood a slimmer fellow with a crooked nose. The man who’d been blocking the stairs was at his side, an ugly snarl curling his lips as he fisted his hands.
“Looks like our friend from earlier has regained consciousness,” Samantha said.
“You didn’t think to tie him up?” Adrian asked.
“With what?”
Blade Slasher raised his hand and attacked, denying Adrian the chance to comment. Stepping forward, he blocked the man’s blade with his own, the muscles in his arm straining beneath the pressure.
Shouts and grunts filled the air as Samantha fought his companions. Adrian’s hold started slipping. His opponent took advantage, sending his fist into Adrian’s chest.
The punch pushed him off balance. Blade Slasher’s arm slid free. A wide-arced swing followed. Adrian dodged, but the silver edge of Blade Slasher’s weapon still managed to skim his cheek. He winced in response to the sting and barely avoided the next attack.
Blade Slasher, who clearly didn’t share Adrian’s intention to steer clear of murder, came at him again with death in his eyes. He swung his blade wildly but Adrian blocked it again, the sharp clang of metal piercing the air.
Behind Blade Slasher, Adrian glimpsed Samantha, her swirling figure avoiding the blows directed her way. She faced not just one but two opponents. He had to help her.
Grabbing the wardrobe door, he pulled it shut, then swung it back open hard. Blade Slasher’s blade drove into the wood and stuck there, leaving its owner briefly startled.
Taking advantage, Adrian gave him a hard kick, straight to the side of the knee. A loud pop had the man’s face twisting. He cried out in pain and buckled.
Not missing a beat, Adrian launched himself at the man who’d blocked the stairs, his fist slamming straight up into his jaw. He dropped to the floor, unconscious once more.
“Kill them, Roy,” Blade Slasher ordered, his voice barely more than a whimper.
Roy’s blade, an ugly cutlass-type weapon that would have looked more at home on a pirate ship, sliced the air directly in front of Samantha’s breast.
A roar broke free from Adrian’s throat as he shoved his own dagger forward, directly toward Roy’s side. The man somehow sensed the advance and shifted, spinning neatly out of his way, then changed direction and countered with another attack.
“Any chance you’ve changed your mind?” Samantha asked, her voice strained with exertion as she responded to Roy’s next move. “It would make it so much easier for us to win this.”
“No.” Adrian made a grab for Roy’s arm but grasped only air. “It’s not worth the risk.”
They circled around and Roy pulled Blade Slasher’s dagger free from the wardrobe. He now wielded two lethal blades. A smirk tugged at his lips, creasing his pockmarked cheek.
“I’ll take great pleasure in spillin’ your guts.” Roy swung the cutlass as he advanced, forcing Adrian back. Samantha tried to move in from the side but was blocked by a swipe of the dagger. She danced away, her footing nimble and quick.
Roy kept his attention on them both, never giving either the chance to sneak up behind him. Samantha lunged once more; Roy’s dagger clashed against hers. He shoved her back and she fell with a yelp.
Rage burned fiercely in Adrian’s blood. Intent ondestroying the man, he stepped right into his space. His fingers wrapped tightly around Roy’s wrist. The dagger he held in his right hand blocked the one being thrust toward him.
He prepared to knee the bastard so hard he’d forget his own name, only to see his eyes grow impossibly wide. A scream rose from his throat as he crumpled. Adrian watched in dismay as he hit the plank flooring. And then he spotted the blood.
