If You Dare - Cole Kresley - Страница 29

His horse's head was wrenched to the side. Court took his eyes from Annalia to find another Rechazado had snatched the harness and trained a pistol on him. Court stared down at the hollow black barrel, a chilling sight he'd hoped never to see this close again. If it hadn't been a foot away, he would've chanced it—the other was pulling Annalia into the bushes.

He'd never forget what happened next. She screamed. She screamed, and he didn't care if he got shot. To hell with it. Court kicked out, catching the Rechazado's arm just as the sound distracted him. Luck was with him, and the gun flew to the side. Court dove from the saddle at him.

As they wrestled, the man drew a smaller pistol. They grappled for control.

Before his injuries, Court would've been stronger, but now…now the man could win. And if he did…Court yelled with rage—suddenly felt as strong as he'd been before. A shot rang out.

The man stared up, eyes growing blank, blood steeping his shirt in an even circle from his heart.

Court snagged the other pistol, sprinted for Annalia, then forced himself to slow, to surprise the one who had her. He looked past the bushes and found a scene he'd never expected—Annalia standing with the Rechazado unconscious at her feet and a bloody rock by his head.

Most likely one she'd been saving for Court. That's why she hadn't fought. She hadn't wanted to drop it.

Stunned, he watched her kick the man in the gut, then scan the woods, no doubt deciding where to run from Court.

"Annalia, stay," he ordered, though he was scarcely able to keep the disbelief out of his voice. She turned to him and rolled her eyes, but she didn't run.

When he reached her, he clasped her good arm, "Are you unhurt? Is your arm all right?"

She shrugged.

"Did the shot frighten you?"

"No. I saw him tussling with you over the pistol."

He dropped her arm abruptly. "I'm glad you dinna wait around to see if I would live." In truth, he was glad she'd planned to get away, no matter how riled he sounded.

She squinted at him as if she didn't recognize him. "Tell me again why I should care about that outcome?"

He scowled until she asked, "Is he one of Pascal's men?"

"Aye."

"Did I kill him?"

Court saw his chest rise and shook his head. When she bent to pick up her rock again, he strode over and took it from her hands. "You doona want to kill him." Court would do that. Retribution for touching her.

"I really do."

"No, Anna." When she continued reaching for it, he added, "It'll do things to you. No' worth it."

She informed him crisply, "I—need—that—anyway."

He held it high from her. "For me?"

She nodded without shame.

Clever, brave woman. His brows drew together as he remembered the way he'd reacted to the thought of her being hurt. The way he'd decided a bullet between his eyes was incidental to the need to save her.

He swore under his breath.

"What was that?"

"Nothing. Why don't we wake up this son of a bitch and find out how many more are coming?" Her eyes widened, and he could tell she hadn't thought about that prospect. She looked alive for the first time in days. He heaved the rock away, then bent down to slap the man, but whipped his head back around. "Annalia, doona think of hitting me again."

"Two with one stone," she said waspishly.

"Be smart. They'll keep coming. You must prefer me over them?"

"I prefer none of you."

"They will no' kill you at first."

Her face paled, and she finally said, "Very well."

He recognized the man before him. He was called Ruiz the Scarred. Court only remembered him because the moniker fit so well. When the assassin roused, he spit blood.

Court had always been heartless in battle, emotionless with the enemy. Now he felt rage building once more, making him hide his clenched fists from Annalia. This was a man who wanted to murder a defenseless woman. Once he let go of that fury, she'd never look at him the same. "Anna, go see if you can find the horses."

"No, I want to stay. I must ask him about Aleix."

"I promise you this is no' anything you want to see." She hesitated. "Go now." His tone was lethal. "And if you try to leave, I swear to God you will regret it."

She regarded him with a marked fear that he hated seeing, then hurried away. He faced Ruiz. "How many more?"

"Infinite numbers until you are both dead. The way of the Rechazados."

"Did you come from the group at the border?"

He said nothing, so Court raised the pistol and hammered the handle down on the man's skull. He choked back a sound of pain. "W-We came through the main pass to France. We know nothing of the others."

"Why her? She's only tried to return to him."

"A moment of anger. He's since tried to turn us from her…."

"But your order never has." Court had heard that one had better think through an assassination command with them because once set on a path, no force could move them from it.

"Never." He sneered. "I wonder if she knows you're the reason Pascal had her brother?"

Court put all his weight into it when he punched the side of his head.

He needed to focus. When a Rechazado got talkative, he doubtless was stalling until he could find a way to kill you. His giving you information meant nothing if he made sure you'd never live to use it.

But Annalia had to suspect him of it—if the fool hadn't attacked…"Wait, you said 'had her brother.'"

"He escaped." Ruiz smiled and flashed bloody teeth. "He knows you have his sister. He's coming to kill you if we don't get you first. Mark your days."

Court was almost so wrapped up in what he'd learned that he forgot that the more talking this one did, the closer he was to dying. Almost.

When Ruiz's fingers eased down his leg to the knife strapped to his calf, and he drew, Court shot him.

The report brought Annalia running. She glanced from the body to him, her face drawn.

What he wouldn't have given to know her thoughts just then. "Did the horses bolt?"

"Yes, but I've coaxed mine back and tethered her," she answered absently. "Yours is down the hill by the stream."

He nodded. "We need to get these two farther off the road."

Strangely calm considering the circumstances, she stood watch until he'd dragged the two deeper into the woods. Afterward, he collected her horse, then started toward the stream for his. She followed him, and even sank down on her calves just beside him while he took advantage of the cool water to wash off.

"Would you believe me if I told you news of your brother?" He stood and and helped her up. "Would you trust what I said?"

"Y-You said not to trust you." A tear slid down her cheek. Damn it, why did his chest hurt all the time?

"I'll tell you the truth."

She took a wavering breath, then finally said, "MacCarrick, does he still have my brother?"

Of its own accord his hand went to her cheek and brushed the tear there. "No, no' anymore."