In the Arms of a Pirate (A Sam Steele Romance Book 2) by Michelle Beattie Read Free Book Online Page B

this late hour. Pausing to listen for any sounds other than the night creatures chirping behind him, Aidan stepped into the room. It felt cavernous, and he imagined in full light there would be marble beneath his boots and—
    He spun when he heard the breathing behind him but he was too late. The blow slammed against the side of his skull, stole his breath along with what little vision he’d had. He staggered, was fairly certain he managed to warn his men but he couldn’t be certain if his mouth formed the words or if they were only screaming in his head. Bile rose like a hot fist up his throat. He choked it back even as his hands reached for something, anything, to grab onto.
    “Cap’n?”
    Chunk. Thank God. Aidan grabbed Chunk’s arm and dug in while the room spun and sweat—though he feared it wasn’t only sweat—dripped down his cheek from his temple.
    He sucked in air and managed to wheeze, “Was there only one?”
    “That we know of. The men have scattered, as instructed. Lucky and I can fetch her, Cap’n, give you a few minutes to catch your breath.”
    “No, I’m coming,” he whispered.
    He’d been beaten much worse and while Roche might not be around to witness this, Aidan would be damned if he’d give the villain the satisfaction of having bested him, even if only through one of his guards.
    His head hurt like a thousand demons from hell were gnawing on his brain. He had to clutch Chunk’s forearm while he straightened. The room swirled then came into focus. He saw shapes now, the shadows of furniture, that of the guard lying still on the floor. The sweet smell of blood curled in his nose. Grimacing against the pain, he slid his fingers underneath the black bandana he’d tied around his head and touched his temple. It was as though someone prodded him with a branding iron. Aidan hissed at both the agony and the stickiness coating his fingers.
    “Are you—”
    Aidan dropped his hold, clenched his teeth against the pounding. “Lucky and I’ll get the girl. Chunk, you stay and guard the door. If anyone tries to escape…”
    “I’ll change their mind.”
    Aidan didn’t dare nod, but knowing things were well in hand, he turned for the stairs. Hurt or not, he wanted the house secure and Sarah Santiago as his prisoner.
    *
    Dressed in Sophia’s working garments, with her maid sound asleep in her bed, Sarah blew out the light, grabbed her bag, and stepped quietly into the corridor. She froze.
    Down the stairs a key scraped in the lock. No, it can’t be! Not after all her careful planning and work. Why would her father come a day early? He never came early. But then she heard more scraping and some tinkling as keys slapped together and knew it wasn’t her father struggling to find the right key for the lock.
    It wasn’t the first time an attempt had been made to breach the house but never before had they come this close. Usually Sarah had no idea an attempt had been made until the maids told her over breakfast. Her hands curled into fists. Why tonight? Why tonight of all nights when everything else had gone almost as she’d planned it would? She bit her lip. What should she do? Lock herself in her room? Hide under a bed until they’ve stolen their fill?
    The click of the lock pushed her into action and, on the toes of her shoes, raced to the tall leafy plant in the corner next to the stairs. She slipped behind its wide leaves as the back door opened.
    She could see little and did not dare poke her head out for a better look. She was glad she couldn’t see when she heard a sickening thud, followed by some grappling and the crack of what could only be bone. She pressed a fist to her mouth to keep the revulsion down. Over the blood pounding in her ears, she struggled to hear their whispering, to learn their intent.
    “Lucky and I’ll get the girl. Chunk, you stay and guard the door. If anyone tries to escape…”
    Sarah’s legs turned to water and she nearly fell against the wall before she