Page 44 of Hidden Dane
Ted pulled her close and pressed a cold cylinder toward her neck—a gun. Sweat grew on her back as Ted said, “You’re both so naive. That isn’t how this works.”
Alexandre stood beside her, so she was flanked on either side by the enemy. Henry waited next to Dane with his gun drawn and pointed at Ted while Dane said, “Ted, don’t be foolish.”
Ted backed toward the gangway with her. “Listen Dane Pearce, I know your father killed your mother in front of you, no wonder you’re all screwed up—which makes you easy to outmaneuver. I’ll make this simple. If you don’t have your man put down his weapon, Emily dies.”
“Let her go.” Dane waved for Henry to lower his gun.
Ted pressed the gun into her skin as he said, “I’d rather watch her bleed.”
Dane stepped toward them, hand outstretched. “Wait. Don’t shoot Emily.”
At least he cared. If she died right now, at least she knew he cared. Her heart thumped as Ted said, “You don’t have anything I want to trade.”
Dane took another step closer and was now less than a foot from her as he said, “You’re right. I don’t. But I’m sure I’ll locate something else you want in the near future. You’ve now stolen from me three times.”
Her gaze met his and every cell in her body craved to be in Dane’s arms again—which meant, create a distraction. She toppled her chair to the right just as a bullet rang in the air. Everyone froze in that second and she braced herself for pain. However she felt fine.
Ted gripped his stomach as he said, “I-”
Then Ted went face-down into the floorboards.
Emily wiggled and Dane raced to untie her as she was sideways on the ground. The moment he freed her, she flung her arms around him. He asked, “What happened? Are you okay?”
Alexandre scooped up her jewels and jumped off the ship into the water and a waiting Jet Ski.
She screamed out, “Alexandre.”
The thug waved goodbye. “Now I have the jewels, the contract, and I get to do what I want.”
No! Dane would leave her and that necklace was all she’d have. She chased Alexandre the length of the boat like she might jump on the back, but he sped away into the misty English Chanel. Dane was right behind her and hugged her to stop her as he said, “Emily!”
Perhaps chasing the man who’d been told to kill her wasn’t the smartest thing she’d ever done. Emily turned toward Dane and swayed a little. “I’m okay. No, that’s a lie.” He held her closer. “I feel like I just got kicked in the stomach.”
“Let’s get you to a hospital,” Dane said.
Why? She wasn’t hurt. She needed her necklace back. When Dane left, she’d want the reminder again. She left his arms and shook her head. “No. I’m sad about my necklace, Dane. But I’m glad you’re here.”
He looked at her with concern. “Your necklace?”
“Yes.”
“You were almost killed.” Dane didn’t move a muscle.
Maybe he didn’t understand. Men leave. He’d leave. Even if he cared right now, nothing lasted. She hugged her waist and pointed to Henry, who was talking into his phone, planning their next step. “Ted was, instead of me. Alexandre intends to sell the jewels, rather than Ted, to fulfill the contract. I’m good enough to go, but we’ll need a weapon to counter his gun.”
Dane pointed to his bandaged arm and nodded which made her look at her own as he said, “You’re bleeding.”
Huh? She was. She must have scraped against something and she’d have a bruise. She shrugged as she didn’t feel anything. “I’ll heal.”
“Are…” Dane shook his head without asking his question. Instead he said, “We can forget about the jewels and just go home.”
Absolutely not. Her necklace was too precious. Her heart thundered now as she shifted and licked her lips. “Dane, what’s gotten into you? I want my necklace back.”
“Why?” He held out his hands.
She took them and brought them to her heart. Why didn’t he understand her? She held his warm hands and she relaxed a fraction—if they lasted forever, then maybe she didn’t need his gift—but that wasn’t possible. Telling him she didn’t believe he’d stay wasn’t good either. Emily sighed. “Because it’s pretty, and all I will have in the future to remember this adventure.”
“Emily?” He hugged her.
