Page 96 of Seducing the Knave

“She was a whore,” he shouted, as if that was enough to negate her argument. “And now I finally got Max right where I want ’im. No matter what the bastard chooses today, ’e’ll lose.”

Rook barely finished speaking before a commotion erupted downstairs. Shouts and the stomp of running feet were followed by the sound of wood cracking as the whole building shook.

Though Elle’s captor showed a bit of surprise, his delight was by far the stronger emotion. After pulling a wicked-looking knife from the drawer of his desk, he walked around to loop his arm around Elle’s shoulders, forcing her to her feet as he turned her to face the door. Pressing the edge of the blade to her throat, he whispered against her ear. “I knew the fucking hypocrite would save his whore. I’ve been waiting more than six fucking years fer this.”

Elle’s heart raced and her thoughts scattered as the ruckus neared and the blade against her throat drew closer.

It would seem Max had come for her after all, but instead of feeling any relief, all she could think of was the young girl with the friendly smile who enjoyed sneaking books into Max’s room. And tears filled her eyes.

Chapter Twenty-eight

Max smashed his fist into another man’s face. The sound of bone cracking was muffled by a choked cry of pain and the gurgle of blood as a tooth went flying.

Another one down.

He continued to plow his way through Gill’s guards, followed closely by his brother Roderick and the young man known as Bishop, who was especially skilled at settling physical disputes in Roderick’s gambling hell. Anyone Max didn’t take immediately to the ground was quickly taken out by one of the other two.

Despite their swift and efficient advance through the labyrinthine hideout, fear still rode high through his blood. He wouldn’t be able to take a full breath until he got her out of this wretched place and assured himself she hadn’t been harmed.

Gill—and every one of his henchmen—was going to regret this devilish plot.

Finally, they reached the door at the top of the stairs where a burly guard stood waiting. The pistol he held was kicked aside before the man was tossed over the railing. Max didn’t even bother to watch him hit the landing below as he slammed through the locked door.

She was tied to a chair in the middle of the small room. Though she’d been gagged, her bright eyes flashed with relief as Max strode toward her. Roderick was tight on his heels while Bishop remained in the doorway should anyone else make their way up to try and stop them.

Max crouched behind her to slice his knife through the ropes binding her to the chair as Roderick knelt to remove her gag. “All right, poppet?” Roderick asked, his voice heavy with worry.

Caillie was nodding her head and speaking before the gag even came free.

“...’ave to find her. He’s going to sell her to a brothel,” she exclaimed, her eyes wide and wild as she twisted to meet Max’s gaze. “You have to save Elle, Max, before it’s too late.”

Something tightened harshly in Max’s chest.

His sister was safe. And rather than melting in relief, the fierce young woman looked as though she was fully prepared to strike out on her own if necessary to save Elle as well.

The intense mixture of emotions rushing through him made it impossible for him to respond to her beyond a dark, forbidding scowl and a rough shake of his head.

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