She’d managedto drag herself away while he was occupied. The lass had more spirit than sense.
She’d managed to crawl,leaving a clear path through the undergrowth. When Hector spotted her, his blood froze.
She’d draggedherself to the edge of a steep ravine, her fingers clawing at the ground as she tried to pull herself those final few inches to the drop.
Christ Almighty.She would rather die than be taken.
He nearly flewacross the distance and caught her just as her upper body tipped over the edge. She let out a broken sound—part frustration, part despair—as he pulled her back into his arms.
“Enough.”His tone was sharper than he had intended. “Ye’re nae dyin’ today.”
This time,when he lifted her, one arm went beneath her knees while the other supported her shoulders. Her head fell naturally against his chest.
As they crossed the field,he finally saw her face properly.
Despite the grime and exhaustion,Hector could see that she was a fair lass. Her face, though gaunt with hunger, held a finesse that couldn’t be diminished.
High cheekbones.Full lips, even if cracked at the moment. Skin that would be like porcelain if properly tended. Hector’s fingers itched to brush the tangled hair from her face, to reveal more of her features.
Despite her thin frame,he noticed she was curvier than he’d initially thought.
Her breasts pressedagainst his chest, and her hip fit well in his grip as he carried her.
Desire stirred unexpectedly,which he immediately banished, disgusted with himself. This woman had endured God knew what horrors; the last thing she needed was another man thinking of her in that way.
How much had she suffered?The bruises told a story of consistent abuse. And her willingness to throw herself to her death rather than be captured…
His grip tightened around her,his jaw clenching so hard his teeth ached. Everyone involved in this—everyone who had profited from her pain—would pay. He would see to it personally.
“I caught ye,so ye’re mine now,” he whispered to her with a deliberate smirk, but deep inside he hoped she might sense the promise beneath his words—that with him, she would finally be safe.
As he approachedthe meeting point, he spotted Theodore, Lucas, and Elijah already waiting, each with their own rescue. The other lasses looked afraid and desperate. They didn’t know yet how lucky they were.
Theodore caught his eye first.His slight nod told Hector that he hadn’t encountered any trouble. The woman beside him had wrapped her arms around herself, her eyes watching them warily.
Lucas stood protectivelybeside the youngest lass, who seemed unable to look up from the ground. Silent tears rolled down her dirt-smudged face.
Elijah heldthe arm of the dark-haired lass, who, despite her ragged appearance, maintained a certain defiance in her stance. Her eyes met Hector’s as he reached them.
“We’re clear,”Theodore said quietly. “We’ve got all the girls brought for the hunt today. But one of the organizers confessed that others are bein’ kept for another hunt.” He spat the last word like it was poison.
“And the organizers?”Hector asked, shifting his burden in his arms. The lass stirred slightly but didn’t wake.
“That’s two down,”Elijah reported. “The other two scattered when they realized something was amiss.”
“And the host?”Hector pressed.
Lucas shook his head.“One of the bastards we missed. Slipped away like the snake he is.”
Hector swore under his breath.The leader, at least, should have paid today.
“We returnto our territories as planned,” he decided. “Our men will continue the hunt for the organizers. For now, these lasses need care.”
“Who takes whom?”Theodore asked, eyeing the woman in Hector’s arms.
Hector looked downat her face, peaceful in repose. Despite everything she’d endured, there was strength in her features.
“This one comes with me.”His tone brooked no argument.
