I lift my shirt to cover my nose and start walking forward. Even with the light, it’s hard to see, the dust from the cave-in swirling in the same direction I’m heading. But as I step around a large rock, I notice a faded arrow painted on the wall. It’s probably not unusual for miners to leave markings, but this is the first one I’ve seen. Curious, and really having nothing else to guide me, I follow in the direction it’s pointing, moving deeper into the tunnel.
Moments later, I spot another arrow, and my heart speeds up. When I see a third one, I know it’s leading to somewhere important. Could it be an alternate shaft? Most mines have them for ventilation, or escape routes for just this kind of situation. Or maybe an alternate route back to the main shaft? I start to move a little faster, hoping it’s leading me somewhere safe.
At the end of the tunnel, I turn, move past a pillar…
And stop dead in my tracks. The mine opens up into a small cavern. The ceiling here is higher and I stand up straighter.
“Bloody hell,” I whisper, almost reverently and full of awe. Ahead of me, just sitting there in the middle of the rocky granite wall, is the rest of the Phantom fucking Orchid. All twenty-five thousand carats of raw, uncut, purple diamond!
Sucking in a sharp breath, I walk over, reach out and run my hand over its dull, uneven surface. After polishing and cutting the stone, she’s going to look bloody stunning.
“I did it, Dad.” A sense of wonder fills my voice and tears blur my eyes. “It’s been a long time coming… and I know you’re up in heaven doing a happy dance.”
Laughing and crying at the same time, I swipe a hand under my nose. And then the brutal truth of the situation hits me—I may have found the diamond, but what if I’m trapped in here with it? What if Ryder and the others can’t get to me? What if the rest of this tunnel comes down, burying me with the Phantom Orchid?
No, I refuse to let that happen. I’m going to claw my way out of this place, if that’s what it takes. Because I have one very important thing left to do—even more important than removing this diamond. And it involves removing my head from my arse and telling Ryder I’m ready. I’m ready to take the leap and give my heart to him. I’m ready to do something I’ve never done with anyone other than myfather—trust.
Now that I know what I have to do, I spin around and race back to where the ceiling collapsed. Dropping to my knees, I’ve started flinging rocks aside when I hear my name. Although it’s muffled, I’d know Ryder’s voice anywhere.
“Ryder!” I yell.
“Delaney, are you okay?” Worry fills his voice.
“Yeah, I’m good, but I’m trapped.” Above me, the rocky ceiling groans ominously.
“Baby, get back. We’re going to go around and try to reach you through a different tunnel. You need to get away from this spot. It’s unstable.”
“Okay!” I glance around, but I’m not sure where else to go, except back to the Phantom Orchid. I’m not sure how they’ll reach me back there, but I have to trust Ryder. “I’m going to the end of the tunnel,” I tell him. “There’s a pillar, and around it is the diamond. I found it, Ryder!”
“Go there, and be careful. I’m coming for you!”
Stepping back, trying to shut out the ominous creak of shifting rock and the dust continuing to sift down from above, I head deeper into the tunnel, praying I’m not going to be sealed in down here forever. Because dying is not on my agenda today or any time soon. Not when I have a very handsome, very smart, very amazing man who I love and who loves me.
Reinvigorated by that thought, I hurry around the final pillar, step into the cavern and come face-to-face with the long-lost purple diamond again. No time to waste admiringit, though. I need to figure out where Ryder and his team might be attempting to come through, and see how I can help speed the process along.
A quick survey has me a little panicky. I don’t see anything except solid granite walls. Without some powerful tools, there’s no way they’ll be able to get me out of here.
And that’s when I hear the unmistakable sounds of a jackhammer. Hope leaks into the crevices of my jaded heart. Ryder said he’s coming for me, and now he’s cracking away through an unstable tunnel, risking his life to save me.
God, how could I ever have doubted him? He’s shown me nothing but kindness, even when I wasn’t so nice to him. I’m not sure how he managed to figure out where I am, but then I remember he has a map. And he’s the most intelligent person I’ve ever met. He must’ve reversed course, found some familiar landmark, and used that to calculate my current location.
It shouldn’t surprise me when a chunk of rock breaks free and creates an opening. A hand slides through the hole, and I drop down and clutch it.
“You okay?” Ryder asks, squeezing.
“I am now.” I squeeze back and peer through the hole. Relief fills me when I see his brown eyes looking back at me. “It’s a little small for me to fit through, though.”
His mouth edges up. “Hang tight. I’ll get to you.”
“What about the mercenaries?”
“All tied up, with Hunter, Knox, Addie and Brighton guarding them like hawks. Linc and I are going to start drilling again, so I need you to back up, okay?”
I’m reluctant to release his hand, but I force a nod, let go and scoot back so I don’t get hit with flying debris. Vibrations from the jackhammer make my heart speed up because it means Ryder is here and I’m almost free.
But I’m not leaving without the prize. We’ve weathered far too much to let it sit here any longer.
Turning around, I head over to the whole reason I’m in this predicament. Removing the hammer still attached to my cargo pants, I reach into a pocket, pull out a chisel and get to work.
