VANESSA FROZE AS Aloud bang sounded from somewhere above them. The three men froze as well, staring up as though they could somehow see through the ceiling.
Adrian!Though she knew it was almost impossible that he had somehow managed to find her, Vanessa couldn’t help but rejoice at the possibility. He’d come for her! She’d known he would.
Roger exchanged glances with his henchman, then jerked his head toward the stairs. “Go see what that was.”
The two goons nodded and rushed up the steps.
Vanessa scooted backward, cradling the baby to her chest. She got unsteadily to her feet, knowing that her life and that of Anne’s child could very well be won or lost within the next few minutes. She wanted to be certain she was prepared for anything.
“Where are you going?” Roger snarled.
“Nowhere,” she snapped. “I’m just standing up.”
For a few moments, the silence was so thick you could have cut it with a knife. Then a shot rang out, and another loud thump echoed from above. After a few more seconds, there was the sound of a scuffle, then another shot and another thud.
Roger flinched at each sound, his attention squarely on the stairs.
Vanessa took advantage of his inattention by inching farther away from him, searching frantically for something, anything she could use to hit him over the head.
They both craned their ears for some clue as to what had happened. Had Roger’s men prevailed, or had whoever else who had entered the building been the victor?
Please, let it be Adrian and let him be all right.
“Otis,” Roger finally screamed. “Report!”
The eerie silence remained.
“Preston!” Roger yelled again. “Report.”
He turned and shoved Vanessa to the floor. “Stay put,” he growled. “I’ll be right back.”
Unable to believe her stroke of good luck, Vanessa scrambled back to her feet, ready to make a run for it as soon as he was out of sight.
* * * *
AS ADRIAN SHOVED ROGER’Ssecond henchman’s lifeless body out of the hallway into the room he’d been hiding in, he heard footsteps pounding up the cellar stairs. He dropped the body and grabbed for his gun just as Roger entered the hall. They locked eyes for one second, and Adrian thrilled at the terror he saw on the face of his lifelong tormentor.
For the first time in his life, he had the upper hand. He expected Roger to confront him, to try to kill him, but to his shock, Roger whirled and took off running in the other direction, making a sharp left and disappearing around the corner.
Cursing, Adrian stumbled over the body and pursued him.
As he reached the door to the cellar, Vanessa spilled out into the hallway in front of him, her hair in tangles around her shoulders, her dress ripped and filthy, her beautiful face swollen and streaked with blood. She held a tiny baby in her arm.
She cried with relief and launched herself into him. They crashed together with a force that brought him to a screeching halt, and she threw her free arm around him.
“Adrian! You came for me! I knew you would!”
He embraced her fiercely and then drew back to stare down into her battered face, very aware that Roger was getting away from him. “Are you hurt? Did any of those bastards hurt you?”
She shook her head, tears suddenly filling her eyes as she wilted against him. He suddenly knew that all the bravery she’d shown Roger and his men had been an act. She was at the end of her strength. “No, not me, but Anne...”
He kissed the top of her head. “I know, my darling. I heard.” Then he drew back from her. “I have to go, Vanessa. He’s getting away.”
“No.” She shook her head, confusion darkening her face. “Don’t leave me, Adrian. I can’t bear it if you leave me.”
She was shaking and pressed her arm across her midsection, as though if she let go, she’d fall apart.
He gave one last longing glance in the direction Roger had gone, everything in him wanting to go after him and make him pay for what he’d done.
