“It was a bit of a stretch, but he took on the role with aplomb. He offered to go to Dusseldorf in my place, disguised as me. His last hurrah, shall we say? That freed me to be here. But since there’s no more need for this disguise—”
The arm locked around Belle’s neck tightened as he peeled back the soft prosthetic flesh on his cheek to reveal the jagged scar on his face.
Nick’s fists clenched, willing the man to make a wrong move, but Mwana stayed sharp.
Belle coughed. “You claim you’re an honorable man, and yet you resort to blackmail.”
The arm around her shoulders tightened, and Nick rose to the balls of his feet, ready to lunge.
“I do whatever I need to survive, my dear, especially when I’m pushed, as your husband here has pushed me. Richard had a dirty little habit that caught up with him.” Mwana’s lips curled. “He’s merely making amends for his sins.”
“So, what, he used his connections to get you the names of wealthy women whom you then kidnapped and raped? And then he fed you more information to help you evade the authorities?” Nick’s voice remained calm, almost conversational, as he made his accusations.
“I have never raped anyone!” Mwana took a deep breath. “Belle will testify to that. I never forced her. All the promises she made were of her own free will.”
“While held at gunpoint?” Nick took a casual half-step closer.
Mwana’s smile widened, and he rubbed his cheek against hers. “Only until we were free of the other encumbrances. You see, Nick, we have an undeniable bond. She sensed me at the party tonight, didn’t you, my sweet? You looked for me, but I couldn’t reveal myself, not just then.” He looked straight at Nick, hatred boiling in his eyes. “She was going to help me take Nawaka, but thanks to you, I no longer have my most trusted men, and my funds are dwindling. It’s regrettable, but I’ve learned over the years to adapt.”
“So aside from Belle, you’re here for another reason?” Nick planted his feet firmly on the ground in preparation.
“A small slice of your fortune as reparations for what you took from me, and also to ensure Belle doesn’t suffer a life of drudgery. Surely you’ll want that for her?” His eyes gleamed with an unholy light.
Nick’s heart clenched. Blood pounded at his temples. With difficulty, he fought not react to the man’s twisted words. “Sure I do. But there’s a slight problem with that scenario. You see, there’s no way you’re leaving here with my wife. So why don’t you do everyone a favor, and put the knife down?”
…
Belle held her breath, terrified of what Mwana’s reaction would be to Nick’s bald statement. Nick wasn’t aware that Mwana carried a hidden gun as well as the knife. Her heart hammered as she prayed Nick wouldn’t give him cause to use it. For the umpteenth time, she tried to catch his eye so she could signal him somehow, but he evaded her.
Look at me!
But his gaze remained on her captor.
Fear and frustration engulfed her. She glanced around wildly, trying to find something, anything, to bala
nce the odds in their favor.
She noticed movement in her peripheral vision. A few feet away, Bertrand’s foot twitched. He was regaining consciousness.
Praying Mwana wouldn’t notice, she pretended to wilt against him. When he hoisted her up, she repositioned herself closer to the butler. She waited until Mwana started talking, then sagged again. This time she got close enough to subtly nudge Bertrand with her foot.
The foot twitched again and to distract Mwana, she spoke loudly. “Please, I can’t breathe,” she moaned, and saw Nick’s fists clench tighter. It tore her apart to see what her pretense did to him.
Again, she tried to capture his attention, to signal she was all right, but he was focused with deadly intent on Mwana. From the corner of her eye, she saw Bertrand’s foot move, then slowly withdraw completely from her field of vision.
Mwana hoisted her up, his arm pressing against her windpipe. “Never mind, my sweet. We’re getting out of here now. I’m tired of talking. Tell your husband to move, would you? I hate to resort to violence, and your skin is too lovely to mar with knife wounds.”
This time Nick’s eyes connected with hers, but only for a split second, and the look in them stilled her heart. Raw, murderous intent, calm, deadly determination, and an indecipherable emotion twisted together to chill her blood.
She knew he wouldn’t let the other man leave with her. Nick would rather die than let her go.
And it was that thought which scared her the most. The thought of him in danger made her insides churn with fear.
Mwana shuffled forward, dragging her along.
Nick took a sideways step, his stance loose and easy, as if making way for them.
She closed her eyes and made her decision.