Page 60 of The Chef and the Countess

Chapter 18

Liam jumped to his feet and swiftly buttoned his wool coat. “Celia, fetch Tommy and Timmy. Have them go for the coppers. They know where the station is. Then I want you to go upstairs to your room and lock the door.”

Celia nodded. “I’ll gather weapons first in case you need them. Knives, rolling pins, and the like.” Lifting her skirt partway, she ran toward the kitchen before Liam could reply.

“How many men are involved?” Liam asked.

“At least four,” Fiona replied breathlessly. “They came in fifteen minutes ago. Even after Bruce warned them, they continued to cause a stir.”

Liam strode to the larder and grabbed two axe handles, which he kept hidden for just such an emergency. Fiona followed close behind. He swung open the door to find Bruce had one of the men in a headlock. Two other men stood nearby, and one of them brandished a knife, and so did the bald man that Bruce restrained. Without hesitation, Liam ran up to the ginger-haired man with the knife and bashed his knees with the axe handle. Ginger cried out and fell to the floor, dropping his knife, which Liam hurriedly snatched.

Wait. Fiona said four men. Where’s the other one?

Liam tossed an axe handle to Bruce, who caught it with his free hand. The second man, still standing, took reverse steps and fell into one of the tables. It upended, scattering playing cards, betting chips, and money across the floor. The customers shouted, trying to gather up the money. Liam held the handle aloft, ready to attack. The man toppled another table, and the pub erupted into complete chaos. The customers panicked, racing toward the front exit, and in doing so, caused other tables to tumble over. Food and drink littered the floor.

Then, a menacing voice cut through the pandemonium. “Here! Bossman!”

Liam whirled about as the pub fell silent. Everyone froze. The missing fourth man had his arm around Celia’s neck with his blade pointed against her throat.

Liam’s blood ran cold. The thought of Celia in harm’s way—he could not bear it. His insides tumbled with fear for her safety. “Let her go,” Liam said with soft menace. “Leave here now before the police come, and do not harm her.”

“Oh, aye? She means something to you, eh? Maybe we’ll take her along for a bit o’ fun.”

“I will break every bone in your body,” Liam growled through clenched teeth. “Harm her, and I will hunt you down—all of you—and pick you off one by one. And I will. Find. You.”

“Fair enough. We’ll get gone. Get your beast to release him,” the man holding Celia indicated with a nod toward Bruce.

Liam’s heart ached to see Celia so frightened. “Bruce, let him go.”

“Out the rear door, boyos,” the man holding Celia instructed.

Just as Bruce loosened his hold on his captive, distant shrill police whistles filled the air. In a few seconds, Bald Man snarled and gave a glancing slice across Bruce’s lower arm. Fiona cried out. Bald Man and the bloke who had knocked over the tables swiftly gathered up Ginger and ran toward the back exit. With the man restraining Celia sufficiently distracted, she picked that moment to sink her teeth into her captor’s arm. He yelled, loosening his grip, but not before he sliced downward on Celia’s side.

Liam saw nothing and no one else. He dropped the axe handle and rushed to Celia. The miserable bastard who’d cut her ran off after his companions. Liam didn’t care.

Celia looked dazed. She brushed her hand against her hip, and blood droplets gathered on her fingers. “It is all right,” she murmured, “Only a scratch.” Then her eyes rolled over, and Liam caught her before she hit the floor.

The police entered the pub area, and Bruce and Fiona ran toward them, shouting and pointing at the rear door. Two of the four police officers gave chase.

“Who’s the owner?” one of the coppers asked.

Liam lifted an unconscious Celia into his arms. Timmy and Tommy stood by the door, shocked at the chaotic scene. “Tommy, get money from my office drawer for a cab. Go for Doctor Drew. You know where he lives.”

Tommy nodded and disappeared, with Timmy hot on his heels.

The police sergeant halted Liam from leaving the room. “I said, are you the owner?”

“Aye. Liam Hallahan. Speak to my manager, Fiona. This woman is injured, as is my employee, Bruce. He and Fiona can give you the details.”

“No one is to leave until we get this sorted!” the copper shouted.

“My money is on the floor!” one customer cried.

“We’ll get it sorted, sir. Take a seat.” The policeman nodded toward Liam. “Where are you taking her?”

“Upstairs, the boys are fetching the doctor.” Liam glanced toward Fiona. She looked worried and wrapped a cloth around Bruce’s lower arm.

“Right. Go ahead. We will talk later,” the copper replied.