Page 86 of In Honor’s Defense

Mullins circled behind Damaris. His fingers bit painfully into her collarbone as he pinned her in place. “Don’t touch her writing arm.”

Colburn slashed his blade through the air, then tossed it from hand to hand.

Damaris’s feet scraped against the floor, trying in vain to back away. “Please.” Tears rolled down her cheeks as she wagged her head from side to side. “Don’t hurt me.”

“Oh, it’s gonna hurt, darlin’.” In a flash, he lunged forward, blade swiping.

Damaris gasped.

Pain erupted across the fleshy part of her left arm. She grabbed the wound with her right hand, the sharp sting pulling a sob from her throat.

“That one’s just a scratch. The next one will really hurt.” Colburn grinned. “Unless you’re ready to sign the paper.” He waved the blade slowly in front of her, then wiped it on his sleeve. A thin red line smeared across the white fabric. Blood. Her blood.

Her eyes darted to the table. The paper. The pen.

“Ready, Miss Baxter?” Mullins loosened his grip on her shoulders just a little.

If she signed, she died. If she didn’t, she suffered, but she bought time for Luke to find her. Time for the Horsemen to stop Mullins before he could threaten Nathaniel.

Lord, make me brave.

Damaris closed her eyes and shook her head.

Mullins tightened his grip. “So be it.”

Colburn slashed a second time.

Damaris screamed.

CHAPTER

THIRTY-NINE

Damaris’s scream carried upward through the chimney and cracked Luke’s chest open more effectively than any cavalry saber. If Wallace hadn’t been gripping his arm to keep him balanced on the cabin roof, Luke would have forfeited all stealth and launched himself over the side.

“Don’t give up our position,” Wallace whispered, tightening his hold. “We’ll have a better chance of breaching the cabin cleanly if we work together.” His jaw was set in a firm line, but his eyes radiated compassion. “She’s alive, Preach. Focus on that.”

The fact that his friend was right didn’t make it any easier to wait. Luke nodded, though, and after Wallace released his hold, he took a silent step down the sloping roof toward the front eave.

They’d taken advantage of the cabin’s blind side to approach from the rear. Using a nearby tree as a ladder, he and Wallace had lowered themselves to the rooftop on the side farthest from the front room, then tiptoed over to the chimney to await the captain’s signal.

“Your grip secure?” Wallace asked as he checked the rope harness crisscrossed over his chest and shoulders.

Luke wrapped another loop of rope around his gloved wrist and flexed his fingers. “Yep.”

“Good. Do you see Matt?”

Luke scanned the trees again before catching a beam of light reflecting off a mirror. “There.” He took two steps to his left. “All right. I’m lined up.”

“Stay there so I can use you as a point of reference.” Wallace picked up the slack in the rope and handed the tether to Luke. “I’ll give it a tug when I’m in position.”

Luke nodded and braced his feet apart, keeping his eyes glued on the flash of light directly ahead. A foot to the right or left, and he’d miss his target. He had one chance to make this work, and he needed each of the Horsemen to play a role. Matt to direct him. Wallace to serve as anchor. And Jonah to ensure no one got away.

Luke glanced over his shoulder. No sign of Wallace, which meant he was on his belly, stretched out like a human grappling hook, clamping on to the eave opposite their point of entry so Luke would have a straight shot.

Had it been two minutes since Damaris had cried out? Three? They needed to hurry. The thought of that devil in there with her—

The rope tugged. Finally. Luke raised his arm above his head to signal Matt that he was ready, then dropped the coiled slack and fit his second hand to the end of the rope. Trusting Matt to be watching through the field glasses, he nodded his head once, twice, and on the third time, he took off running. The captain would do the same—charge the house from the front.