Akash strode toward the cave, his guns held ready, his body tall, straight, and reeking confiden
ce. “We have your brother.”
“You won’t hurt Hubert. I, however, have no such scruples about my hostage.”
Charis could wait no longer. She stumbled upright on shaking legs, her heart racing with a turbulent mixture of hope and trepidation. “Gideon, are you all right?”
There was a silence. Hope shriveled like an old walnut in her breast. Her heart faltered to a stop.
Were they too late? In a fever of anguish, she darted forward to stand beside Akash.
“Charis?” Gideon’s voice was rusty, but the mere sound of it sent joy fizzing like newly opened champagne through her veins. She swayed briefly and closed her eyes as dizzying waves of relief battered her.
It was a miracle. She had no other explanation. He was alive. And aware.
And blisteringly angry. “What the devil are you doing here?”
In spite of the danger and his audible displeasure, she couldn’t contain a choked laugh. She raised trembling fingers to dash burning tears of happiness from her eyes. “Saving you.”
“Go back to the house. Now.”
“I told you,” Akash muttered.
“I want to negotiate,” Felix shouted. “My freedom for Trevithick’s release.”
“Don’t be a fool, man,” Akash snapped, taking a step closer to the mine. “We’ve got you surrounded. You can’t escape.”
“Then there’s no reason to keep Trevithick alive.”
Charis’s throat constricted with renewed terror. Her relief had been premature. The threat Felix posed was as real as ever.
“He’ll kill Gideon if we push him too far,” Charis said unsteadily. “He’s not bluffing.”
Akash frowned down at her. “A murder charge won’t help his case.”
“He’s smart enough to know his case is hopeless.” She raised her chin and stared unwaveringly into Akash’s deep brown eyes. “I don’t care what happens to Felix. Kill him, let him go free, whatever you have to do. Just as long as we save Gideon.”
His eyes darkened as if he realized what it would cost her to let Felix get away with his crimes. Then he nodded and faced toward the mine, cocking his guns. “All right, Lord Felix. I’ll come in.”
“I’ll go with you,” Charis said quickly.
Akash cast her a glance that mingled astonishment and disapproval. “Out of the question.”
Her jaw firmed. “Make me stay.”
She saw him consider getting one of the Penrhyn men to restrain her, then clearly he thought better of it. Or perhaps he took pity on her frantic need to see her husband. His tone was low and adamant. “You are not to speak. You are not to move unless I give you the word.”
“I promise.” Her voice shook with gratitude. “Thank you.”
“I hope I don’t live to regret this,” he said grimly. He raised his voice. “Don’t try anything, Lord Felix.”
“Drop your weapons first. And remember, any tricks and Trevithick’s a dead man.”
Akash glanced at Charis, who nodded. Both of them laid their guns on the ground, then approached the mine entrance.
With every step, her heart beat faster. Fear closed her throat and made her skin itch. If Felix decided to shoot them, they had no protection.
Surely he couldn’t be so stupid. He wouldn’t be able to kill every man here. Then she remembered his vanity and recklessness.