Chances (Mystic Nights #1)(49)

Peter made his way down the short distance of the cabin and reached the ladder. She was grateful for even this small reprieve and with the light she hoped to find some way to get loose, get free, and at least put up some kind of defense for herself.

Peter climbed up the three stairs and reached for the hatch. Maybe he hadn’t tied down one of the sails properly was his thought as he pushed on the hatch door. The wind had picked up and it might have sent one of them loose.

As he opened the hatch and took another step up, his frustration at being delayed in finally having his way with the slut below, turned to shock. Jonathan’s face loomed before him in the darkness, and then his fist connected with his jaw.

He fell down the steps and onto his back as Jonathan jumped down atop him.

Scrambling backwards, Peter used every ounce of strength he had to regain his feet. But what he saw behind Jonathan terrified him even more. Behind him was Joseph, and then others. Men with guns, and angry faces. It was over. He’d lost. The fury he felt engulfed him. He looked around for a weapon to use. He would make someone pay before this was all over.

Jonathan rushed the man before him, and seeing Aliya trussed up to the bed, her breasts bared for all to see, sent him into a blind fury. He charged Peter just as he was getting up, and the man sidestepped him. If he had not been moving so fast he might have sensed his actions. But instead Peter was able to get behind him. Peter grabbed him and managed to get his arm around Jonathan’s neck. He began to squeeze, but Joseph was already there too. He punched Peter so hard on the side of the head, the man’s grip loosened and a knife clattered to the floor. Jonathan was out of the headlock in a flash, and this time his fists connected with the man’s ribs, sending any oxygen he had in his lungs rushing out in an explosion of air. With Peter doubled over, Jonathan lifted his knee hard and connected once more, this time the man’s face exploded into crimson. Then he connected again, this time with his groin.

Peter was reeling from the pain. He knew he was in a losing battle, but he would go down with his ship before he let this man, Tawny’s spawn, put him behind bars. As he backed up, with Jonathan stalking his every step, Aliya saw Peter reach behind him for something shiny on the counter. It was another knife.

She screamed out a warning as Peter’s hand sliced through the air with the metal object. Jonathan ducked just in time, while Joseph used sheer brute force to slam the man’s hand back and the knife flew out of his grasp.

Joseph positioned himself behind Peter and grabbed both of his arms, and held on as the man fought furiously to free himself. But Joseph knew he would not get out of this hold. Never. By that time, Jimmy was there. He was able to turn the man around enough to snap a cuff on one of Peter’s wrists, and then the other one. The man was still straining, snarling furiously in his rage, but with one more powerful punch, that no one saw coming, let loose by Jonathan, Peter finally slumped to the floor.

And finally Aliya was able to breathe. Through the whole ordeal she had called warnings to Jonathan, and tried to let him know when danger was near through her own tears.

Seeing that Peter was unconscious, Jonathan immediately swept his eyes towards Aliya.

“You came?” she cried tears filling her eyes. She was beyond hysterics. She couldn’t hold back any longer.

“I did,” he reached her. “And I’m so sorry I ever doubted you. I do love you, Aliya. I’m sorry.” He bent over her body shielding her from the others. But he held her too. Holding on to her, he couldn’t believe he’d almost lost her. Still could, if she didn’t forgive him. And he wouldn’t blame her if she didn’t.

“I love you too,” her sobs began to soak his chest. “I love you. I’m so glad you came.” Jonathan held her and rocked her. He never wanted to let her go. Vowed he wouldn’t ever again.

Both of them were unaware of what proceeded to happen behind them.

Jimmy began to drag Peter’s body to the opening to bring him above board and then transfer him to the upper deck. His men were waiting to grab him and pull the still unconscious man up.

Joseph saw the blade on the floor and quickly picked it up. Softly tapping his brother on the shoulder, he handed him the small fish gutting knife. Jonathan thanked him wordlessly. And then Joseph left to help get Peter situated on the cutter. He wanted to give his brother a bit of time to recover, and give this couple at least a few moments of privacy. He was sure there were many things they both wanted to say.

Jonathan wasted no time in cutting the ropes using the knife his brother had handed him. When Aliya was completely free, she grasped him and clung to him once more. Though her arms stung from being above her head so long, she wanted to feel this man who rescued her. It seemed more real because she could hold him too.

Her tears still came and Jonathan wasn’t sure if they were tears of joy or sadness. He pulled back to ascertain if she was hurt, or the baby. “Is everything okay? You? The baby? Are you hurt?” he asked, his voice full of worry and terror of what Peter may have inflicted upon her before they’d found them.

“No. I’m not hurt. I think the baby is okay, too,” she murmured against his chest burrowing into him once more. She needed to feel close to him. “You got here in time. He hadn’t done anything else yet.” Her cries began to subside as he held her even closer thinking of all he could have lost. He continued to soothe her as best he could.

“God. I’m so thankful I made it.” When he no longer heard her cries, he pulled back to look into her tear stained face. He wanted her not only to hear his words but to feel them. “You are mine, Aliya. You and our baby. Forever. I’ll never let anyone hurt either one of you again. I love you, Aliya. Please forgive me.” He knew he was begging. But he needed to. He owed her that.