Only With Your Love (Vallerands #2)(95)

A considerable crowd of Legare’s crew was packed inside the cell. They were lounging on crates, smoking, drinking, their expressions avid with enjoyment. Risk was there also, regarding Justin without emotion. Justin was filled with hatred and self-disgust. He’d been a naive fool. He’d never have believed Risk was capable of watching him be tortured. He wondered when Risk had decided to betray him. It must have been yesterday, when Risk had come to the island to find out if Philippe was alive. Legare would have used the opportunity to talk to him, promise him security and wealth, whatever had been necessary to make Risk change his allegiance.

Noticing the direction of Justin’s gaze, Legare seemed to read his thoughts. “It was quite easy to convince him to join me, Griffin. You disappoint me—I assumed you were more intelligent than to place your trust in a parasite. The world is full of little bloodsuckers like him. I fully expect that he’ll try to turn on me when I stop being of use to him. But unlike you, I’ll cut his legs out from under him before he has the chance.” He smiled at Risk as if anticipating that day.

Risk stared back at him and shifted uncomfortably, for once having no cocky replies.

Legare walked around Justin. “In spite of your surprising streak of naiveté, Griffin, I still must admit to admiring you. You’ve been a challenge. Few men can claim such a distinction. On the other hand, you killed André, the one man on earth I cared for. I’ll make you suffer unmercifully for that.”

“Your brother,” Justin said, “wasn’t worth a stinking heap of fish offal. And you—”

Legare sank his hard fist into the healed-over wound in his side and then backhanded him across the mouth, causing Justin to grunt and cough. “Enough about André,” Legare said coolly. “Let’s discuss a bit of information that Risk was not able to supply. Apparently you were wise enough not to confide everything to him.”

Justin had always found that Risk was most effective when given simple, straightforward tasks rather than being told the entire plan. It distracted Risk to have to worry about too many things at once. Now Justin was thankful he hadn’t told Risk about the naval force that was coming to attack the island. But there were ships in the harbor that were always ready to defend the island against the approach of hostile vessels. If they weren’t taken care of before the expedition arrived—

“I know about Aug and the brace of men he brought onto the island,” Legare continued. “Tell me when and how he smuggled them here.”

The implications of the question struck Justin like lightning. They hadn’t caught Aug and the men yet. Aug was still loose somewhere. He gave Legare a bloody-lipped jeer. “Still looking for them?” he asked. “How long have they evaded you? One day…two? They couldn’t have done that alone. They must have had help from someone. Maybe from some of your own men.”

Suddenly the chuckling and murmuring among the assemblage was silenced.

Legare looked at Justin contemplatively. He reached out and crushed the lit cigar against his chest. Justin’s body arched, and he hissed through his clenched teeth as the pain blazed through his skin and needled every part of him. Sweat broke on his face, and the smell of his own scorched skin and hair was rank in his nostrils.

“Next it will be your eye,” Legare said calmly.

“Go to hell,” Justin gasped.

“But perhaps I’ll allow you to keep your eyes for a few minutes more. There is something I would like you to see.” He gestured toward Risk. “Mr. Risk, why don’t you go and fetch our lovely guest?”

Justin froze. He couldn’t mean Celia. Celia was safe at home, taking care of Philippe. They were bluffing. He watched Risk leave the cell. Then he was no longer aware of the others, even Legare. His whole being was suspended in anticipation, as if he were falling from a great height and waiting for the moment when he hit the ground.

An enormous roar of approval echoed throughout the cell as Risk brought in Celia’s writhing form. She struggled against Risk’s restraining arms and cried out as he twisted a handful of her hair in his fist and yanked roughly. The pirates pressed forward, a multitude of hands reaching out to her dress, her hair, but Legare gestured for them to fall back. They obeyed him quickly, grumbling and hooting. Celia’s glittering dark eyes met Justin’s, and she went still, although her slim body was trembling visibly.

“Now tell me about Aug,” Legare said softly.

Justin forced his gaze to Legare’s face. She has nothing to do with any of this. She’s my brother’s wife—”

“Ah, but Mr. Risk claims you’re quite fond of her.”

“Aye,” Risk spoke up. “Made him into a soft-headed cully, she has.”

Justin looked at him with murderous fury. “I’ll kill you,” he snarled, his hands twisting violently in their shackles until his chains rattled. The pain of his ribs was forgotten. The cheering of the men in the cell approached a fever pitch, for in his growing rage Justin resembled a rabid wolf.

Legare took Celia’s chin in one hand and struck her soft cheek with the other. She reeled back against Risk, and stared at Legare with hatred.

Justin exploded, yanking at his chains in a frenzy. “Damn you! I’ll kill you…I swear it!”

“She’s just a woman,” Risk said coolly. “No different from a thousand others, Griffin.”