Arranged: An Array Series (Book #1)(21)

“Knock it off!” Hansen exclaimed, trying to keep his grip on me. “If ye keep it up, I’ll take ye next.” Glancing up, I watched as a stocky man crept up behind George, sword in hand.

“George, look out!” I screamed. George peered behind him to see the opponent raise his arm. Moving quickly, he stepped to his right and shoved his sword behind him, stabbing the foe in the stomach. The brute turned toward us again, his face flushed red with exertion.

“Shut that bitch up!” Pierce bellowed, pointing at me. I was too far away, maybe ten yards from George, and I’d never felt so helpless in my life. Hanson placed me on the ground, holding my wrists behind me, twisting and pinching, trying to force me to my knees.

The brute fought unscrupulously, kicking up dirt, throwing his hat in George’s face so he could aim to run him through. I made another effort to yank my arms away from Hanson, but he tightened his grip. I tugged hard again, my wrists burning with friction.

“You asked for it,” I gritted. Jerking back, my head collided with his face. He yelped, and his arms went slack.

“Ye bitch!” he shouted. My eyes instantly went to my knife. Leaping toward it, I scraped it off the grass and whipped around to look at my captor. The old man’s nose bled, and if it hurt as much as my head did, I knew he wasn’t ready for another one. He took a step forward, and I held up my knife.

“Come any closer and I’ll use you as a pin cushion,” I warned.

“Ye wouldn’t even know what ter do wit it,” he countered, holding his nose.

I forced a smile while squeezing my knife to keep my shaking at bay. “Try me, old man.”

The man looked over my shoulder and smiled. “Won’t need to.”

As the last words left his mouth, I was swung around and lifted in the air to come face to face with Pierce. Scars decorated a leather face, but his olive eyes were unscathed. He held me in the air and smiled, showing yellow, crooked teeth.

“Tryin’ to hurt me men, huh?” he asked, amused. His smile faded once he saw my knife. “Give it her now.” His voice turned stern and he eyed me cautiously.

I answered him with a vigorous kick. Pierce grunted, and I took my chance, bringing my blade down. He blocked it, but I cut into his forearm.

“Son of a bitch!” Pierce hollered, his exhale hot on my face. Latching to my wrist, he pulled it back and twisted. I bit my bottom lip, trying to keep a cry from escaping from the pain. The knife started to leave my hand and guilt surged through me. I was about to fail George. The weapon fell from my hand and Pierce released my wrist.

“Why thee long face, love?” he taunted. “Ye didn’t lose your spunk, did ye?” I looked over his shoulder, searching for George. Men still fought, several laid out, unmoving, and then my eyes fell on a green shirt.

George.

He wasn’t moving, his arms sprawled to his sides, and I thought I saw a dark stain.

“What did you do?!” I hollered in his face. I covered my mouth, nausea brimming. Just moments ago, George was holding my hand, and now he was lifeless, on a field, alone.

“No need to shout now,” he whispered, his rotten breath hitting my nose. He brought my attention back to him, the man who’d just killed my best friend. I stilled, my breathing coming in ragged.

“Let go of me,” I barked.

“Oh, I’m going to. I’m going to let go with every thrust I put into ye, little one. I can’t wait to have ye all to myself.”

“I’m going to kill you,” I sneered, my voice unrecognizable. Clenching my teeth, I started to flare my body, pushing off his shoulder and wrestling out of his grip. The asshole was strong, but I would get myself out of this. I had to. I would to avenge George. Pierce would die on this field.

He chuckled. “Oh, you are already doing that. This sweet little body pressed up hard against me is killing me right now.” He compressed my body to his, a grunt escaping my lips. “Didn’t he set you aside?” he mused. “I heard he broke off your engagement, but here you are. Did you decide to be his mistress?”

I slapped him. Hard. My body reacted without warning, and his initial look was shock boiled into fury. He grabbed my face with his hand, pressing his meaty thumbs into my flesh.

“I’m going to have to teach yer prissy little ass some manners,” he hissed.

“Put her down,” Garrett’s voice demanded. Relief flooded me when I heard his voice. I didn’t need to turn around to see him. I felt hope. I narrowed my eyes at Pierce.

“Don’t ye try to headbutt me, lass. I’ll—” Cocking my arm back, I swung, my fist connecting with his cheek. He bellowed, rage filling his eyes. He mimicked my prior actions, swinging his head forward. Pain pulsated through me, and he dropped me mercilessly to my feet. Before I collapsed, he grabbed my arm.

“Fer that, I’ll keep ye with me as my personal whore for the rest of yer life,” he growled in my face before shoving me to the ground. My sight went blurry, as I was greeted by a vigorous kick to my ribs. My breath left my body in a grunt, and I rolled over once to get away from him. “Lord Cranfield,” I heard Pierce say. “At last, we meet.”

Sitting up while holding my side, my eyes met Garrett. His face was filled with indignation while he glared at Pierce. “Step the fuck away from her.”

The thug scoffed. “I don’t take orders from bastards, bastard.”