Unending Devotion (Michigan Brides #1)(98)

The saloon erupted into coarse laughter, and a few protests from the men who’d been vying to win her.

She leaned into him, hesitated for a second, and then brought her mouth to his. Her lips pressed into his boldly.

His lips melded to hers, the taste of fear propelling them together. And when she deepened the kiss, his hand moved up her back and into the thick strands of her curls.

He had to get her out of there.

Her grip tightened as if she would never let go of him.

All he could think about was how much he cared about her—how desperately and passionately he loved this woman. He couldn’t bear to think of anyone hurting her, and he knew he could do nothing less than give up his life to save her.

The chorus of calls tapered off into a chilling silence.

Lily’s lips froze on his.

A shiver slithered up his spine.

He broke their contact and pushed his lips against her ear and whispered, “When I stand up, I want you to get behind me and stay there.”

She nodded imperceptibly.

“I love you.” The ragged whisper came out before he could stop it.

She pulled back, her eyes wide.

It was then that he saw Carr. Only fifteen feet away. A pistol aimed at his heart.

“I was waiting for you, McCormick.” His voice was soft and his smile cold. “I figured you’d end up as one of our guests tonight.”

“Last I checked this was a free country.” Connell stood slowly, setting Lily to her feet and maneuvering her behind him. “I guess I have as much right as any other man to come up here.”

Lily huddled against his back.

Connell’s hand slid to his side, to his knife.

The cocking of Carr’s pistol echoed in the deathly silent room. “Keep your hands up, McCormick.”

Connell knew he couldn’t take any chances—not yet. He lifted his hands as if to surrender.

Carr started toward him, his boots tapping in slow, calculated steps that rang hollow. He was as immaculately groomed as always, not even a hair out of place.

Lily’s fingers crawled under his shirt, skimming over the skin of his back.

For an instant, all he could think was that she’d picked a poor time to entice him with her touch. But as her fingers closed over his knife, he realized what she was doing.

She slipped the knife out of the scabbard the same way she had when he’d fought the wolves.

“I figured it was past time for you to learn a lesson or two,” he said, hoping to draw Carr’s attention away from Lily.

“And what lesson are you going to teach me?” Carr said, now only seven feet away.

Jimmy Neil trailed him, his gap-toothed smile laying claim to victory. And two bouncers flanked Carr—hopefully the ones from the outside gate and door so that the men could make it inside the Stockade quicker.

Connell glanced at the clock. Four minutes left.

Would he already be dead by the time the others stormed the place?

“For starters you need to learn that forcing young women into slavery is against the law.” Connell stood straighter. “Our country fought a war to outlaw slavery twenty years ago. And I’m sure many of the men in this room had fathers who gave their lives in that fight for freedom.”

“These women aren’t slaves.” Carr closed the distance between them and stood only a foot away, close enough for Connell to catch the stench of whiskey and cigar smoke that lingered on his breath. “They’re down here because they agreed to it, right, Lily?”

“You’re a lying piece of scum.” Her voice rang with fierceness. “You would have killed me in that closet if I hadn’t agreed to your demands.”

She started to step out from behind Connell, but he took a step sideways to block her. “Anyone who’s met Lily knows she’d never willingly step foot in your brothel,” he said to Carr, praying Lily wouldn’t do anything rash. “And I suppose now you’re going to try to convince everyone here that Frankie agreed to work for you too.”

“Of course she agreed. She came to Harrison solely for the purpose of working for me.”

“The truth is, you wouldn’t have had to lure her up here under false pretenses if she were so willing. And you most certainly wouldn’t have had to beat her to death if she’d wanted this kind of life.”

Lily gasped and her body stiffened.

Too late he realized the poor timing of breaking the news of Frankie’s death to her, and he wanted to smash a mug over his head for his stupidity.

“Frankie’s dead?” Before he could stop her, she slid out from behind him. “You murdered a poor innocent girl?” Her voice grew shrill.

In that one instant, Carr grabbed her arm and captured her. He jerked her against him and held her in front of his body like a human shield.

She screamed in fury and struggled against him.

Connell lunged for her, but Carr shoved the barrel of his pistol against his heart, stopping him.

At the sight of the gun pressed into Connell, Lily froze and her face paled.

“That’s a good girl.” Carr jerked her tighter. “You do as I say. Don’t move. Don’t speak. And don’t cause me any trouble, and maybe I’ll go easy on you later when I give you your beating.”

“Let her go, Carr.” This was exactly what he’d hoped to prevent. The scoundrel had to know that with Lily as his prisoner, he’d be able to get Connell to do just about anything he wanted.