Unable to help himself, he started toward her, knowing he was playing right into Wade's hand. But the instinct to reach her was stronger than his instinct to survive.
"Stop right there," Wade said from behind him. "I've got a gun trained on you, so don't try anything fancy."
For Arabella's sake, his tone and expression were assured. "What's the problem, Wade? I thought we had a deal."
"We do. But I've known you too long not to try to tip the scales in my favor. So I nabbed your girl to make sure you'd come alone."
"I said I would."
"Yeah, but even taking into consideration everything you told me, giving in to me is just not in your nature. Never has been."
"Oh, you mean like doing all the wrong things has always been in your nature?" He heard Wade take a step closer to him and smiled at Arabella. The smile was a purely reflexive action. He would smile at her with his last breath.
"You think you're so damned smart, Jake, but you're wrong. You always thought you were better than me, but you were bigger, that's all. Then Deverell came along and handed you a life I would have killed for. And you didn't even have to get your hands dirty for it. And if that wasn't enough, you had the nerve to stick your fingers into my business. I couldn't let you get away with that."
"Don't worry about it," Jake said with deliberate casualness, trying to defuse Wade's growing wrath.
"You didn't. Here"—he gestured with his full hands—"I brought you the books. What's more, I'm all alone. I don't know what else you could ask for."
"I'll tell you what—the two percent for two years, that's what. You're not going to get it, Jake."
"Okay, okay, you've won. Just let Arabella and me walk out of here and you'll never hear from me again."
"Oh yes I will. Every morning when I open the damned newspaper. One way or the other you're always in it, reminding me of what you have and I don't."
It wasn't any use, Jake thought. Talking was only making things worse. He knew Wade planned to kill him, but he wasn't sure what he planned for Arabella. There was one question that would tell him. "Did you even bring your books?"
"Didn't have to. I keep them in a safe here, but no one knows but me and my bookkeeper."
By giving that information, Wade had unknowingly just told him he was going to kill Arabella too. Jake took one last look at Arabella and prayed she knew how much he loved her. "Where do you want me to put my books?"
"Set them down in front of you."
He moved quickly, whirling around and hurling the heavy ledgers at Wade's arm, causing the gun to fly out of his hand. Then, using every ounce of strength he had, Jake brought his closed fist against the other man's head.
Wade staggered sideways and fell against the railing. Jake was bringing his fist around for another blow when the railing cracked. Already off balance, Wade fell, plunging to the floor below with a scream.
Stunned and winded, for a moment Jake could only stare down at Wade's still, broken body. Then Noah Calloway rushed in, several men on his heels, their weapons drawn.
Jake hurried to Arabella. Kneeling in front of her, he tore the ropes and gag from her. "Did he hurt you? Are you okay?"
"Yes, but what about you. Lord, Jake, I thought he was going to kill you!"
Her hat was gone, her dress ripped, her face blotched with tears, but he had never loved her more or seen her look more beautiful. "I'm fine. Let's go home."
A smile spread slowly across her face. "Yes, let's."
He helped her to her feet; then with his arm around her, they started back down the passageway.
Noah's gaze followed their progress. "We heard and saw everything, Jake. Sorry, but I didn't feel like I should come in until he indicated where his books were." One of his men knelt beside Wade and felt for his pulse. Then with a shake of his head he got back to his feet. Noah grimaced. "Looks like I no longer have to worry about getting an indictment against Scalia. My next worry will be whoever takes over from him. And there definitely will be someone."
"What are you doing here?" Jake asked, nearly to the stairs. "I told you the meeting had been postponed."
"Something in your voice bothered me, so I decided we should show up anyway."
"Good work, Noah."
"Likewise, Jake."
The sun warmed Jake's skin as he knelt to place flowers on Lucas's grave. "I thought you and I would always be together," he whispered. "Just goes to show how much I took things for granted. You said I was a fool, and I was. But I've learned, Lucas. I've learned… I'll never forget you."
A cool, fresh breeze blew off the ocean and across a crystal-blue sky, drying his tears. Arabella waited for him not too far way, but he had one more place to go. He stopped in front of his father's crypt. "Looks like everything you wanted has come to pass, old man. I'm going to marry the most wonderful girl in the world and hopefully have a family with her. And I've ended up loving and respecting SwanSea as much as you did, maybe even more. Lord willing, the Deverell name will continue and SwanSea will become all you dreamed." He paused. "But I won't be doing it for you, old man. I'll be doing it for Arabella and for myself."
He turned and saw Arabella standing on a nearby hill. The breeze played around her, weaving through her golden-white hair and teasing the hem of her filmy white dress. And he understood that the sun seemed brighter because of her and so did the rest of his life.
With a smile he started toward her. And his destiny.
Table of Contents
PROLOGUE
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Swansea Destiny Page 22
