Chapter 17

CHAPTER 17

G emma watched Yede’s face anxiously and saw the moment he gave in. Good. She wouldn’t let him face the miners alone, especially not when it was she and Liam they were after.

“Stay behind me,” he growled. “If I say run, you run.”

She nodded, despite having no intention of abandoning him. He handed her his rifle.

“Do you know how to use this?”

She shook her head and he quickly showed her the basics. It seemed simple enough, although she wasn’t sure if she would have the courage to actually use it.

“Mama?” Liam whispered, his face as pale as it had been when they arrived. “Do we have to go back?”

She sat down on the bench next to him and pulled him onto her lap.

“No, baby. Yede and I will never let that happen.”

He looked from her to Yede, then nodded, the trust on his face making her heart ache.

“Now let’s get you tucked away for a little while.”

She guided him to the hidden storage space Yede had shown her. The metal panel slid aside smoothly, revealing a cozy nook lined with emergency supplies.

“Stay here, sweetheart, and don’t come out until I say,” she whispered, brushing his hair back and placing a gentle kiss on his forehead. Despite her fear, she kept her voice steady, not wanting to frighten him.

He nodded solemnly, his eyes far too old for his face. She helped him settle into the space, making sure he had his favorite blanket and a few toys to keep him occupied, as well as more of the sweet rolls.

Yede bent down next to her.

“Don’t worry, little one. You are safe here and when we return, we’ll make some more decorations. How does that sound?”

Liam managed a smile and nodded.

“Good boy.” He stroked the boy’s head, then turned to her. “Time to go.”

Her pulse pounded as she followed him to the entrance. The door slid open with a whisper, letting in a gust of frosty air that stung her cheeks. She could hear voices—the men were almost at the entrance.

She moved to his side, trying to mimic his calmness as three dark silhouettes approached through the snow, Garth’s hulking form unmistakable in the lead. Yede’s solid presence behind her gave her strength, even as nausea churned in her stomach.

All three men came to a halt, staring in shock at Yede.

“What the fuck is that?” Garth sneered.

“I am Captain Yede S’mar. You are on my territory. Leave at once.”

The three exchanged uneasy glances but Garth recovered his composure first, his face twisting in the familiar sneer.

“This sure as hell ain’t your territory. That’s my mine down below and she’s one of my workers.”

‘“I am not one of your workers,” she snapped.

“Until you pay off your debts you are.”

“I don’t owe you anything for that drafty shack and terrible food.”

His eyes glinted with malice as he took in the scene—her standing shoulder-to-shoulder with Yede.

“Yes you do. And bedding down with this animal ain’t gonna change anything.”

Her cheeks burned at his crude implications, but she lifted her chin, refusing to let him see how his words affected her.

“Took me a while to track you down,” Garth continued, clearly enjoying himself. “That supply runner was stubborn at first, but everyone breaks eventually.” He chuckled, the sound devoid of warmth. “Poor bastard won’t be using those fingers again anytime soon.”

Bile rose in Gemma’s throat at his casual cruelty. She thought of the supply runner who’d sold her the map, his kind eyes and weathered hands. Now he’d suffered for his kindness.

But the knowledge of Garth’s brutality didn’t frighten her anymore. Yede’s big body shifted beside her and he stepped forward, his presence both reassuring and intimidating.

“Leave. Now,” he said, his tone ice cold. “This is your only warning.”

Garth’s face contorted, rage replacing his earlier smugness.

“You can’t tell me what to do. Kill them both!” he barked at his men.

The two henchmen exchanged uncertain glances. Their hands tightened on their weapons, but neither moved to fire. She could see the doubt in their eyes as they took in Yede’s imposing figure—so different from the broken down miners they usually intimidated.

With a snarl of frustration, Garth yanked his own gun from his belt. Yede growled and charged, moving with impossible speed. The gun went off as he tackled the big mine owner, the sound echoing across the mountain, but the shot went wide. They crashed to the ground together in a tangle of limbs and fur and flying snow.

The brutal fight lasted mere seconds. She watched in awe as Yede moved with lethal precision, each strike calculated and powerful. Garth stumbled backward under the assault, edging closer to the sheer dropoff at the edge of the cliff, and then his boots slipped on the icy ground. His eyes widened in sudden terror as he lost his balance and toppled over the edge.

“Watch out!” she screamed as one of Garth’s men lunged at Yede from behind. But Yede was already moving, pivoting smoothly. His fist connected with crushing force, and the attacker crumpled instantly to the ground.

The remaining henchman’s nerve broke. He flung his weapon aside with a clatter and bolted, his boots pounding against the frozen ground as he fled down the mountain path. Gemma tensed, expecting Yede to give chase, but he spun toward her instead.

“Are you hurt?” he demanded.

“I’m fine,” she assured him, though her heart was still racing. “But Yede, that man—he’ll tell others about you. This place won’t be a secret anymore.”

He shook his head, dismissing her worry.

“It doesn’t matter.”

Hoping he wouldn’t regret that decision, she peered cautiously over the edge of the cliff. Garth lay far below, his neck twisted at an unnatural angle. She swallowed hard, but she felt no pity for him. He’d made his choices.

“Now come back inside,” he ordered, and she nodded.

His expression suddenly shifted to horror as his gaze fixed on her neck. “You’re bleeding.”