Free Challoner Bride by Unknown Page A

moonlight glinted on the gun in Ramon’s hand when he raised his arm. She
    froze in her seat.
    She saw Flynn glance almost casually down at the weapon. In the chancy light she thought he looked
    more wryly disgusted than alarmed. It occurred to her that this probably wasn’t the first time he had
    encountered a man with a gun.
    He said something to the Mexican, something Ramon appeared to consider seriously for a moment.
    Angie guessed Flynn was following local custom and offering a bribe. It was obvious Ramon was torn, but
    he finally shook his head with grave regret. Evidently whoever was paying him to do this was someone he
    didn’t want to risk offending, Angie decided. Alexander Cardinal was a local employer, after all. The
    gringos could only offer a one-time arrangement and then they would be gone. Mr. Cardinal undoubtedly
    offered the opportunity of future employment. And Cousin Ramon had all those kids to support.
    Angie was aware of the trickle of dampness running down her arm. The early morning air was balmy,
    even a bit on the cool side, but she was perspiring as if it were already high noon. The odd part was that
    she didn’t feel warm. She felt distinctly chilled. She sat very still, the box holding the dagger clutched on her
    lap.
    Flynn was still talking to Ramon. Trying to bargain, perhaps. The outboard continued to roar at high
    speed as Ramon kept one hand casually on the wheel. Unsteadily Angie got to her feet. Instantly the eyes
    of both men flicked to the back of the boat. Ramon’s gaze only wavered for a second, but when he saw
    Angie he hissed something to Flynn.
    „Stay where you are, Angie.“ Flynn waved her back to her seat with a short, chopping movement of his
    hand.
    She ignored him, ‘making her way to the midpoint of the small craft. Hanging on to the dagger box, she
    maintained her balance with her free hand by clinging to the side of the boat.
    „What does he want?“ She was close enough to hear the voices of the two men now.
    It was Ramon who answered in English. „Very sorry, senorita. But I have been told to take you to the
    island.“
    „Cardinal’s island?“
    Flynn shot her another glance. „Sit down, Angie.“
    She looked at him and then held up the dagger box. „He wants this. I knew it. He’s going to try to steal
    it back.“
    Ramon glanced skeptically at the box, but his gun hand didn’t waver. „I do not know why I am taking
    you to the island. I only do what I am told.“
    „This is why you’re taking us to Cardinal’s island. Cardinal wants this dagger back.“ Angrily Angie
    flipped open the lid of the box. She saw Ramon tense at the abrupt movement.
    Then has curiosity got the better of him. He stared at the object lying on the black velvet. Caught by the
    moonlight, the gems in the dagger’s handle gleamed richly. The steel picked up the faint yellow cast of the
    light and for an instant a man could have been forgiven for thinking that the object was made of gold and
    diamonds.
    „I won’t let him have it,“ Angie went on. She held the box out over the side of the boat. „I’ll drop it into
    the ocean before I hand it back to Senor Cardinal.“
    „Senorita!“ Ramon’s eyes widened in alarm as he read the intent on her face. She stood there with the
    dagger box held precariously out over the foaming water. If he shot her now, the dagger would fall straight
    into the sea. Ramon panicked. „Tell her to stop!“ he roared at Flynn.
    „The lady’s got a mind of her own.“ Flynn stood casually, one hand idly bracing himself on the top of the
    windshield.
    „Tell her to stop or I will kill you!“
    Angie’s fingers tightened on the box, but she didn’t bring it back to safety. Her hair whipped savagely
    around her face as she glared at the Mexican. „Pull that trigger, Ramon, and this thing goes into the water.
    Senor Cardinal will be furious, won’t he?“
    Ramon swore violently in Spanish, his face suddenly contorting with rage. Wildly he