Free Undone by Lila DiPasqua

been.
    While the men ranted about the Spanish and the French government, Robert leaned in.
    “Well done, Simon,” he murmured in his ear. “I take my leave now and return to Paris.” Robert rose with the help of his cane and squeezed his shoulder. “ Dieu vous garde. ” He made his way to the doors that led to a private passageway and his chambers.
    Watching him leave, Simon was struck with the unshakeable feeling that the next time he’d see Robert, Simon’s life would be changed.
    And not for the better.
    *****
    As Angelica and Gabriella neared the doors of the dining hall, heated voices rose from within the room.
    “ The Spaniards will pay for what they have done to our men. They will pay in blood! ” The sheer venom in the man’s tone made Angelica stop dead in her tracks.
    Gabriella bumped into her. “Angelica?”
    Angelica quickly silenced her by pressing a finger over her lips.
    The next words were muffled, the tone sharp and furious, until distinct French phrases rushed up at her.
    “…We’ll show them what happens when they cross one of our own, Captain. They will see what the Black Demon is capable of… Slit every last one of their worthless throats! ”
    Her blood froze, chilled by the ominous words.
    “ Captain, if they thought the Black Demon and his men were cold-hearted pirates before, wait until they see what hell we shall unloose upon them now. ”
    She recoiled. Dear God… Simon de Villette was involved with pirates .
    He was the leader of these men. He was the Black Demon ? No, it couldn’t be. He was an officer in the royal navy. Wasn’t he? A sick feeling slid down into her stomach as she realized he’d never actually told her he was in the King’s Navy.
    Oh why? He’d been so…incredible. His touch, his words, his actions, he’d shown her the concern and consideration she hadn’t realized she’d lacked in her life.
    The image of his attractive face, those gorgeous eyes, his beguiling smile, appeared in her mind. As did the memory of his strong arms around her. Fool. Fool. Fool! He was a fraud. A lie. Too good to be true. She tamped down the ridiculous sense of loss.
    They were in the company of criminals.
    They had to get away. Now. Angelica squeezed her friend’s hand. “These men are not what they appear. They’re pirates!” she said in a sharp whisper.
    “ Pirates? ”
    “Yes!”
    “No, I cannot believe it.” Gabriella shook her head. “The captain? Domenico? ”
    “I just heard them.”
    Her friend’s eyes widened. “Are you certain? I heard nothing…”
    “Yes! Dear God, yes .”
    Gabriella stepped back, horrified; her leg bumped a chair, causing it to scrape across the floor. The sound resonated in the long corridor. Footsteps immediately followed. The dining hall door was snatched open.
    Angelica’s stomach dropped.
    A large man glared at them from the threshold. Gabriella slapped her hand over her mouth, a sorry attempt to stifle her cry.
    Simon stepped around the man and into the hallway. He approached, his dark brows knitted together, his vivid eyes fixed on Angelica. Dressed in a white shirt and black breeches, he had never looked more like an outlaw.
    Gabriella began to weep softly into her hands. Though it didn’t take much to bring her dear friend to tears, this was no time for histrionics.
    Angelica threw her arms around her friend. “There now, Gabriella, you need not cry.” With a fixed smile on her lips and her heart in her throat, Angelica turned to Simon as he approached. “Good day, Simon.”
    “Good day. Is everything all right?” He eyed Gabriella, softly sobbing on her shoulder.
    “Yes, of course. Gabriella is so relieved to see me in good health and out of bed, she’s been moved to tears. We’re both so happy to see each other. Is that not so, Gabriella?” She gave her a small pinch on the arm.
    Gabriella jerked up. Angelica looked into her watery eyes and silently commanded her to cease her tears. Gabriella faced Simon with