As he spun, he aimed an upward strike to the body of the blackguard behind. Out of the corner of his eye came the glimmer of shiny steel. Time slowed as he bobbed, yet he knew with his next blink he’d feel the cold blade of a pirate sword slice through his flesh. Gnashing his teeth, he fought on, thrusting his dirk into the belly of a murdering fiend. When he sidestepped to take on another, the killing strike didn’t come. His foe dropped to the dirt, bleeding from his head.

“Och, I thought ye’d never come!”

The voice at his side was soft and gentle, like none he’d ever heard in battle. And he knew exactly who had saved him.

“Thanks for having my back, lass,” he shouted, protecting her from attack, sending another brigand to hell. As the fighting ebbed, Kennan managed to give Divana a wink. “You haven’t exactly been easy to find.”

She swung her slingshot over her head and released a stone. “Thank heavens for Bannock.”

“Miserable dog.”

When there was no one left wielding a weapon, Kennan pulled Divana into his arms and kissed her. “Are you all right, lass? Did they harm you?”

“Only me pride.”

She was warm and wonderful, and though she’d been through a terrible ordeal, sunshine radiated around her. “Thank God.” If only he could hold her like this for the rest of his days. “I’m going to take you back to Scotland and—”

“Haste!” She thrust her finger toward the shore. “Look at the skiff! Dubois is spiriting away with Captain Finnes—the slaver who paid a measly sixty pounds to auction me to the highest bidder.”

Kennan grasped her shoulders and held her firm. “Can you keep out of danger?”

“Och nay! I just found ye.” She took a cutlass from the ground. “I’m not leaving your side for a single moment.”

She grabbed his arm and tugged. Bloody hell, if he left her alone, she’d most likely end up at the wrong end of a pirate’s dagger.

“Come, men,” Kennan shouted, taking Divana’s hand, running for the shore. “Charge your muskets!”

The lass pointed her sword. “They’re heading for the carrack.”

A handful of his men barreled ahead, muskets in hand.

As they neared, Kennan pulled Divana behind him to keep her from being hurt. “Shoot to kill, men!”

The first man to reach the shore kneeled and took aim.

Crack!

Claude Dubois clutched his heart and crashed into the water.

The oarsmen quickened their rowing as two more men took aim.

“I call quarter!” bellowed Captain Finnes, throwing up his hands.

Kennan pointed to the skiff. “Bind and gag them all.” He turned full circle. “Where is Vane?”

Runner came out of a hut, leading a woman at knifepoint. Bless the dog, Bannock was growling at her heels. “He’s gone, sir. This woman said he ran off with two of his men.”

“Yellow blackguards, the lot of ’em,” cackled the wench. “Cap’n always makes everyone do the work whilst he sits back and enjoys the spoils.”