Page 175 of Seven Deadly Sins

“Promise me something.”

“Anything.”

He’d hoped she’d say that. “No matter what happens to me, no matter what threat is made to my life, if you can escape, you go. No looking back.”

“Liam—”

He leaned his forehead against the concrete wall. “You said anything, Harper. I can endure anything if I know you’ll escape if you can.”

Maybe, by saying his feelings out loud, letting those watching hear his struggle, his declaration of love, some of the followers’ eyes would be opened. Some would see what a monster they followed.

“Oh, Liam.”

“You promised.”

“I did.” Her words broke on a sob. “I will escape if the opportunity shows itself.”

“Good.” He closed his eyes and breathed through the pain. “You’re the best partner anyone could have, Detective Scranton. Don’t let anyone tell you otherwise.”

Despite making her promise to escape, the worry that she wouldn’t be able to, ripped sharper than the whip. What punishment would Thompson do to Harper? Part of it was watching him be whipped. What would he do to kill her?

The door above the stairs opened.

“I love you, Harper.”

Chapter Nine

Annie marched downthe stairs, casting an expressionless glance at Liam. “Time to move you, Detective.”

“To where?” A lump formed in Harper’s throat. She didn’t want to leave Liam. What if the man with the whip returned? What if he killed him? She couldn’t let Liam die alone. She had to fight; do whatever it took to prevent that from happening.

“Since we know that law enforcement is watching, and we also know about the agent basically told them how to bring down this compound, we’re going to put you in the house.” She grinned. “They won’t want to kill the lovely detective, now would they?”

“If it means stopping Robert Thompson by my death, they won’t hesitate.” She hoped. “What time is it?”

“Nightfall is in half an hour. Let’s go.” She kept the gun aimed at Liam with her left hand while cutting Harper’s ties with her right.

As soon as the last piece of binding fell from her ankles, Harper kicked the gun hand and head-butted Annie. The gun skittered across the hard packed floor and landed near Liam. Harper lunged to her feet.

The cold concrete walls of the cellar echoed with the women’s harsh breathing and Annie’s curses. They circled each other, their gazes warily on the other.

Without warning, Annie lunged forward, her fist aimed at Harper’s face. But she was too quick, darting to the side and delivered a swift kick to the other woman's knee. Annie fell back.

She grunted in pain but refused to back down, charging forward with renewed fury. Harper dodged and weaved, her movements fluid and graceful as she struck back with lightning-fast punches and kicks, putting all her fear and anger into each strike.

They clashed in a flurry of blows, their fists and feet a blur. The sound of their fists and grunts filled the cellar as they battled for dominance.

A sharp upper cut split Harper’s lip. Her left eye had started to swell shut, but neither her nor Annie was willing to give up. Harper continued to fight with a fierce determination, her muscles straining with the effort.

Annie kicked her legs out from under her.

Liam shouted her name as she crashed over the chairs, shattering the dry wood, and into the camera, knocking it off its tripod. She rolled as Annie’s foot stomped inches from her face.

She leaped to her feet, fists raised. “Give it up, Annie. You won’t win this.”

“Watch me.” Her lip curled.

Harper eyed the gun near Liam. Too far for her to retrieve quickly. Instead, she bent slowly and picked up a broken chair leg. The adrenaline of the fight was starting to wear off. She didn’t know how much longer she could fight.