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“I told you I won’t sleep with you Whatever you paid Bernard you need to get back from him, because he has ripped you off too I aive you any information about Je need to get out but she could do little to prevent the rising tide of panic that clawed at her, driving her onwards recklessly

He had been so otten where she – they – were She didn’t care if she had to beat her way out of the tavern; nothing was going to stop her leaving She didn’t stop to look back into the roo of shadoithin the room as he lurched towards the door moments before it sla from the room, he had either fallen over or walked into the solid slab of wood so rudely slammed in his face

She didn’t stop to check on hi the catcalls and whistles froh the side roo freedom

Cory shouts behind her, she ducked into the office taking precious moments to haul out the small box he kept in his desk and upend the contents on the desk Grabbing a handful of coins, she roughly assessed how much she ed and tucked the back into the corridor

Her eyes ith anger as she practically ran into Bernard, as leaning against the wall gasping for breath, his e that mottled his face a mixture of puce and purple

“I’ll take that as payet out of my way” She snapped with cold eyes as she hefted her bundle before her fully

The hour was late, and although one hoathered in the doorway to watch the spectacle

“Give me the money back whore” Bernard snarled

“You oweto work, then I a to move out of my way – or do I have to force you”

She ignored his growl of contelare with one of her own Her chin tilted defiantly, every fibre of her being locked onto the seething mass behind her If they took it into their heads to snatch her, she wouldn’t stand a chance against theaze locked on the hefty bulk of the

“Move – or I’llht at Bernard’s head He crumpled to the floor without a lare of conte over the unconscious bulk and heading out of the door, letting it swing closed behind her with a reassuring thump

Chapter Three

Once outside, she felt panic begin to swell Getting out of the Tavern had been the relatively easy part Now she had to get as far away fro Bernard unconscious had bought her some time, she knew that at any moment the occupants would spill out onto the streets in search of her

Her sto nerves as she took a few steps away from the solid bulk of the inn only to be drawn to an abrupt halt by the unrelenting grip on her elbow

“You hit ain and I swear as God is my witness, I will paddle your arse” Edward snarled, snatching the hideous bundle of rags off her and throwing it into the bushes in disgust Ignoring her protests he dragged her unceremoniously across the stable yard into the cavernous barn that accommodated his horse