To Kara's amazement, Camilla seemed unafraid as she accepted the firearm from him.

'It doesn't sound as though your father's mercenaries are having things their own way,' she said lightly.

'The ship's lights are back on,' he told her meaningly. 'They've somehow managed to raise her. She's listing badly, and it doesn't appear that she can make use of her guns. Unless I miss my guess, they're going to make a run for it. When they do, we'll be right on their heels-'

A crash and sudden gunfire just outside the door sent them scrambling for cover. The door seemed to explode inward in a rush of uniformed men, and Kara found herself face to face with her father. Or was she laying on the floor, insensate?

At once the world ceased to make sense: as in a dream, she watched as her father was dragged away by his men, his face contorted with the mad rage that consumed him, and then somehow she was alone in the room, the sound of fighting receding from her, until at last there was prolonged silence- utter and final as death.

She wasn't sure how long she lay there, listening, but at last she heard voices and approaching feet, and somehow there were people she knew in the room, picking her up gently and laying her on the cot, and then they went still and expectant as someone approached.

'Roman?'

'Shush, my love. I'm here. Everything is all right now.'

'What . . . where am I?'

'You're in Port Haven,' he told her quietly. 'And you're safe at last.'

'My brother . . . Camilla . . . what happened to them?'

Roman's face was a wry blur. 'They managed to escape. Together. A fitting match, if ever there was one.'

'And my father?'

'Gone. The last anyone saw of him, his men were dragging him to his ship; he was ranting like a lunatic. He won't be bothering us or anyone else ever again.'

Kara squeezed her eyes closed for a moment in an effort to clear them. 'How can you be so sure?'

'I got an interesting bit of news this morning,' he told her. 'The stock markets have crashed. Your father's empire is in ruins. His assets are worthless.' He sighed. 'Your brother, on the other hand . . . I think he will profit enormously.'

'Will he leave us alone, do you think?'

Roman nodded. 'Yes. He makes his money selling small quantities of arms- not amassing them and raising his own private armies.

'But that's enough for now. The doctor says that you're to rest.'




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