The three men didn’t say another word as they rushed along the path to Koma’s cabin. As they neared the clearing, Bane put on another burst of speed, but Mano grabbed his arm. “Wait. There’s no way Ono could have gotten here yet. If there were gunshots fired, the guys who got her may still be around. If we go rushing in there, we may put her in more danger.”
Bane didn’t want to stop to think and be cautious. He wanted to see Leia’s smile, but he knew his brother was right. He slowed and stopped. Just over the rise, he could see the roof of Koma’s house. “We probably should have brought some kind of weapon.”
Akoni didn’t say anything, but he stepped into the forest and bent over to pick up a stout stick. “I used to be proficient with one of these when I was young. I think I can hammer someone in the head with it.”
Bane nodded, and he and Mano found their own sticks. “We’ll spread out and find her. Mano, you circle around the front. Akoni and I will circle to the back. I’ll take the west side, and Akoni, you can take the east.”
The older man nodded and held the stick in both hands in a warrior stance. Bane wouldn’t want to meet him in a dark alley. He imitated Akoni’s grip on his stick and moved cautiously around the side of the house. He passed the outhouse, then backtracked and peered inside. Empty. He resumed his trek into the backyard. He caught a glimpse of movement and whirled to see Akoni stalking around the other side of the house. They nodded to one another and continued to scout out the terrain.
The jungle marched along the property about thirty feet from the back side of the house. Bane heard a sound and peered around the corner. He stifled a gasp when he recognized Logan’s red hair. No wonder Westerfield knew everything they were up to. Logan sat on the ground gazing up into the tree, and Bane spotted another man’s boots at the top as the guy struggled to pull himself onto the platform. He heard Leia scream. Without thinking, he launched himself into the backyard. Bellowing, he reached the base of the tree. He scrambled up the ladder and grabbed the man’s ankle.
The man swore and kicked out at him. Bane hung on, pulling down on the man’s foot. He heard Leia scream again. Looking up, he saw the man had hold of her leg and was dragging her back with him. “Kick him in the face,” Bane yelled.
Leia scooted back, then her free foot connected with the man’s nose. The guy yelped and let go of her leg. Bane gave another tug, then he and the man both fell back to the ground. Bane lay winded, but Mano pounced on the man. Akoni towered over Logan, who cowered on the ground.
The other man pulled a gun from his waistband. “Back off,” he ordered Mano.
Staring at him, Bane realized the man was the diver who had come at him with a knife in the underwater cave. He recognized the vivid green eyes.
The man gestured with the gun. “Help him up,” he told Akoni. Akoni hesitated, then hoisted Logan to his feet. Mano put his hands in the air and took a step back. The other man struggled to his feet and began to back away. “Get down here, or I shoot your boyfriend,” he yelled.
“Don’t do it, Leia,” Bane said. “Stay back.” He glared at the man. “She’s not coming down.”
The man swore. “Get going,” he told Logan. Logan limped toward the trees. The other man turned and ran into the jungle behind him. Mano started to go after him, but Bane grabbed his arm. “Don’t risk it, not with that gun in his hand. Let Ono go after him.”
Mano nodded, and the men looked into the tree. Bane saw Leia peering down at him. Her face was scratched and streaked with dirt, but he’d never seen a more beautiful sight. He wanted to rush up the tree and grab her, but he forced himself to stay cool. “Rapunzel, Rapunzel, let down your hair.”
Her eyes widened, then she smiled, and her dimple appeared. “I’m too tired to hoist you up. But come up here. I want to show you something.”
He’d never been much for climbing trees, but he wanted to touch her, to know she was all right. He scrambled up the tree faster than he would have imagined possible. He rolled onto the platform and bounded to his feet. Looking behind him, he saw Akoni putting his foot in the fork of the tree to follow. Leia opened her mouth to say something, but he swept her into his arms and held her against his chest. “I thought I’d lost you,” he murmured into her hair.
She clung to him, burying her face against his shirt. Her tears soaked through the fabric, and he realized she’d wanted to stay strong, but his appearance had stripped her defenses.
“You’re my hero,” she gulped. “I had nothing left to fight him with.”
“You’re okay,” he said, hugging her tight. “I’ve got you.” He heard a sound behind him. “I was hoping to get a kiss as my reward, but your dad is climbing up,” he whispered, pressing his lips against her brow. “But I’ll take a rain check.”