CLAIMING THEIR BRIDES

motion. She dragged her gaze up to his. Was it caring in his eyes? They burned with som

off, Lara. You don't

show her naked face...it was too humiliatin

ust between you and me,' he stated quietly,

ectively quashed from publication. Didn't that

ling the swelling that reduced one of her eyes to a narrow, bloodshot slit.

as a battered wife.' Lara flinched at th

, hammering home what could happen. 'As many times as I tried to protec

ld back the threatening tears. 'No, you never told me,' she

you, Lara. If

ollapsed onto it, and covered her face with her hands, propping her elbows on the table for some solid supp

have been unbearable. He remained on the other side of the table, as still as a statue, saying nothing, doing nothing, just giving her ti

ng him see that stark truth in her eyes. 'Except what you've done...wit

his eyes. 'At the airport..

eryone here...they all report to him. I

ly, Lara?' he asked, frown

the situation. 'He's in one of the Chappel nursing homes. My mother

gs to turn to. As for friends, Gary chose them. She'd lost

nt to leave hi

'm not a masochist, Ric.' 'How much, Lara?' he

Chappel out o

d defeatedly. 'It

fidence it goaded her into a reply that snap

and can't be done?' 'Would you spend a y

ng you'v

Knew no one there. Was completely ignorant of how people lived there. But they did

he might make from the rich and privileged l

bred despera

me now? No baggage. Just you, walki

h...

ly asking her...and she didn't know the man he was now. How could she agree to such drastic action when her

'I can get you to Gundamurra where you'll be protected from any possible pursuit by

ed like the end of th

at you say is true, and everyone here reports to your husban

u'll do?' she cried, the fear of consequen

u got to lose by trusting me?' 'If yo

n't f

e a man watching me

g where

t door. I have the resources t

anic that was screaming through her mind. In its place came a wild litany of hope. Coul

sheep stati

e civilised than

a different life, but at least a lif

?' 'No. But I have lived there. And you'll be made welcome.

think about, but freedom m

eed in getting there...I'

whimsical little smile.

d become-powerful enough to challenge Gary, and feeling his pow

for her situation mov

ed? No, he couldn't be like that or he wouldn't have spoken a

think you owe me after you get a divorc

anage a divor

rry about it, Lara. Mitch will nail Gary Chappel to th

ening so fast- promises being held out that she des

d forward and picked up the envelope she'd laid on the table. 'This photograph will

to as a teenager came flooding back-a driving, unstoppable force

prise he chose to take on. With that recognition, hope grew in Lara's heart. Rightly or wrongl

up, adrenalin shooting new energy t

sion

ng more than an ordinary handbag, Lara. Purse, driver's

tion-nothing to suggest a final departure. 'I'll o

put your sungl

smiling at him, the heady promise of fre

ming to the rescue of a fair damsel in distress. It feel

e was safe with him. He woul

light- headedly, hurrying off to get a bag. Though she cou

good when it

safe from Gary, he wo