Gladiator Heart (39 page)

Running away alone might be dangerous, but so was marrying Gaius. Tonight was her last chance to escape. Most of Gaius’s men had returned to the country to prepare his estate for their arrival tomorrow morning, so the villa was scantily guarded. Gaius himself had gone out on a personal errand. All she had to do was get rid of Lucia for a few minutes.

“Do you think we could have some wine?” Valeria asked. “And a light supper? My stomach is feeling a little upset and I think I would feel better if I had something to eat and drink.”

“You’ve been under so much stress, it’s a wonder you haven’t collapsed from it yet. Stay right here. I’ll get a plate put together.”

Valeria hadn’t lied about feeling a little sick to her stomach, and it was strange because she never got sick, but she figured she had been under a lot of stress and it was to be expected. What else could it be? As weary as she felt, she had enough strength to get out of the villa and away from the city. Then she could rest. She waited until Lucia was down the hall before she started moving across the atrium, when she heard a loud screaming commotion from the kitchen.

Oh Gods, now what could be happening?

Unable to leave until she knew Lucia was all right, she rushed into the kitchen. Lucia was laughing, holding her folded hands to her mouth. Lena stood at the back door wearing an amused half-smile. What was she doing there?

“Tell her what you told me!” Lucia exclaimed. “Go on, do it. You’ll want to see the look on her face when you do.”

Valeria was just getting annoyed. She had an escape to make, she didn’t have time for this. “Tell me what?”

“The Guard said they’ll do it.” Lena pursed her thin lips. “Meet them at the south wall in two hours. Bring the money.”

Valeria tried to clear her head. So many voices were talking to her at once. Then she smiled, relief flooding her.

They’ll do it.

She let out an excited scream, smiling so wide she thought her face would crack with joy. They were going to help. The Guard was going to get Tristan out.

“Thank you, Lena.” Valeria rushed up to her and gave her a quick peck on the cheek. “How did you do it?”

“You let me worry about that.”

Valeria bounded over to Lucia, took her by the hands and merrily swirled her around, dancing to a happy tune that played solely in her head. “Hurry, get Rufus. We don’t have much time.”

She laughed exuberantly as she skipped down the hall towards her room. Then she came to a sudden stop, realizing she had no reason to go there. She had nothing of her own and had to get out of the house before Gaius could return and ruin all her plans.

Racing back to the kitchen, she found Rufus and Lucia talking in hushed voices.

“Did Lucia tell you?” She bounced around on the tips of her toes. It was impossible to contain her excitement.

“I was getting to it,” Lucia said.

Rufus drew his brows together in an agonized expression. “Someone better tell me.”

Valeria grabbed Rufus by the hand and pulled him out the back door and into the dark street.” She can fill you in on the way.”

“Where are we going?” Lucia demanded, following after them. “Don’t you want to change your dress?”

Valeria didn’t particularly like being in a wedding dress that came from a man she hated, but she couldn’t let that bother her. “There’s not much time, and now that I’m out of that house and away from Gaius, I’ll never let him find me. I can’t ever go back.”

“There’s not time for what?” Rufus asked. “What is the emergency?”

“The Guard has agreed to free Tristan,” Lucia said, jogging to keep up with their hurried pace. “He’s to escape tonight.”

“We have to meet them at the south wall in two hours,” Valeria continued. “There is much to be done. I have to collect all the money.”

“What money?” Lucia mused.

Rufus rounded a street corner, following Valeria as she sped excitedly on. “The money she’s been winning from betting on the games.”

“Good Gods,” Lucia cursed. “Am I always the last to know what’s going on?”

Lucia never had a clue Valeria had become involved in such questionable dealings. Betting? Tristan had better be worth it.

“Usually I’m the last to know,” Rufus snarled. “It makes protecting someone rather difficult when they keep throwing surprises at you.”

Valeria giggled and slowed her pace to walk beside them. “Don’t be so surly, Rufus. You’ve managed to keep up with me.”

Lucia was shocked to see Valeria walk into Vorenus’s rowdy tavern like she’d been there many times before and was comfortable with such a rough establishment. She’d never been more proud of her daughter, or more worried for her well-being.

“Do you think we’re doing the right thing?” She gazed up at Rufus, letting him see the anxiety and concern in her eyes.

“We know what sort of man Gaius Cato is,” he said tersely. “I’d rather see her with the northerner. It’s what she wants.”

Lucia worried her bottom lip between her fingers. “This could all end badly.”

“Have a little faith.” Rufus took her by the hand. “If ever you needed to pray, now is the time.”

They followed Valeria into the loud, dimly lit tavern. She was already at one of the tables speaking to Vorenus, talking in such an excited rush he could barely make out what she was saying.

“I need a loan,” she said when Rufus and Lucia finally reached the table.

“I’m not in the business of lending,” Vorenus stated gruffly, slanting a glance at the two of them. “What’s all this about? Why the sudden hurry?”

“I know I gave all my winnings to Tristan, but I need that money. Could you loan it to me? I’ll see it all paid back.”

Valeria had no idea how she’d come up with twelve thousand denarii, but she’d find a way. She was so desperate, she was willing to do anything.

“We’re talking about a lot of money.” Vorenus scratched his chin, his eyes flashing shrewdly.

“I know what I’m asking, but you’re the only one who can help.”

Vorenus softened at her pleading look. “Come with me. We’ll talk upstairs in private.”

Lucia clung to Rufus’s arm, a pained gaze on her face as she watched Valeria climb the stairs behind him and disappear down at the end of the hall.

“She’ll be fine.” Rufus stroked his hand over hers. “She knows what she’s doing.”

Valeria wrung her hands nervously as she watched Vorenus walk around behind the table in his office, tossing around documents and scraps of paper. He picked up one of the papers and began reading it.

“I’m in a bit of a hurry,” she said, tapping her foot, impatient to get this handled since it wasn’t the only errand she had to take care of before making it to the wall.

“What’s the rush?” Vorenus wrinkled his brow. “It’s a little late in the evening to have need of so much money. Come back in the morning and I’ll have it for you.”

“I need it in the next two hours.” Valeria committed to letting him in on her secret in order to evoke some sympathy from the man. “I’ve found some people who are going to free Tristan tonight, but only if I pay them.”

“Just who are these
people
?” Vorenus grew suspicious, protective. “Do you have any idea how many men guard the arena?”

“About fifty, I’d guess.”

“Do you know most of them are Praetorian Guard? No one can get past those men.”

“I know.” Valeria let a smooth smile cross her lips. “That’s why I had to bribe them.”

Vorenus merely stared at her, shocked, then let out a bark of laughter. “You, lady, are amazing.”

“Does that mean you’ll loan me the money?”

“No, I won’t loan you the money,” he said. “I still have most of it. Tristan gave me what was left. I’ll give it to you.”

Valeria wanted to hug him. What kind of person would just give her the money? It was an unexpected surprise finding a man like Vorenus in a dump like this.

“How much is left?” she wondered.

Was this where he gave her twenty denarii and demanded her first-born child if she wanted any more?

“Ten thousand denarii.” He pulled out his wooden box and started counting out the coins.

Valeria let out a long breath and tilted her head back.

Thank you
, she whispered to the Gods.

She had half the money.

“What great escape have you planned?” Vorenus scooped the pile of coins into a leather pouch and drew the ends tight. “How easy do you think it’s going to be to get him out of there?”

He placed his hands on the table and leaned forward, squinting his eyes, waiting for her to supply him with an answer. Valeria opened her mouth to speak. Nothing came, so she closed it. She had no idea what their plan was. She’d been so happy to hear the Guard would do it that she forgot to ask.

“You don’t have a plan.” Vorenus gave a biting laugh and pushed himself away from the table.

He retrieved a sword leaning against the wall in a corner. Valeria had never even noticed the weapon was there. He strapped the sword around his waist, then secured the pouch full of coins to his belt. He threw on a long, dark cloak and tied it closed at the neck.

“Let’s get going.”

Valeria arched a curious brow. “Where are we going?”

“To save the man.” He placed a hand on her back and ushered her out of the room. “You don’t think I’m going to let you go in there when you don’t even have a plan, do you? You might need my clever intuition.”

Valeria wanted to tell him it wasn’t necessary for him to come along, but then she decided he might come in useful. She needed all the help she could get.

They met Rufus and Lucia at the bottom of the stairs.

“I have the money.” Vorenus patted the leather pouch secured to his waist. “I’ll go with you.”

“We should have plenty of time to make it to the wall.” Rufus started to take off.

“Well… we can’t go to the wall yet.” Valeria stopped him. “We sort of have one more stop to make.”

All eyes turned to her.

“I need to get the rest of the money.”

“What I have isn’t enough?” Vorenus seemed shocked.

“I promised the Guard I’d pay twenty thousand.”

“You knew you only had twelve with me. Why offer more?”

“Because I have another ten thousand I was saving from my earlier bets. I’ve hidden it.”

Rufus shifted his weight, resting one of his hands on the hilt of the sword strapped to his waist. “Where?”

“The palace.”

Silence.

“How do you expect to get into the palace?” he finally asked. “The legions have returned. They’ve arrested the rebels and taken it back.”

“We have to figure out a way.”

Rufus looked to Vorenus. “Don’t you have any spare coin?”

“Not enough to make up the difference,” he said.

It was decided they would head for the palace, and come up with a plan to get inside on the way.

“I’ll just walk in and go to my rooms,” Valeria said. “I don’t think they’ll try to stop me. I am the Emperor’s niece.”

“You don’t know what their orders are,” Rufus reminded her. “They could deliver you back to Gaius. Is that something you want?”

“No.” Valeria shuddered.

What if by chance Gaius was there? He could be waiting for her, hoping she’d return. How long before her luck ran out and she no chance of escaping him?

“You can’t let anyone see you,” Lucia said. “And you can’t go in the palace alone. We’d never get you out if something should go wrong.”

“She’s right.” Vorenus nodded in agreement. “Let me and Rufus handle this.”

“What’s your brilliant plan then?” She mocked him with an agitated sneer.

“I don’t know yet.”

Valeria blew out an exasperated breath. This was going to turn into a disaster. She just knew it.

“Nice dress, by the way,” Vorenus said, noticing her fancy, white attire.

“Thank you,” she said through clenched teeth, not needing to be reminded she was dressed for a wedding to another man.

A wedding that would never take place if she could help it.

“You might have chosen something less conspicuous,” he said, a slight hint of humor in his tone. “You’re not exactly dressed for sneaking around the city at night.”

She shot him an annoyed stare. “I didn’t have time to change. Should I have stripped out of the dress and run through the streets wearing only my tunic in the pursuit of love?”

Vorenus grinned widely. “I, for one, would have liked to see that.”

“You’re despicable.”

“And that’s why you love me.” He winked at her like the rogue he was.

“There, see.” Rufus pointed ahead.

They’d come upon the tree-lined avenue leading up to the palace. Every window blazed with light and legions of soldiers moved around, inside and out.

Their group ducked into the line of trees and huddled together.

“I’ve got a plan,” Rufus said.

They were all listening.

“Vorenus and I will go to the door and say we’re there to collect your personal items on Gaius’s order. We’ll get the money, and be out before anyone has a chance to ask questions.”

“You’re forgetting one thing,” Lucia said dryly.

“What?” Rufus looked offended that she didn’t approve of his brilliant plan.

“Make sure you come out with some of her things, or you’ll be questioned about it on the way out.”

“Do you think me daft, woman?”

“Sometimes,” she muttered.

“Rufus, are you sure I shouldn’t just go?” Valeria was suddenly feeling wrong for sending him in on her behalf. If something happened to him, or Vorenus, she’d never forgive herself.

“We can do this.” He kissed the top of her head. “Now where have you stashed it?”

“Five thousand under the loose board in the middle wardrobe, and the other five thousand sewn into the foot of the mattress.”

“Stay out of sight,” Vorenus cautioned, then walked out into the avenue beside Rufus, headed straight up to the palace.

Rufus noticed the slight change of energy in the air around the palace when he and Vorenus approached the front doors. The legions would question everything and everyone.

“Let me do the talking,” he instructed Vorenus.

“Of course,” Vorenus relented. “Seeing as you have such a way with words.”

Rufus focused a harsh glare on him as he pounded his fist against one of the front doors. It opened immediately, answered by two uniformed legionaries.