Chapter 32

When Leo woke, the first thing he noticed was the rocking of waves beneath him.

It was calming, actually. He appreciated the calm. He felt as if a weight had been lifted from his shoulders, but he couldn't remember what that weight was, or where it had gone. He just kept his eyes closed and let his body move with the waves.

Eventually, other things drifted into his consciousness. The sound of voices - muffled, as if they were coming from somewhere else. Hunger, a low growl in his belly. And then pain - dull but persistent, and emanating from somewhere on his leg.

His leg.

All of a sudden it all came back to him - the lighthouse, the jewels, the shootout among the sand dunes.

Ruby. Where is Ruby?

He sat bolt upright, and his head slammed into something. With a groan, he fell back again, clutching his skull.

Immediately, there was someone beside him. Soft hands gripped his, pulling his fingers away from his head.

"I swear, men are idiots," murmured a sweet voice that made warmth