High above them, Sarah writhed against her bonds, terrified by the gunfire that echoed below her, then even more terrified by the silence that followed it. Then she heard the hurrying feet climbing the stairs and her heart nearly stopped.

Maybe it's Eric, she thought wildly, grasping at hope even though she knew there wasn't any to be had. It wasn't Eric; it was them, as she'd known it would be. Top Dollar untied her from the newel post and imprisoned her with a rough hand.

"I want him," Myca hissed, and Sarah quailed when she realized the woman had to mean Eric.

"He's yours," Top Dollar smiled sardonically, handing her his gun. "You take that," he whispered, then kissed her with carnal abandon while he held Sarah close to him with one hand. "I'll be back," he promised as he lifted Sarah carelessly and started up the stairs with her. Looking over his shoulder, she saw Myca starting cautiously back down.

Look out, Eric! She's coming, she thought dizzily, her skin crawling at Top Dollar's touch, praying that Myca wouldn't hurt him.

But it was a vain hope. Sarah jerked in Top Dollar's arms when she heard the shots and he paused, swinging her around so they could both watch the gun battle going on below them. "Pretty careless about your continued good health," he muttered when a bullet whinged by them, but she knew Myca had fired first, while Eric was only trying to defend himself.

Then she heard a cry from below and the sound of a heavy body falling down the steps.

"So much for your pals," Top Dollar gloated. "And Myca's got that bird, so that just leaves you... and me." He ran a finger lightly down her face, smiling with sensual anticipation when he saw how even that slight touch repelled her. "Whaddya say we play a little game?"

But Top Dollar was wrong.

It had been Albrecht who fought with Myca, climbing the steps and firing at the shadowy figure above him, while Eric fought his own battle against the weakness of his body. And it was Albrecht who was shot, with a bullet meant for Eric. He staggered back down the steps, losing his gun God-only-knew-where in the shadows, and slumped against the wall of the tower, a stricken look on his face.