Uncaged by Alisha Paige

reason,” Bruce spat back, losing interest in the game. Why the hell were these men asking for Wren and what the hell for?
                  “She’s wanted for murder. We’re here to arrest her.”
                  “Murder? Of whom? The woman’s as weak as a rabbit,” Bruce answered, revealing that he at least knew of her.
                  “Her father, the captain,” the other man answered.
                  “Poppycock! He got sick on the voyage back from Africa . He died right along with most of his crew, only he died later. Scurvy and tuberculosis killed the man, not a frail, young woman.”
                  “Do you know her, sir?”
                  Bruce walked up to the man and looked him straight in the eye. “I do, sir. She’s my fiancé. I am Bruce Remington.”
                  The man swallowed, though he was the one armed.  “Where is she?”
                  “You have no business here! Get the fuck out!”
                  “She’ll burn for what she’s done, sir,” the other man added.
                  “Burn for what?”
                  “Witchcraft.”
                  “Witchcraft?” Bruce bellowed.
                  Amelia gasped as she looked from the men to Bruce.
                  “Aye, sir. She’s dabbles in black magic. Rumors are swirling that she put a hex on the captain and killed him outright.”
                  “That’s absurd. She’s no witch!”              
                  “She’ll have her say in the matter, sir. Now, where is she?”
                  Just then Wren walked through the hallway. “Bruce, there you are. I woke up and you were gone.”
                  Bruce’s heart fell. “Go back to bed!” he hissed.
                  “Wren Whittier?” one man asked.
                  Bruce cupped his hand over her mouth and held her to him. “I haven’t seen her in days. This is my sister.”
                  Wren looked at the men with wide eyes. Bruce released his hand from her mouth.
                  The men exchanged glances again. “You are her, are you not?”
                  Wren shook her head.
                  “She looks like a quadroon. What say you?” one man asked the other.
                  The other man nodded. “Aye. A pretty one at that, anoth er characteristic of a witch. Most of them are beautiful in appearance, though their souls are black.”
                  “Come with us, miss.” The man reached for her. Bruce pushed her behind him.
                  “Back the fuck off!”
                  “Your sister, aye? She needs to come with us. We have our orders, sir.”
                  “She’s no witch! Who put you up to this? Sheldon?” Clearly this was a lynch mob sent by Sheldon. Bruce knew witch trials were rare these days, especially in London .
                  “Practicing witchcraft is a crime. If she’s found guilty, she’ll burn.”
                  “Stop bloody saying that!”
                  The other man reached behind Bruce and grabbed her dress. Wren screamed.
                  Bruce punched the man in the face. The man stumbled bac kwards and withdrew his pistol. Amelia grabbed Wren by the hand and started for the back door. The other man grabbed Wren by the wrist before she could flee. Wren screamed in both fear and pain when the man applied pressure to her wounds. Blood squirted from beneath his fingers and streamed down his arm.
                  “What the bloody hell?” The man examined her wrist while Bruce fought his partner.
                  “You’re hurting me!”