Lure Of The Emerald Peacock

Duncan’s blood boiled, hearing Dina cry out in pain. His every sense alert, he could smell the stale sweaty odour of Swaraj's body, and his poor Dina was jammed up against that foul stink. Swaraj made an attempt to drag Dina toward the window. “You come on, bitch!” he yelled.
The pounding in Duncan’s ears increased with the hammering of his heart. Swaraj had humiliated him enough, but no more. Now he’d have his revenge. “Let her go, or God help me, I'll kill you!” he bellowed, aiming the gun at Swaraj’s head.
Swaraj held Dina like a shield. “You won’t shoot while I have her, and this girl goes back with me. The Maharaja wants her. She’s driven him crazy with desire, and I intend collecting my reward.”
“Your reward? What’s that? Money?” Duncan snarled, trying to find a part of Swaraj he could shoot without endangering Dina.
“Of course, money! That’s what I want, and the Maharaja will pay me well for this little piece, pure or not.”
The thought of any other man so much as touching Dina made Duncan feel sick, but more than anyone else, that stinking low rat, Ashok. Swaraj laughed sardonically as he taunted Duncan, “He might even agree to give her to me after he is done with her voluptuous body. How would you like that, Englishman?” Then like a maniac he called for his men from the open window of the bedroom. “Get yourselves here and bring the bloody vehicle to this side, you useless lot of mules.”
A collective, angry roar came from outside. “Mules, are we? We want our money first,” one of the men demanded.
“You'll get your cut, so what are you moaning about. Now get the vehicle dammit!” Moments of sickening silence prevailed and Swaraj called again for his men. No response came, and even Duncan began to wonder where they had disappeared to. Swaraj swore profusely, his agitation growing, as did Duncan's concern for Dina when he saw Swaraj fumbling for the sheathed dagger on his flank. In a swift dive he grabbed the commander, pinning his arm to his back, holding him fast. Dina, taking full advantage, tore herself free.
Duncan laughed as the writhing man bawled in anger. He swung Swaraj round and levelled a fist straight into his mouth. It felt loose and floppy under his knuckles and split when the fist mashed it against his teeth. Duncan knew all about Swaraj and the treachery he was capable of. Hadn’t he first-hand knowledge of that treachery? Hadn’t he seen him at the scene of the rape of his home? And now terrorising Dina? Duncan’s murderous, adrenaline fuelled rage knew no end. His fist contacted with Swaraj’s mouth again. Blood splattered his face and he grinned as he wrapped his steel-like fingers mercilessly around the man’s throat, forcing him to the ground. “Pay back time, Swaraj!”
“No!” Swaraj squeaked, “Please, Sahib.”
The coughing, spluttering and choking voice drove Duncan’s fingers even tighter, and his voice came low and menacing. “I told you, I’d kill you!”