Page 82 of Wedded to the Heartless Highlander
“I’m locked in here half the day. Yer men escorted me to the gardens for a mere walk, and then I came back here nae even an hour later!” she protested, deeply frustrated.
“I willnae risk either of ye stayin’ outside for longer than necessary, but?—”
“But nothin’… Christ above, Hunter! Do ye even hear yerself?” she asked, her voice cracking. “I’m yer wife, nae yer prisoner!”
Hunter’s jaw tightened. “Ye are me responsibility, as is Lily. And I’ll do whatever it takes to keep ye both safe.”
Her laugh was bitter, filled with pain. “Safe? Ye have locked me away, refused to even look at me, and for what? Because ye dinnae trust me? Even though I’ve given ye nay reason nae to trust me.”
“It’s nae about trust,” he insisted, though even as the words left his mouth, he knew they weren’t entirely true.
“Is it nae?” she challenged and rose to her feet. “Ye already blame me for this madness.”
“This isnae about blame either. It’s about yer protection, Erica. How is it that yer niece has a better concept of that than ye do?”
“Because it doesnae feel like protection, to me. It feels like punishment!”
Hunter ran a hand through his hair, frustration coursing through him as he chose his next words carefully. “I told Kara this last night when she brought me food. This door”—he pointed to the large door to his chambers—“it can be locked from the inside. And, need I remind ye thatyeare the Lady of Clan MacKinnon and this castle. There is nay order I can give to any of our servants that ye cannae give as well. All that to say that ye arenae a prisoner, Erica Buchanan. Quit pityin’ yerself and open yer eyes to what is goin’ on around ye.”
Several emotions flashed in Erica’s eyes, which made Hunter feel as if he’d finally secured a victory. However, as he turned to leave her, the image of her standing there, hurt and vulnerable, stayed with him, haunting him as he started to walk back to his study.
He stalked down the stone corridor, his hands clenched as if sheer willpower could keep his emotions from spilling over.
What am I doin’?
The question pounded in his head like a drum. Every decision since that damned letter felt like a misstep. Every look Erica gave him now was either full of hurt or defiance, and both twisted his insides into knots.
He couldn’t afford distractions. Not when her safety—and Lily’s—was at stake. Yet, when he heard her light, determined footsteps following him, his jaw tightened.
Of course, she isnae goin’ to let this go.
“Hunter!” Erica called, her voice echoing through the hall.
He stopped, his shoulders stiffening.
The woman is relentless.
“What is it now, Erica?” he asked without turning around, his voice clipped.
“Ye cannae keep me here like some… some fragile thing,” she insisted, her voice trembling slightly.
He turned around then, his gray eyes boring into hers, steel against her fire, but he didn’t respond right away. He just made eye contact with his men behind her, a silent dismissal.
Her lips thinned, but she didn’t back down. “I havenae seen Lily all day, Hunter. Ye might think that ignorin’ me is some grand strategy to protect me, but ye’re wrong. I’m nae a child.”
“I havenae ever thought that ye were actin’ like a child,” he said coldly. “Ye’re a woman who seems intent on puttin’ herself in danger without any understandin’ of it. But nay, nae a child.”
She squared her shoulders, her green eyes blazing. “Then let me see Lily.”
Hunter cursed under his breath. “Lily is safe, and that’s all ye need to ken.”
Her voice dropped, softer but no less determined. “I need to see her, Hunter.Please.”
He clenched his jaw, fighting the urge to lash out. He was not angry at her, but at himself for the mess this had turned into.
“Come with me,” he bit out.
He turned abruptly and stormed down the corridor, not waiting to see if she followed. The clicking of her boots against the stone reassured him that she had, though her silence unsettled him.
