Page 9 of Tempting the Highland Spy
“Ye’ve no right to interfere with my business.” O’Hanlon’s words were low and raw with menace. “I’ll kill ye—”
Harrison’s fist plowed into the brute’s jaw. Eyes wide with shock, O’Hanlon’s head drooped forward. Slowly, Harrison guided the man down the length of the wall. Legs outstretched, upper body slumped over his knees, O’Hanlon was oblivious to the world around him.
Harrison reached into his vest pocket and retrieved a set of handcuffs. Crouching at the unconscious man’s side, he secured O’Hanlon’s arms behind his back. Muscles straining against his shirt, he dragged the unconscious man through the door of his chamber.
The aftermath of fear coursed through her veins, but Grace fought to steady herself. “What will you do with him?”
Closing the door behind him, Harrison met her questioning gaze. “I’ll leave that to the authorities to figure out. He’s wanted by the law.”
“How do you know that? Surely you’re not acquainted with that man.”
Tension pulled his full mouth taut. “He’s a known criminal. Why in blazes were you alone with him?”
She gulped a breath, searching for the right words. As she’d suspected, they were nowhere to be found.
“I can’t explain… Not now.”
Harrison’s warm fingers closed around hers. The contact jarred her. His gentle, firm touch shouldn’t feel so comforting. So right.
His eyes searched hers as he cupped a palm against her cheek. “Did he hurt you?”
The heat of his touch washed over her, kindling memories of his tenderness. Of his passion. Why had she let down her guard? Hadn’t she known better?
Why had she ever been foolish enough to open her heart?
“No,” she murmured, struggling to control the emotion rushing through her veins.
“You’re sure—you’re telling me the truth?”
“Yes,” she managed. Her pulse roared in her ears. Why was it so hard to find her breath? She could not stay with him. Every moment they were together put him in greater danger.
“Come with me,” he said, his voice low and husky.
Pulling away, she gave her head a brisk shake. “I’ll be fine…on my own,” she said, her voice stronger than she’d expected as she put distance between them.
“I can see that.” His gaze swept over her. Rather than questioning the scene he’d come upon, his expression shifted to a look of weary resolve.
Accusation flared in his eyes.
He knows.The realization slithered through her. His presence here was not a mere coincidence.
He knows I am a thief.
Had he come to stop her—did he think to protect her from herself?
Harrison reached for her. “I’ve got to get you out of here.”
I have to get away.The words played in her head in a rush of sudden alarm. If she did not deliver the contents of that satchel—no, she could not even consider that possibility. She could not risk any complication that stood in her way.
“I don’t need your help.” He would never understand what she’d done. Or why.
Harrison was a physician, a man of integrity.
Sadly, integrity was not her stock in trade. She’d never made a penny from honor, had she?
On the other hand, thieving had put food in her sister’s belly.
Thieving had put a roof over their heads.
