Page 44 of The Ruthless Highlander's Hellion
For a moment, he seemed to weigh her words, then gave a slow shake of his head.
“I’ll nae be held hostage by the demands of a woman,” he said. “I take what’s mine, and that includes ye, whether ye walk or I drag ye.” His voice dropped lower. “Make it easy, lass.”
Alexandra felt Nicholas step forward beside her, the quiet tension of a storm held at bay. His breath grew heavier, and though he said nothing, she could feel the anger rolling off him like heat as his breathing grew heavier.
She turned over her shoulder and whispered to him, "Think of Charlie." She saw Nicholas’ stern brow soften for a moment, but she knew it would only last a few moments.
He was holding himself back—for Charlie.
She straightened her shoulders, speaking once more. “If ye willnae promise, then I’ll nae move a step. Kill me if ye must, but I’ll nae be yer bride under threat.” Her voice rang clear, loud enough for even the men on the wall to hear. “I’d rather die free than live in chains.”
Leo’s smirk faltered, his brows narrowing in frustration. “Ye think ye’ve power here,” he muttered. “But once ye’re mine, ye’ll learn. I always get what I’m owed.”
Alexandra’s eyes didn’t waver. “Then take me by force and show the world what kind of laird ye are,” she said.
"A pathetic laird that cannae persuade a woman to marry him unless he threatens her family," Nicholas said.
Alexandra saw the rage in Leo's eyes as he stepped forward, hand on hilt.
"Ye've a lot of nerve sayin’ that, O’Donnell, since ye abducted a woman and keep her against her will," he sneered.
"And yet I've already tasted what's yers," Nicholas said.
"Enough!" Alexandra shouted.
Leo’s jaw worked as he studied her, torn between fury and grudging respect.
“Ye’d really stay here and doom them all?” he asked. “All for a promise I daenae have to give?” His tone dripped disbelief.
“Aye,” she answered without pause. “Because I’ve seen what happens when men like ye rule unchecked.”
Leo’s cold eyes flicked from Alexandra to Nicholas, then back again. His smirk faded into something more calculating, more contained.
“Fine,” he said, voice low and tight. “I promise—there’ll be nay retribution against O’Donnell or yer brother, so long as ye come now, peaceful.”
Alexandra’s breath caught in her throat. She stared at him for a long moment, heart thudding, then gave a slight nod. “Then I’ll go with ye,” she said. “Peacefully.”
“Nay!” Nicholas barked, stepping forward, his voice loud as thunder. “Ye cannae go, lass!” His eyes blazed as they met hers. “Ye think he’ll keep his word? He’s a snake in a man’s skin!”
“I must,” Alexandra whispered, though her voice trembled. “It’s the only way to keep ye all safe.”
She took a slow step toward Leo, but before she could take another, Nicholas grabbed her arm and turned her toward him.
Then a sharp voice pierced the air. “Stop!”
All heads turned. Alexandra’s eyes widened as Erica burst out of the gate door, skirts flying, her face pale as new snow. She ran toward them with urgency, her eyes locked not on Alexandra—but on Leo.
“Erica?” Alexandra said, stunned. “What are ye?—?”
Erica stopped between Alexandra and Leo, planting herself firmly like a shield. Her breath came fast, but her eyes were steady.
“Brother,” she said flatly.
Everyone froze.
Nicholas stared, stunned.
Alexandra’s mouth fell open, the word brother echoing in her ears. “Brother?” she whispered, looking between them.
