Page 55 of The Ruthless Highlander's Hellion
“She’s me friend,” Alexandra said, taking a shaky step forward. “She’s the only one I’ve had these many years. She followed me here, and now she’s gone, taken by a cruel man, and ye expect me to sit idly while plans are made around me?”
Marcus glanced at Nicholas but said nothing, quietly stepping aside to give them space.
“I cannae make promises I cannae keep,” Nicholas said, his voice low but steady.
“Then I’ll go,” she interrupted. “I’ll go to him meself if that’s what it takes.”
“The hell ye will,” Nicholas snapped, stepping toward her. “Ye step one foot out those gates and I’ll have every man chase ye down and drag ye back, do ye hear me?”
Tears spilled down her cheeks as her lip trembled, but her spine stayed straight. “Then what?” she whispered. “Are we to donothin’? Are we to feast and drink and plan skirmishes while she wastes away in that bastard’s hands?”
“Nay, I’m doin’ what I must,” he growled. “To protect this land and me people.”
"Then ye will bring her back? Promise?" she asked.
"I cannae promise that lass because… because we daenae ken if she is still alive," he said solemnly.
Alexandra felt the words hit her like a stone. She put her hands on the desk to steady herself. She felt Nicholas arms hold her and sit her in a chair.
"Marcus, gather our men. Stop them from going deeper into drink and to bed they go. Ye too. Get some rest. We leave three hours before the sun rises. We shall ambush Leo and his men as they sleep," Nicholas ordered.
"Aye, right away," Marcus said as he turned and left.
Alexandra looked at Nicholas as she trembled with fear over the fate of her friend.
“Come with me,” he said, his voice rough but not unkind.
She hesitated, then followed him through the stone corridor, her boots tapping softly against the floor. The tension betweenthem did not ease as they descended the winding stairs, passing torchlit walls and ancient tapestries. At the bottom, he led her through the side door of the keep into the courtyard where the evening had begun to settle, casting long shadows over the flagstones. A breeze stirred her skirts as she followed him silently toward the old chapel behind the orchard.
They entered. She watched as he paced toward the altar, hands behind his back, his movements taut and restless. Alexandra lingered near the entrance, her heart still racing, not sure what she expected him to say now.
“Ye think I daenae care?” he said finally, without looking at her. “But I do. I care more than I should about all of this, me clan, me son, Erica's safety, and yers.”
Her lips parted, but she had no words. The ache in her chest only deepened.
“Just help me get her back. She’s nae just a servant, Nicholas—she’s like a sister. I hope that she still breathes. I cannae live with meself if I am the cause of her death."
He turned to face her now, the fading light catching the edge of his jaw and the fire in his eyes.
“And what if I am caught?” he asked, stepping closer. “I need ye to prepare for that possibility. We daenae ken what we ride into.”
Alexandra gasped and her heart sank, "Daenae say that. Ye will come back."
"Promise me ye will go to yer brother if I daenae return. Daenae go to Leo. I will leave orders that guards will take ye there secretly," he said.
She sighed. "But what if?—"
Nicholas cursed under his breath and stepped back, dragging a hand through his hair. “Ye drive me mad, lass. Just promise!"
“I promise,” she said, eyes glinting with emotion.
He sat down on a bench. "When Charlie was taken… the rage inside me nearly made me blind.”
She stepped closer, the mention of his son softening her anger. “I ken what grief can do,” she said. “I carry mine like a weight around me neck for me kin folk.”
Nicholas looked up at her then, his expression unreadable. “I daenae want to feel that weight again, Alexandra. Nae for ye.”
When he moved closer again, her breath caught. “I meant what I said, lass. Ye belong here under me protection. But if ye ever say yer going to put yerself in danger by going after Leo, I swear I’ll lock ye in the highest bloody tower I’ve got.”
