Page 33 of It Began With A Kiss
Inwardly, he was very pleased with himself. The appointed hour had come at last, and Broden was ready to be free of the constant reminder that his brother no longer lived. ’Twas of no consequence that Broden was responsible for Ewan’s early demise. He certainly was not missing any sleep over such a hideous deed. Broden had done what was needed in order for his plans to come to fruition. It was not fair that killing his brother had gained him nothing but to be exiled in his own land and from the clan.
But Gregor was another matter entirely. The boy resembled Ewan so much that ’twas if his brother peered at him from beyond the grave. It had given Broden pause. He had considered killing the boy and yet, somehow, he could never lift the blade that would end his nephew’s life. Apparently, somewhere deep inside Broden, he had a conscience after all. Such a revelation surprised him and ’twould certainly shock anyone else who knew him.
Still… the boy had been a pain in his arse from the moment Broden had taken Gregor captive. His constant griping to be returned to his family, for food to fill his belly, or to relieve himself had turned into an hourly, if not by the minute, complaint. Broden had had enough of the child and was more than ready to have him go back to his mother… that is… as long as they paid the ransom.
“I hate ye,” Gregor sneered loudly, contempt flashing across his young features. “Ye are no uncle of mine.”
“Ye think I care if ye claim me as kin?” Broden gave a wicked chuckle. “I think we are past such a point in our relationship. Ye are only a means for me tae gain monies from the new laird so I may make a life for myself far from these shores.”
“Ye could travel tae the ends of the earth and Laird Aiden would still find ye!” Gregor taunted. “That is, if Laird Aiden is feeling merciful and will let ye live for the offense of taking me from my home. Ye will pay for what ye have done!”
“Dunborough should have been mine!” Broden bellowed angrily.
The boy had the nerve to laugh. “The lands and control of the clan was never yers, Uncle, nor would they ever have been even if yehadgained control of the keep the night Laird Aiden took over. Ye think tae highly of yerself.”
A growl of outrage erupted from Broden. “And ye talk too much, ye damn brat from hell.”
“I am certain ye shall learn first-hand how truly hot hell will be, since ye shall be visiting soon, Uncle.” The smile on the boy’s face was almost Broden’s undoing.
“I will be far from here by this time tomorrow. Ye mark my words, Now, shut up,” Broden said before stuffing the linen into place and muzzling any further words from the boy.
Finally… blessed silence, although the look Gregor threw him would have felled an entire forest. The boy would kill him if he but had a blade to put into Broden’s gut. But no matter. Broden had set into motion something that could not be halted and soon he would have monies aplenty to board a ship and travel wherever the winds would take him.
’Twas a sound plan, he mused, whilst gathering the belt holding his scabbard and placing it around his waist. His blade had been sharpened to the best of his ability while he had been rotting away in this God forsaken hovel. Soon, he would have enough monies to see him properly adorned in clothes and jewels fit for any lord of the realm. He would buy himself land with a castle with servants aplenty to cater to his every whim. All would call him master as he reveled in his newfound wealth and position.
Aye... such was the life he was always meant to live. In charge of all that surrounded him instead of a second son living on the scraps thrown to him by an older brother he despised. His only regret was Iona. She was a loss. He wished he could somehow still capture her unawares, but if she remained inside the castle walls, there was little hope. Any time he had seen her in the village, she had been with the new laird or surrounded by too many knights to overcome. He was an accomplished swordsmen but being out numbered would not gain him much.
The new laird would surely not adhere to Broden’s demands that he come alone. Broden would do the same if he were in MacLaren’s position. But the given location and the time of day had been part of Broden’s plan to grab the monies, turn over the boy, and then make a hasty retreat all before any could come to the laird’s aid. Treachery was afoot, he was certain. Treachery on both ends, and Broden decided at the last minute that he would tie Gregor to a tree some distance away to ensure adequate time to escape. What could possibly go wrong?
Everything… had not everything gone wrong the instant Broden had plunged his sword into his brother’s back? But there had been no regrets when he had killed Ewan and there certainly would be no regrets that he had now taken his brother’s son. He could only move forward with his plan and pray everything played out in his favor.
With no further time to consider a different path than what he had already schemed, Broden hoisted Gregor up, pulling his arm. They made their way to the door and Broden yanked on the handle. The door came partially off its hinges and hung at an odd angle. Broden shrugged and pulled the boy through the portal, not caring for the condition in which he was leaving the hut. He was done with the place. ’Twould be the last time he had to spend another night in such degrading surroundings. Aye! His life would be better as soon as he could rid himself of his nephew and collect all that was due him!
Traipsing through the woods, Broden continued pulling Gregor along to make the boy to adhere to Broden’s wishes. It was a pull and push game that he was barely wining as the boy’s strength was far greater than Broden had expected. When Gregor began to fight Broden by thrashing around, Broden had had more than enough of the bruises that would be forming on his legs. He was tired of being kicked and screamed at, although the latter at least was not an issue at the moment, thanks to the gag. Still… this was a good a place as any to leave the boy. The location was far enough away from where Broden was to meet MacLaren yet close enough he could get to his nephew in case his plan failed. He refused to think he would not be victorious when this was all said and done.
Once the boy was tied securely to the tree, Broden never looked back. There was no need. He would get his coins and tell Aiden where to find the boy. It would be up to the new laird to find the spot. Broden had had his fill being tortured and kicked by a small boy.
He continued onward as quietly as he could, and saw that Aiden had already arrived at the place they were to meet. ’Twas a well-sized clearing where the trees were far enough away that they would not interfere if it came to a fight. A babbling brook was nearby, with moss covered rocks along its banks. Beneath his feet was either dirt or small shrubbery that should not hinder his getaway. He entered the clearing. His gaze traveling around to see what awaited him in the shadows. It appeared that MacLaren was alone, but Broden knew better.
“Ye surprise me,” Broden growled out, whilst fingering the hilt of his sword.
Aiden appeared as though he had not a care in the world and Broden again wondered where his reinforcements were located. “Why? Because I came to meet you as instructed?” Aiden’s reply was too casual.
“Ye are alone,” Broden responded with a frown, his eyes still searching the nearby trees.
Aiden shrugged. “You took a mere child in order to see your demands were met. Obviously, I would come in order to have the boy returned to his mother.”
“I thought for sure the lady would accompany ye,” Broden said, hoping for a glimpse of the fair lady.
“Iona is safe at the castle and far from you and any harm you might think to inflict upon her,” Aiden answered, looking behind Broden. “Where is the boy?”
“Safe.”
A sound left Aiden’s lips. “And you expect me to just turn over the ransom on the word of a murderer without seeing that Gregor is well?”
“Ye will have tae take my word that I speak no falsehood,” Broden snarled as he advanced a step. “Give me the monies and let us be done with this.”
“You must think I am a fool if you really believe I would turn over the monies from my coffers without seeing the boy.”
