Page 60 of The Anguish of the Scottish Lairds
Eva moved over next to him, grateful that she wasn’t bound as he was. “Sloan?” she whispered, hoping he would awaken. If anything happened to him, she would feel responsible. Surely, he’d come looking for her.
Sloan didn’t move, so she leaned over and kissed him softly on the lips. “Sloan, please wake up. I’m sorry I brought you here.” She ran her fingertips down his strong jawline, surprised at how stubby his beard had grown already.
Sloan’s eyes fluttered open and his gaze searched the chamber, finally falling on her. The smile that emerged made her heart sing a wee bit. He would be fine.
“Eva, where are we?”
“I don’t know. In some cellar on Ulva.”
“You are hale?”
“Aye, they didn’t hurt me. They were too busy doing other things, though I’m unsure of what they have planned exactly. I did see piles of swords being moved about as if they were going to battle. That’s all I saw.”
“Have you seen the bairns anywhere?”
“Nay.”
“We were just on the isle about two hours ago, searched all the buildings, but found nothing. Do you know what building we are in?”
“Nay, but the entrance to the cellar is well hidden. It’s a wooden door under a chest. You probably walked right past it.”
“Where are the men? Or where did you come ashore? We saw no men at all.”
“I came on the south side. Found a fisherman to take me across for a coin and he dropped me into a cove on the south. Right after he left, another boat came along with the swords, and they saw me. That’s all I recall.”
“Did you recognize them from Duart?”
“Aye. They are the same ones. I could smell one man. He’s the one who attacked me. I’m sorry, Sloan. I thought I could get close enough to hide somewhere and throw my axe. A foolish lass. Now I see that.”
“A brave one who kisses verra sweetly.”
“You were awake enough?”
He nodded, then wiggled. “Can you help me lean against the wall? With my hands bound, it’s difficult. Have you anything to help me break my bindings?”
“Aye, my small axe. They took your sword, I’m sure.”
“Aye. If you release me, I’d be forever indebted to you.”
She pulled the axe from the bag hidden inside her tunic but dropped it to the floor because the door opened again.
Her attacker entered. “I’d like a few moments with you, my sweet.”
“If you hurt her, I’ll kill you,” Sloan said.
The man chuckled. “I don’t think you’ll be hurting anyone all tied up like that.” He grabbed Eva by the arm and yanked her to her feet. “Let’s go. I’ll leave your boyfriend here so he can listen to us.”
“You touch her, and I will kill you. There will be men all over here on the morrow and we’ll be rescued.”
The man laughed as they headed down the passageway. Over his shoulder, he called out, “They already came and went.”
Eva struggled to follow along but stayed upright, her eyes taking in everything as they moved into a passageway and through a door at the end, then into a small area at the base of the stairs and through another door in the opposite direction.
There were two separate sections off the staircase. Perhaps the bairns were on this side. He stepped into the next passageway and shoved her into a cell with one pallet on the floor. “I’m here to finish what I started before, and let me give you a fair warning,” he said, pinching the underside of her upper arm. She refused to react, glaring at the ugly brute instead.
“If you ever tell anyone about me, I’ll come back and slice your face. You noble whores are all the same. Flaunt what you have but don’t allow anyone close enough to touch you. Well, I’m taking what you taunt men with before you give it to a fool like the man in your cell.”
He gripped her arms and attempted to tear her tunic, his tongue licking her cheek. “You are a sweet one. I felt your tits before. I’ll see them this time.”
