Page 41 of My Highland Fling
Ramsay reclined his seat and shut his eyes, but everything that could go wrong tormented him.What happened if they failed or one of his friends received an injury during the rescue attempt?And even worse, what if their attempt was successful and Gabrielle rejected him, his feline?What if the fact he and his friends shifted into leopards or wolves scared Gabrielle witless, and she left him?
He must’ve fallen asleep because his entire body jerked hard when Saber shook him awake.His mind churned and sweat coated his torso, yet chills ran through him.His mind jumped from fear to fear, and his dread morphed to monster proportions.
“Steady, lad.”Kindness filled Saber’s features.“I get this is hard, but we’re gonna rescue your girl, then you can focus on the future.”
Ramsay rose to join the others.His hands trembled, but he clenched both into fists and inhaled.He was useless to Gabrielle if he fell apart.
Saber and Isabella ran through the plan again.
“One more thing,” Isabella said.“Guards, remember not to speak.Our accents will give us away.Grunts and curt nods for communication.”
Once they’d landed.Isabella grabbed a box of clothes and handed out suits, shirts, and shoes, showing her preplanning and commitment to the strategy.“Gerard and Henry, you’re used to working together.You’re with my friend.This matters to him, so I think he’ll come through for us, but watch him anyway.Leo and Felix, you’re with me.Saber, you run operations and standby with Ramsay to offer aid where we need it.Questions?”
Those who were playing guards donned the suits.
“Can we keep our footwear?I’m used to my boots,” Henry said.
“Sure, that will work,” Isabella said.“Stand tall and look scary.Popov will have staff.Grab any opportunity to disarm or lock them in closets, otherwise, we’ll improvise.”
Tilly frowned.“Surely you need more weapons?What if your plan misfires?This is your one chance to free Gabrielle.Her husband will be on guard if you fail and hire more mercenaries to watch his back.”
“We’ve worked together in dangerous situations,” Saber said, his tone reasonable and patient.“Please don’t worry.We have an excellent chance of pulling this off.”
“But if you don’t, Popov will take out his displeasure on Gabrielle.He might kill her,” Tilly said.
Ramsay understood her apprehension but couldn’t see any other way.“We’ll get Gabrielle back,” he said.
“Here comes my contact now,” Isabella said, her voice calm.Her composure went a long way to settling Ramsay’s trepidation.She greeted the man and returned with him at her side.“This is Timur.Four men are attending the meeting, one of whom is Timur’s friend.”
“How can we be sure you won’t betray us?”Ramsay asked, his focus on Timur.
“Popov married my sister.She was dead six months later,” Timur growled.“It’s time to make him pay.My friend has his reasons, but neither of us will betray you.Isabella, you did me a solid and helped me recover my son after my enemies kidnapped him.I always pay my debts.You have no fears of my loyalty.”
Isabella offered a clipped nod.“This is Henry and Gerard.Both are ex-military and work well together.”
“Please come with me, and I’ll explain how my team operates.”
“Have you seen Gabrielle?”Ramsay asked.
“No, but my ex-brother-in-law expects his wife to act as hostess.Popov will ask her to leave once he wishes to discuss business.His first wife, who was pregnant, betrayed him, and he lost his temper and beat her to death.”
“Why did you let your sister marry him, then?”Ramsay demanded.“If you understood his predilections.”
“I had no choice,” Timur snapped.“Popov wished to have a bride, and my sister fell in love with him.He assumed she’d be more biddable if she loved him.The bastard can wield charm if he wishes.We’ve incapacitated the man you’re replacing.His guards fought us and died.”
“That works,” Isabella said and glanced at her watch.“Time to move.”
Ramsay gave Tilly a quick hug and brushed a kiss on her soft cheek.Despite their short-lived acquaintance, he already thought of her as family—a valuable person from his mate’s life.“Stay safe.I’ll try to let you know when we’re returning.”
“Can I rely on the pilot?”she asked in an undertone.
“If Isabella trusts him, it’ll be all right.”Ramsay patted her hand and jogged away to join the others.Henry and Gerard traveled with Timur while the rest of them piled into a white van.
“I don’t like this body,” Isabella grumbled.“How does one deal with this extra baggage in the front?”She patted her podgy tummy with disdain.
“The trials of being a chameleon shifter.”Leo, her husband, bore a broad grin.“I can confidently say I will not be kissing you until you resume your normal shape.It was bad enough when I kissed myself.”
The others gawked at Leo before bursting into laughter.A tension release.The apprehension swarming inside Ramsay dialed back a notch, and he realized Isabella and Leo had done this on purpose.The shared merriment had relaxed them all.
