“Where is Father?” Talia asked, her voice muffled behind the thick wood.
“Here in the room behind me.”
“I’m not coming out,” she said in a stubborn tone.
“You cannot stay in there,” Seona said.
“I can. There is food in here. I’ll let you in and you can stay with me. We won’t have to marry the beasts.”
Footsteps approached, and Seona turned to find her fatherstriding closer, a murderous gleam in his eyes. “What is that on your finger?” he yelled.
The wedding band.Fear paralyzed her for a moment, but then she drew in a deep breath for courage, her gaze connecting with Keegan’s—intense blue and arrow sharp. Silently, he and his friends moved closer.
“’Tis a ring,” she said. “I am married.”
Chapter Thirty-Two
“Married?” Chief Murray’s hand flew up and struck Seona’s face.
Fury blasted through Keegan’s veins. He snagged the back of Murray’s collar and yanked him away. The man made a choking sound just before Keegan punched him in the face. The older man bounced off the wall and sprawled to the tavern floor, blood pouring from his nose, curses spewing from his mouth.
Keegan drew his sword to cut down Murray’s guards, for they were sure to attack. But Rebbie, Fraser and Dermott were one step ahead of him on that count. Each of them held blades at the ready.
“Halt!” Rebbie commanded the guards.
“Kill them!” Murray snarled, trying to push up on his elbows.
“I wouldn’t risk it if I were you,” Rebbie warned the guards with a menacing grin and they froze.
Keegan snatched Murray’s sword and dirk from their sheaths and tossed them across the room, then stood on the man’s scabbard, holding him down. “How many times have you hit Seona?” Keegan demanded.
“You bastard,” Murray seethed. “I’m going to kill you.”
“I hope you’ll try.” Keegan went to Seona who still stood by the storeroom door. Her cheek was red and her eyes glinting with fury. “Did he hurt you badly?”
She shook her head. “I’ll be fine.”
“Hold it right there,” Rebbie ordered, drawing Keegan’sattention.
But Murray didn’t obey. He’d crawled to his feet. “Give me your dirk,” he roared at one of his guards.
“Hell,” Keegan muttered.
Rebbie, Fraser and Dermott launched into action, each of them engaging one of the guards, while two charged Keegan. Dodging out of the way, he grabbed a stoneware jug from a nearby table and knocked one on the head. He collapsed to the floor. When the other switched direction and came back for him, Keegan ran him through with his sword. Then shoved him down onto Murray. Keegan kicked the dying guard’s sword away, then grabbed his dirk. Glancing around to see who else might be on the attack, he found the other three either knocked out or dead on the floor. None of them moved.
“You lads are lethal,” Keegan said, battle rage still coursing through his veins.
Murray struggled from underneath the dead guard and surveyed the scene. His eyes grew wide and his mouth hung open when he looked up at Keegan. Was the man ready to beg for his life? He appeared on the verge. Never had Keegan felt such a sense of victory. But he wouldn’t kill Seona’s father while she watched, unless he had to. It might prove too much for her to handle.
“Anyone have rope? We’ll tie him up,” Keegan said. “Them, too.” He motioned to the three guards who still showed signs of life. “They’ll awaken eventually.”
Keegan turned to Seona. “Tell your sister to come out of the storeroom. We’re leaving.”
Seona banged on the door with renewed vigor. “Talia, come out. Keegan and his friends are taking us. We’re running away.”
“You damned blackguard,” Murray seethed as Fraser tied his hands behind his back. “I will see you dead! All of you!”
“Do you remember who my father is?” Rebbie asked.
