Page 45 of My Notorious Highlander

He halted and Jessie grabbed the back of his shirt. "Pay him no heed. He's but trying to provoke you."

"I don't need you, MacLeod," Haldane boasted. "We can put you out of your misery right here. I only need my sister to convince the guards to open the portcullis at Dunnakeil. The only reason you're still alive is that, being a chief, you might be worth a lot of ransom money."

The look in Torrin's narrowed eyes turned lethal and Jessie knew he would have his revenge. He'd already decided. Of a certainty, he had always been kind to her, but she'd seen how deadly he was to his enemies. If he'd had a sword in his hands, he would've likely cut them all down.

"Leave him be. We'll both go peacefully," she said to appease her brother.

"Aye, you will. Or I'll kill you both," Haldane said.

She frowned, wondering if Haldane could indeed kill his own sister. If not, he would order McMurdo to do it. And she had no doubt he'd kill Torrin if he caused any trouble. Haldane was just like his mother—soulless and coldblooded.

"Both of you, up the bank," Haldane ordered, motioning with his sword.

Torrin took her hand, leading her up the sandy pathway. Though she truly didn't need his help, she accepted it because she loved touching him. He was her only comfort in this treacherous situation. She prayed that Torrin, being a warrior and chief, would come up with a brilliant plan of escape. Or maybe she could, if she put her mind to it. But two against twelve? The odds were overwhelming.

At the top of the bank, Haldane turned to Torrin with a smirk. "By the way, Dirk killed your brother."

Torrin halted, his gaze dark and deadly. "What?" he growled.

Jessie's stomach sank. Was it true?

"Aye, Dirk MacKay, the chief of the MacKay clan, killed Nolan MacLeod. He is your brother, is he not?" Haldane said in a lighthearted tone. How could he enjoy delivering such horrible news to anyone?

Torrin frowned. "Aye."

Jessie tightened her hold on his hand. "He might be lying just to rile you."

Haldane laughed. "I'm not lying, sister."

"Did you witness it?" Torrin asked.

"Nay. But Nolan was with us and then, after a skirmish we had with the rest of the MacKays, he vanished. And good riddance. He was never any help to us."

"He made off with Dirk's woman." McMurdo shook his head, his long gray beard blowing in the wind. "I knew that was a death sentence."

"Lady Isobel?" Jessie asked, her heart leaping into her throat at this news of her best friend. "Nolan attacked Lady Isobel again? Was she hurt?"

"He snatched her from the tent, put her on a horse and rode away with her. Dirk chased after him, and that was the last we saw of Nolan," McMurdo said.

"Was Isobel hurt?" Jessie asked again.

McMurdo shrugged. "We saw her again later with Dirk. She didn't appear hurt, but then Gil shot Dirk in the calf with an arrow." He gave an evil grin.

"I'm hoping he's dead with fever," Haldane said in a hard voice.

"Nay," Jessie said, worry for her older brother clutching at her stomach. He was strong. Surely, he could overcome such an injury. Couldn't he?

"Damn," Torrin muttered. Thinking his younger brother might be dead ripped his heart out. But with the way Nolan had turned corrupt, Torrin had expected him to meet a bad end. For Jessie's brother to have killed his brother… seemed ironic and strange. And he had no doubt Nolan was dead if he'd done what McMurdo said. Dirk would've had no mercy on him for 'twas clear Dirk loved Isobel beyond all reason.

Jessie watched him warily. "You're not going to seek revenge, are you?"

"Nay. If Nolan kidnapped Lady Isobel or hurt her, he deserved what he got. Dirk wouldn't murder someone outright."

"Nay, he wouldn't."

"Did they bury him?" Torrin asked the outlaws.

Haldane shrugged. "Time to go." He strode forward, joining several of his men.