Page 46 of My Notorious Highlander

"I'm sure Dirk would've had him buried if he is indeed dead," Jessie said. "We have no proof of it yet."

Torrin nodded. Aye, without doubt. Still, it didn't stop him from remembering Nolan as a wee lad, being slapped and abused by their father. But he couldn't think about that now. He had to focus on how to get himself and Jessie free of Haldane and his men. They were all well-armed and obviously ruthless. Haldane had hired a bunch of outlaws with no loyalties and no qualms about killing anyone for two pence.

"Move along, you two," McMurdo said behind them, his sword raised.

If Jessie wasn't with him, he'd break McMurdo's neck and grab his sword, then he'd run the rest of them through or cut their throats, one by one. At least, as many of them as he could. He was outnumbered, aye, but they were all scrawnier and weaker-looking than him. But he would do naught to put Jessie in danger.

Torrin took her hand and strode forward to catch up to the others. Why the devil hadn't he realized the potential danger of being trapped in that secluded bay? The lure of seducing Jessie had blinded him to everything else. He'd been daft.

When they didn't head toward the castle, Torrin bristled. "Where are you taking us?"

"To a safe place until we get the lay of the land." Haldane gave him a sinister grin.

What did the sneaky bastard have up his sleeve? Mayhap he knew the MacKay guards were likely to shoot him and his cohorts full of arrows before he could make any demands.

Following a roundabout path, over rocky hills and through stands of prickly gorse bushes, Haldane and his men were clearly avoiding the village and the few crofts scattered about the area.

Torrin studied Jessie as he helped her over a huge rock. She appeared concerned and somewhat afraid. Her own little brother was a ruthless outlaw just as his had been. He'd never feared Nolan, but he didn't know everything he'd done either. Haldane was no doubt a murderer, and his partner, McMurdo, certainly was.

An hour later, gloaming was descending upon the land and thick clouds were moving in from the west, further darkening the evening sky. They stopped at a dilapidated byre just off the narrow trail.

"Inside, both of you." Haldane waved Jessie and Torrin toward the doorway.

"'Tis dark in there," Jessie said. "There may be vermin."

"Do you think I care? Get inside," he ordered.

"Can you at least give us a lantern? 'Twill be dark soon," Jessie said.

"Nay. Don't be such a coward."

"Bastard," she muttered.

Haldane pushed her, and she slammed into Torrin.

"Keep your hands off her!" Torrin said.

"Shut your gob, MacLeod. Or you'll end up like your brother. Now get inside." Haldane shoved him toward the doorway and into the dark stone structure. His first instinct was to shove back, 'haps even grab Haldane's sword, but he knew not what the outcome would be.

Inside, he did a quick survey of the building. It contained no windows and only one doorway. The thatch was old and full of holes, but still mostly intact.

"MacDonald, tie them together, sitting back to back," Haldane ordered.

He entered with the lantern, along with two more men, and did as he was told. First, he bound each of their wrists together behind their backs with strips of wool plaid, then he made them sit on the hard-packed, damp dirt floor, wrapped a rope around their torsos and tied a knot in it.

Torrin couldn't fight them now with Jessie present. Besides, he didn't like the odds. Once Haldane left them there, maybe they'd have a chance of escaping.

"How are you feeling?" Torrin asked Jessie, once the men left.

"Not so good."

He tried to glance around at her, needing to look into her eyes, but that was impossible, tied back to back in the dark. "Are you in pain? He tied the ropes tight."

"Nay, no pain, but… How will we escape?" she whispered.

"We'll think of something."

They listened to Haldane and his men outside, most of their mumbled words too low to hear, then things grew quiet.