Page 78 of My Notorious Highlander

"Don't move, MacLeod! And keep your men where they are!" Haldane yelled to be heard over the ocean wind. "If anyone comes around this ravine, you'll find your lady on the rocks below."

Torrin glanced around, seeing that Iain stood close behind him but to his left, and Sim kept his bow hidden behind his back and leg.

"What do you want?" Torrin demanded, trying desperately to think clearly. He needed a plan, but everything was going fuzzy.

"We'll have to wait until that Dirk imposter shows up, won't we?" Haldane asked.

What the devil? Torrin frowned.

"He must be wanting to trade her for Dirk," Iain muttered.

"Does Dirk know you're out here?" Torrin yelled.

"Aye. He saw." Haldane grinned.

Rage burned through Torrin that Haldane would find this amusing. "You harm one hair on her head and you're a dead man, Dirk or no Dirk."

"Don't threaten me, MacLeod! I have what you want. You can kiss my arse." Haldane moved Jessie even closer to the edge of the cliff, only a foot remained between her and the drop-off. Waves crashed onto the rocks two hundred feet below.

Blackness and oblivion teasing at the edge of Torrin's vision again, he wavered, but prayed he wouldn't pass out before he could get Jessie safely out of Haldane's clutches.

"If I pass out…" he said to Iain, "or die, promise me you'll rescue her."

"Of course, man. But you're not going to die."

"I hope you're right." Torrin gauged the mad look in Haldane's eyes. Then he turned and glanced behind them, not seeing Dirk or anyone approaching from the dunes. He had his doubts that Dirk even knew they were out here.

A scream sounded, drawing Torrin back around in alarm. Loose dirt and stones slid from beneath Jessie's feet and dropped into the abyss.

"Pull her back from the edge!" Torrin yelled.

Haldane grinned and appeared to be chuckling. God's teeth! He truly was a madman. Torrin itched to end the bastard's life.

Haldane held Jessie by one arm, while she grasped both hands onto Haldane's plaid as her feet scrambled for purchase on the crumbling edge.

"Pull her back, you bastard!" Torrin ordered, his heart thudding in his ears so loudly he could hardly hear anything else.

Haldane shook his head slowly, looking mightily entertained.

Placing his hands behind his back, Torrin motioned with his fingers. "Give me your bow," he murmured low to Sim, hoping he was close enough to hear above the wind.

Moments later, the smooth yew wood slipped into his hand, along with an arrow.

"You, there! Stand back where I can see you!" Haldane shouted.

Keeping the bow hidden behind him, Torrin glanced aside and noticed Sim had moved back and to his right.

McMurdo murmured something to Haldane, who looked frantic for a moment as his gaze darted back and forth over Torrin and his men. "Put the bow down, MacLeod!" he ordered.

"Pull Jessie back from the edge and release her, and I will." With no further need to hide the weapons, Torrin held the bow in one hand and the arrow in the other, down at his sides. He could nock the arrow and let it fly in a second if he had to.

The coward kept Jessie in front of him, like a shield, less than a foot from the ravine. If only she was a safe distance back, he'd skewer Haldane with an arrow.

Jessie slowly lifted her right leg toward her hand, dug beneath her skirt, and took something from her calf. A knife. Nay! 'Twas too dangerous. What the devil was she planning?

Torrin's hands clutched the bow and arrow tightly. He had to be ready to shoot quickly.

Jessie carefully moved the sgian dubh into position, then stabbed backward into Haldane's belly. He howled and shoved her to the ground beside him. Torrin swiftly nocked and released the arrow. It shot across the ravine and jabbed into Haldane's throat. He gasped and tried to pull it out while blood spurted from the wound.