Page 108 of The Dragon Laird’s Obsession

“Aye, Me Laird,” his men chorused and dispersed immediately.

Gordon strode through the keep, his pulse pounding violently against his throat as he reached the exit.

“Double the gates,” he ordered. “Nay rider leaves without bein’ challenged. Search the gardens, the chapel, the woodshed, every damned corner of this keep!”

Men scattered around as he gave the orders, and Gordon headed down the halls to the guest chambers where Kerr should be.

Malcolm was stepping out of the chamber when he got there.

“It is empty, Me Laird,” he revealed. “The bed has nae been slept in. The hearth has burned low. Kerr is gone.”

A terrible silence settled over Gordon.

“Find him,” he ordered, “and the guards who should have been watchin’ him.”

They were still on that spot when another guard rushed toward him. “Me Laird, we found the men watchin’ Laird Kerr.”

Gordon went with him immediately, hurrying toward the garden to find the guards beneath the trees.

His stomach lurched at the sight. Blood darkened their tunics, their bodies sprawled among the wet grass. One still clutched the hilt of his sword.

Malcolm knelt beside them and touched the blood seeping out of their wounds. It felt warm.

This just happened. It means Kerr hasnae gone far.

“They were followin’ Kerr,” Malcolm said to him as he rose to his feet, “and he killed them to get away.”

Gordon stared at the bodies as his hands curled into fists. “I will make Kerr pay for every life he’s taken.” He turned to Malcolm while seething. “Get riders on every road. Send word to the northern clans. I want every crossin’ watched. Every ferry. Every road through the hills.”

Malcolm nodded. “And Kerr?”

Gordon’s gaze hardened. “If ye find him before I do, keep him alive.”

Malcolm hesitated. “Alive?”

Gordon’s jaw clenched. “I want to kill him meself. Findin’ Miss Ailis is of utmost priority. Daenae harm a hair on his head until she is found and safe. If he has her, we must ken where he has taken her.”

And if he had harmed her⁠—

Gordon forced the thought away.

He turned and found Sorcha and Marion standing at the edge of the garden, their faces pale with fear.

Sorcha hurried toward him. “Gordon?”

He softened his voice, though barely. “I will find yer sister, and I will bring her back. I swear it to ye on me life.”

“We will come with ye,” Callan volunteered.

“Ye need all the help ye can get,” Rowan agreed.

Gordon nodded to both men then he marched away from them and headed toward the stables to take his horse and head down into the village. The road vanished beneath pounding hooves as he rode out, and his thoughts raced faster.

Every possibility of where she could be collided inside his mind.

The river, the woods…

His chest tightened at the thought of Ailis frightened and alone.