Page 133 of The Laird’s Sinful Obsession

"James," she called.

He was already in the doorway. "Aye. I heard it."

More hoofbeats now, and then shouting from the walls, her name, in a voice she didn't recognize. Urgent and sharp.

"Get back from the window," James said, crossing the room in quick strides. "Now, me lady. Away from the window."

She stepped back. James moved past her, and then the door opened.

She turned.

Torquil MacLean stood in the doorway of her chamber.

Behind him, two of his men held James and the guard at sword point, their faces blank and professional.

Torquil's eyes found her immediately, and the expression on his face––satisfaction, possessiveness, a rage barely held in check––made her stomach turn cold.

"Lady MacKinnon," he said. "I think ye've caused me enough trouble."

She didn't scream. She thought about it, but there was no one close enough to hear, and something told her that screaming would only make him move faster.

Captain placed himself between her and Torquil with a growl that resonated through the floorboards.

Torquil drew his dirk and pointed it at the dog.

"Call him off," he said, "or I'll dae it fer ye."

She put her hand on Captain’s scruff. "Easy," she murmured. "Easy, lad."

Bràthair didn't stand down, but he stopped advancing.

Torquil stepped into the room. "Ye're comin' with me."

"I'm nae goin' anywhere with ye."

"It wasnae a request." He closed the distance between them, fast, and his hand was in her hair before she could move.

Then she was fighting, she was kicking and scratching and calling him every foul name she'd ever learned from listening outside Calum's door, and Captain lunged, his teeth sinking into Torquil's forearm.

Torquil shouted. His grip loosened for one moment.

She drove her elbow back into his ribs.

He grunted but didn't let go.

His free hand came up and backhanded her across the face hard enough that her vision went white.

Then he was shouting at Captain, at her, dragging her toward the door while the dog snarled and pulled. She could hear James fighting in the corridor, could hear the sounds of more men coming up the stairs.

Too many. There were too many of them.

She was still fighting when they dragged her out of the keep and into the courtyard, blinking against the daylight, searching desperately for anyone who might help.

But Torquil's men had moved fast and quietly, and there weren't enough of Lachlann's guard left behind to hold them.

She screamed his name. Not Torquil's. Not James's.

"Lachlann!"