Aiden turned as one of his guards approached, the man’s face half-shrouded in shadow. The guard was a sturdy fellow, broad-shouldered with a thick beard that covered most of the lower half of his face. His eyes, however, were sharp and alert, indicating the keen mind behind them.
“Me Laird,” the guard said, bowing slightly as he came to a stop before Aiden. “I have a message for ye, brought by a man who said it was urgent. He didnae stay for long—just handed over the note and left.”
Aiden’s brow furrowed as he reached for the note. There was a tension in the guard’s posture that made Aiden’s hackles rise.
“What did this man look like?” Aiden asked, his voice low but commanding.
The guard hesitated, as if trying to recall the details. “He was a strange one. Wore a hood over his head, so I couldnae see much of his face. But his hair was red, and his eyes… they were cold, like he was sizin’ me up even though he was just deliverin’ a message. He didnae give a name, just said to give ye this.”
Aiden’s heart sank as he unfolded the piece of parchment the guard had handed him. So itwasFlynn. The name alone sent a jolt of unease through him.
Flynn was a man Aiden had once called his partner, but his ambition and jealousy had turned him into someone sinister and dangerous.
Aiden’s eyes scanned the note, his expression darkening with each word.
Congratulations on your upcoming nuptials. You’ve chosen a fine bride, a true beauty with grace to match. I had the pleasure of dancing with her tonight, and she’s as captivating as the rumors say. I have a gift for you, to celebrate your union. Meet me at the loch before the wedding, and I’ll make sure the gift is delivered properly. Don’t be late and come alone. I wouldn’t want to spoil the surprise.
Aiden’s grip on the parchment tightened, his knuckles whitening as he read the note again, his mind churning with a deep, growing sense of protectiveness. Flynn had dared to come this close to Katie, and now he was threatening to taint what should be the happiest day of their lives with his twisted games.
His mention of Katie’s beauty and her dancing abilities… Aiden’s thoughts flashed back to the man she had danced with at the feast. Red hair. It had to be Flynn. The thought of that man watching Katie, studying her, sent a surge of rage through Aiden. He would not allow Flynn to bring harm to her, or to anyone he cared about.
“Thank ye,” Aiden said to the guard, his voice taut with restrained fury. “Go back to yer post and keep an eye out for anythin’ unusual. I’ll deal with this.”
The guard nodded, bowing once more before retreating into the shadows, leaving Aiden alone with his thoughts.
Aiden stood there for a long time, the note still clutched in his hand and his mind racing with grim possibilities. Flynn was not a man to be taken lightly, and now that he had returned, it could only mean trouble.
Aiden knew he couldn’t handle Flynn alone. Not with Katie, his family, and the entire clan’s safety at stake. He needed someone he could trust, someone who knew Flynn and could help him plan for whatever trap might be waiting for him at the loch.
Without another moment’s hesitation, Aiden turned and headed toward Malcolm’s quarters. His right-hand man would still be awake, likely going over late-minute wedding plans or tending to some other important duties that could not wait until tomorrow.
Malcolm had always been meticulous, never leaving anything to chance. If there was anyone who could aid Aiden with triumphing in Flynn’s game, it was him.
Aiden rapped on the door sharply, and it wasn’t long before Malcolm opened it, his eyes widening slightly in surprise at the sight of Aiden standing there.
“Aiden?” Malcolm’s voice was filled with concern as he stepped aside to let him in. “What’s happened?”
Aiden handed the note to Malcolm without a word, watching as his friend read it thoroughly, his expression hardening with each line. By the time he finished, Malcolm looked as troubled as Aiden felt.
“Flynn,” Malcolm muttered, his voice filled with scorn. “I should have kenned he wouldnae stay gone for long. The bastard’s always been one for games.”
“I’m nae goin’ to let him near Katie,” Aiden said, his voice cold with resolve. “He’s here to cause trouble, to ruin everything. I cannae let that happen.”
Malcolm nodded, folding the note carefully and setting it down on the table. “We need a plan,” he said, his mind already working through the possibilities. “If Flynn’s waitin’ for ye at the loch, there’s a good chance ‘tis a trap. He wouldnae come here without a plan.”
Aiden sighed, running a hand through his hair. “I ken. But I cannae ignore this. If I dinnae show up at the loch, he’ll take that as a sign of weakness, and who kens what he’ll do then? But I dinnae trust him, Malcolm. I cannae walk into this blind.”
“Then ye willnae,” Malcolm said firmly. “We’ll scout the area aforehand and make sure he’s alone. Promise that ye willnae go by yerself, nay matter what he says. I’ll have me men stationed nearby, ready to intervene if anythin’ goes wrong. We’ll be ready for him.”
Aiden nodded, feeling a rush of gratitude for Malcolm’s level-headedness. “Thank ye,” he said, his voice sincere.
Malcolm gave him a small smile, though there was still a trace of worry in his eyes. “We’ve been through worse. We’ll get through this, too. And when ‘tis over, ye’ll marry that lass of yers without any shadows hangin’ over ye.”
Aiden managed a grim smile, though his thoughts were still weighted with worry. “I’ll hold ye to that,” he said quietly.
As Malcolm began outlining the details of their plan, Aiden’s mind drifted back to Katie. The thought of Flynn lurking around her and putting her in danger made him fume with fury, but he couldn’t let anger cloud his judgment. He had to stay focused for her sake. Flynn had made the first move, but Aiden vowed to make it his last.
“We have to be careful, and we have to be smart,” Aiden commented again, his worry making him thirsty for revenge.
