"Nobody move!"the man snarled.
Elijah wason his feet in an instant, sword half-drawn, positioning himself between the attacker and his children. Connor scrambled behind him with a frightened cry, and Masie grabbed her brother, pulling him close.
Four more menemerged from the shadows of the forest—rough-looking, armed, moving with the confidence of people who'd done this before. They'd been surrounded without even knowing it, too distracted by the stars and the rare moment of peace.
Elijah's heartleapt into his throat. He'd been a fool. Let his guard down. And now Piper was paying the price.
Declanand the other guard drew their weapons, but they were outnumbered, and the knife at Piper's throat kept them all frozen.
“Nobody move!”the man holding Piper shouted. His voice was rough, uneducated. A mercenary or brigand. “Nobody even think about movin’, or I’ll open her throat right here!”
Elijah’s bloodturned to ice. Not again. This couldn’t be happening again.
Declan and Harriswere already moving, positioning themselves between the attackers and the children. Elijah joined them, creating a wall of protection even as his eyes stayed locked on Piper.
She was struggling,her hands clawing at the arm around her waist, but the man holding her just tightened his grip.
“Let her go,”Elijah said, his voice deadly calm despite the panic screaming through his veins. “Let her go now, and I’ll let ye walk away.”
“I daenae think so,”the man said, already backing toward the trees. “This lass is our insurance. Our ticket to a very nice payday. So, here’s what’s goin’ to happen. Ye’re goin’ to stay right where ye are, and we’re goin’ to leave with her. And if ye try to follow us, if ye try anythin’ at all, I’ll slit her throat. Understand?”
“Ye’ll never makeit off me lands,” Elijah growled.
“We’ll take our chances.”The man was still backing up, dragging Piper with him. The other four men formed a protective circle around them. “Now, like I said, daenae follow, or the lass dies.”
“Elijah—”Piper’s voice was strangled, terrified.
“I’ve got ye, lass,”Elijah said, forcing his voice to stay calm even though everything in him was screaming. “I promise. I’ve got ye.”
Nae like Catherine.I willnae fail. Nae this time. Nae when I…
The thought completeditself with brutal clarity.
Nae when I love her.
The realization should have shockedhim. Should have made him stumble, lose focus. But instead, it crystallized everything. Made his purpose absolutely clear.
He loved Piper Armstrong.
Loved her courage,her kindness, and her fierce determination to protect those who couldn’t protect themselves. Loved the way she challenged him and made him want to be better. Loved her soft curves, sharp tongue, and the way she looked at his children as if they hung the moon.
And he would diebefore he let anything happen to her.
“Da?”Connor’s voice was small, terrified. “What’s happenin’? Why are those men takin’ Miss Armstrong?”
“Hush, lad,”Elijah said, not taking his eyes off Piper. “Harris, get the children back to the castle. Now.”
“But me laird—”Harris started.
“That’s an order!”Elijah’s voice cracked like a whip. “Get them to safety. Go!”
“Nay!”Masie’s voice rose. “We’re nae leavin’ ye!”
“Ye are,”Elijah said firmly. “Harris, take them. By force if necessary.”
The man laughed—theone holding Piper. “Look at that. The mighty Laird, sendin’ away his protection. How touchin’.”
“I daenaeneed protection to deal with the likes of ye,” Elijah said coldly.
