I nod curtly."The bastard wants us to know it too."I turn to Archie, pushing him toward the hallway."We need to leave.Now."
"Where can we go?"Gretchen asks."If they're keeping tabs on the building..."
"There's a back exit," I tell her, already grabbing my keys and wallet from the counter."Through the service corridor.We used it when filming that escape scene forHighland Vengeancelast year."
Archie hurriedly shoves his laptop back into his backpack."What about all the evidence I've gathered?If they catch us---"
"They willnae," I assure the lad, though I'm far from certain."I know a place where not even Dougal would dare to trespass and there are cameras everywhere so he cannae sneak up on us."
Gretchen's brows shoot up."Where is it?"
"You'll see,gràidh.You'll see."
Chapter Thirty-Five
Gretchen
Kirk Balfour loves to be dramatic, but his vague statement has me puzzled and annoyed at the same time.After everything Archie said about Dougal MacWraith, I'm in no mood for secrets.So, I aim my best glare at the two men."I want facts now, not vague baloney.That means one or both of you need to start talking---immediately.Got it?"
Both men grin at me, shaking their heads as if the situation is entertaining.
I throw my hands up and scowl at them, which only seems to make them grin even harder."Cut that out this instant.What I said was not funny, it was a simple fact.I do not like secrets."
Archie speaks up first."Cannae speak for the stunt man, but I was just thinking how refreshing it is to meet a lass who speaks her mind.Because of his stunts, most people tiptoe around Kirk like he's made of glass."
"I don't tiptoe around anyone," I reply, crossing my arms."Especially not this guy."I jerk my thumb toward Kirk, who's still seeming way too amused for my taste.
He finally stops grinning and places his hand at the small of my back."The location I'm taking ye to is Dùndubhan Castle."
"A castle?Well, I guess that does make sense.But only if the castle has every type of medieval weaponry and modern stuff too."I tap my fingers on my knees, contemplating what else we might need."Do you guys know anybody who could get us bigger, badder, meaner weapons?Maybe we should hire some Scottish goons of our own too.You, me, and Archie doesn't seem like enough.Not at all."
Kirk smiles sweetly as he clasps my hand, peeling it away from my knee."Relax,mo leannan.We'll have more than just the three of us once I text some of my mates."
"Texting?Are you serious?We need firepower, not emojis."
Both men grin again and laugh.
Grrr, I want to whack them with...something.
"I am not kidding around," I say, my voice rising to a higher pitch."Dougal has Kenny, and you two are standing here chuckling like we're planning a picnic instead of a rescue mission!"
Kirk squeezes my hand gently."Gretchen, Dùndubhan isnae just any castle.It's the family seat of the MacTaggart clan and has been for hundreds of years.It's got security systems that would make Fort Knox jealous, and more importantly, it's filled with people who would die for our family."
"Oh."I deflate a little, feeling foolish for my outburst."That's actually pretty smart."
"Aye," Archie says, hefting his backpack higher on his shoulder."The castle sits on a strategic position overlooking Loch Fairbairn.One road in, one road out, and the MacTaggart clan has been guarding it for generations.There's a reason Dougal has never tried to seize it.He realizes he'd be slaughtered before he got through the gates."
"Slaughtered, huh?"I perk up at this revelation."That's more like it.But wait---if this place is so secure, why didn't we go there in the first place instead of Kirk's flat?"
Kirk begins gathering his things, moving with the purposeful efficiency I've come to associate with him when he's in action mode."We didnae go there because we didnae know how far MacWraith's reach extended.Now we do."
"I get it.Sorry I got so frantic, but imminent danger upsets me."
The stuntman kisses my cheek."It's all right, lass.I understand."
I'm trying to process everything, but my brain is having trouble catching up.A Scottish castle with modern security systems?Filled with people loyal to Kirk's family?It sounds like something out of a movie, but then again, so does this entire situation.
And my relationship with the stuntman.
