Chapter Fifty
Gretchen
"Dougal MacWraith?Are you serious?"My voice has become shaky and so have my hands."Dougal is in jail, preparing for his trial.Your friend Rory, the solicitor, told us as much."I feel a little lightheaded, probably because I'm barely breathing, and I swivel my head toward Kirk."Please tell me this is a prank and that guy only resembles the evil bastard.I mean, Dougal is the guy who abducted Kenny and made it necessary for an army of tough Scots to take out MacWraith."
"Aye, that's definitely him," Kirk confirms, clasping my hand tightly as he glowers at the scumbag walking toward us."MacWraith has powerful connections, and it seems they've succeded in securing him a temporary release."
What?It can't be true.I think the blood has drained out of my entire body.Dougal saunters toward us, and his lean figure moves through the crowd with predatory grace.His black hair catches the sunlight, shimmering in shades of dark gray.The throng parts around him, and he smirks at everyone he passes.
"This cannot be real."I dig my fingers into Kirk's arm, and he winces the tiniest bit."Not here.Not today.Please tell me this guy is a body double."
"Stay behind me, lass."Kirk's jaw tightens as he moves slightly in front of me, a protective gesture that I appreciate.
Dougal halts a few paces away, his dark eyes calculating as they sweep over our group before settling on Kirk.
"Balfour," he begins, his voice carrying that gravelly edge I remember from our previous encounters with the evil bastard."Ye gave quite the performance, Kirk.Always pushing yourself to the limit, aren't ye?"
Kirk's shoulders tense up."What the bloody hell are ye doing here, MacWraith?"
"Can't a man enjoy the Highland Games?"Dougal spreads his hands in mock innocence."I've been granted temporary release on...shall we say, humanitarian grounds.My advocate made a compelling case concerning the evidence of my so-called crimes.They simply couldn't find anything."
I peek around Kirk's shoulder, unable to contain myself."There's no case at all?Are you fricking kidding me?After all the evil things you did?I guess kidnapping isn't a crime in Scotland anymore."
Dougal's fathomless dark eyes zero in on me, and I immediately regret drawing his attention.But I force myself to look directly at him."Ah, the American fiancée.Gretchen, isn't it?I must say, I admire your spirit.So few people dare to speak to me that way."
Kirk squeezes my hand in a silent warning.
I know I ought to shut up, but terror makes me reckless."Yeah, well, some of us aren't intimidated by psychopaths in designer clothes."
A ripple of tension passes through the onlookers.I notice Neil, Tam, and Kirk's father moving closer.They keep their postures alert and protective.
Dougal throws his head back and bursts into a fit of laughter."You thinkI'ma psychopath?That is such an ugly word for a man who simply knows what he wants and how to get it."His eerie gaze slides back to Kirk."And speaking of wanting things, allow me to congratulate you on your engagement.Marriage is such a vulnerable state, isn't it?"
The threat hangs in the air, invisible yet palpable.
Kirk shifts his gaze toward two men who are now approaching us.They wear what looks like police uniforms.Kirk shakes hands with the two men."Glad you laddies could get here so quickly."
"Who are they?"I whisper to Kirk.
"This our local constabulary---Fergus MacRae and Sorley MacKechnie."Kirk glares at Dougal but speaks to the constables."What have you lot to say about MacWraith's claim that he was released and willnae be put on trial?"
Fergus sighs, nodding gravely."Unfortunately, thecacanis correct.MacWraith's slimy advocate convinced the Lord Justice General that the charges were unfounded."
"Aye," Sorley concurs."And MacWraith here has the judge in his pocket, or at least someone high up does."Sorley's gaze narrows on Dougal."That doesnae mean we won't be watching your every move."
My gut twists into a thousand knots.This cannot be happening.A man who orchestrated a kidnapping and who knows what other crimes, is standing here free as a bird while Kirk and I are supposed to be celebrating our engagement.
"You see?"Dougal spreads his hands with a wide grin that stretches his features and makes me want to punch him in the face."It's all perfectly legal, I assure you.I'm simply a businessman who's been terribly maligned."
Roy Balfour comes up beside Kirk and me, his weathered face set in lines of granite."Ye may have fooled the courts with your silver tongue, MacWraith, but everyone here knows what ye really are."
"And what might that be, old man?"Dougal asks, his eerie smile never faltering.
I can't stop myself.I step out from behind Kirk as my fear transforms into fury."You are a predator, MacWraith.A low-down, dirty criminal a bastard who preys on others and believes he's untouchable."
Kirk's demeanor has transformed into fury, his teeth grinding and his nostrils flaring."Gretchen, dinnae---"
I cut him off, refusing to back down."Don't tell me 'dinnae' anything.This dirtbag has done his damnedest to terrify me for too long, and I now I sayno more."
