"Then I'll dae whatever it takes tae get her out," Alpin said. "Even if it means blowin' me cover and startin' a war right there in the middle of their bloody auction."
"That's what I thought ye'd say." But Callum was smiling slightly. "Fer what it's worth, I'd dae the same."
"I ken ye would. Which is why ye're comin' with me when the time comes."
Over the following weeks, Alpin threw himself into the investigation. Scouts were sent out, informants were contacted, and slowly, painfully, a picture began to emerge.
One day, he received an unexpected letter from his good friend and ally, Paedar Mac Gregor, recounting an adventure that had ultimately led to his marriage. The story involved the very network of auction houses Alpin was searching for. He himself had infiltrated one to gather information about an enemy, only to leave with Kenina, the daughter of a laird who had been kidnapped and was being sold there. After taking her under his protection they had fallen in love and married.
There was indeed an organized network stealing women across the Highlands.
Graham was involved, though whether he was the mastermind or just a participant remained unclear. And the auctions were real, held in secret locations that changed frequently to avoid detection.
However, finding the auctions was only half the battle. Actually getting inside, gathering evidence, and hopefully rescuing some of the stolen women would require careful planning and perfect timing.
Alpin stood in his solar late one night, staring at the maps and reports spread across his desk. Somewhere out there, young women were being held captive.
Frightened. Alone. Waiting for someone to save them.
He would be that someone. Whatever it took.
A knock at the door interrupted his thoughts.
"Come."
Callum entered, his expression serious. "Word just came in. One of our scouts found an auction house. Hidden in an abandoned grain warehouse near the border. He says there's one scheduled fer next week."
Alpin's heart began to pound. "Did he see any of our missin' lasses?"
"He couldnae get close enough tae tell. But Me laird..." Callum moved closer. "This could be our chance. Our only chance tae see this operation from the inside."
"Then we're goin'." Alpin said it without hesitation. "Ye, me, and two others ye trust completely. We go in as buyers, keep our identities hidden, and gather as much information as we can."
"And if we see one of our own?"
Alpin met his friend's eyes. "Then we improvise."
Because that was all they could do.
Walk into the darkness, see the horror for themselves, and pray they were strong enough to fight their way back out.
With or without starting a war.
CHAPTER ONE
1654, Auction House
"Hold still, ye daft lass, or ye'll trip over yer own feet."
The voice was rough, impatient. Mhairi tried to pull away from the hands gripping her arms, but the blindfold made everything worse—every sound too loud, every touch a threat she couldn’t see coming.
"Where are ye takin' me?" Her voice came out stronger than she felt. "I demand tae ken."
"Demand all ye like," another voice cut in, this one closer to her ear. "Willnae change where ye're goin'."
Laughter. Multiple voices, all around her.
The floor beneath her feet changed from dirt to wood, and suddenly the chaos she'd been hearin' grew deafening. Shoutin'. The scrape of chairs. The thick smell of whisky and unwashed bodies.
