“That is true.”
“There are rumours he was once the enemy.”
“Rumours?The men have been ordered never to speak on it.”
“Ye dinnae fear he shall hear tell of this rumour?Or that his memory will return?”Ivar asked.
Logan’s heart lodged in his throat.He had once been the enemy?This was nothing like the tale Gillean had told him.He’d worked for him since he was a young man—a mere peasant.Gillean had given him responsibility and power.He’d given him a life.At what point had he been the ‘enemy’?
He heard Gillean chuckle.“If his memory has not returned by now, it never will.There I have a strong, intelligent man and one who was highly trusted by my dear sister.What better way to wreak revenge than to take her strongest man and mould him in my image?”
Logan’s skin grew hot and dots swam in front of his vision.He peered around as Ivar laughed and clapped a hand to Gillean’s back.
“You are a crazy man, Gillean, but I like that.After all, it was those who were thought crazy who were the pioneers of our people.Without them, we would have not discovered your isles or any others.”
Gillean merely let his brows rise.“To nurture a strong, loyal warrior is not lunacy, Ivar.‘Tis calculation.Though I’ll confess I never foresaw the lass returning.‘Tis a fine thing she triggered no memories in him.”
“I hope we shall be able to get her back.”
“Aye, Ivar, we will,” Gillean assured him.“As soon as yer men have joined us, we’ll march on Glencolum and take everything—including the bonny lass.”
Jaw tight, Logan curled his hands into fists.Had Lorna been right?Was it all true?He was her lover?And he had a son...Logan nearly staggered back down the stairs as it all hit.He pressed himself against the wall and searched his memory frantically.
Black.Nothingness.Yet his body had remembered her.His body wanted her since he first saw her.
He had to know.
He waited until they finished their meal and Ivar departed the hall.Gillean made his way upstairs and Logan listened for him to shut the door to the solar.With haste, he marched into the hall, shoving past several men who were loitering around the tables and nearly tripping over the dogs.
“Damn dogs.Get to work,” he snapped at the men and stomped up the stairs.
Breath held, he pushed open the door, stepped in and pressed it shut.Gillean lifted his gaze from the papers at his desk and clasped his hands in front of him.
“Aye?”
“The riders will be ready to go in a moment,” Logan said.
“Well dinnae wait.”He waved a dismissive hand.“Get them after her.I dinnae wish for Glencolum to be aware of our plans if I can help it.”
Logan took a step forward, then another and another until he stood in front of the laird’s desk.Molten heat pummelled through him.It rushed through his veins and made his temples throb.He wanted nothing more than to pound this man into submission but he needed answers first.
“Ye know...Lady Lorna told me a few things during her stay here.”
Gillean’s expression remained composed.Logan searched for some sign of nervousness, but hell, he knew better than most how cold the laird was.
“Aye, well, she always was a teller of fine tales.I never trusted her when my brother married her and I wouldnae trust her now.A little she devil, that lass.”He pushed a missive aside.He huffed and scowled at him.“Logan, did ye need something?”
“Aye, the truth.”
“The truth?”
The arrogance in the laird’s expression was the undoing of him.Those arched brows, thin smile and straight shoulders tore through his composure, and he rounded the desk to grasp Gillean by the neck of his shirt.Gillean struggled against his grip and tried to tear his hand away but while he might have been in shape for an old man, he was no match for Logan’s strength.
“I heard ye,” Logan spat as he pressed the laird back.The chair toppled to one side and Gillean thrashed against his hold.
Pressed against the tapestry lining the wall, Gillean’s face began to match the deep red of the fabric.Logan loosened his grip marginally.
“What did ye do to me?Why do I have no memory?”he demanded.“I was yer enemy, was I not?”
