I nod, wiping my sweaty palms on my skirt.
What if my brother recognizes me? What if he tries to hurt one of them? What if he tries to get me back home?
“I hope we’re not making a fucking mistake,” Mac mutters. “Honestly, boys, if the fucking Aitkens are around…”
“Her brother is not one of their friends or associates. Promise. I’ve checked thoroughly into everything.”
I look quickly at Leith. He’s checked… into everything?
Including me?
What did he find?
I send him a text, but he doesn’t get it at first, because he’s driving. He parks, and lifts his mobile. He registers no surprise when he reads what I’ve sent him.
Reaching over, he squeezes my knee. “Aye, lass. We can discuss that later when I get you home.”
There it is again, that hint at protection and belonging that makes my heart melt into a puddle.When I get you home.
“There you are!” My brother’s loud, booming voice sounds so close, I open my mouth in a silent scream, then immediately freeze. My head feels fuzzy and I’m way too hot, like I’m going to faint.
How has he found me? How has he recognized me? Will he drag me out of here? Will they leave me to him?
“Easy, lass,” Leith says, reaching for my knee and giving it a little squeeze. “My God, you’re shaking. I take it that’s him, then,” he says grimly, pointing a finger out the car window to my brother,standing half a yard away from us with his back to our car. Another man comes up to him and claps him on the shoulder in greeting. I close my eyes, both relieved and mortified that I reacted the way I did.
Leith’s eyes narrow. “Fucking look at her,” he says to Mac and Tate. “She’s shaking and terrified.” His voice drops. “I’ll fucking kill him.”
Tears prick my eyes from the intensity of my feelings, the fear from seeing my brother and the hope that I won’t ever have to go back.
“This is the plan,” Leith says, still looking out the window with so much hatred in his eyes, I actually find it a bit encouraging. He won’t let my brother hurt me. I know he won’t.
Will he?
“Got the plan down solid, Cap’n,” Mac says, saluting Leith. “I’ll go in and ask questions, see if he gives anything up.”
The snow’s nearly completely let up, and Leith drives carefully, but a few turns have him slowing down quite a bit.
Will people recognize them? I don’t ask questions, though. Do the people of Inverness know who they are? I’d never heard of them myself.
“You let me worry about the road,” Leith says. “You worry about the plan. After we ask Dougal some questions, you’ll nick his keys,” Leith says, drawing on a pair of gloves. “And you leave him to me.”
I’ve spent enough time with Father MacGowen to know that his plan is wrong. It isn’t right to want retribution and vengeance. Itisn’t right to want to rough someone up or hurt them. But God, if a part of me doesn’t want him to do that.
Sometimes, we don’t do what’s right. And maybe sometimes, certain principles outweigh others.
What would happen if Leith were to go in there and demand payment for me, like they did in the times of old? If he told my brother I was a long-lost princess, and he’s come to give me my inheritance, leaving my brother and mother penniless and destitute, if only they apologize for the wrong they did and give allegiance to the king?
I imagine for a moment I’m Ariel, mute princess from the ocean’s depths, escaping King Titan to wed my handsome prince. I’ve traded my voice for my freedom.
The car door slams with a bang, tearing me out of my reverie. My God, I have to stop that.
Do I escape to my mind when I’m afraid, then? I haven’t done it since I’ve been with Leith. Not until now.
“Come, lass.” He stands on the other side of my door, reaching for my hand.
I smile to myself.
Yes, Prince Eric.
