Page 36 of Wicked Kilted Highlander

"Just dinnae make a habit out of lying, sister," Gil warned, offering her a small, reassuring smile. "Now, let's figure out our next move."

As they spoke in hushed tones, the weight of their predicament settled heavily upon Lara's shoulders. Lara's gaze darted between her brothers and Darragh, her heart pounding in her chest. She tried to take a step back, wanting nothing more than to escape the tension that gripped the air like a vice. But as she moved, Gil reached out and placed a hand on her shoulder, stopping her retreat.

"Stay, Lara," he urged, his voice low and steady. "We need tae talk about this."

"I dinnae want tae be a burden," Lara whispered, her eyes downcast.

"Ye're nae a burden, lass," Quinn said gruffly, surprising her with his uncharacteristic gentleness. "But ye need tae understand what we're risking here."

"I ken," she conceded, her voice barely audible. "And I’m sorry fer lying tae Faither, but I couldnae let Darragh die, not after all he has done fer me."

"I believe ye, Lara," Gil said quietly, his eyes meeting hers with sincerity. "And I think there's more tae this story than we ken."

"Yer trust in me means everything," Lara replied, gratitude warming her cheeks. "But how dae we buy time without causing more trouble?"

"Let us handle that," Quinn interjected, his tone firm. "We'll make sure yer lie serves its purpose, keeping Darragh alive while we work tae prove his innocence."

"Thank ye, both o' ye," Lara breathed, relief washing over her like waves upon the shore.

"Just promise us," Gil implored, holding her gaze, "that ye'll nae lie tae us again. We need each other's trust tae survive this storm."

"I promise," Lara vowed, the weight of her words pressing down upon her soul.

"Good," Quinn said, nodding once before turning his attention to Darragh. "And ye, MacDonald—ye’d best prove yerself worthy of Lara's trust. We'll nae hesitate tae turn on ye if ye betray our sister's faith in ye."

"I have nae desire tae dae so," Darragh rasped, his black eyes glinting with determination. "I'll nae let any of ye down, especially Lara."

Quinn's narrowed gaze kept flickering between Darragh and Lara, a hint of suspicion lingering beneath his gruff exterior. Lara knew she would need to speak with him later—to discuss her reasons for believing in Darragh's innocence and convince him that she hadn't been swayed purely by emotion.

"Listen," Lara interrupted their whispered conversation, deciding it was time to address another pressing concern. "Elsie cannae ken that me marriage and child are a lie. She disnae need tae be involved."

Gil nodded in agreement, his brow furrowing thoughtfully. "Aye, we dinnae want Elsie dragged intae this mess," he murmured, glancing at Quinn for confirmation.

"Fine," Quinn muttered, his focus still locked on Darragh. "We'll keep it from her." His tone held a note of finality, but Lara could tell he wasn't entirely convinced by her insistence on Darragh's innocence.

"Thank ye," Lara said softly, her heart heavy with the burden of her lie.

"Just remember," Quinn warned, his voice low and menacing, "if Darragh betrays our trust, nae only will he die, but ye'll be held accountable as well."

"I understand," Lara whispered, her eyes meeting Darragh's in a silent plea for reassurance. He offered her a small nod.

"And ye, Darragh," Gil added, his tone firm but laced with empathy, "we're risking our family's safety on yer word. Dinnae prove us wrong."

"I'll nae let any of ye down," Darragh vowed, his voice steady and resolute. Despite his battered and weary appearance, there was a strength within him that shone.

The damp stone walls of the dungeon seemed to close in around Lara as she watched her brothers retreat into the shadows. Quinn's lips twisted into a small smile before he disappeared, leaving her alone with Darragh in the dimly lit cell.

"Och, dinnae worry, Lara, yer brothers’ll make sure everything is all right and yer sister stays out of this mess. That is who Elsie is, right?"

"“Aye, and I love her dearly. I dinnae want her to have to worry about all this mess." Lara clenched her fists, anger and fear warring within her chest. Quinn's dismissive attitude grated on her nerves. Her thoughts raced like a wild horse, her heart pounding in time with its hooves.

A gust of cold air swept through the chamber as Gil closed the heavy iron door behind him, leaving Lara and Darragh in a cocoon of darkness. With only the flickering torchlight casting eerie shadows on the floor, the silence between them grew heavy and oppressive.

"Ye truly believe yer lie will save me, dae ye?" Darragh finally asked, a hint of incredulity in his voice. He chuckled, shaking his head. "Just yesterday, ye didnae even ken what it meant tae be aroused by a man. Now ye claim tae be with child?"

His laughter echoed off the walls, and Lara's cheeks burned with embarrassment and frustration, her blue eyes flashing with defiance. She knew her plan was foolhardy, but it had been the best she could come up with under the circumstances.

"I may be inexperienced, but I’m nae stupid," she retorted. "I ken my lie cannae last forever, but it might buy us enough time tae prove yer innocence."

"And what if we cannae prove it?" Darragh countered, his laughter dying away as he fixed her with a solemn gaze. "What then?"

Lara hesitated, the weight of his words settling upon her like a shroud. She had no answer for him.

"Then at least I’ll have done my best tae save ye," she said quietly.

"Ye're a brave lass, Lara MacLean," Darragh whispered, his black eyes shining with admiration in the flickering torchlight. "But let's pray yer plan works. For both our sakes."