Page 36 of Scot of Seduction

“Ye bastard.” Bran marched toward him.

Tad could see the punch coming but he didn’t even try to defend himself. The first blow was straight across the top of his cheek. Bran was tall and strong, that punch knocking Tad for sixes, making him step back.

“Bran!” Catreena screeched.

Somewhere, out of the corner of his eye, Tad was aware that Catreena had barely finished tying her gown as she pulled on Bran’s arm, trying to stop the assault. Little good it did. Bran shrugged off her easily and came at Tad again.

“Bran –” Tad began, but the second punch came to his nose as Bran took him by the throat. There was a third punch that made Tad see stars. He was fairly certain he’d dropped to his knees in the onslaught, but he still wouldn’t fight back.

He and Bran were usually a good match in a fight, but not today. Tad knew he couldn’t raise a hand against Bran today.

He’s right, isnae he? I deserve this.

“Stop it, stop it, please,” Catreena’s voice seemed to come at Tad from a distance.

He was down on his knees now. He could feel the floor pressing through his trews as Bran suddenly released his neck. Tad blinked wildly, trying to bring some feeling back to his face. He raised a hand, his fingers trailing over the already swelling marks across the side of his face.

“Bran, look what ye have done!” There was a hiccough to Catreena’s voice, and that sound made Tad focus more than anything else.

She’s crying.

His gaze darted to her with worry.

She had thrown herself between them, her smaller frame forcing Bran’s taller backward. The tears had sprung to her eyes fast as she pushed against Bran’s arms, refusing to let him anywhere near Tad again.

Catreena.

It was all Tad could think, though he didn’t have the emotional strength in that moment to say her name. Bran would have probably punched him again.

“What dae ye think is happening here, exactly?” Catreena challenged.

There were footsteps running toward them now from the amount of screaming Catreena had done, though Tad barely took note.

“Oh, it doesnae take much leap of the imagination,” Bran snapped, his eyes like fire as he looked between the two of them. “Look at the pair of ye.”

“And it was all consensual.” Catreena snapped at her brother, releasing him and moving to stand in front of Tad.

With some difficulty, Tad made himself stand, using the table at the side of the room to take his weight.

“Catreena!” The word erupted from Bran like an explosion. “I dinnae want tae hear about that.”

As Tad stood straight, Bran’s eyes narrowed on him again.

Tad realized that although Bran was known more as the diplomat among the brothers, the politician rather than the warrior, that he was still a dangerous man to go up against in a fight. His enemies must have quaked in their boots on the battlefield.

“Ye,” Bran seethed and marched around Catreena. He reached Tad all too easily and punched him again.

“Tad!” Catreena screamed his name this time. “Why are ye nae defending yerself?”

He staggered back against the table but didn’t raise a hand against Bran. He couldn’t.

“He’s nae fighting because he’s well aware I said I’d kill him if he ever laid a hand on ye,” Bran snapped, shrugging Catreena off as she once again attempted to pull Bran back. “He broke a braitherly vow.”

“Fer Christ’s sake.” Words now tore from Tad. There was an anger in his gut, an anger he could not let go of as he stood straight. He took hold of his jaw and moved it a little, ensuring it still worked properly after Bran’s repeated blows. “How would ye have felt if this was me reaction when ye pursued me sister?”

“That was different.” Bran moved around Catreena another time. He moved to stand in front of Tad, practically nose to nose. Despite the fact Bran’s hand curled at his side, as if he was tempted to hit Tad again, he didn’t.

He kens I’m right.