Page 71 of The Highlander’s Kilted Affair

“Ye’re nae leaving this house with Evelyn, Alisdair,” Audor growled. “Look at the situation. Ye’re outnumbered three tae one.”

“And ye think I’m going tae just release her and let ye kill me,” the laird barked. “Dae ye think I’m stupid?”

“Listen,” Audor said, nodding to the window. “Yer men are being slaughtered. Me army is with me, and they are fierce and many. There’s nay escape.”

“Just let her go,” Donald bellowed.

“Ye only have yersel’ tae blame fer this, Donald,” Alisdair spat back. “This is all yer own doing.”

Benedict watched Alisdair jerking about as he spoke, and then he noticed a small trickle of blood running down Evelyn’s neck. He was pressing the dirk against her so forcefully, he had already cut her.

The situation was a stalemate. They couldn’t approach for fear he would kill her, and he, not being a fool, would not let his hostage go, for he knew what would happen to him if he did.

Benedict caught Evelyn’s eyes as she gazed at him with a terrified expression. He wanted to tell her it would be all right, but instead, an idea came to him.

Looking at her intently, he moved his eyes swiftly down to the ground several times. At first, she seemed confused, but then, he saw the realization on her face. Imperceptibly, she nodded. And then, a second later, she twisted her neck, and letting her knees fold beneath her, she collapsed onto the floor.

Alisdair suddenly looked confused, but Donald wasted no time. Seeing his opportunity, he launched forward. Alisdair did not have time to unsheathe his sword, and yet, that didn’t stop him from battling back.

At that moment, Killian burst through the door, but Audor held him back. They were giving Donald what he wanted, but Benedict still remained ready to strike if the opportunity arose. Evelyn remained on the floor, trapped behind Alisdair and her father battling in such a small space. He wanted so badly to get to her, but he would just have to bide his time.

Twisting around the room, Alisdair thrust his dagger, and caught Donald in his side, the dirk plunging into the flesh.

“Argh,” Donald cried out, but recovering, he punched Alisdair hard, knocking him off his feet. The man stumbled and tumbled to the floor. A second later, Donald towered above him. Raising his sword, he screamed, “This is for Mary.”

And then he plunged the sword down into Alisdair’s heart, killing the man instantly.

Staggering towards Evelyn, Donald grabbed his daughter and hugged her tightly. “I’m so sorry, me dear. I’m so sorry I didnae protect ye.”

Donald then stumbled back against the wall, and sliding down it, collapsed as blood gushed from his side.

“Faither!” Evelyn screamed.

Immediately, Killian and Audor were at Donald’s side, while Benedict ran to Evelyn, grabbing her and holding her close to him, even as she continued to wail.

“It’ll be all right, Evelyn. It’ll be all right.”

In truth, and by the amount of blood he saw trickling from Donald’s wound, he had no idea if it would be all right. And yet, he had no other words. Wrapping her in his arms and feeling her safely in his embrace, relief flooded through his body.

She was alive.

She was safe.

She would never be taken from him again.

He would never allow it.