Page 88 of The Laird’s Sinful Obsession

Was the terror of almost losing her.

Was the absolute certainty that he would burn the world down before he let Torquil take her.

James seemed to read all of that in his expression. "Ye're in deep, arenae ye?"

"Aye." No point denying it. "I am."

"And when Calum finds out?"

"Then I'll deal with it." Lachlann's jaw set. "But right now, keepin' Alba safe is more important than worryin' about me best friend's reaction."

James was quiet for a long moment. Then he nodded slowly. "Just... be careful, aye? I'd hate tae see the Covenant broken over this."

"So would I." The words came out rougher than Lachlann intended. "But some things are worth the risk."

James clapped him on the shoulder once, then headed for the door. He paused when he reached it, glancing into the corridor with poorly concealed amusement.

"Good mornin', Lady Alba," he said cheerfully. "Lovely day fer... standin' in corridors, is it?"

"I—that is—" Alba's flustered voice carried into the war room. "I was just passin' by."

"Course ye were." James's grin was audible. "Have a good day, me lady."

His footsteps faded down the corridor, leaving silence in their wake.

Lachlann waited, arms crossed, watching the empty doorway with barely suppressed amusement.

One heartbeat. Two.

Then Alba appeared, stepping into the war room with her chin lifted defiantly despite the flush staining her cheeks.

"Ye saw me," she said. Not a question.

"Aye." Lachlann's mouth twitched. "Just like I saw ye that day at Loch Moy when ye were sixteen and thought ye were bein' so clever, hidin' in the trees."

"I was perfectly well hidden."

"Ye were visible from the water, lass. We all saw ye."

Alba's eyes widened. "Ye… all of ye?"

"Every single one." Lachlann couldn't hold back his grin anymore. "Calum thought it was hilarious. Wanted tae call out tae ye, but David convinced him tae let ye think ye'd gotten away with it."

"I cannae believe it." Alba pressed her hands to her flaming cheeks. "Ye all kenned? This entire time?"

"Aye. And we've been enjoyin' watchin' ye try tae be subtle about yer... observations." He pushed away from the table, moving closer. "Though I have tae say, yer technique hasnae improved much over the years."

"I was nae spyin'." Alba lifted her chin higher, though the effect was somewhat ruined by how red her face had gone. "I was merely... passin' by. And happened tae notice ye were in a meetin'. And thought it might be... educational tae listen."

"Educational." Lachlann stopped in front of her, arms still crossed, looking down at her with open amusement. "That what we're callin' it now?"

"It's a perfectly reasonable explanation."

"It's a terrible lie, is what it is." He reached out, brushing imaginary dust from her shoulder just to watch her breath hitch. "But I suppose I should be flattered that ye find me military plannin' so fascinatin'."

"I find it... informative." Alba's hands twisted together in front of her. "And since the patrols are partly fer me protection, I thought I should ken what ye were daein'."

"So ye were spyin'."