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Titus was feeling particularly emotional as he looked at them. They all meant a great deal to him even if they hadn’t saved his life and the life of Esme.

His wife.

It occurred to him that they probably didn’t know that.

“Though we spend our nights fighting for money, it never occurred tae me that I’d actually be in a fight for my life here at The Cal,” he said, looking over at a headless Conan. “Certainly not like this.”

Cam was standing next to him. “Ye’re sure ye’re well?”

“I’m well. Why do ye ask?”

“I want tae make sure ye werena insulted by this,” he said. “Titus, we all know ye are a legendary fighter, but even legendary fighters need help now and then. Ambrose was going tae go through ye tae get tae Esme. Ye know that.”

Titus nodded. “I know that,” he said. “I was prepared tae take him on alone, but even I knew the odds of me emerging from that unscathed werena good. I’m not offended by yer help, believe me. But ye should know something.”

“What?”

“I married Esme last night. ’Tis my wife ye’re speaking of now.”

The congratulations came. Titus was patted on the head, the shoulder, and someone slapped him on the rear hard enough to jolt him. He thought that might have been Aurelius, the big brute. He rubbed his arse, grinning at the men who were very happy for his good fortune. But as the congratulations went around, Titus caught sight of Hugh, standing several feet away.

His smile faded as he locked gazes with the man, realizing Hugh had just seen his friends cut down Ambrose, Conan, and several armed guards with little effort. It had been a brutal takedown, but a necessary one.

He was certain that no one understood that better than Hugh.

At least, he hoped so.

Ambrose had tortured Hugh, most of all.

“I’d like all of ye tae meet my da,” Titus said, a smile spreading across his face. “I never thought I’d have the privilege of introducing ye tae him, but this is Hugh Stewart, Duke of Kintyre and Lorne.”

Attention turned to the older man who faintly resembled Titus. It was Cam and Brody who first greeted the man, followed by the rest. It wasn’t often that a prince was in their midst, Scottish royalty, but mostly, they greeted the man warmly because he was Titus’ father. He could have been a pauper for all they cared. But he was Titus’ father and worthy of their respect, regardless of his lot in life.

Clegg greeted him as well, inviting him to Caelian Hill for food and refreshments. Ever the gracious host, Clegg insisted even when Hugh tried to beg off. Titus simply laughed, waving his father on and assuring him he would join him soon. It was the only way Hugh would go.

He didn’t want to leave his son.

But Titus wasn’t going anywhere.

Never again would they be separated. As he assured his father that he would join him soon, as Clegg dragged him away, he heard a shaken voice behind him.

“Titus?”

Esme was standing a few feet away, her eyes wide with terror at the carnage spread out. She wasn’t close enough to really see who the dead were, and Titus quickly went to her, trying to block her view. He put his arms around her, turning her back for the cottage.

“Titus, what happened?” she said, trying to look over her shoulder at the mess. “I heard voices and then I heard the fight. Are you well, querido? Were you hurt?”

“I’m not hurt,” he said. “Everything is fine now.”

Titus managed to get her back to the front door of the cottage but she wouldn’t go any further. She dug her heels in, refusing to move.

“Titus, please,” she begged softly. “Tell me what happened. Who are those men? Are they all dead?”

He cupped her face, forcing her to look at him. “Ambrose is among the dead,” he said steadily. “So is Conan. They were coming for ye, Bee. We had tae stop them.”

Esme closed her eyes as the news settled in. She’d heard the skirmish from the cottage and she’d been absolutely terrified, knowing Titus was in the middle of it. She was beyond relieved to know that he hadn’t been injured but, more than that, she realized that their troubles were over. Ambrose and Conan were dead. They’d come for her, as Titus and everyone else knew they would, and they’d been punished for it.

We had tae stop them.