Page 20 of Intrigued By A Highlander

Dru was never so relieved to hear Knox’s voice, though she had yet to spot him, and she was more surprised that he knew the man. Which meant Rankin was a mercenary.

Rankin’s head snapped up scanning the darkness. “You know the rule, Knox—first to find, first to keep.”

Knox emerged from the dark woods, the firelight catching the sharp lines of his face. His expression was unreadable, but there was a deadly calm about him.

“Aye,” Knox agreed. “So, why lie to me?”

He strode toward Dru, stopping beside her, his eyes never leaving Rankin.

Rankin hesitated, his confidence slipping. “I’m not lying?”

Knox arched a brow. “Then you’ve gone blind or deaf since I last saw you?” He flicked Dru a quick look—a silent command. Stay put.

She had no issue with that. Knox could handle this.

“What are you saying?” Rankin asked warily.

“Don’t tell me you didn’t see my horse. Or hear her,” Knox accused.

Rankin’s gaze darted around, searching.

“For a mercenary, you’re an idiot,” Dru said unable to hold her tongue after Rankin failed to spot the mare.

Rankin’s mouth curled into a snarl, but before he could retort, Knox cut in.

“You forget one of Phelan’s many rules,” Knox said. “Never let your manhood dictate your brain.”

Rankin mumbled beneath his breath.

“How do you know the woman’s been asking about Autumn and why does it matter to you?” Knox demanded.

“Freedom,” Rankin said. “I want to be free from Phelan. Not all of us could walk away from him like you did, fighting with whatever mercenary group you choose. Finding this Autumn woman might give me that chance.”

Knox shook his head. “You’re lying again, Rankin. Lie again and I’ll gut you.”

Rankin sneered. “You can try.”

Knox didn’t flinch. His voice remained deathly calm. “Do you really want to take that chance? We both know I’m more skilled than you. You don’t have a chance against me. But if you’re eager to die tonight, I’ll oblige you.”

Dru shivered at the cold certainty in his words—and from the look in Rankin’s eyes, he did too.

Knox took a step closer, his stance relaxed, but every inch of him radiated menace. “Now, I’ll have the truth, and this is the last time I’ll ask.”

Rankin swallowed hard and rushed to answer. “A bounty has been offered for Autumn?—”

Knox’s expression remained impassive. “Lord Torrance rescinded his bounty on her when he hired me, concerned that Autumn could be harmed and be of no benefit to him. Besides, everyone had already failed to find her.”

“It isn’t Lord Torrance who offers the bounty,” Rankin said.

Knox’s eyes narrowed. “Then who?”

Rankin lifted his shoulders in a shrug. “No one knows. But this bounty isn’t for her return. It’s for her death.”

CHAPTER 7

The morning air hung thick and cool, the heavy clouds overhead hinting at rain later in the day. Dru pulled her worn cloak tighter around her, her arms brushing against Knox’s where they rested around her as he guided the mare along the dirt path.

The night’s events lingered between them.

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