Page 4 of The Ruthless Highlander's Hellion
“Yet, it’s standard terms to pay half upfront,” Patch said.
Nicholas looked to Marcus, who made a subtlenonod. He turned back to Patch.
“Ye think me daft, Patch? That is nae the standard. Ye are tryin’ to get coin out of me, rob me. Ye think I daenae ken how men for hire work?” Nicholas growled.
“Nay I daenae think ye do. Who are ye? Ye daenae seem like a mercenary to me or a raider. Nay ye seem like someone who is well fed and high up,” Patch said.
Nicholas grew angry. He could not blow his cover, and this particular observant mercenary was making his blood boil.
“Aye, well fed cause I’m good at me job and that should have ye shakin’ in yer boots,” he said.
“Nay, that’s nae it. I think ye be the…”
Whack. Before Patch could finish, Nicholas punched him right in the nose. The man fell backward onto the ground and passed out cold.
“Anyone else want to question me word, or the job at hand?” Nicholas shouted.
The mercenaries were quiet. Not one locked eyes with him but looked straight ahead.
“Good. The terms stay as is. Ye will be paid after the job is done. Ye will keep yer silence. Ye have me word that if ye follow those terms ye will nae regret this job. Is that understand?”
“Aye!” the men shouted in unison.
“Now ye will each give yer word. Ye see there may nae be honor among thieves but there is loyalty to a job, and I expect nothin’ else,” Nicholas said.
One by one, they stepped forward, raising their right hands in solemn oath. "Aye, I give me word," they replied, their voices unified in agreement.
Nicholas gave a sharp nod, a smirk playing at the corner of his lips.
The mercenaries had given their word. They would carry out the raid without hesitation, and in return, they would be paid for their silence and loyalty. Nicholas could already hear the clash of swords in his mind, the screams of those who would be caught in the web he was weaving. But it didn’t matter.
Me son will be returned to me, and nothin’ can stand in me way.
Nicholas gave the order with a sharp command. "Move out," he said, his voice carrying over the quiet murmur of the mercenaries as they gathered their reins.
The group moved their horses, the thundering of hooves filling the air as they began to ride through the forest along the long road.
Marcus, riding beside him, broke the silence with a word of caution. "Nicholas, I've ken ye since we were wee bairns. Ye are me master, but I say this as a friend, nae yer man-at-arms. Ye can still turn back. It's nae too late," he said, his voice carrying a note of concern. "This path ye’re on, it’ll nae bring yer boy back. It’ll only make more enemies, perhaps spark a war."
Nicholas didn’t look at him, his jaw set in stone. "I’ll nae be talked out of this, Marcus," he muttered, his voice low and dangerous. "I’m yer Laird, and ye’ll obey me, or ye can leave this moment." He pulled his horse forward with a sharp jerk of the reins, his eyes narrowing in steely resolve.
Marcus’ lips pressed into a thin line. "Aye, ye’re the Laird, and I’ll follow ye," he said at last, his voice filled with reluctant acceptance. "But ye’ll regret this. I can feel it in me bones."
Nicholas said nothing more, the weight of his decision pressing down on him like the heavy skies above.
CHAPTER THREE
Alexandra sat stiffly, her hands clasped tightly in her lap, her thoughts swirling like the gray clouds above them.
Am I makin’ a mistake? Or simply doing me duty?
The carriage rocked gently as it rolled over the uneven path, the sound of wheels creaking and the horses’ hooves thudding softly on the dirt road.
She glanced at Erica, who sat across from her, her face pale as the pale light of dawn filtered through the small window. "Erica, ye look a bit ill," Alexandra said softly, concern creeping into her voice. "Are ye well?"
Erica blinked and offered a faint smile, though it didn't reach her eyes. "I’m fine, Miss. Just a bit nervous about a new home at MacLaren castle," she replied, though her voice lacked its usual vibrancy.
Alexandra wasn’t convinced but let it slide, the weight of their journey and the unknown ahead pressing down on her heart.
