Page 75 of Scandalous Scot
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“Go,”Màiri said, running to the side of the bed, grabbing his shirt and handing it to him.
“I’ll wait for you,” he said in a fog.
But Màiri pushed him away. “Go. I will be along.”
So he did, running after his brother. They’d probably break their necks in these corridors, darkness having fallen hours before, but he couldn’t bring himself to care.
“I haven’t been down there yet,” Grey said in front of him. “A servant came to our chamber and I ran straight here.”
Ian couldn’t get down to the hall fast enough. They navigated the narrow staircase, descending the tower like they were eight-year-olds at the Mardi Gras parade, scrambling for doubloons tossed from the floats.
“It’s so late,” he muttered. Of all the nonsensical things, he found himself worrying about his brothers riding through the dark. But of course it didn’t matter—they were here. “What did he say?”
They raced through the mostly sleeping castle.
“Just to come quick. Your brothers have arrived.”
Your brothers. Only their grandfather, their uncles, and a few others knew their true identities. Everyone else believed the stories that he and Grey were the sons of Laird MacKinnish’s sister-in-law. Those who’d known Shona well enough to recognize her, despite her age, had been told the truth when she was last at Hightower. But she’d kept a low profile, not eating most of her meals in the hall, keeping to herself. To be cautious.
“Brothers,” he repeated, his heart racing as they turned the final corner. “Plural.”
Rhys and Reik. They were both here.
Then they turned a corner into the hall, and there they were. Standing in the hall like two Clan MacKinnish warriors, looking both different and the same.
Ian froze, not believing his eyes.
Rhys was the one who moved first. He ran to the two of them, somehow managing to pull them both into a hug at the same time.
They had an audience, all of the servants who slept in the hall plus their grandfather. Ian didn’t see his uncles yet. Other men, both hooded, also accompanied them.
“God, it’s good to see you two.”
Rhys pulled away, but he held each one of them by the necks. “Mom’s fine. I’ll explain what happened when we’re alone,” he whispered.
Another arm grasped him from behind. He knew it well, had been headlocked by Reik more times than he could count.
He still couldn’t believe it. They were really here. Safe. Alive.He would have been shaking if not for the three hulking figures around him, steadying him. As always.
Ian might have spent his life hating his role as the family baby, but right now he loved it. Wanted to be held like a two-year old. Wanted his brothers to be stronger than him. Because he was seriously close to losing it.
Get a grip, Ian. These people are going to think you’re all crazy.
“We’ll tell them we haven’t seen each other in a year.” That comment was from Reikart.
Pulling away, the four of them looked at one another, Rhys bursting into laughter. “Look at us.”
Ian did, shaking his head in wonder. They were really here, together. Finally. All in one place.
“It’s a good look. Especially on you,” he said to Rhys. His older brother had always had the bearing of a leader, a warrior, likely the product of being the firstborn. But now, if possible, he had a new confidence that Ian hadn’t seen in him before.
“Are you smiling?” Grey asked Reik.
Ian shifted his attention to Reikart, and sure enough, his brother was doing just that. Sometimes, over the last few years, he’d wondered if Reik even knew how to smile anymore. But apparently a family reunion did wonders for a person.
Or was it something more?
