Page 92 of Captured By the Cruel Highlander
It was not Theo. It was James Stewart, and Emily could not hold back her scream of pure rage.
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“Good mornin’, Emily.”
James took one step into the room, and Emily glanced behind her for an escape. He had a sword in hand, his massive shoulders hunched forward as though ready to lunge at her.
Emily stood still, making no sound. She knew he had the upper hand, and if he chose to kill her, she was defenseless. But she also knew he didn’t like to lose. Seeing her fear would be a triumph, and she refused to play his game.
“James,” she said softly. “Have ye misplaced yerself? This isnae yer castle.”
James smirked. “Nae yet.”
Behind her, thundering footsteps suddenly approached, and Emily turned around as Adam skidded up to the doorway. His sword raised, he burst into the room.
He flew across the floor at lightning speed, his sword pointed at James, steady and sure as he sized him up.
His blue eyes were locked on James as he came to stand in front of her, one arm stretched out, no doubt trying to protect her. Emily felt her anger spike again. She didn’t want his protection—she wanted to kill James for what he had done to her father.
“Before ye try anythin’, MacNiall, me soldiers are right outside this castle. I told them their Lady will be very upset if anythin’ happens to me.” James said threateningly. His hazel eyes flicked to Emily, and the smirk never left his face. “I wanted to ensure that ye received me gift.”
Adam stiffened, unconsciously leaning back toward Emily as she sucked in a sharp breath and prepared to gouge out the man’s eyes.
Adam considered his options.
He had a dirk at his belt. One well-placed throw and Stewart would have a dagger in his throat. Laura’s letter felt like a beacon of light in his pocket—he knew his sister was safe, and that meant he could kill James without consequence.
Emily would be safe from him forever.
He shifted his weight, moving further in front of her, but Emily had other plans. His heart leaped to his throat as she pushed past him without a trace of fear, walking closer to James and pointing an accusatory finger at him, only a few feet separating them.
“I am nae afraid of ye. Ye live yer life to make people afraid, and I will never fear ye again. I am happy ye came because now I can watch me husband kill ye.”
“But if ye kill me, how will ye find yer braither?” James asked, a scowl on his face.
Emily’s whole body went rigid, and Adam felt a surge of satisfaction that he was able to protect and reassure her all at once.
“He’s lyin’,” he said.
Emily turned to him, her face pale.
“I have men watchin’ yer faither and braither,” he continued. “I ken they’re safe, I made sure of it.”
For the briefest of moments, their eyes met. The gratitude in Emily’s eyes took Adam’s breath away, and he felt such a surge of happiness to be able to finally help her that it overwhelmed everything else.
“Such a thoughtful husband,” James said as he moved closer to them. “If he really was one.”
Adam’s stomach twisted at the glint in the man’s eyes.
“But from what I hear, ye are sleepin’ in separate bedrooms, and ye have barely spoken to one another since yer weddin’.” James cast a pitying glance at Adam. “Which means that this marriage isnae bindin’ and nae legal. So here’s what we are goin’ to do.”
He took another step forward. Adam held his ground. A few feet still separated them, but Emily’s position put her out of his reach. A cold drop of sweat ran down his spine.
“Ye’re goin’ to come with me,” James said conversationally, looking down at Emily as though she were his property. “Ye’ll marry me, and then all of yer families will survive like nothin’ happened.” His fingers gripped his sword more tightly as he looked at her, and Adam could see her shoulders shake. “But if ye dinnae, then yer faither and braither will die.”
James looked up at him, and the mask finally fell away completely. Adam had met him a few times in his life, and James had been polite and courteous, but now the real man was revealed. He was calculating, cold, and cruel.
“If she doesnae marry me, ye will never see yer sister again.”
