by Kresley Cole
She crossed her arms and leaned back in her chair. "You need me. This MacCarrick is a villain. I am a villain. I know how he'll think."
He had to hear this. "Please, share your wisdom."
"Our leads indicate he's alone with Annalía. Highlanders are clannish people. He'll be quick to meet up with his men."
"Very good. Any notion of where that will be?"
"They'll have a predetermined meeting place. Somewhere rural where a group like them won't attract so much attention, but close to a large city where they can find ammunition."
His eyes narrowed. "Toulouse?"
"Is the first possibility."
Aleix had suspected she had more information about the Highlanders than she was presenting, and now his suspicion grew. She was cunning, and knowing her, she would deal it out piecemeal, using it as leverage.
Damn it, he'd have to keep her with him. But only until she no longer proved useful. "We've got to ride faster."
She stood and gave him a bored look. "I'm waiting on you."
The assassin dragged Annalía down with little effort. Court spurred his mount—she wasn't fighting. Why the hell—
His horse's head was wrenched to the side. Court took his eyes from Annalía to find another Rechazado had snatched the harness and trained a pistol on him. Court stared down at the hollow black barrel, a chilling sight he'd hoped never to see this close again. If it hadn't been a foot away, he would've chanced it—the other was pulling Annalía into the bushes.
He'd never forget what happened next. She screamed. She screamed, and he didn't care if he got shot. To hell with it. Court kicked out, catching the Rechazado's arm just as the sound distracted him. Luck was with him, and the gun flew to the side. Court dove from the saddle at him.
As they wrestled, the man drew a smaller pistol. They grappled for control.
Before his injuries, Court would've been stronger, but now…now the man could win. And if he did…Court yelled with rage—suddenly felt as strong as he'd been before. A shot rang out.
The man stared up, eyes growing blank, blood steeping his shirt in an even circle from his heart.
Court snagged the other pistol, sprinted for Annalía, then forced himself to slow, to surprise the one who had her. He looked past the bushes and found a scene he'd never expected—Annalía standing with the Rechazado unconscious at her feet and a bloody rock by his head.
Most likely one she'd been saving for Court. That's why she hadn't fought. She hadn't wanted to drop it.
Stunned, he watched her kick the man in the gut, then scan the woods, no doubt deciding where to run from Court.
"Annalía, stay," he ordered, though he was scarcely able to keep the disbelief out of his voice. She turned to him and rolled her eyes, but she didn't run.
When he reached her, he clasped her good arm, "Are you unhurt? Is your arm all right?"
She shrugged.
"Did the shot frighten you?"
"No. I saw him tussling with you over the pistol."
He dropped her arm abruptly. "I'm glad you dinna wait around to see if I would live." In truth, he was glad she'd planned to get away, no matter how riled he sounded.
She squinted at him as if she didn't recognize him. "Tell me again why I should care about that outcome?"
He scowled until she asked, "Is he one of Pascal's men?"
"Aye."
"Did I kill him?"
Court saw his chest rise and shook his head. When she bent to pick up her rock again, he strode over and took it from her hands. "You doona want to kill him." Court would do that. Retribution for touching her.
"I really do."
"No, Anna." When she continued reaching for it, he added, "It'll do things to you. No' worth it."
She informed him crisply, "I—need—that—anyway."
He held it high from her. "For me?"
She nodded without shame.
Clever, brave woman. His brows drew together as he remembered the way he'd reacted to the thought of her being hurt. The way he'd decided a bullet between his eyes was incidental to the need to save her.
He swore under his breath.
"What was that?"
"Nothing. Why don't we wake up this son of a bitch and find out how many more are coming?" Her eyes widened, and he could tell she hadn't thought about that prospect. She looked alive for the first time in days. He heaved the rock away, then bent down to slap the man, but whipped his head back around. "Annalía, doona think of hitting me again."
"Two with one stone," she said waspishly.
"Be smart. They'll keep coming. You must prefer me over them?"
"I prefer none of you."
"They will no' kill you at first."
Her face paled, and she finally said, "Very well."
He recognized the man before him. He was called Ruiz the Scarred. Court only remembered him because the moniker fit so well. When the assassin roused, he spit blood.
Court had always been heartless in battle, emotionless with the enemy. Now he felt rage building once more, making him hide his clenched fists from Annalía. This was a man who wanted to murder a defenseless woman. Once he let go of that fury, she'd never look at him the same. "Anna, go see if you can find the horses."
"No, I want to stay. I must ask him about Aleix."
"I promise you this is no' anything you want to see." She hesitated. "Go now." His tone was lethal. "And if you try to leave, I swear to God you will regret it."
She regarded him with a marked fear that he hated seeing, then hurried away. He faced Ruiz. "How many more?"
"Infinite numbers until you are both dead. The way of the Rechazados."
"Did you come from the group at the border?"
He said nothing, so Court raised the pistol and hammered the handle down on the man's skull. He choked back a sound of pain. "W-We came through the main pass to France. We know nothing of the others."
"Why her? She's only tried to return to him."
"A moment of anger. He's since tried to turn us from her…."
"But your order never has." Court had heard that one had better think through an assassination command with them because once set on a path, no force could move them from it.
"Never." He sneered. "I wonder if she knows you're the reason Pascal had her brother?"
Court put all his weight into it when he punched the side of his head.
He needed to focus. When a Rechazado got talkative, he doubtless was stalling until he could find a way to kill you. His giving you information meant nothing if he made sure you'd never live to use it.
But Annalía had to suspect him of it—if the fool hadn't attacked…"Wait, you said 'had her brother.'"
"He escaped." Ruiz smiled and flashed bloody teeth. "He knows you have his sister. He's coming to kill you if we don't get you first. Mark your days."
Court was almost so wrapped up in what he'd learned that he forgot that the more talking this one did, the closer he was to dying. Almost.
When Ruiz's fingers eased down his leg to the knife strapped to his calf, and he drew, Court shot him.
The report brought Annalía running. She glanced from the body to him, her face drawn.
What he wouldn't have given to know her thoughts just then. "Did the horses bolt?"
"Yes, but I've coaxed mine back and tethered her," she answered absently. "Yours is down the hill by the stream."
He nodded. "We need to get these two farther off the road."
Strangely calm considering the circumstances, she stood watch until he'd dragged the two deeper into the woods. Afterward, he collected her horse, then started toward the stream for his. She followed him, and even sank down on her calves just beside him while he took advantage of the cool water to wash off.
"Would you believe me if I told you news of your brother?" He stood and and helped her up. "Would you trust what I said?"
"Y-You said not to trust you." A tear slid down her cheek. Damn it, why did his chest hurt all the time?
She took a wavering breath, then finally said, "MacCarrick, does he still have my brother?"
Of its own accord his hand went to her cheek and brushed the tear there. "No, no' anymore."
Chapter Sixteen
"Why…how…explain!" she cried.
With an impatient look, he dropped his hands to his sides.
She knew he resented her ordering him about, but she couldn't help it. She had to know. "K-Killed?"
"No, no. Your brother escaped."
She grabbed his shirt with both hands. "You tell the truth?"
"Aye."
She shook his collar until he raised his eyebrows. "That monster doesn't have him anymore?"
"No, Aleixandre Llorente escaped Pascal. In fact, you're in much more danger than he is."
She released him. "I must find him! Let him know I'm unhurt."
"How do you plan to do that? We just confirmed that you're a Rechazado target. That's what they're notorious for—never missing a target. They'll trail you for as long as it takes."
She held her forehead between her thumb and forefinger. "I don't know! I can't think." She began pacing.
"The posting house is up the road no' more than a few miles. You can eat, rest, and digest what's happened. And then you can plan."
He was right. They'd just been dragging bodies off the side of the road—a cup of tea wasn't an unreasonable thing to desire! She could feel herself shivering, could feel her bandage beginning to dampen.
When she nodded, he helped her onto her horse, then mounted his own.
Aleix is alive! her mind repeated like a mantra. And free! She felt lighter, she felt…hopeful. She would find her brother, and then they'd figure out a way to defeat Pascal.
For three days, she'd feared he'd been killed, but every second that had passed, she'd plotted to get away from MacCarrick in case he hadn't been. Now to learn her brother was alive and free…
But what if MacCarrick was the one who'd fought him? Biting her lip, she watched the Highlander ahead of her as he looked to the sky, no doubt determining from the thunderheads that they were about to get drenched.
If MacCarrick and Aleix had been enemies, who knew what this man's agenda was? For all she knew, he might be planning to recoup his money by ransoming her to her rich brother. Clucking her horse on, she trotted up beside him. "I have a question for you."
He swept a glance at her, but said nothing.
"I want to know if you attacked my brother and his men."
He didn't hesitate. "I never attacked your brother."
"You swear it?" she asked, looking up at him.
He met her gaze directly. "Aye."
"Why are you helping me now? Why not just ride on and leave me behind?"
"I plan to do that just as soon as I get you to this inn."
At least he was honest about that. If someone like him had gone on about duty or helping her from a sense of gratitude, she would've ridden away from him as fast as she could.
At his reply, she smiled up at him, and his brows drew together. "Still canna wait to get rid of me?"
Well, that depends on how you answer my questions… "MacCarrick, how did you come to contract with Pascal?" She knew why Pascal had hired his men—she'd learned much at the smuggler's lodge. The band had been together and successful for nearly a decade, their reputation notorious. They were to train the deserters and fight against Spain. She could clearly see their appeal, but why would MacCarrick sign on with a despot?
"He was hiring. We were between jobs."
"Would you have continued with Pascal if he'd paid you?"
"I canna say."
"The men told me that I had it backwards. That you quit first and then Pascal refused to pay you for the work you'd done—not the other way around."
"Did they now?" he asked without interest. But he didn't deny it.
They had, though she'd never quite believed them until now. "So why Pascal?" she asked. "Many thought his ideals were sound at first. Did you as well?"
He ignored her.
She wouldn't be dissuaded. She was about to make a decision and she needed facts. "Pascal had you beaten because you defied him. Because you thought what he was doing was wrong. Isn't that what happened?"
He shrugged. Again no denial.
Mare de Déu, everything she'd heard from his men had been true. "Why won't you admit that to me? Why did you let me believe that you and your men were out stealing and killing?" She put her chin up. "You know what I suspect? That you're not nearly as brutal as people think."
He reined his horse in, cutting hers off, and stared her down, looking very brutal indeed. She swallowed and caught herself leaning back in the saddle away from him.
"You've been clever in our dealings, I'll give you that, but your first major mistake would be attributin' traits to me that are no' there. I am that brutal. I'm just selective in who enjoys it."
With that, he rode ahead, but not far away. He'd given her another warning, but this time she took his words the opposite of how he intended them. Perhaps she should stop attributing malice and studied murder to him, and see that he wasn't a fiend like Pascal.
She hadn't been completely mistaken about MacCarrick. He had killed easily and could be terrifying. The look on his face when he'd been about to question that one today…She shivered. She'd never seen anything so frightening—it was as though borrowed from a nightmare. No, she would never underestimate the seething power she'd sensed in him, a power that he'd proved he could unleash in the beat of a heart. But it was what was in addition to these traits that puzzled her.
Every one of the preceding nights, he'd seen to her wound, forcing her to remove her blouse, to undress in front of him. During these times, she'd been so full of hatred and grief that she'd thought his actions were just another indignity, a chance to see her in only her chemise. Now, thinking back, she saw other things. She recalled how he'd gone to one knee in front of her and how if she winced or hissed in pain, he grated, "Doona want to hurt you."
The night she'd been shot, she dimly remembered that he had talked to her on the jostling ride to France, sometimes in rough Gaelic, most times making no sense even in English, but it was as if he'd known she hadn't wanted to hear silence. She remembered that afterward someone had stroked her hair—someone with very callused hands….
She sighed, realizing that she was both free of any real grounds to hate him—and in need of his help in this perilous time. Lost in thought, her mind a whir of ideas, she scarcely noticed the first drop of rain. Or another splatting directly afterward.
When a full torrent swept down and she lagged behind, he rode back for her. "We need to stop under the next bridge."
"MacCarrick!" She blinked against the rain. She was freezing in her light jacket and only one thought was getting her through this ride. "I want a hot bath and I want to drink tea when I'm in it!"
He raised his eyebrows at her tone, then seemed to study her and the situation as if he didn't quite know what his next step should be. She could swear he was struggling to make a decision. The second she thought he might have, he plucked her from her saddle.
"What are you doing?"
He placed her sideways on his lap with her back against his arm, pulling her close so he could wrap the edges of his jacket around her. After he grabbed her horse's reins, he gently used his whole hand to turn her face into his chest.
"Hold on tae me," he murmured, "and mind your arm."
She was still protesting when he spurred the horse and they flew down the road, until she was forced to put her arms around him. His body was so incredibly warm in his jacket that soon she was, too. The rain no longer stung her face.
Out of the blue, she remembered one of her nanny's sayings. A bear is only a bear till you rub his belly. A wolf will eat from your hand if the treat is sweet enough….
Chapter Seventeen
After four miles riding through blindingly dense rain, the
y reached the inn, and Court dropped down with Annalía to race inside. The interior was bright and cooking smoke wafted from the kitchen. The innkeeper was up and looked harried, but still acted as though he didn't recognize Court.
"We need a room," Court said.
"Rooms," Annalía corrected, shimmying out of his arms. "We need two rooms."
The innkeeper, John Groot, peered at her hard. "Nobility," he muttered under his breath. "Don't have two. Just have the one," he informed them in an English accent. "Nice one, though, once we get it cleaned up. The rain, you see. Made sure we had a full house."
Two women, one older and the other obviously her daughter, marched out of a back kitchen. "Another couple, John!" the woman exclaimed with a thick French accent. "Well, get the poor girl a seat by the fire and something to drink while we fix their room." She called to someone unseen to tend the horses.
Court led Annalía to a fireside bench, peeled her little wrapper from her, and pulled her down to sit beside him. He put his fingers under her chin and lifted her face to him. She was pale, her pupils dilated.
When Groot asked, "What will you have to drink?" Court answered for her, "Whisky."
She glared at him, but said to Groot, "No, thank you. I'm fine. I don't drink spirits."
The innkeeper shrugged and poured a generous draught, which Court retrieved and took to Annalía. Under his breath, he said, "You bloody well did before, now drink it or I'll pour it down your throat."
Her back went even more rigid. She gave a polite smile to Groot and took the glass between two fingers, as if it were distasteful, but she did drink.
Court returned to the innkeeper for a glass for himself. The liquid burned going down. As soon as he emptied it and put it back on the bar, Groot filled it again.
The bartop was freshly polished, and the place was cleaner and more organized than before. "New wife?" Court asked under his breath, as he motioned for another refill, then set to drinking it. He'd been here six months ago, and Groot had been alone.
"That she'd be," he answered in a proud voice. He should be proud. Groot, a gangly Englishman with ruddy skin and no visible chin, had somehow married that bonny French matron. Why did that seem encouraging to Court?