“You keep misunderstanding me. I knew you were rather simple, but you are a fucking eejit,” Kyle said, his burr slipping into his voice as he mocked Dónal. “I told you, there’s no point trying to take her to the O’Malleys. Dermot’s dead. I killed him.” Kyle sounded bored by the time he finished speaking. He felt Moira’s hand holding onto his belt, and he sensed Keith step beside him.
“O’Malley isn’t the only one who wants to trade with the MacDonnells,” Dónal boasted.
“Yes, he is,” Kyle stated. “No one else is daft enough to bother with you. Hell, Aidan only uses you to store his stolen goods and to fuck your sister.”
“Sisters,” Dónal corrected. “Did she tell you that’s who took her maidenhead? Your cock must have known she was no virgin.”
Kyle chortled and shook his head. “I guarantee I know far more about Moira than you ever did. I’d wager you know very little about either of your sisters. You should ask Lizzie how many times she’s used pennyroyal to rid herself of Aidan’s or whoever’s bastards. Good Catholic that she is,” Kyle taunted.
Moira watched as Kyle’s words registered on the faces of the men standing with Dónal. Kyle saw it too and laughed uproariously. He tilted his head to speak to Moira but kept his gaze on Dónal. “How many didn’t know they were to be fathers?”
Moira gasped, unprepared for Kyle to include her in his verbal sparring with her brother. She peered at her clansmen once more and counted. “At least seven that I can see from here. Maybe more?” Moira leaned so the MacDonnells could see her shrug.
“Even if you kept my worthless sister,” Dónal said, attempting to take back control of a conversation he had never led to begin with. “There’s still the matter of my ship you burned and my crew you killed.”
Kyle straightened and pushed his shoulders back, making Moira realize just how colossal and intimidating his build was. She also realized that he had never used his full size with her, in order not to frighten her. But now she felt the anger pouring off him in threatening waves. He took a menacing step forward and leaned toward Dónal.
“Your men were useless at defending your sister, and I couldn’t give a bluidy damn about your tiny little boat. It wouldn’t have survived the storm that blew through anyway. But your men were not adequately trained even if there had been more of them. Useless,” Kyle muttered the last word.
“My sister didn’t choose wisely. She wasn’t bedding the right men to protect her.”
Moira glared at the men standing around him, none stepping forward to correct Dónal’s assumption that she initiated her escape. She waited for one, any one of them, to step forward and take responsibility, but none did.
“Or maybe your clan council despises you so much, brother,” Moira stepped forward. “That I didn’t need to bed any of them for them to help me escape.”
Kyle hissed and moved his arm in front of her. Moira wasn’t sure if he did it because he feared she’d barge past him or to shield her from her clan. But Moira was fed up of holding her tongue for the sake of keeping the peace. Dónal’s mouth dropped open as he turned back to look at the men who surrounded him. Kyle seized the break in Dónal’s concentration.
“Run, Moira,” Kyle ordered. Moira pressed a kiss to his shoulder blade and eased backwards until the pirates blocked her from sight. She lifted her skirts and sprinted down the nearest alleyway. She didn’t stop running, even though she didn’t hear anyone call out to her or anyone chasing her. She kept running in the direction of the harbor. Her hood had blown back, and she knew trying to hold it up was pointless, but she wished she could keep any passersby from seeing her face. She didn’t stop running until she reached the far end of the docks. She dove behind a stack of crates that stood beside the end of a warehouse. She would wait there and follow Kyle’s directions. But if she learned Dónal harmed Kyle but had himself survived, Moira would be the one to finish off her brother.
Thirty-Two
Kyle swept his gaze over the men who stood behind Dónal before shifting his eyes back to the chieftain. He’d hated many people over the years; some he’d done grave harm to, and some he’d wished to but hadn’t the opportunity. But the malice he felt toward Moira’s brother was unparalleled. He kept seeing flashes of Moira’s arms when he met her. She’d eventually told him the tale of how she’d grazed her chin, and she’d told him more about how Dónal regularly treated her. Kyle wasn’t sure where his restraint came from, but he wanted to torture Dónal in ways he’d only just thought of for him.
“If you survive this evening,” Kyle called out to Dónal, “It’s only because I haven’t asked your sister if she wants you dead. Though I suspect I know the answer.”
“The chit would likely pish herself before wishing ill on anyone. She hasn’t the mettle to speak up,” Dónal sneered. But his brow furrowed as the men from the Lady Charity laughed heartily. They’d seen Moira’s mettle, and they had heard how she held a knife to the magistrate and bribed him. “What?”
“My brother is right,” Keith spoke up. “You really don’t know your sister. She held the magistrate at knifepoint just this very day.”
“And she drew a blade on me this morning,” Tomas called out. Kyle tucked that piece of information away for when Moira confessed the rest of her sins.
“From the tale Dermot told before I killed him, she not only survived most of a day in a cave, she escaped him, too. Stole his horse and rode off,” Kyle added. He watched as the MacDonnells whispered amongst themselves. He observed Dónal trying to reconcile what he heard about Moira with the sister he thought he knew. Kyle saw he wasn’t convinced.
“Moira may not have argued with you or spoken against you in public, but that doesn’t mean she didn’t have her own thoughts about you,” Kyle continued. “Either you’ve forgotten the lass she was before your mother died, or you never knew. Moira has a deeper sense of duty and honor than you could hope for. She tolerated you for the sake of your clan. But she fucking loathes you.”
“It matters not,” Dónal argued. “That duty and honor demands she return with me. She owes her clan, especially since she ruined the alliance with the O’Malleys.”
“You mean the one your council doesn’t want,” Kyle smirked. “Have you asked no one how Moira got on a ship? Didn’t you wonder why your ship was missing? Someone helped her.”
“Aye. Her two lovers,” Dónal snarled. “Did she tell you about them, too?”
Kyle laughed.
“What’s so funny?” Dónal demanded.
“I’m certain Moira hadn’t been with anyone in some time,” Kyle said offhandedly. “I could tell.”
“You rutting bastard,” Dónal snarled as he lunged forward, but the surrounding men pulled him back.
“I take exception to that,” Keith cut in. “Our parents were married.”
“Son of a bitch, then,” Dónal hurled at the twins.
“That wasn’t wise,” Kyle said. “You don’t speak ill of the dead. And you don’t insult a man’s mother.” Kyle drew his sword and a dirk from his waist.
“Are you bored, brother?” Keith asked.
“Exceptionally,” Kyle answered. Together, Keith and Kyle moved forward. The men from the Lady Charity and the Lady Grace drew their weapons. The hardened criminals didn’t outnumber the MacDonnells, but they appeared far more intimidating.
“Enough,” barked one of the MacDonnells. He stepped around Dónal, casting his own loathing glare at the chieftain. “I’m called Beagan, and I arranged for Lady Moira’s escape. It was my idea that she go to Fionn O’Driscoll and from there to the Isle of Barra. I wanted her away from Dermot, and I didn’t want to ally with the O’Malleys. None of the council did. We were the ones to send Lady Moira on that ship, and we were the ones who failed to man it adequately.”
“Didn’t you think about what might happen to Moira sailing along the coast?” Kyle asked, his sword poised for battle, but some of the tension eased.
“We thought the ship was small enough it wo
uldn’t hold appeal to privateers,” Cormac said as he stepped forward. “It shouldn’t have been a long journey, and the crew was experienced.”
“But you knew you would sail through waters frequented by the very man you were attempting to avoid,” Kyle pointed out. “Why not sail straight for Barra?”
Cormac shifted uneasily. “Because it was more likely Ruairí and Rowan would have killed our men before they knew Lady Moira was aboard. We left things on a sour note after the battle on Lewis.”
“And you didn’t think the exact same thing would happen to Moira sailing on any ship that was shorthanded? Because that’s exactly what happened. I raided that ship, and your men were dead before we found Moira,” Kyle explained. “Any of you who were part of this idiotic plan deserve to die for how you endangered Moira.”
“What does it matter to you?” Dónal blurted. “You’ll find another whore when you tire of her. And that won’t be long from now. She’s a mouse. You’ve probably already rogered ten women since coming ashore.”
Kyle raised his sword and surged forward, with Keith at his side. The MacDonnells pulled Dónal into their midst and drew their weapons to shield their chieftain.
“We’ll leave. We sail for Dunluce tonight,” Beagan swore.
“Not good enough,” Kyle snapped. “He’s insulted Moira too many times. He won’t live to do it again.”
“You love her,” Cormac stated.
“I do,” Kyle answered without hesitation.
“She may loathe Dónal, but do you want to be the man who kills her own blood?” Cormac pressed.
“He may not,” Keith interrupted. “But I have no such qualms. I’ll do it for my brother and my sister-by-marriage.”
“You’re married?” Cormac asked.
“Who are you?” Kyle responded. Jutting his chin toward Beagan, “He said his name. Why haven’t you said yours? I recognize you from the last time I was at Dunluce.”
“I’m Cormac,” the man answered. “Beagan and I have served on the council since the chieftain’s father was a young man. We offer our felicitations to you and Lady Moira and wish to embark on our return to Dunluce.”
“You may go,” Kyle nodded, then pointed his sword toward Dónal. “But he stays.”
“What?” Dónal squawked.
“I wish him dead for what he’s done to Moira. She likely wishes him dead too. Your clan would be better off if he wasn’t your chieftain,” Kyle reasoned. “I shall do you a favor. Consider it my bride-price for Moira’s hand.”
Kyle watched as his suggestion tempted many of the MacDonnells. When no one responded promptly, Dónal whined and cursed, straining against the men who held him back. As a last attempt, he swore, “Aidan will avenge me.”
Kyle’s mouth dropped open, and he froze for a moment before a deep belly laugh rumbled out of his mouth. Keith followed suit, and it wasn’t long before all the pirates laughed along with Kyle. Many elbowed one another, and they bandied about less-than-savory comments about Aidan’s missing bollocks and meager endowment. Kyle watched several MacDonnells stifle their laughter, but most rolled their eyes.
“Let us leave,” Beagan tried again. “Lady Moira remains with you, and you see neither hide nor hair of us again.”
Kyle sucked his cheeks in and pursed his lips as though he considered the offer. He’d made up his mind before the negotiation started. He’d already known that he wouldn’t kill Moira’s brother without knowing her wishes. He wouldn’t be the one to kill a member of her family without her approval. He merely intended to make all of them uncomfortable.
“You owe Moira a great debt of gratitude. If ever she decides to claim it, you will make good on it. You can take your sack of shite chieftain and return to Dunluce,” Kyle granted them. “But you would do well to curb Dónal’s power. Aidan will kill all of you in your sleep and take his son, raising Sean as a pirate. He cares not for Lizzie or any of MacDonnells. She’s a convenience, just as Moira was. When he decides he no longer needs you or wants your connection, he will sever your heads to sever your ties. Mark my words. Aidan O’Flaherty will be the death of your clan if you let Dónal make the decisions.”
Kyle raised the tip of his sword again as if it were an extension of a wagging finger. He noticed several nodding heads before the MacDonnells backed away from the pirates. Kyle and Keith watched them go with arms crossed and matching smirks. Just before the MacDonnells turned toward their ships, the twins offered them mocking waves goodbye. Kyle turned to Keith.
“I need to find Moira.”
Thirty-Three
Moira watched in confusion as the MacDonnells boarded their ships. She could hear her brother’s curses even from this distance. His oaths that he would get revenge on Kyle and Keith reassured her that the twins were alive. But she didn’t understand how Dónal was not dead. She didn’t expect Kyle to offer him any mercy. Her mind raced with explanations.
Perhaps he intends to follow and attack once we are at sea. Maybe he wishes to put Dónal adrift. How I would love to see that. When did I become so bloodthirsty? That’s not a particularly Christian thought, Moira. But it is an honest one. Why couldn’t he just die? Everyone would be far better off without him.
Moira observed the last of the MacDonnells as they climbed the ladders after releasing the lines that kept them secured to the docks. It wasn’t long before all five ships were under sail and sliding out of the harbor. She looked around the docks, but she saw none of the men from the Lady Charity or the Lady Grace. None stood watch by a dinghy. None approached. The longer she waited, the more her apprehension grew.
Maybe something did happen to Kyle, and that’s why they haven’t come back. Should I check? No. Kyle was clear I’m not to leave my place unless he or Keith or Tomas or Snake Eye come for me. I have enough punishments ahead of me. I don’t need to add one more, and I don’t need to get lost along the way. He’ll be livid if he has to search for me. Livid and frightened. I don’t want to do that to him. I just want to go home. If he wishes to punish me tonight, I’ll be ready and welcome it. But I would be just as happy to curl up against him in our bunk. “Our.” He called the bunk ours. The Lady Charity is home, and I want nothing more than to be there with Kyle.
Moira peeked around the crates once more and saw a man hurrying along the dock toward her. She knew the build and the features. Relief swept over her as she stood and moved around the crates, running toward the pirate approaching her. But once she was close enough to see him clearly, she stopped.
“What is it, Moira?”
Moira shook her head as she looked over his shoulder, straining to see who else approached. She took a step back, her brow furrowed.
“Sweet one, you’re safe now. We can go home. Will you not come with me?”
“You’re not Kyle, Keith,” Moira said as she narrowed her eyes. “Don’t call me that.”
“Moira, come now. I told you I would find you when it was safe. You must have seen your clansmen leave. We should, too.”
“To the Lady Charity?” Moira asked.
“Where else?”
Moira shook her head. “Not to the Lady Grace? I don’t know what game you’re playing, Keith. But I don’t find it amusing. Where’s Kyle? Oh, God! Did something happen to him?” Moira tried to run around Keith, but he snagged her and drew her into his embrace. He did nothing more than keep her from running, but Moira thrashed and writhed. “Let me go!”
“Keith,” a deep voice boomed from behind Moira, and she stumbled backwards when the arms suddenly released her. She spun around and dashed toward Kyle. He engulfed her in his muscular arms and held her trembling body against her, resting his cheek on her head. He shifted his gaze to send a warning glare at his brother.
“She’s the only one who can tell us apart,” Keith said by way of explanation.
“Why were you testing me?” Moira asked, turning her head toward Keith, but not moving from Kyle’s body. “Did you think I would just go with either of you without caring who it wa
s?”
“Because I love my brother as much as you do. I wanted to be sure you really choose him and aren’t just using him to leave your family behind,” Keith explained.
“It wasn’t your place,” Kyle snarled.
“The bluidy hell it wasn’t,” Keith snapped. “If she’s joining our family, then I want to be sure she’d doing it for the right reasons.”
“Family?” Moira whispered. She turned to look at Keith with Kyle’s arms still wrapped around her middle. “I hadn’t thought of that. You’re to be my brother. A brother I like and want.”
Keith chortled. “We shall see if you still sing the same tune in a few months or years, lass. But you’re a sister I’d like to have, too. I heard once that you already claimed we’re related.”
Moira sucked in her lips and looked back sheepishly at Kyle, who shrugged.
“How did you know he was Keith and not me?” Kyle asked.
“Because you’re nothing alike,” Moira stated. Both brothers looked at her as if she weren’t right in the head. Even their parents hadn’t been able to tell them apart. They doubted Ruairí and Rowan could, barring when they were on their respective ships. Everything about them was identical. Moira shrugged. “You don’t walk or stand the same way. Your voices are different.”
“Moira, that can’t be true, or other people could tell us apart,” Kyle corrected.
“Maybe they don’t know you like I do,” Moira pointed out with a cocked eyebrow. Kyle leaned over and kissed her cheek before whispering in her ear.
“There are things about you I’m certain no one else knows. I would like to enjoy those things right now,” Kyle said as he pinched her backside. Moira giggled, but Keith snorted.
“You can do that in just a moment. I really want to know how you can tell us apart,” Keith insisted. Moira inhaled deeply, then blew out a dramatic sigh.
“You don’t walk the same. Kyle tends to keep his right arm bent as though he’s about to draw his sword. Keith, you do that with your left, but I think you intend to draw your knife first. Kyle puts more weight on his heels when he stands, as though he’s prepared to fight in place. Keith leans forward on the balls of his feet as though he’ll lunge. And your voices…well, you just talk to me differently. I admit I thought you were Kyle as you approached, but then you stopped. I was pretty sure you weren’t Kyle. Then you called me ‘sweet one,’ and I knew you were Keith. It didn’t sound right.”
The Red Drifter of the Sea: A Steamy Opposites Attract Pirate Romance (Pirates of the Isles Book 3) Page 25