Page 24 of A Highland Bride Disciplined

“She’s ours now, Kian!”

“Thatbairn is naeours!”his voice had raised to a nearly deafening growl, and she matched his fury with precise defiance.

Scarlett stepped closer. Her shoulders squaring on him, but she spoke with a deadly calm. “I ken that yer afraid, husband. Hell,I’mafraid too. But this is the right thing to do, and I’ll stand in yer way every step of this quest, should ye choose to embark on it. Every. Single. Step.”

His mouth opened, and then closed.

“Ye are afraid,” she said again, quieter now. “Not of her. But of what she means.”

Kian stepped toward her, but she stood her ground. “Oh?”

“Ye cannae control this.”

He stared into the fire as if it could burn away the entire situation, but he knew it wouldn’t. He would have to do this all himself. He rolled his shoulders once, twice, but the weightwouldn’t lift. Through gritted teeth, his eyes met hers as he replied finally, “Watch me.”

“Someone trusted us. Someonesawye and me, and thought we were good enough.”

Kian laughed, but it was humorless. “Good enough? I’m barely fit to be a husband, never mind a faither.”

“Then ye better learn quick.”

Her words split the room like lightning.

Kian crossed the room in two strides.

Scarlett’s chin raised and she stood a firm in place as the stone walls around them.

He stopped just short of her.

His voice dropped low. “Watch yer tongue, Scarlett.”

She stared up at him, eyes unblinking. “Or what? Ye’ll leave again for another eight months? Or will ye be a coward and strike me?”

He stepped in closer. “Ye forget yerself.”

“Nay. I remember every detail. Every day ye were gone. Every night I ruled this keep alone. Every letter unanswered.I’mthe lady of this keep… this clan… and we’ve moved on wi’out ye. Ye have to earn it back, or take it from me by force.”

His hand twitched at his side, jaw tight. “And did ye think I was away for pleasure? I went because this clan needed more than pride to survive the winter.”

Scarlett stepped even closer, fire still trembling in her voice. “Ye left me to fight alone, Kian. Without a word. Without comfort. I wondered if ye were ever comin’ back.”

“I ken,” he bit out, softer but no less sharp. “Every night I lay awake wondering if the keep stood, or if I’d return to ashes.”

Her throat bobbed. She clutched Elise tighter, voice trembling, “I’ll nae raise her alone, Kian. I’llnaelet her go. And if that’s a war between us, then so be it.”

Kian’s resolve strained like a frayed rope. “I’ll find her parents.”

“And what if they daenae want her back?” Scarlett asked, chin high. “What if we’re the only ones left to give her a home?”

“I willnae be drawn into this.”

“Too late.”

Her words landed like a blow.

Kian looked away, jaw clenched so tight it ached. His pulse thundered in his ears.

He’d come back to discipline her. To remind her that this washisclan. He was the one with the power.