Page 25 of Jack (Highland Outlaws #1)
F ive years ago, Jack’s parents and youngest sister had been slaughtered on the streets of Berwick—their only crime had been being born on Scottish soil. Grief, quiet but relentless, lived on in his heart.
“You know what you must do,” the bishop said, drawing Jack’s thoughts back to the present.
Jack raked his fingers through his hair. “I cannot divide my family.”
“Do you think they will be safer with you?” Bishop Lamberton rested his hand on Jack’s shoulder. “You are on the run. There will be a price on your head. But your brothers are still unknown, traceless.” The bishop paused, drawing a deep breath. “Damn it, Jack, Scotland still needs The Saints!”
Jack knew The Saints were essential to the bishop’s work.
He was building an army of secret rebels, and the MacVie men were at the heart of it all.
Jack looked to where his brothers stood, listening to their debate.
They were men grown, even Ian. Mayhap the reason why Jack could not decide the next best course of action was because it was not his decision to make.
He turned to his brothers, his gaze scanning their faces.
Rory’s jaw was set, his expression fierce.
Alec was unreadable, but Jack could feel the intensity of his mind behind his inscrutable mask.
And Ian, the youngest, was staring at him with concerned, expectant eyes.
Jack knew then that he could not make this decision alone.
“They must choose for themselves,” he said, meeting Rory’s gaze.
The second youngest MacVie drew close. His gaze shifted from Jack to the others. Jack could see his struggle, but then a resoluteness entered his gaze. “Jack, ye ken family is everything to me, but the cause is in my blood. I want to stay and be useful to the bishop. I want to fight for Scotland!”
Jack closed his eyes against the tightening in his chest. Instinct bade him fight to keep his family together. Still, at two and twenty, Rory was a man. He met Rory’s sky-blue gaze. “Stick to the code, brother. Be bold, not reckless.”
“Ye have my word, at least to the former,” Rory vowed. Then a smile upturned the corner of his mouth. “To the latter, I will do my best.” He looked Jack hard in the eye. “Be careful, brother. Alba gu bràth , Scotland Forever!”
Jack clamped his hand on Rory’s shoulder. “ Alba gu bràth !”
Jack crossed the glade to where Alec had moved, standing on his own.
As Jack drew nearer to Alec, he could feel the tension radiating from his brother.
He did not know what was going through his mind, but he could sense that Alec was struggling with his decision.
For several moments, Jack waited for Alec to look at him or speak his choice, but his younger brother remained silent, his gaze fixed on the ground.
“Have ye seen what lies ahead?” Jack asked, his chest tightening in fear of what his brother might say.
“I’ve seen yer future. ‘Tis clear and light, but only if ye ride hard.”
Jack took a deep breath. “What of yerself and the others?”
Alec shook his head slightly. “Our futures are in shadow, even Rose’s. The only certitude I can give ye is that our paths must now diverge.”
Emotion welling deep within his soul, Jack seized Alec, pulling him into a fierce hug. When he drew away, he looked Alec hard in the eye. “Make yer way to Colonsay one day.”
Urgency suddenly filled Alec’s empty gaze. “Ride hard!”
Jack pulled away and was startled by the rare glimpse of emotion in his brother’s eyes. But an instant later, Alec’s black eyes, once again, became as cool and impassive as a starless night sky.
Taking a deep breath, Jack stepped back and looked to his youngest brother, who was sitting on the ground, letting Moira braid his long, tangled red hair.
“What say ye?” Jack said, then held his breath, not wanting to say goodbye to another of his siblings.
Ian looked up at Jack. “Bishop Lamberton is right. Ye’re an outlaw now, and so are Bella and David. Ye cannot run with five wee ones.” Ian stood then and faced Jack. “ I will take Rose and the lassies to Colonsay. We strike out on our own.”
Jack raised a brow at Ian. “Are ye sure ye can handle them all?”
Ian smiled, his eyes bright with determination. “Aye, I can, and I promise ye, I will keep them safe.”
Jack felt a weight lifted off his shoulders. “Then ‘tis settled. We will meet ye in Colonsay.”
Ian nodded and crossed to where Rose stood, taking her hand. Rose’s eyes were brimming with tears, but she smiled brightly. “May God be with ye, Jack.”
Jack expelled the breath he’d been holding and pulled his sister close, hugging her with all his might. “I love ye, Rose.”
Rose hugged Jack back tightly. “I love ye, too.” She pulled away and flashed him a scolding gaze. “Now, go already. The longer ye wait, the closer they are to catching ye.”
Bishop Lamberton stepped forward then, drawing Jack’s gaze. “I will ensure the other children are cared for, which settles matters.” A warning crept into the bishop’s voice. “Rose is right. You must put some distance between you and Edward’s soldiers.”
Jack reached out and clasped the bishop’s offered hand. “Thank ye for everything.”
Bishop Lamberton smiled. “You have given more than your share to the cause. Now is your chance to claim that peaceful life I know you dream about when you think no one is watching.”
With a full heart, Jack wrapped his arm around Bella’s waist. “I am already there.” He felt himself sinking into the deep green sea of her eyes. “Bella,” he breathed. “Are ye ready to win this day and ride to freedom?”
She wrapped her arms around his neck. “Freedom isn’t won. It’s stolen.” A glint of excitement lit her gaze. “Let’s ride!”