Page 125 of Love Me Forever

“You talk nonsense.”

Her words had the effect she had hoped for: he squirmed in his saddle.

“I speak the truth. Do you think a man with Royce’s reputation will pay a ransom and seek no retribution?”

“Do you think me a fool? Do you think that I am not prepared for that?”

Her skin prickled.

“I see you are worried.” He grinned. “You know me well, and you know I will do what is necessary to survive.”

She knew she should not ask, but she needed to know. “What do you plan, Arran?”

“I plan on returning you when the ransom is paid.” His grin widened. “I see that surprises you. I had thought to kill you, but that serves me no purpose, and besides, I need to guarantee my escape before Royce can retaliate.”

Fear ran her skin to gooseflesh.

“Ask me, dear wife. Ask me what it is that I will do to prevent the great warrior from following me?”

She feared asking the question, for she thought she knew and that thought gave her a horrible fright.

“You cannot bring yourself to answer.” He grinned. “Or do you already know the answer.”

She did not want to play his game. He had always played frightening games with her, and she would no longer be a willing partner. “Speak your intentions and have done with it.”

He laughed, enjoying the control he had over her. “Perhaps I will make you wait.”

This time she laughed. “Nay, you wish to see my reaction when you inform me. You ache to see it. I would not be surprised if you were hard from the thought of it.”

His face exploded a bright red. “You will suffer for that and—” He intentionally paused, making her wait and wonder, letting the fear build inside of her and diffusing his own anger. Then calmly he said, “I will turn you over to Royce but keep your child.”

CHAPTER33

Fear raced through Brianna. She shivered and sent a silent prayer to the heavens for Royce to hurry and rescue her.

“I inquired as to your birthing time, thinking that it might prove beneficial to me, and it certainly has. It is one of the reasons I waited to capture you. And do not think he will find us quickly. He would not think to go where I take you,” Arran said, pleased with the fear he saw on her face.

The bairn remained safe inside her. He would not take the chance of injuring the child if he felt he needed the child. It was a relief to realize that, at least, but his intentions still frightened her beyond all reason.

“I will treat the child well until he is returned to you.”

His tongue charmed, and most would believe him, but she knew better. “Nay

, you will not, and Royce will not let you take his child.”

“He will have no choice, unless of course he wishes to forfeit one life for the other. Who would he choose to live—you or his child?”

She would gladly give her life for her child and knew that Royce would do the same, but she wished for them all to live and share a long life together. She would not allow her husband to rob her of any more dreams.

She turned her startling blue eyes on him. “Royce will come for me before the babe is born, and then the problem will be yours.”

He forced a laugh, though Brianna could see she had cast doubt over his plans.

“Think what you wish,” he said, and having grown tired of tormenting her, he rode ahead.

Brianna took a comforting breath. She needed to keep her wits about her, and as much as it frightened her to consider such a horrible possibility, it was necessary.

Prepare.