Page 128 of Love Me Forever

“Did he?” Royce grew silent.

“One trail was meant to divert.”

“Was it? Or were two trails meant to divert?”

“Two? Where then, would Arran go?”

Royce grew uneasy. “I do not know, but suddenly I feel we are being led astray and Arran has gone in another direction.”

“But where? Where could he go? Where would he go? Brianna is heavy with child. He wishes to ransom her and be rid of her so that he may have his freedom.” Ian grew quiet for a moment. “Something is not right.”

“Aye, I feel the same as you. Something is wrong with this whole situation.”

“Arran often deceived. I think he deceives us now.”

“Purposely,” Royce said. “He purposely wants to keep us from finding him, and he purposely sends no demand for ransom yet.”

“He requires time.”

“Aye, but for what?”

Royce knew but feared voicing his concern. “He wants the babe born.”

Ian’s blood ran cold. “He cannot mean to harm an innocent babe.”

“You said yourself that Arran loves no one and therefore can do what is necessary. Two hostages are always better than one.”

“So he sends us on a false chase while he waits somewhere else with Brianna and waits for the birth of your child.”

Royce nodded, his hands forming fists and squeezing tightly. “We go where he wants us to, but he will not be there.”

“Brianna must realize this by now.”

Royce did not want to think of how frightened she must be. He wanted to know that she was strong and would do what was necessary to survive and give him time to reach her. He grew furious thinking of her giving birth to their child alone. He had told her he would be there with her, and he had wanted to be there with her. He could not take away her pain, but he could hold her hand and help her bear the pain.

“We need to think of where he would take her.” Royce stood and paced in front of the rock. He was annoyed with himself, anxious to amend his destination and adamant about confronting Arran. The man had consequences to face.

“It could be anyplace,” Ian said, standing and pacing beside Royce.

‘Tell me more about Arran.”

“What more is there to tell?”

Royce was insistent. “There must be something that would help.”

“He charms, he is deceptive, and we have determined that he loves no one?—”

Royce interrupted. “And he does not care to appear the fool.”

“I would agree with that. He thought himself wiser than most and I suppose he makes choices others would not.”

“Brianna and I made a fool out of him.”

“Aye, he would see it that way.”

“And he would want revenge.”

“But he gets revenge by abducting Brianna,” Ian said.