Page 43 of My Scarred Laird

“I’m putting this witch in the dungeons.”

Callum nodded, “Do it. She needs ta think abou’ her actions.”

Egan came back a few moments later, “Damnation tha’ girl is a hellion.”

Callum groaned, “I ken. Wha’ are we ta do with her?”

Egan snorted, “Leave her in the damn dungeon for a few days.”

Callum saw Islay bite her lip, making him fight a smirk.

He, Egan, Islay and Fraser went over the letters, not making heads or tails of it.

When they asked Gemma, she couldn’t help them.

Callum swore and by the end of the day, they hadn’t made progress, and he hadn’t been able to train with his men.

This entire situation with Angus had ruined him.

He was angry and felt betrayed by the man who was his family. Had been in his circle of the people that Callum trusted because Angus never seemed to want anything more for him than a place to live and something to do with his time.

Callum had given him all that and more. Helped him find Gemma, was happy for them when Gemma had Talitha. Kept them safe, fed, and clothed in the best fabrics, made certain that they had all they wanted in life.

And now this? His stomach ached with this betrayal. What if someone tried to kill him? Again?

He finally had something to live for. Someone to live for.

He wanted to fight for his life with her. And it’s exactly what he would do.

Fight for her with every single ounce of his being.

If he had to sell his soul to the devil just for a few years with her, he would.

After they put the papers in Callum’s rooms, locked in one of his drawers in his desk, they all sat down to eat.

Islay sat next to him at the high table, and everyone talked quietly around them.

A few of the people seemed to talk about the fact that Islay was his betrothed, and how they were worried about her wellbeing.

He was a little angry that his people still didn’t believe he would hurt her.

Looking over at Islay, he was shocked to find her studying him.

“Lass is there somethin’ wrong?”

She shook her head, “Ye have had a lo’ on yer shoulders today. Ye are barely eating, and yer shoulders are so tense, yer shirt is almost burstin’ at the seams.”

Callum looked down at his shirt, seeing how tight it was pulled across his shoulders.

She was right. He took a deep breath, letting it out, and she reached under the table to hold his hand.

“I ken how hard this is on ye. How ye struggle with Angus’ betrayal and how hard it is ta have your clan still no’ have your back.”

He nodded, “Aye lass. It is hard. I doona wish for ye ta stress over me.”

She smiled gently at him, “Ye are ta be my husband. Of course, I am goin’ ta stress over ye. Ye are important ta me Callum. More than ye even ken.”

His breath caught in his throat, “Ye are ta me tae.”