Page 25 of Taken By the Vicious Highlander

“Ryder Gordon. He was around during our childhood. He lives in a nearby village now. Didnae like the way Magnus handled things, so he left.” Lilith paused, meeting his gaze. “He’s a good man, Damon. And his lineage… well, Magnus kept him around for a reason.”

Damon’s expression turned thoughtful, and she felt a flicker of surprise. He was actually listening to her.

“Yer turn,” he said after a moment.

“What sort of attack was it? An ambush? Could another clan have an issue with ours?” she asked quickly, the second question spilling out unintentionally.

Damon’s jaw tightened. He took a long sip of his whiskey instead of answering.

“That’s nae an answer,” she huffed, her frustration bubbling to the surface.

“It’s the rules of the game,” he pointed out, setting his glass down with a thud. “Andye asked more than one question.”

Lilith huffed.

“Me turn,” Damon said, pouring more whiskey into his glass until it reached the brim. “What is Ryder Gordon’s lineage?”

“He’s Laird McKenzie’s banished son.”

A light flashed in Damon’s eyes, one mixed with understanding and something else entirely. She recognized the look on his face—he was strategizing.

“He used to live with us, and he is very protective of Willow and me. If word has yet to reach Branloch about the attack, I’m sure it will soon, and ye will hear from him,” Lilith added smugly.

“Branloch is the nearest village?”

“Aye.”

“Well then, I look forward to meetin’ him, when it comes time.”

Lilith emptied her glass and let Damon refill it as she asked her next question. “Why did ye search the people in the castle? Do ye suspect someone?”

Damon simply took another drink.

“Ye are infuriating,” she muttered, taking a sip of her drink just to keep her hands occupied. The whiskey burned her throat, but she welcomed the distraction.

Damon smirked. “It’s me turn again.”

“Fine. Go ahead.”

“What would ye have done if ye were in me place?” he asked, his tone serious now.

Lilith blinked, caught off guard again. “Ye mean during the attack?”

“Aye.”

She bit her lip, considering her answer. “Well, seein’ as I dinnae ken much about the nature of the attack, I guess that I would have made sure that everyone in the castle was accounted for. Protected. And I wouldnae have kept secrets from me wife.” She gave him a pointed look.

Damon chuckled, a low, rumbling sound that made her toes curl. “Fair enough.”

“Why did ye really send Melissa away? It wasnae just for her safety, or ye would have sent me along with her. So, tell me why,” Lilith pressed.

Damon hesitated, his fingers brushing the rim of his glass. For a moment, she thought he would answer, but then he took another drink.

Lilith threw up her hands. “Ye are impossible!”

“And ye are relentless,” he countered, his eyes glinting with amusement.

She glared at him, though she couldn’t entirely hide the smile tugging at her lips. Despite herself, she was enjoying this—his banter, his infuriating charm.