Page 93 of Taken By the Vicious Highlander

Their eyes met amid the crowd, and she watched his features darken with what she could only describe as contempt, but he beckoned her over with a wave and a forced smile. She moved through the crowd, joining him in the performance, an equally forced smile plastered on her face.

“Wife,” he greeted.

His voice sounded like it had been dragged through gravel. Not the normal kind of gravel, but more strained, as if the performance was wearing on him.

Serves him right.

“What are ye playin’ at?” she gritted out against the crook of his neck as he leaned down and planted a dramatic kiss on her temple.

“Enjoyin’ the party, lass. Ye should, too, before those lines on yer forehead become a permanent fixture.”

She reared back with disgust, but he laughed heartily, tugging relentlessly on the strings between her heart and her navel.

It’s all for show. It’s all for show…

His large hand rested on the small of her back, and he led her through the festival, showing them as a united front.

She caught sight of Cameron standing off to the side with a pint in hand, rhythmically slapping his thigh to the beat of the music. His children giggled and danced along in front of him.

Damon guided her toward him and clapped him on the back. “Turned out well, Cameron. What’d ye say?”

“Aye, Me Laird. Very well. Me Lady,” Cameron said, tipping his hat to Lilith and winking jovially.

“Aye, Cameron. Good to see ye. A great festival, indeed,” she returned warmly, her tone catching her off guard.

Am I playin’ too, then?

Her eyes flicked to Damon, who had been watching her throughout the exchange. The light dancing in the depths of his irises drew her in.

“A great festival, indeed.” His voice was low and made her insides tumble around traitorously.

She gave him a tight smile as they moved on. Not far from Cameron were Fionn and Hunter, in the midst of an arm-wrestling match, their faces red with exertion and amusement.

“These two,” Damon said loudly, a wide and genuine smile spreading across his face.

Lilith felt a pang of jealousy as realization dawned on her.

He’s nae playin’. He’s actually enjoyin’ himself…

She watched him throughout the contest, cheering both men on, and when Hunter pressed Fionn’s hand into the table, the crowd roared along with Damon. Their excitement was palpable. Lilith let herself smile, watching him even lift Hunter off the ground in celebration.

Having never seen this side of him, her heart swelled, and a flash of their future together shook her to her very core. The sun shining on a pair of brilliant blonde, curly-haired boys. Gleefullaughter as they were lifted in the air with care as well as reckless abandon. The low rumble of Damon’s familiar chuckle.

Again! Again!

The sounds echoed in the hollow depths of her soul, and her grip on the chair in front of her loosened.

“Lass?” Damon’s calming voice stroked her spine. “What is it?”

Her turn had gone mostly unnoticed by the festivalgoers—by everyone except the man she had hoped would miss it.

Of course, he noticed.

“I’m fine. Just feelin’ tired…” she trailed off, hoping he wouldn’t press her.

The look on his face completely changed—strong lines of worry on his brow, a slackened jaw, and his body shielding her from any other prying eyes.

“Let’s go somewhere less, lively,” he said, guiding her away from the rambunctious crowd that had gathered around the Parrish brothers.