Page 34 of The Anguish of the Scottish Lairds (Clans of Mull #3)

Logan

Just past dawn the day after they’d split into groups, Logan stood on the point past Dun Ara Castle, overlooking the sea, his gaze traveling from the Isle of Coll and back to Kilchoan over and over again.

Lennox came up behind him. “I don’t understand why Sloan isn’t here. He was supposed to be part of the group guarding his own castle. Would he not wish to be on Rankin land?”

Logan said, “He would be if we’d told him what Sylvi had told us, but I told the others to keep it quiet until we got the bairns back.”

“You didn’t tell him about his own castle being under attack? Why the hell not?”

“Because he had something more important to do.”

“What could be more important than protecting his own castle?”

Logan sighed and shook his head. “You are dense sometimes, MacVey. Why did you go to MacKinnis Castle in such a hurry not long ago?”

“When I chased Meg? What the hell does that have to do with Sloan?”

“Sloan is protecting your sister.”

“Eva? Why would she need protecting when she’s at home?”

Logan arched his brow at MacVey. “Are you sure about that?”

“Hell’s ashes! She left? Where is she? I’m going after her. Hell with this watch. I’m going to kill her!”

“Calm your arse down. Don’t you think it’s time that you recognize your sister is an adult?”

“She’s not. She doesn’t think like one. Our father spoiled her and …”

“One of the men who stole the bairns was her attacker. She listened to all the tales, said naught, and left after you did. She hid and followed the other groups to MacQuarie land, and Sloan knew her well enough to wait for her to leave so he could follow. And they’re way ahead of you, so there’s no sense in you going after Eva. There are two score Grant guards at MacQuarie Castle as you know. Thane and Sloan will both watch over her.”

“How the hell do you know all this, Ramsay? You’ve been here from the start.”

Logan smirked.

Meg approached and Lennox turned around, looking bewildered. “Did you know that Eva was going after her attacker on Ulva?”

“She did? Go, Eva!”

“What the hell does that mean? She’ll be attacked again, Meg.”

Logan said, “Nay, she won’t. She’s got the fire in her eyes this time, MacVey. You’ll not stop her until she gets her just due. And she deserves a slow one.” He smirked and said, “I know a few others who got it when they needed it. Let her go. Sloan’s following her.”

“But she can’t protect herself! And how do you know Sloan went after her?”

“You are blind, MacVey.”

Meg laughed, then kissed her husband’s cheek. “Do you recall the other day when I asked you for a new target board for my axe throwing? It was because your sister destroyed it. I taught her how to throw axes, and she ended up being pretty good at it.”

“But she doesn’t have any axes with her.”

“There were a few missing when we left for Duart.”

Lennox stared over the water. “Eva? An axe thrower? What the hell!”

Logan laughed and said, “Don’t feel bad, MacVey. Gwynie did the same to me when we were first married. Enjoy it and let Sloan take care of your sister. I promise you he will. Then he’ll come flying back here when Dyna tells him his castle is under attack.”

Lennox set his hands on his hips and said, “That explains where Sloan is, but where the hell is Rinaldo?”

“That’s my question,” Logan replied, his gaze scanning the sea again. “I don’t trust that man. He’s naught but trouble.”