Page 39 of The Anguish of the Scottish Lairds (Clans of Mull #3)

Sloan

“There’s no one here, Eva,” Sloan said as he returned to her, except she wasn’t there. “Eva?”

He moved back down the path and ran into Connor. “Eva come back?”

Connor shook his head. “The other four are dealing with Odart. Thane is thrilled to have found him, and he’ll be dead soon, if he isn’t already. I’m here to help you find the others. Odart has three with him, so there is still one missing. Where could Eva have gone?”

“I don’t know, but she’s gone. I just went to the end to see how many men we would be facing, and she disappeared,” Sloan said, an icy grip settling in his belly. He spun in a circle, searching the entire area.

“She can’t have gone far, Sloan. But we’re moving together. Let’s follow this path because I came from the opposite way.”

Sloan’s insides tortured and twisted with various fears, but only one stood out. He finally had hope that perhaps something was developing between Eva and him. Hope that she was beginning to develop feelings for him. He wished for nothing more than that—an opportunity to learn more about her, to learn all the little things about her to love. The way her eyes narrowed when she focused on a villain to center her strength, the way her eyes danced before she laughed—even the way she looked at him had given him hope.

Before, she’d always looked at him with disdain or disgust or something he didn’t wish to know. But that had changed. She hadn’t looked at him like that in a long time. And he loved the way her tiny hand would reach for his, her fingers curling around his when she needed his support.

Eva MacVey was teaching him how to love and he didn’t want her to stop. Ever.

After all they’d been through, his love had only grown stronger, and he knew without a doubt that he would do anything for her.

He would die for Eva MacVey, and he’d kill anyone who touched her wrong.

They hadn’t traveled far when something caught Sloan’s eye. He bent down and picked up one of Eva’s axes. “Shite. He’s got her, and she wasn’t able to use this. There’s no blood.” He tucked the weapon in his belt and took his sword out of its sheath, Connor doing the same.

They searched the entire area and found nothing. Sloan rubbed his forehead, searching his mind for any clue as to where he could have taken her.

Connor said, “I wish Dyna or Tora were here. We need help.”

Sloan gave him a doubtful glance. “I think Dyna could help, but do you truly believe Tora is a seer?”

“Tora has warned me of every bad event since coming to the Isle of Mull. If she pulls you aside, you better listen. Because of her age, she doesn’t explain things clearly, but the clue is always there.”

Sloan thought for a moment, rubbing his chin. “She approached me right before I left. I dismissed it as bairn drivel.”

“What exactly did she say to you? Hellfire. Think, Sloan. She was warning you. And she ran away as soon as she said something, didn’t she?”

“Aye,” he mumbled, forcing himself to recall Tora’s words. “Something about … apples. That’s it.” He searched the area with renewed hope. “She said to look for the apple orchard.”

“Then that’s where Eva is. Way over there.” Connor pointed to a grouping of trees far off in the distance.

“Truly? You believe her?”

“You have any other ideas?”

“Nay.” The two headed toward the orchard, not slowing until they approached, Sloan in the lead and moving his hands to tell Connor to slow down. He’d heard something.

A male voice carried through the trees. “I see the way you look at me, bitch, and I’ll make sure you never forget me.”

Eva screamed, then they heard a slap before he bellowed, “You bit me, bitch! If you do or say one more thing, I’m cutting your tongue out, then I’ll slice an eye in two. They pop open like an egg. Did you know that?”

“She’s fighting him, that’s good,” Connor said.

They crept through the trees, staying away from the path in the middle of the orchard, until they reached a huge clearing. At the farthest end, D was busy tying Eva to a tree. Her chest was already tied, and he worked on her legs while he continued to berate her, his mouth going nonstop.

Alaric and Eli came up behind them quietly. Connor pointed to two separate spots and the three spread out, keeping themselves well hidden in the trees.

Sloan stepped out and stood directly across from her until her gaze finally locked on his, and he did his best to tell her with one look that he would save her. That he’d never give up.

That he loved her.

Her gaze never left his, and then her lips moved.

I love you, Sloan .

Had he seen her correctly? Had she just said she loved him?

His heart soared, so locked in on the small lass in front of him that when Thane touched his shoulder and said, “Give us a moment to arrange ourselves,” Sloan ignored him.

D hit her again, and that was all the motivation he needed. He dropped his sword because this battle needed to be physical, personal, not at the end of his sword. Sloan raced directly at him, grabbing him by the throat, his fist striking him hard in the face before the brute could even lift his sword. Sloan threw him on the ground and straddled him, pummeling the man’s face, shouting loud enough for the entire isle to hear him.

“Never touch her. Never, ever touch her.”

It was Thane and Alaric who took him by the shoulders and pulled him back while Connor set his sword at the man’s throat to keep him in place, the villain now covered in blood.

Sloan heaved and said, “Let me go. I’ll kill him.” But then he looked up at Eva as Eli released her bindings. Once Eva was free, Sloan held out his arms, and she fell into his embrace. He held her close, inhaled her sweetness, and swore he never wished to let her go.

Connor said, “You have first rights, Rankin. I just wanted her free before you finish him.”

Sloan kissed Eva’s forehead and said, “Nay, I don’t have first rights. She does.” With tears in his eyes, he stepped back, wiped his hands on his trews, and lifted her chin, her eyes misting as much as his were. “Your choice, love.” He took the axe out of his belt and handed it to her.

Eva thought for a moment and nodded to him.

Eli said, “May we have a word, Sloan? I know what she needs. Eva, if you please?”

She nodded. “Aye.”

Eli pulled her back, and the two whispered a distance away.

Sloan had to turn away from the man on the ground, his whimpering changing to his usually bold threats. “I have other men here who will be looking for you. Then I’ll teach you and that bitch who’s the strongest.”

Eva called Sloan over where she stood, so he approached while Eli waved to her husband. “Come, Alaric, help me tie this slimy piece of shite to this pole so he gets what he deserves.”

D said, “Another bitch. I’ll take care of you too once my friends save me.”

Eli said, “Where the hell are they now, fool?” Then she pulled her fist back and struck him in his nose, an odd crack ringing out.

Sloan turned back to Eva, still at the back of the clearing, and said, “I’ll help you in any way I can, Eva.”

“Sloan, did you read my lips?”

He looked at her and moved back to her spot, wanting this to be as private as possible, given the circumstance. His gaze drank in everything about her, shocked that she was still able to stand tall after all she’d been through. He took a moment to tuck a stray strand of her hair behind her ear. “I did, but I must ask you. Is it true in your heart or do you think it might be due to all we’ve been through together?”

“Nay, it’s because of you, Sloan. Your heart, your quick mind, your tenderness, your devotion. All of it is special, and I’m so fortunate that you love me. I love you with all my heart, Sloan Rankin, and I am grateful for all that you are and that you chose me to love.”

He didn’t try to stop the tears from falling, but he swiped them away once Eli called out, “He’s ready when you are, Eva.”

Eva took Sloan’s hand and placed him next to her, then lifted her axe over her head, but then lowered it. “Eli, wipe the blood from his eyes. I want to make sure he can see me.”

She lifted the axe and fired it, hitting the exact spot she’d planned.

Eli rejoiced. “Grandmama would be so proud.”

Eva strode forward, taking Sloan’s hand in hers. Her victim lived, but was bent over in pain, gagging. She said, “I needed to make sure you’ll never hurt another lass.”

She walked away, stopping to kiss Sloan on the way out, and Sloan had never been happier.

Life was wonderful.