Part 28 (2/2)
Jack had not been there a second before the front door had opened, and Gregor-or Alexander?-had yanked him from his horse and thrown him headfirst onto the stone steps. That was the last thing he remembered.
Dougal planted a boot on Jack's shoulder and shoved him so hard Jack's head smacked on the stone floor. ”That's for our sister, you mangy dog.”
”Let him up,” growled Alexander, hands fisted at his sides. ”So we can kill him properly.”
Jack struggled to his feet. ”You can kill me if you like, but not until we capture the person who killed Fiona.”
Alexander exchanged looks with his brothers, then hauled Jack into a chair. ”Youshot our sister.”
”I would never harm her.Never.”
A pistol was tossed onto the floor at his feet. ”Then where did this come from?”
”It's mine, but it hasn't been shot.” Jack pushed it with his foot. ”You will not smell powder.”
Gregor retrieved the pistol and sniffed it.
”Well?” Alexander said.
”He's right,” Gregor said. ”There's no powder smell.”
”That doesn't mean anything,” Dougal said tersely. ”It has been hours.”
”It's still loaded,” Jack said wearily. ”Look at it and see.” He swallowed hard. ”The b.a.s.t.a.r.ds who shot Fiona left my gun there to implicate me. They tied me up and took me to the stable at the Strathmore Inn, but I escaped.”
”And came here?” Gregor said, disbelief in his tone.
”I need help. I cannot do this on my own, and I'll be d.a.m.ned if I let these murderers escape justice.”
Alexander continued to stare at him. Finally, he nodded.
”You cannot believe this b.a.s.t.a.r.d,” Hugh protested. ”He tried to kill our sister!”
Jack's head lifted, hope blooming in his chest.”Tried?”
”Jack?”
The soft voice came from behind him, its sweetness drawing every iota of breath from his chest. Jack could not move. Could not think. He could only sit and watch as the woman he loved more than life itself came back into his world.
Gregor stepped forward. ”Fiona! Nora said you should not even speak, much less rise from bed.”
Fiona reached for Jack and he opened his arms, enveloping her in his embrace. He buried his face in her hair, his eyes full of tears. ”Fiona. Oh, G.o.d, Fiona.” He held her tighter.
”Ouch!”
He loosened his hold. ”Oh, no! I'm sorry. Is it...is it bad?”
”No, though it bled copiously.”
”And...our baby?”
”He is fine, I think.”
Joy rushed through Jack, hot and flas.h.i.+ng.
Fiona placed a hand on his cheek, her eyes filled with tears. ”I thought I'd never see you again. I couldn'
t-” He captured her hand and pressed a kiss to the palm, emotion shaking him from head to toe. Then he gathered her to him, holding her ever so gently. They stood like that, his face pressed to her chest, his arms about her waist, her cheek resting against his hair, soaking up the feel of each other. Oh, G.o.d, he'd thought he'd lost her. Thought he'd never again touch her, never again feel or taste her. He could hardly believe she was there, before him. She raised her face and brought her mouth to his. His emotions exploded into pa.s.sion, and he gave himself to the kiss, pouring his heart into every second. A hand closed over his shoulder and jerked him back. ”Leave off!” Hugh snapped. ”She is my wife,” Jack growled. ”I have the right to embrace her.” He shoved Hugh away and looked directly at Fiona. ”I love you, Fiona, with all my heart. I never wish our marriage to end. Not now. Not ever.”
Her eyes filled with tears.
Jack sank to one knee before her and pressed her fingers to his lips. ”If I had my life to do over, I would marry you yet again. I love you, Fiona.”
”Oh, Jack,” she whispered, and placed her hands on either side of his face. ”I love you, too.”
”I hate to break this up,” Gregor said, ”but if you want our help, we need to know what you require.”
Jack pressed a final kiss to each of Fiona's palms, then rose and turned to her brothers. ”Gentlemen, it is time to unleash the full MacLean powers. Every b.l.o.o.d.y one of them.”
Chapter Twenty-one.
When the sun s.h.i.+nes o'er the loch and sparkles on the water like diamond drops, ye know one thing: somewhere there's a MacLean who is smilin'. OLDWOMANNORA OFLOCHLOMOND TO HER THREE WEE GRANDDAUGHTERS ONE COLD NIGHT ”This is an outrage!” Lucinda snapped, upside down over Gregor's shoulder.
”Hsst, you.” Gregor tightened his hold on her. ”Kincaid? Where in the h.e.l.l are you?”
”In the great hall.” Jack stood with Alexander and Hugh by the fireplace. Fiona sat on the settee nearby.
He'd tried to talk her out of coming, but she'd refused.
Gregor entered and dumped his captive into a chair as if she were a sack of potatoes.
<script>