Revenge (Book 3 of Lost Highlander series) Read Free Page A

of warmth over him, calming his fevered shivers. When she noticed that he was trying hard not to shake, she took off her shawl and wrapped it around him. He relaxed gratefully into the soft wool folds.
    “When I was called back and told that all was well, I figured he had another suitor for me. When I found it was Galwain McGregor I admit I was well pleased about the match.”
    “Easy to manage, that one,” Quinn snickered. “And near his death bed to boot. I’ll say ye got lucky.”
    She narrowed her eyes at him but didn’t disagree. “But then it all went to perdition when yer devil of a brother ruined my chances of finally getting some peace.” As she said the words, Pietro could tell the reality of her situation was beginning to hit her. She blinked away rapidly forming tears, but a few spilled over onto her luminous cheeks. “Now I’m married to a brute who is miles or years away and destined to be with a man I dinna even know.” Her voice broke on a sob and she angrily scrubbed at her face, wiping her hands on her dress. She looked up over her sooty, wet lashes at Pietro and smiled tremulously. “No offense to ye,” she said. “Ye’ve been verra kind.”
    A surge of strength coursed through him at her teary eyed gaze. He reached out and wiped away the last traces of tears, his fingers lingering longingly on her satiny skin. If only he could make her understand how much he loved her, that even though their situation was unfathomably strange, he’d never felt so sure about anything.
    Her eyes fluttered shut and she breathed out a sigh as he brushed his thumb ever so slightly against her full lower lip. With her breath, his headache started to recede to a dull ache behind his eyes. Touching her was like a miracle cure.
    “Aye, Lachlan has a way about him, does he no’?” Quinn said.
    As if his hand were a venomous snake, Bella recoiled from him, her attention drawn back to Quinn. She shook her head miserably and settled her shoulders.
    “What’s done is done, I suppose.” She glanced sideways at Pietro, who couldn’t drag his gaze away from her.
    The residual effects still lingered. He reached for his pack to get some food, taking out a small loaf of bread and wedge of cheese and placing them on a bit of linen in front of him. He gestured at the others to dig in, but Bella merely made a face and Quinn shook his head distractedly.
    “Lachlan can be verra persuasive, and yer father was glad to have the murdering scoundrel that was plaguing the countryside taken care of. Everyone loves a hero. So, I can see why he married ye to him, and I can also see why he may have seen the error of his ways once the first blush of the rose wore off, so to speak.” Quinn stood up and began to pace back in forth in front of them. “What ye say is true. We are no’ rich and our land is isolated, so no’ a great match. I can see why yer father would have been angry, but as ye say, what’s done is done. I dinna understand why he’s sent men after us, and with such obviously unfriendly intent.”
    Bella shifted uncomfortably next to Pietro and made to stand as well, but then settled in closer to him instead. Her arm brushed his and he leaned against her, gratified when she didn’t move away. He looked down at her and saw she was paler than ever, brown eyes clouded with apprehension.
    “Aye, about that,” she started, her voice small and wavering.
    Quinn stopped pacing and dropped down before her. “About what?” he asked suspiciously.
    She swallowed hard and Pietro could feel a tremor run through her. He put his arm around her shoulder and hugged her comfortingly. The fact that she didn’t pull away tipped him off that something bad was coming, and Quinn noticed it too.
    “What?” he demanded. “Do ye know why yer people are heading to my land with weapons drawn?”
    She whimpered and Pietro held up his free hand, motioning for Quinn to back off. “What is it, Bella?” he asked softly, glaring at Quinn for