“This is Lady Ella Sutherland,” Cain said, his gaze now on his men behind her. “She is mine.” He stretched out the last word, his voice as huge as his form. “See that no harm comes to her, even by her own hand, but she is not to leave Girnigoe without me or one of my brothers. Keenan, make sure the others know.”

“Aye,” one of the guards behind her called out, and Ella turned to glare at him. He had a menacing scar over his brow, and his wry grin made her want to kick his shin.

Ella stood stiffly, wishing she still had a dagger secreted on her. What should she do? Just stand there until someone dragged her away? Because she surely did not want to follow the arrogant clod into his castle. She squeezed her eyes shut like she used to do as a child, wishing to vanish, wishing to blink out of existence to infuriate her tormentor. She heard the crunch of pebbles as he walked closer.

“What are ye doing?” he asked, his words soft and curious.

“Praying to die right here and foil your plans.”

With her eyes shut, she waited, listening, and felt his breath touch her ear. Tingles prickled down that side of her body. “Is it working?” he asked.

Her eyes snapped open so he could see the hate in them, but her breath caught at the blueness of his eyes and his nearness, like in the tree. She pulled her lips back, gritting her teeth. “Yes, I have died. Best to toss this stinking corpse out of here.”

He leaned in again, and she fought to not back up. Inhaling deeply near her hair, he whispered, “Your corpse smells of fresh Highland air and flowers.” His gaze fastened to her eyes until she felt like she could not look away. Like a mouse caught in his falcon’s sight. He grinned. “I will keep ye for now.”

Chapter Three

Chapter Three

The blasted man grabbed Ella around the hips and lifted her up over one of his large shoulders. She kicked her heels to throw him off-balance and shoved against the muscles of his broad back, but the vile man caught her legs, holding them together pressed to his chest, her arse sticking up in the air near his ear. She arched her back, rising to sink her nails into his shoulder to push upright.

“If ye will walk with me without seeking a way to die, I will put ye down.”

“Put me down.” If she’d been born with the muscles of a man, she’d have beaten him soundly. Of course, she would also likely be dead, but hadn’t that been what she wanted when he caught her? Well, not really, only if it was to protect Sutherland Clan from being taken over by Sinclairs. Death before surrender was one of her father’s favorite bellows.