Ghosts of Culloden Moor 22 - Murdoch (Diane Darcy)

by L. L. Muir

  He cupped her nape, and drew her in for a kiss. When their lips touched, nothing had changed. She still felt electrified when he caressed her. Felt the pleasure of his kiss melt her down to her bones and her curling toes.

  The guy knew how to kiss. He grazed her lips once, and again, sparking a flood of sensation that had her drawing a breath. Her life was in shambles at the moment, filled with worry and concern, but this? This was fantastic! He was fantastic!

  So she might as well enjoy.

  She pulled back, and his blissful expression drew her in to cup his face, to kiss his cheeks, his lips again, and he seemed to relish the attention. She eased away. “You’re smiling. Are you happy when you kiss me?”

  He gave a strained laugh. “Aye, lass. I’m verra happy when I kiss you.”

  Her lips curved upward. “Me too.”

  Chapter Nine

  They headed back to the motel and when they arrived, Murdoch helped Sarah from the car once more. “There’s a good lass,” he praised her for waiting instead of trying to open the door herself. “Let’s go in and get a couple hours of sleep.”

  “What time are we going to leave?”

  “We used to raid at midnight. ’Tis the best time, truly. Everyone but the guards are asleep, and if they’ve not had trouble in a while, they’ll be lax in their duties.”

  “I doubt men like that ever have troubles.”

  Murdoch grinned as he opened the door with the key card and ushered her inside. “All the better for us.” He indicated the bed. “Lie down, lass. I’ll join ye in a moment.”

  “I’m not sure that’s such a good idea.”

  He tried not to show his amusement. Of course it wasn’t a good idea to lie beside him. He felt like a predator around her. She surely must feel like prey. “On the bed, Sarah. I’ll not harm ye.” He headed to look out the window. If he wasn’t watching, perhaps she’d feel less stalked.

  “I know you won’t harm me. It’s what else you might do that I’m worried about.”

  He stifled a chuckle, inordinately pleased she saw him as both protector and threat. She was certainly intelligent; he’d give her that, because he was both. “Come lass, lie down. I’ll not do anythin’ ye doonae care for.” He glanced out the window, spotted no threat, then turned to look at her. “Anywise, yer forgettin’ somethin’ important, are ye not?”

  She glared at him crossly. “I know, I know! I belong to you.”

  His grin deepened. “I wasnae going to say that. I was going to say we need to be well rested for what comes this night. But I’m glad ye’ve realized yer mine. I like to hear ye say it.”

  She sighed heavily as she glanced up at the ceiling.

  He waited, trying to conceal his amusement.

  She looked at the bed then back at him. “Are we really going to rest?”

  “Of course.”

  She shot him a wary look and climbed on the bed but didn’t get under the covers.

  “Now there’s a good lass.” He turned off the light, shut the curtain, blocking the light from the parking lot, then grabbed a spare blanket off a shelf and joined her, covering them both. “Come here, lass. Scoot yerself closer to me. I just wish to hold ye in my arms.”

  “Sure you do.” Careful as a doe, she moved closer until she was inches away.

  He hauled her closer, pulling her flush against his side, tucking her head to his shoulder. “Relax.” He started to rub her back with one hand until, little by little, the tension within her eased and she lay slack against him, finally falling asleep.

  He tightened his arms about her, petted her hair with his hand, then slid his hand down to her hip, repeating the process over and over.

  He’d never felt so content.

  She was such a brave little thing, but of course there was no way he was going to let her risk herself. She was his to protect, and he’d do it whether she willed it or no.

  He wanted her safe. Nae, he had to see her safe. He’d never in life had a woman to call his own. In the hereafter, wherever it was he went this time, be it Culloden Moor or Hell, he’d have Sarah in his thoughts. The memory of her touch, the feel and scent of her; it would be Sarah that kept him sane. Come what may, in his mind, she would always be his. He’d never be alone like that again.

  A couple of hours later he squeezed her close. Held her slight weight against him one last time. He inhaled the scent of her hair and gently kissed the top of her head. Slowly he eased away from her and the moment they no longer touched, he felt bereft.

  He reached for her, for a last touch, then drew his hand back. He didn’t wish to wake her. Though night had fallen, dim light came through a crack in the curtain from an outside light. Her face, turned toward him, was beautiful in the semi-darkness. Thick lashes curved against her cheek, and though he longed for one last kiss, one last taste of her, he couldn’t be swayed from his duty.

  He turned away, determined to remember her as she looked surrounded by shadows, lit by the sun, smiling, frowning, impatient, or laughing. He would tuck every single memory away, and bring them all out, one by one to study, to warm him, to keep him sane in the hereafter.

  He remembered what the witch said to him the day he’d resisted coming here with all his might. She’d said if he went, he’d have his grand adventure. If he’d known Sarah awaited him, he’d have gone to his knees and begged Soni to send him.

  He quietly took the car keys, stopped with his hand on the doorknob, and fought with all he was worth not to turn back to her. “I love ye, Sarah,” he whispered into the darkness. “I always will.” He opened the door as quietly as he could, stepped out, and shut it behind him just as softly. He left Sarah safe, secure, full of life and vitality.

  Tears filled his eyes, even as his lips tightened.

  He’d see his lady protected, save her grandfather, and hope she, at the very least, remembered him fondly.

  It was everything he could do to get himself to go, to leave her, knowing he might never see her again. Mayhap she’d think of him from time to time, especially if he managed to save her grandfather. For his own part he knew he’d think of her always. Whatever his future held, one thing was sure. Wherever he was, be it the cold, endless moor, or Hell itself, Sarah would be within his heart, making his existence bearable.

  ~~~

  Sarah woke, her eyes snapping open in the darkness.

  She felt the bed beside her, realized Murdoch wasn’t there, and called out. “Murdoch?”

  No answer.

  She glanced at the bedside clock. Just after midnight. She hurried to the window to look out. Her car was missing.

  Her lips tightened as grimness filled her. “Oh no, he did not!”

  Flipping on lights she hurried to search the counter, the table, but remembered Murdoch had the microchip. “You underhanded jerk!” She glanced around the room thinking about where the copy of the original could be, then remembered it was in Murdoch’s possession as well.

  Blast him!

  That treacherous two-timing dog!

  He’d played her? Seduced her into having feelings for him? He’d been one of the bad guys the entire time? He’d been one of the ones holding her grandfather?

  Tears filled her eyes. She’d kissed him. Fallen for him. She could hardly believe it. No one could be that good, could they? That sincere?

  So much for keeping his word!

  She looked around the room again and clenched her fists. She barely stopped herself from screaming. How could he do this to her? And what about her poor grandfather? Would they set him free now that they had what they wanted?

  Again, disbelief roared through her. Froze her. Not Murdoch. He couldn’t have done this. He just couldn’t have.

  Her chest ached and she recognized the emotion as hurt.

  He’d hurt her.

  He’d convinced her he cared deeply, that he wanted her, that she was his everything, and it had all been a lie? More tears sprang to her eyes as she shoved her shoes on and tied the laces. She wante
d to kill the guy.

  A knock on the door flooded her with relief.

  Her breath hitched in her chest. She closed her eyes, the relief so strong she couldn’t move. He’d probably just stepped out. Was he practicing his driving skills again? She was such a jerk to doubt him. She would never tell him what she’d believed. The thought of his devastated face if she expressed her distrust convinced her she’d take her doubt to the grave. She finally unfroze, raced for the door and flung it open. She gasped.

  Two men filled the doorway and then some. Black suits, grim expressions. Bad guys.

  Oh, dear, oh dear. She should have checked the peek-hole. Fear gripped her throat, choking her. She swallowed hard and tried to slam the door.

  Too late. Within seconds, before she’d even sucked in enough air to scream, they’d shoved the door open, grabbed her, and her mouth was covered with a big, beefy palm.

  They carried her out the door and shoved her into the backseat of a car.

  When she sat up, the man across from her slapped her face, hard, knocking her to the seat.

  She slowly lifted her head as she placed a hand to her cheek.

  The blonde man smiled. “Hi there, Sarah. Recognize me? Where’s your boyfriend, hmm?”

  She cleared her suddenly tight throat. “Hello, Ivan.”

  Murdoch had told her she’d be sorry he hadn’t killed him.

  Pressing a hand to her throbbing cheek, she swallowed again and found herself feeling quite regretful.

  ~~~

  They wanted to know where Murdoch was?

  That certainly caught her attention as sudden hope swirled in her heart.

  “I crawled out of a hospital bed for this! I’m waiting!”

  Her doubts faded. So Murdoch wasn’t with them? Wasn’t one of them? If he hadn’t stolen the microchip for personal gain, then he must have thought to go and rescue her grandfather by himself. Her heart softened again. The big lug. That was exactly what he would do to protect her. And to think she’d doubted him.

  Another slap to her face, not as hard as the last, but it still hurt.

  “Hello? Anyone home?”

  She held a hand to her stinging cheek. “He’s not going to like that you did that to me. He’ll make you pay for it.” She glanced at his bandaged hand and smirked.

  The guy hesitated, showed a flash of fear, then anger.

  Another slap. Harder.

  “Ahh.” That one burned. She knew she should stop antagonizing the guy, lay low, play meek and humble, but she didn’t want to be a coward. She wanted Murdoch to be proud of the way she’d fought.

  If she ever made it through this, anyway. If he ever knew about it.

  Could a heart be given in two days?

  She thought of Murdoch, his fierceness, tenderness, the way he looked at her. The way he’d laid claim to her. If she’d never taken a risk in her life before, she was taking one with him. So, yes, it was entirely possible to fall in love that fast, because it had happened to her.

  She loved that big, scary goof. She was keeping him. She belonged to him? Well back at ya, babe. If she got out of this, she was going to lock that man down and put a ring on it.

  Ivan released an ugly laugh. “He won’t know where you are. And even if he did, we could take him.”

  She lifted her chin. “You couldn’t before.”

  She could see he didn’t like that and wondered if she was about to get slapped again. She didn’t lower her chin but stared him down. “How did you find me, anyway?”

  “All we had to do was put out the word we were willing to pay for information. The front desk manager was quick to turn you in.”

  She sighed. “It was the kilt, wasn’t it?”

  That made both Ivan and the driver laugh. “Yes, it was.”

  She fumed. They should have purchased his new clothes sooner.

  Ivan reached out and put a hand on her knee.

  She jerked back. “Oh no, you don’t.”

  “Are we in a hurry, Roman? Maybe we have a bit of time to stop by the side of the road?”

  The driver laughed. “No time. Maybe later.”

  Ivan smirked. “Later, then. For now, I’ll ask again. Where is the Highlander? Where is the microchip?”

  Both were good questions. Where would Murdoch have gone? Probably to the same place they were headed if he could find it. And she needed to be ready to help him. “I honestly don’t know where he is. We got in a fight and he left me. As for the microchip, you know we don’t have it. We were asking you about it earlier. The only reason we knew about it was because we were in my grandfather’s house earlier and heard your men talking about it.”

  Ivan sighed and rubbed his forehead with his uninjured hand. He glanced up, chilling blue eyes level with hers. “And yet somehow he’s ‘not going to like me slapping you? He’s going to make me pay?’ I don’t believe a word you’re saying.”

  Busted. “I only said that to scare you. I really don’t know where he is.”

  “And you know nothing about a microchip?”

  She tried to look confused. “Are you talking about those implants they put in dogs? Where you scan them to find the owners name and address?”

  Ivan eyed her with suspicion.

  Her gaze flitted to the door handle.

  “Try it,” he said. “I really want you to.”

  Throwing the door open and rolling out onto the road looked good in the movies, but with her luck, she’d break her bones and lose her teeth.

  Besides, they’d probably just back the car over her anyway.

  The driver jumped out to open a gate and Sarah froze. This was the gate they’d passed earlier. The one they were to climb to try and find her grandfather. “Are you taking me to my grandfather?”

  “You were staying in a motel down the road from here. Coincidence? I think not. I think you know very well where your grandfather is. I think you planned to rescue him. I think that crazy man of yours is already here somewhere.” He smirked at her and cocked his head. “Am I close?”

  The blood drained from her face even as she tried to keep her expression blank. “I don’t know what you’re talking about. He is crazy. I told you, we fought and he left. He has a terrible temper.”

  He gave her an aren’t you sweet look, obviously not believing a word. “This time I won’t underestimate the man. I’ll use my gun instead of my fists.”

  She swallowed, wishing there was a way to warn him, to save him.

  The driver opened the car door, Ivan exited and held out his hand to her.

  She considered making him drag her out of the car but knew it wouldn’t be pleasant. That didn’t mean she had to take his hand. She slid across the seat and out of the car, slapping at his hand when he grabbed her elbow.

  He didn’t seem to notice.

  There was a scary old house in front of her with a bright porch light. The place had white peeling paint and old, broken chairs strewn about. Several outbuilding were randomly set about the place, and she could see at least two guards walking the perimeter of a wooden fence.

  She gaped. Oh, this was not going to be good.

  She considered calling out for Murdoch, warning him. But then they’d know for sure he was there instead of just suspecting. He could probably see the guards well enough. He was strong, smart, savvy.

  “This place is scary! I don’t want to go in there!” She dug her heels in and spoke as loudly as she could, hoping to warn Murdoch about her presence. “What kind of sick people are you, anyway? This is the worst hideout ever!”

  Ivan jerked her toward the wooden stairs and toward the darkened doorway as real fear tripped up her spine. She balked, trying to set her feet in the grass. “No way. I’m not going in there.”

  Ivan dragged her forward. “It’s not so bad. You’ll see.”

  The doorway was dark and there was no way she was going into that gaping maw. She dug in her feet again, squirming against her captor.

  He laughed, moving forward as he dragg
ed her along.

  Fear dried her throat.

  The creepy old house. The outbuildings. It looked like a great place to commit murder and to get away with it.

  It was a murder house, she just knew it.

  She started to hyperventilate. “No, no, no! You’re going to feed me to the hogs or something, aren’t you!”

  Ivan spoke a few words in Russian to the driver and the man surged forward, threw her over his hard shoulder and went up the porch steps. The screen door squeaked, a noise that might have sounded homey in certain circumstances, but was just frightening in this one.

  Oh, dear lord, she was in so much trouble.

  Chapter Ten

  Sarah was there? It took him a moment to recognize the emotion he was feeling. Pure, unadulterated fear. It froze the blood in his veins. What in the name of all that was holy was Sarah doing there?

  Rage flashed.

  They had his woman?

  He wanted to rush forward, kill them all, and take her away. Everything within him demanded he do just that.

  He gritted his teeth and tried to think. She shouldn’t be there, blast it! She was supposed to be safe in her room at the motel. She was supposed to sleep soundly while he took care of it all for her.

  He’d planned to bring her grandfather to her before she’d even noticed he’d left.

  And somehow they’d found and taken her?

  He wanted to roar his frustration. Charge them. Kill them.

  He took two calming breaths as he tried to think.

  Silent as the ghost he’d been, he sneaked up to the fence, vaulted behind a solitary guard, and incapacitated the man with a rock and a heavy blow to the head. He considered killing him, but knew Sarah wouldn’t like it. The man should be out far longer than it took Murdoch to get Sarah and her grandfather and get away. He took the man’s weapons, dumped him over the fence and into a bush.

  He smiled grimly as he faded into the shadows. Now he had two guns.