: Chapter 32

Max

At no point in my life did I ever have a cool head. I jumped to conclusions, allowed my temper to run free, and I loved so deeply it cut me in two. Right now, I had to be a different man. I needed to emulate the fucked-up guy who’d come here with his demands and tried to control the people I loved.

It took half of my energy to prevent my hands forming fists and therefore telegraphing how I wanted the fight. To smack down on Stephen. Bloody myself with taking out my anger on his face.

But that wouldn’t get me my daughter. Or help Lia.

Aside from the car parked ten feet away, Stephen had brought backup. My uncle had quietly reported how we had men watching us. He couldn’t see guns, but he’d counted people and cars, partially hidden under the cover of trees. No doubt where Felix had run. We hadn’t found Evie. We couldn’t fight this out.

There was only one way to get through this.

The decision Lia had to make.

I watched her, and she stared at me for a long moment, then swallowed and turned to Stephen.

“Life is short. I’m going to live great so the most important people remember me. I’m not leaving Max. Evie and I belong with him.”

Stephen gave a short nod. “So be it. Mr McRae, we’ll make the exchange.”

It took a second for my brain to catch up, because Lia had given me everything I wanted.

This time round, she chose me.

For evermore, I would always choose her.

Hiding the effects of my pounding heart, I spoke into my radio. “Bring him out.”

The apartment door opened, and Lia’s father emerged, Maddock holding his hands at the small of his back. My twin marched him down the steps. Around us, the mountain rescue team bristled.

Stephen stepped forward and held out his tablet to Rothschild. “I assume you heard everything. Lia no longer wishes to be a burden to you. You are free to return to work unimpeded by small concerns. Your signature.”

With his eyes crinkled at the edges and emotion plain, Lia’s dad held his hand over the tablet but turned his gaze on his daughter.

He knew the decision she’d made, but his words were for Stephen. “You have interfered with my daughter’s life too much. Our relationship was already fractured because of you, and now you leave me in an impossible situation. This is unacceptable.”

“It is also unavoidable if you want your grandchild restored to her parents. Sign the form.”

“Guarantee to me that you will leave them alone after this.”

“You have my word.”

Rothschild glowered but produced a scrawl.

Stephen took a sharp breath then withdrew the tablet and tapped on the screen. “That is submitted. You are bound to it.”

“I know how it works. But the moment you deliver me back to work, I will never see you again,” he spat to Stephen.

If heartbreak had a face, it was the instant report of emotion on Stephen. A flash of regret and pain. But once again, he hid it and gestured from Maddock to the car. “Put him inside.”

“My daughter,” I snarled.

Stephen inclined his head. “She’s in there, waiting.”

I dove forward and yanked on the nearest rear door. The car must have had soundproofing, because the instant I’d cracked it open, Evie’s yells filled the air.

“Da!” she squealed. “Da!”

My fucking heart broke.

The man holding her offered her up for me to take, and I collected her onto my left arm then, without hesitation, threw a punch with my right. It connected sweetly, but I didn’t linger.

A second man had exited the car from the far passenger door, and he grasped Rothschild by the arm then bundled him inside. Stephen calmly climbed inside the front, then three doors slammed and they sped away.

Before the car had moved, I’d already found my way to Lia’s side. I grasped her to me, and she clung to my middle, taking Evie’s face to examine her for injuries.

“We didn’t hurt your da,” I told her. It had all been for show, the yell and threats.

“Da,” Evie said joyfully.

“Oh my God,” Lia said. “She’s okay. Are you okay, baby?”

Evie giggled and tangled her hands in Lia’s hair, while her ma burst into tears. I’d forgotten how to breathe, so I just held them to me, deprived of oxygen and not giving a shite.

I had my family back.

Now I had to keep them.

Vaguely, I was aware of voices around us. When I was finally able to see again, I found a wall of my family surrounding us and talking between them. Over the radio, Gordain reported that he and Gabe were tracking Stephen’s car and their entourage as they drove off the estate. He asked if we needed them pursued beyond that, but I shook my head in the negative.

Maddock spoke on my behalf to our family, my words lost. “Good job, everyone. Mission successful. Lochie, take the team for debrief, aye? Callum, secure the castle and get that inner door locked. We need our wee family safe in their home. Max, we have a doctor on their way now to check Evie over. The three of ye go into your apartment, and other than that single person, ye willnae be disturbed again today. Gabe and I will be on patrol to make sure the place is secure throughout the night. Just to be on the safe side.”

He ushered us up the steps and into the apartment.

Lia cried on, holding Evie to her while I locked us inside. At the inner door, my uncle and aunt appeared. Callum held up the key, but Mathilda paused him.

“In half an hour, I’ll bring up lunch for you all. You’ll need to eat, and I want to be able to do something for you. Same with dinner later. Your parents will come by with something. Lincoln is staying with them for the night, so there’s nothing for you to worry about. Stay in, and stay safe.”

I gave them both thanks and a quick hug, then took the key and locked us inside.

In the lounge, Lia sat on the couch with Evie nestled to her chest. She peeked up at me with an expression so full of emotion, my heart lurched.

“Hey,” she said to Evie. “Do you know what? You have the best daddy who ever breathed. He’d do anything for you.”

“Da,” Evie replied.

Lia took a delighted gasp. “That’s right. Your da. Aren’t you clever? Your first real word.”

I just stood there and watched them. “For both of ye,” I said.

Lia tilted her head, inviting elaboration.

“I’d do anything for ye. Always.”

Her cheeks pinkened, then Evie giggled and put her palms up to pat them. With a look to tell me that there was so much more to be said, Lia settled in to calm and play with our daughter. A short while later, the doctor appeared to check our bairn over. From her happy smiles and laughter, we already knew she was okay.

But I wasn’t.

Far from it.

I hadn’t needed the events of today to tell me how much I wanted this forever. But it had reinforced it all.

I could have lost them, but I hadn’t.

Now I had to set about making this permanent.

Evie didn’t nap throughout the afternoon. Unsurprising after the scare she’d had, though in every other way, she seemed unharmed by it. Lia suggested that the fact she’d known Felix all of her life likely diminished her fear. He’d been the man in the back of the car holding her. When I’d hit him, I had Evie’s face pressed to my shirt so she wouldn’t see. No doubt she picked up on the worried faces through the darkened glass. And the fact she’d been torn from Cait’s arms.

We finally got her to sleep, snuggled between us in our bed.

Lia yawned big. “She’s gone,” she mouthed.

Neither of us moved from the warm space. My family had fed us, and I’d seen my brother’s car patrolling the grounds. We were secure inside the castle walls.

“I’m sorry about your da,” I said softly.

She twisted her lips. “I’m terrified for him. He once told me this story of a colleague who’d been strong-armed into taking a job. Dad used violence to get his way. I hadn’t liked it at all, but he’d explained how sometimes you had to do unpleasant things for the greater good. Stephen and Felix learned from his teachings. I can only hope Stephen was telling the truth, and Dad will be delivered back to work to continue what he’s been doing for the past twenty years.”

I swore under my breath. “Live by the sword, die by the sword.”

“Exactly, and I won’t rest until I know he’s safe.”

“I can never forgive what they did to our daughter.”

“Me neither. They leapt to a terrible course of action rather than just talking to any of us. If Dad and I had talked, I would’ve told him how I wanted to stay here. He would’ve been happy. I know he approved of the castle. My father always had this vague worry about someone trying to hurt us. Turns out his own people became that threat.”

Earlier, I’d asked Lia if she wanted to talk to the police. She’d refused, and I hadn’t pushed the point either. They wouldn’t be able to do anything that we hadn’t already managed.

She yawned again, and I tucked a lock of hair behind her ear.

“Ye need sleep,” I told her.

“I don’t want to, but I’m ready to drift off. Blame the shock.” She snuggled deeper. “Hey, what happened with the thing you set out to do this morning?”

I hugged her, the hustle to find Struan a distant memory. “We were just about to leave when it all happened. Another day.”

Lia smiled and closed her eyes.

I didn’t think sleep would take me so easily, but darkness pulled me under almost instantly after.

In the morning, I woke to an empty bed and soft voices coming from the kitchen. Bleary-eyed, I emerged into the bright space to find Lia making breakfast, Evie in her highchair sipping her milk.

Swift and savage need pulled at me for the perfection of this moment. Both were okay. Both were here.

Just had to repeat that to myself until I believed it.

“Da,” Evie greeted me.

“You are so clever.” I dropped a kiss to my daughter’s head then moved in on her mother. Lia met me with open arms, and the press of our lips fuelled my need even more.

“Linc texted me. He stopped by for a quick hug and a goodbye, hence why we’re up so early. Do you know he stayed with your parents last night? It was lovely seeing Evie beam at him, and he officially quit his job, so it was quite a moment. The end of an era.” She chewed her lip. “Which brings me onto something else. Can you do something for me this morning?” Lia asked.

“Anything.”

A smile tweaked her lips, but it was short-lived. “Ask your brother to meet me.”

I hesitated, examining her expression. For too long, I’d panicked over her seeing my twin again. Pictured her unable to cope and walking away because of it. Except she had healing to do, too. If Lia wanted this, I’d deliver it.

I sent him a message and got the answer Lia wanted. Then it was over to her. Whatever came of it was the way it had to be.