: Chapter 34

Max – two months on

Muddied and bruised, I dove over a fallen log, landing almost silently in a soft pile of pine needles the other side. Around me in the dark night, excited shouts rang out.

Men, hunting me.

I ducked and tried to control my ragged breathing, clamping my hand to my mouth for silence.

Branches broke mere feet away, and someone swore.

“He came this way. I saw him through the trees,” one of my cousins uttered.

Torchlight pierced the night, and I shrank lower.

“Ye reckon? Or is that the beer goggles making ye see things,” another replied on a drunken laugh.

“Fuck ye. Split up. We cannae let him escape. Max?” the first man bellowed. “Come out, come out, wherever ye are. We have a surprise.”

As carefully as I could, I picked up a short log and flung it away downhill.

It thudded on a tree then crashed to the ground. Several torches trained on the sound.

“This way. I can hear him. He’s getting away,” a McRae man yelped.

Others whooped. As a pack, they set off to continue their hunt.

After a beat, silence reigned once more. I allowed myself a full, deep breath, trying not to laugh.

Yeah, I was a little drunk, too.

It was my stag party, after all.

Earlier this afternoon, just as Evie had gone down for her nap and Lia and I were about to get up to something more…interesting, someone had hammered on the castle apartment’s door.

I’d answered in just my boxers. Maddock had smirked then grabbed my arms and hauled me outside. Instantly, from the pack of men at the base of the steps, I knew their intentions—we’d done the same to Maddock ahead of his wedding a few weeks ago—but I’d barely had a chance to yell goodbye to Lia when they’d thrown me into a car and driven me away.

At least Maddock had my boots. And given me a sexy maid’s outfit to wear first to the local pub, then on a boat across the loch and up the mountain.

I was the last McRae man to be wed. They’d warned how they were going to see me out in style.

I shivered and yanked at the frilly skirt that offered next to no cover. The dying footfalls of the men moved away down one side of the hill, so I rose and peered out of my hiding place.

I had to get back to the apartment before twelve. Overnight, I’d be staying with my folks so Lia would have the apartment for wedding prep. We’d have no alone time. There would be no opportunity to finish what we’d been getting down to when I’d been grabbed.

I ached for her and, if we wanted to avoid bad luck, the only time was now.

The coast seemed clear. No light crossed this patch of forest. No voices could be heard. With infinite care, I stepped one bare leg over the log.

“Ah ha.”

I jumped and snapped my gaze around to spot my brother leaning against a tree.

“Shite. Ye scared the life out of me.” My pulse skittered.

“Amateur. I could hear ye breathing a mile off.” Maddock lifted his chin at me. “Shall I call them back?”

“No, don’t. What time is it?”

“Eleven-thirty. Why?”

“I need to see Lia for a pre-wedding…chat.”

He folded his arms, the faint gleam in his eye telling me he understood. “What’s it worth?”

“For fuck’s sake.”

“Naw, as I recall, I begged ye not to shave my head before my wedding.”

“And we didn’t.” I gave him a wolfish grin. “Tempting as it was, Rory would’ve killed me if I scalped ye.”

We stared at each other.

Then my brother relented. “Ye have thirty minutes. I’ll find ye outside of the castle at midnight for your final task.” He gave a savage grin. “That one is a real fucker.”

Damn. I didn’t need telling twice. As fast as possible, I took off, running to the castle.