Total pages in book: 96
Estimated words: 91416 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 457(@200wpm)___ 366(@250wpm)___ 305(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 91416 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 457(@200wpm)___ 366(@250wpm)___ 305(@300wpm)
“He doesn’t hate you, though he has a right to be angry. You shouldn’t have run off. You let your anger rule just like your da does.”
Anger sparked quickly in his young eyes. “I’m nothing like my da.”
“You are more like your da than you think which doesn’t make it easy for you. But staying out here, not facing your da, won’t fix anything.”
“My da made sure that everyone knows I’m a liar,” he said, tearing up again.
“Then prove him wrong. Think before doing anything. Don’t rush into anger like your da. Anger never solves anything.”
He sniffled. “My grandda tells me that often.”
“Then pay heed to your grandda’s wise words. Learn from those willing to help you and even those who aren’t willing can teach you something.”
“Like what?” he asked curiously.
Dru chuckled. “Like how you don’t want to be just like them.”
Ethan laughed softly.
Dru rested her hand on his arm. “You have a family who loves you. That is a precious gift to be treasured.”
For a long moment, he sat in thought saying nothing. Then, hesitantly, he reached for her hand.
Dru helped him to his feet, keeping her grip firm as she scanned the woods around them. Something felt off.
And then, from not far off in the forest, came the unmistakable sound of a branch snapping.
They were not alone.
“Women. They never learn to obey,” Liam said, shaking his head, then scolded. “And why didn’t you keep an eye on Dru, Agatha? You just let her go off on her own? Now not only is our son missing but Knox’s wife as well.”
“It is not my place to tell Dru what she can or cannot do,” Lady Agatha argued.
Knox had enough of their bickering. He walked over to where Robert was sitting in the Great Hall. “Where did my wife go? And don’t waste my time telling me you don’t know. I know you lied for her about the incident with Ethan.”
“She told you?” Robert asked surprised.
“Nay, I never got a chance to ask her, but you just confirmed my suspicions. Now where is she?”
Robert shook his head. “I truly don’t know. The only thing she said was something about how Ethan would run without thinking and get lost.”
Knox nodded. “So, he’d be in the most unlikely place.”
“Your wife is a wise woman,” Robert said.
“Not always,” Knox said, annoyed and left the keep, leaving Liam and Agatha arguing.
He didn’t have to inquire in the village if anyone saw his wife. There were a few women only too glad to tell him that they had seen his wife and the direction she went.
Knox hurried his pace, worried. He had seen signs of mercenaries in the area, and he feared Dru might run into a few before he could reach her.
Dru tightened her grip on Ethan’s hand, her pulse steady but rapid as the sound of approaching footsteps grew louder. Running, she took the chance of losing Ethan and there was no good place to hide. So, she stayed put, hoping she could handle whoever was coming their way. She turned, placing the lad behind her as three men emerged from the trees, their grins sharp as blades.
“Well, well,” the tallest of them said smugly, his dark eyes raking over Dru with interest. “What have we here? Two lost pups?”
The second man, lean and wiry, chuckled. “Not just any pup, Roddick. That one’s got fire in her eyes.” He shifted his gaze to Ethan. “And the other one? Looks like he’d make a good addition to Phelan’s crew.”
The third man, broader than the others with a jagged scar running down his cheek, crossed his arms. “What do you reckon, men? We sell the lad to Phelan and enjoy the woman before we sell her to Phelan as well for his men to enjoy. Unless, of course, she wants to beg for mercy.”
Dru arched a brow, unimpressed. “Beg? For the likes of you?” She gave a sharp laugh. “I’d rather teach you a lesson you’d not soon forget.”
Roddick grinned, stepping closer. “I like a lass with spirit.”
“I like a man who knows when he’s about to lose a limb,” Dru shot back.
The men barked out laughter, but there was an edge to it now, their amusement laced with calculation. They weren’t used to women who didn’t cower. They wouldn’t take kindly to it.
Ethan clung to her cloak, his breathing uneven, his small fingers twisting the fabric. Dru bent her head slightly, her voice a whisper only he could hear.
“Listen to me, Ethan. You are your father’s son.” She glanced at him, her gaze firm. “You have his strength, his courage. Do not let fear rule you. You fight when you must.”
The lad swallowed hard but gave a tiny nod.
Scarface cracked his knuckles. “Enough chatter. Let’s see if the lass fights as well as she talks.”