Page 82 of Deception of a Highlander

Kieran narrowed his eyes, unsure of whether he could believe her or not. The tears in her eyes seemed genuine. They’d certainly tugged at a deeper part of him he fought to ignore.

She wrapped her arms around her torso. “I saw how you handled Hamish and how well you rule your clan. Jack needs someone like you in his life. He’s innocent of my treachery and needs a home, someone to care for him. He’s a good boy.” Her voice broke, but she continued regardless. “I know he will listen to you and respect you. Please take him into your clan and make him one of your own.”

She drew a deep breath and watched him with shimmering eyes. “Please,” she whispered.

If what she said was true, how could he deny her request? Blair would never forgive him if he left a child without a home, and he could never forgive himself for leaving an innocent unguarded.

“I agree to yer first condition.”

Mariel tilted her head upward and breathed a long, shaky sigh. She turned toward him, and her pale lips lifted in a sad smile. Her nod was more to herself than to him. “Jack will be safe.”

“Ye said two things,” he reminded her.

He balled his hand into a fist and waited for the request he knew would come.

After all that she had done, all she had threatened with her presence—could he allow her to live?

CHAPTER 31

Kieran widened his stance to keep from pacing Mariel’s small, miserable cell. Why was she taking so long to answer his question? At this rate, he would be there all night.

Her thin arms were still wrapped around her chest, her brow creased with worry. She looked so damn vulnerable. A stark contrast to the woman who had maintained unbreakable strength and determination for the months he had known her. He hated seeing her like this. He hated the raw feelings she evoked with her sorrow.

“The second request?” he pressed. Would she beg for her life?

Mariel lifted her chin, displaying a shadow of the stubborn resilience he had come to expect from her. “I want to come with you when you get revenge.”

“Mariel, this isna—”

“You need me. Not only do I know the location of the meeting point, but I also know the layout of the property. The manor contains secret rooms and false doors. I know them well. I also know how best to avoid discovery. Together, we can catch them off guard and gain the advantage.”

He did not bother to suppress his heavy sigh. How like the English to keep a maze-filled home.

His men were used to fighting outdoors or in the solid walls of a castle. Though strong and prepared, the MacDonald men were not used to trickery, especially not with a traitor at their side.

“The men you will face are vicious and lack the honor of Highland warriors. They fight dirty.” Her gaze dropped to the floor. “They fight like me. I can train your men and prepare them for what they will be up against.”

Mariel was a strong opponent; he would give her that. His men relied more on strength than speed. The drastic difference in fighting styles could put them at a disadvantage and cost Kieran lives that he was not willing to sacrifice.

Damn it.

Kieran kept her trapped with his gaze. “Where did ye learn to fight like that?”

“The man who sent me here insisted I learn. He had another man he’d saved from being executed who trained his people for him. I was the only woman to receive such training.” Her knuckles went white beneath her clenched hands. “If I would have tried to escape, they wouldn’t have killed me. They would have killed Jack.”

The expression on her face was earnest, her gaze sincere. Indecision warred within Kieran, a foreign and unwelcome emotion. His people lived and died by his decisions.

He stepped closer. “How do I know I can trust ye?”

The flickering light sent shards of gold sparkling through her exquisite eyes. “I have not told you a single lie since we met.”

His derisive snort echoed off the cold walls. “Ye expect me to believe that?”

“No.” Her back stiffened. “But it’s the truth.”

He could think of no proof to support or disprove her claim. She had deceived him and made him believe she was someone she was not.

Regardless, the most pressing matter centered on Blair and Dougal’s safety. If Mariel were unable to carry out her assignment, another assassin would be dispatched in her place. Kieran knew all too well the persistence of men.