Unwilling Read Online Free PDF

and
securing the bonds to the exposed roots of a tree. Timber didn’t grow tall or numerous
in the western highlands, but the roots burrowed deep into the earth.  This one
must be old and hearty on top of the stony hill in which they dwelled, because
the gnarled vines were as thick as her arm in some places.           
    “Because I’m no’,”  he answered
simply.
    “But all those men… you slaughtered
them.  And your eyes—”
     “Those men have been burning, murdering,
and raping their way across the highlands.  They didna deserve to live.”
    So it was true.  Angus MacKay was a
warlord and a marauder.  She didn’t want to marry such a villain, but she
couldn’t stay with this… man, either.  He posed too much of a threat.  Not only
in terms of her survival, but to her salvation, as well.  Her body still warmed
to his touch.  She could still feel the press of his strong thighs against her
flesh as they rode through the gloaming together.  A dark and sinful part of
her thrilled to his darkness and strength.  “So, you get to decide who deserves
to live and die?” she pressed, ignoring the heat climbing her cheeks.  “What
are you, some sort of avenging angel?  A vigilante executioner?”
    “Nay, just a mercenary.”
    “Well, that is even worse.  What if
any of those men were innocent of the crimes you butchered them for?  What sins
have I committed that I must be witness to such a massacre?”
    He flicked her a glance from
beneath thick, ebony lashes, and she might have seen regret soften his eyes
before he turned his attention back to securing her bonds. 
     “You don’t have to do this,” she
offered.  “I’m no danger to you.”
    “I do what I must,” he murmured,
finishing with the knots and turning to face her.  “And I canna let you go.”
    Lindsay knelt before him, all other
options exhausted and a real terror building inside of her.  Her wrists slid
down the root but held fast.  She’d never been tied up before, and considering
what this man was capable of, it left her feeling utterly vulnerable.  “ Please . 
You can let me go,” she begged.  “I’m on my knees.  I’ll do anything.”
    Her captor’s nostrils flared and,
though his features darkened, a dangerous light illuminated his eyes.  He took
a step toward her, bringing the front of his damp trews to her eye-level.  His
mouth dropped open on a steadying exhale and his tongue snaked out to wet his
lower lip.  “I’ll warn ye once, Lindsay Ross, doona drop to yer knees and make
such offers to me, unless yer fully prepared to accept my terms.”
    Lindsay trembled.  She understood
his meaning, absolutely.  Her tongue wet her lips in a nervous gesture. 
    “What do you plan to do with me?”
she asked, unsteadily.  “Ransom me to my betrothed?”
    He turned away from her and strode
toward the cave opening.  “Ye’ll have no other betrothed.  Not after I slay
him.”
    No other betrothed?  What
could that mean?  “My uncle, then?”
    He shook his head.  “Nay lass, yer
coming with me.”
    “Where?”
    “Castle Lachlan.”
    “Castle Lachlan, but— Why ?” 
A dark fear curled deep in her stomach.
    “Because yer to be my mate.”
    “Your… what?”  That couldn’t mean
what she thought it meant, could it?
    He paused, looking back at her with
angry, glittering eyes.  “My wife ,” he ground out before leaving her
alone in the twilight.
    ***
    He’d made a mistake leaving her to
her own devices, Lindsay thought as she used her bare feet as leverage against
the rock wall.  If he thought she would submit to being the wife of a demon –
or – whatever he was, he could go straight to hell!  Or, wherever
creatures such as he spawned from.   Pulling at the cords and tangles of roots
with all her might, she felt her shoulder pop as her strength gave out.  She
collapsed to the ground, disheartened, but not defeated.  If she could get free
and gain enough distance on him, all