Storm kept her chin high and her stance firm while Burke rushed at her.
“You will not—will not—be a pawn to save my brother.”
Chapter 31
Burke turned to Tanin. “Leave us, and rest assured this plan will never see fruition.”
“I’m relieved to hear that,” Tanin said and walked away.
Burke had to calm himself or else he would grab Storm and shake the foolishness out of her. The idea that she would surrender herself to free his brother, while heroic, was simply foolhardy.
He turned with a shake of his head to face her. “You didn’t really believe that I would let you do this, did you?”
“Let me? Since when did you become the leader of this group?”
“Since the leader lost her mind.” He spit out a frustrated sigh. “It’s inconceivable to me that you would think I would allow you to purposely place your life in danger.”
Storm tapped her chin. “Let me think. You presently made a decision that I think is foolish but I do not stop you. I, however, devise a plan that could very well work and what do you do?”
“It is far different and you know it,” he said, not believing this conversation could even be taking place. There was no way in the world that he would ever allow her to be taken prisoner. He’d die defending her.
He grabbed hold of her, his grip strong as if he feared losing her. “Promise me you will think no more on this.”
“It is a viable plan that may prove necessary.”
“Never,” he near shouted. “Never would I allow it.”
“Never is a strong word,” Storm advised softly.
The blue of her eyes was as calm as the sky on a beautiful summer’s day, and that worried him. She wasn’t taking him seriously, and he wanted her to take him very seriously and know for certain her plan ended right here, right now.
“Get this plan out of your head and keep it out of your head,” he insisted. “It will not be discussed again.”
“You will see your brother die rather than consider a feasible plan?”
“A feasible plan does not trade one life for another,” he argued. “I will not chance losing you to save my brother.”
She eased his hands off her and placed a gentle hand to his face. “This really is my choice.”
Burke took her hand and kissed her palm. “No, it isn’t.”
“I’m the leader—”
“No. You’re the woman I love, who I want to marry, have children with, and grow old with. We’ll find another way to rescue my brother.”
“If there is none?”
“Your plan is not an option,” he said firmly, then wrapped her in his arms. “I can’t lose you, Storm. I love you too much.”
He felt her tense and understood. To her way of thinking, they had no future. He would return to America and she would remain behind in Scotland. But she wasn’t aware of his tenacity, especially when it came to protecting the people he loved. And damn if he didn’t love her with all his heart.
“We’ll work this out, don’t worry,” he said, hoping to ease her concern and his own, for he worried that Storm was just as tenacious as he.
Burke often wondered how Storm secured some of the things she needed, and now, seeing the horse and carriage waiting on the road when he emerged from the forest, he wondered even more.
“Don’t ask,” she cautioned before he could question her. “Don’t worry, it isn’t stolen.”
He liked when she fussed with his shirt or jacket, as she did now, her tiny hands smoothing down his collar and toying with his buttons, until finally coming to rest on his chest. It was as if she wanted to touch him but needed to take a roundabout way of doing it.
“Be careful,” she ordered. “And remember the earl is a deceitful man. Do not trust him. Keep to business. Do not waste pleasantries on him, get right to the heart of the matter.”
“Do I look presentable?” he teased, wanting to see her smile. He had already changed into suitable garments that Philip had retrieved from his cabin.
She shook her head and smiled, and he felt a stab to his gut. Stocking cap, smudges, and all, she still was beautiful and her smile confirmed it.
“Your tailored black wool suit speaks of wealth as does that diamond ring on your finger.”
“It was my father’s,” he said, holding his hand up. “I hope to give it to Cullen.”
“I’m sure he will treasure it.”
He leaned down and stole a quick kiss. “I will free my brother. I am sure of it.”
“I am too,” she encouraged, though it gave him a start.
He feared she kept her plan in mind, even worked on it, allowing it to grow, and he’d be damned if he’d see it given birth.