Free A Fire Within (These Highland Hills, Book 3) by Kathleen Morgan

and yer kind, but not to me!" Caitlin looked to
where Jamie was finally finishing the task of guiding a squirming, arms-and-legs-flailing Janet safely to the ground. "Well,
MacNaghten or no, I don't believe ye'd actually shoot me," she
said, turning back to eye his dagg with disdain. "Ye're too much
a coward for that. Best ye slink back the way ye came, before
Jamie's forced to thrash ye for yer insolence."
    This had gone on far enough, Dar decided. He was beginning
to get irritated. He grabbed her arm as she set out toward her
two friends, and jerked her back.
    "We'll just see how cowardly I am," he growled, pulling her
close and pressing the pistol to her temple as the big, red-haired
man finally seemed to realize there were a few more people here
than he had first imagined and, a scowl on his face, headed in
their direction.
    "Ye'll be verra sorry ye did this," Caitlin hissed back as Jamie
advanced on them. "Verra sorry indeed."
    "I already am," Dar replied. "And likely to get more sorry as
time goes on."
    "What are ye about, MacFarlane?" Jamie demanded as he
finally halted before them. "That dagg isn't loaded, is it?"
    Dar cocked his head. "And do I look like a fool, to press an
unloaded pistol to someone's head? Aye, Campbell. The dagg's
loaded. Unless ye turn around, get down on yer knees, and allow
Kenneth to tie yer hands and feet, I'll use it on the lass."

    "He's not a MacFarlane, Jamie," Caitlin cried. "He's a villainous MacNaghten, he is! And don't believe him. He won't shoot
me. He knows ye'd kill him if he did."
    Jamie eyed Caitlin, then the pistol, and finally Dar. "A MacNaghten, is he? Well, that changes everything, doesn't it? He'd
kill ye, and no mistake. The man's got naught to lose."
    "At last, someone with a shred of sense," Dar muttered. "Now,
do as I say."
    He jerked his head toward Jamie. "Get over here now, Kenneth, and tie him up. I haven't the time or patience for any more
blathering."
    Janet ran up just as Jamie turned, knelt, and offered his hands
behind his back. "What are ye doing, MacFarlane? If this is some
daft game ye're playing, it's gone too far! Ye do know by now
who Caitlin is, don't ye? Niall Campbell will have yet head, he
will!"
    "Wheesht, woman!" Dar snapped, silencing her. "Of course I
know who she is. Why else would I be taking her as hostage?"
    "Hostage?" Her face purpling, Caitlin's cousin fairly shrieked
out the word. "How dare ye? How dare ye?'
    At Janet's histrionics, Caitlin sighed in apparent exasperation.
"Och, he dares, and no mistake. He's a MacNaghten, after all."
    Dar had never seen someone turn white so fast.
    "A-a MacNaghten?" Janet whispered. "Och, what are we going
to do, Caitlin?"
    By now, Kenneth had Jamie on the ground, trussed like some
pig ready to roast on a spit. It was now Janet's turn, Dar decided.
    "Take care of the woman," he said to his friend. "Only, once
ye've got her good and tied, put a gag in her mouth as well. I'd
wager, once we leave, her screeching will be heard all the way to
Kilchurn."
    "N-nay!" Janet wheeled about and set off at a run.

    Kenneth looked to Dar. "Er, my foot might not be able to
handle a race to catch that wee lass."
    "Here." Dar shoved Caitlin to him. "Can ye at least hold on
to her?"
    He chuckled. "Aye, and enjoy every moment of it as well."
    "Enjoy all ye want, but keep yet hands to yerself." Dar shoved
the dagg into his belt and set off after Janet.
    It didn't take long to catch the fleeing woman. Janet was really not that fast a runner and was soon winded. She screamed,
though, when Dar grabbed her about the waist and lifted her
into the air to sling over his shoulder.
    "Put me down, ye rogue!" She kicked wildly and pounded on
his back. "I knew all along ye were a smarmy cur, I did!"
    "Well, ye'll soon be free of me," Dar ground out as he strode
along. "That should be of some comfort, if naught else."
    Janet soon tired of her tirade and flailing. Dar wasn't to enjoy
the respite for