Free Laird of the Game by Lori Leigh

more that facing a hundred warriors in battle.
    “Rest now, my Angel,” he murmured and pressed his lips against her forehead.
    Most of the men were on duty or sleeping outside. His brothers were all present in the dining room.
    “Good evening, gentlemen,” Alex stated in a matter of fact tone as he entered the room.
    Daniel and Gideon had their hands clasped in a death grip arm wrestling, and neither one moved an inch in either direction. They already knew, from all the years of watching each other’s backs, what had transpired in his chamber.
    William stood by the fire and glared at Alex. “She’ll probably throw herself off the cliffs tomorrow once she finds out what a bastard ye are. The rules in the Highlands are absolute and binding, even on you, Alex.”
    “Hell,” Evan growled. “What were ye thinking, mon ? She was under all of our protection.”
    “We didn’t know ye would take it all this far, or we would have stayed here and protected the wee lass,” Robert said in a gruff tone of voice.
    Alex stood by the hearth and listened to his brother’s comments. He accepted their fierce threats were all bluster and any one of them would have been happy to bed her. “If any one of you touches her, I swear by the Celtic Gods you will live to regret it. I accept full responsibility for my actions,” he stated for the record. “She’s not leaving. Not tomorrow. Not ever. I have found my Anam Cara.”
    “What makes you think she will want to keep ye?” William scoffed.
    Alex took a swing at him. William was younger and faster and hit Alex hard in the mid section, taking him down to the floor.
    He was quite serious, and outlined his plan when they lay in a heap, gasping and sweating from the struggle of a wrestling match. When Alex could catch his breath, he said, “She is coming with us.”
    Melissa woke with a jolt to the sound of shouting voices. The room was dark, and her clothing neatly folded on the chair. A search of his wardrobe produced a shirt to wear and she instinctively followed the noise and the light. “Excuse me.” Melissa stated from the doorway. She was amazed at the tangle of men on the floor.
    They all stood up and looked at her with wide-eyed stares, thinking she had heard every word. Alex released his stranglehold and Evan crumbled to the floor. Melissa stood still, as mesmerized by them as they were with her.
    Alex was certain they were just checking to make certain he hadn’t permanently damaged her in some way. She had one of his shirts on and noted the bare feet as well. She had a beautiful, serene smile on her face, and he was instantly thinking about stripping her naked.
    “I heard a fight break out,” Melissa said. “Is there going to be another battle?”
    She stood on one straight leg with the other bent slightly, and Alex forgot to breathe again. She looked verra good in his shirt, he thought.
    One of the younger lads stood up and ripped the sleeve off his shirt. “It’s only fair tae warn ye lass—”
    Melissa felt her heart sink to her toes.
    Alexander found his voice again. “The lads think ye should know we are at war with Prince George. The battles could go on for several weeks.” Alex made the implication clear, that it could also be ended this evening.
    “Ye have nothing tae fear, sweet lass,” Gideon assured her. “We will protect ye!” He put Evan in a headlock so his brother wouldn’t say anything else to upset her.
    “You would do that for me?” She was overcome by their generous offer.
    Alex exhaled slowly. “I think my brothers adore ye, almost as much as I do,” he said charmingly, and let William fall to the floor with a thud. Iain squirmed under his boot, and Alex finally lifted his foot.
     “It’s no’ a secret any more,” Iain said, and Evan agreed. They commented on the pink panties held by a tiny slip of satin and lace around her lovely backside. From where they were crushed on the floor, they couldn’t help but notice.
    Robert fell