Free Embrace the Highland Warrior by Anita Clenney

arrested me before I could go after him.”
    “You didn’t smell him?” Cody asked.
    Shay glanced from Faelan to Cody. Smell him?
    “No,” Faelan said. “But there was definitely something in the shop with her. It ran out the back when I came in, and I glimpsed a shadow watching her earlier, but not enough to make out if it was a man or…” he trailed off, giving Cody a furtive look.
    “It wasn’t a woman,” Shay said. “It was a man. He had big feet.” She glanced at Cody’s square-toed boots.
    Cody turned to Faelan. “You tailed her wearing that?”
    “Didn’t have time to change,” Faelan said.
    “Keep an eye on Shay. I’m going to track him.”
    “I’m not staying with him,” she said, looking at Faelan’s dagger.
    Cody shook his head. “Then come with me.” He led her into her bedroom.
    “What are we doing here? We need to help them.” Where had this bravery come from? Was it because Cody was with her?
    “You can’t leave the room,” he said.
    “We’re just going to wait here while they search? No. I’m going to help.” She turned to leave the room, but Cody stopped her.
    “Damn it.” He touched his necklace. “Look out the window.”
    Shay turned and opened the curtain. “What?” There was a whirring noise. Cody grabbed her wrist and slapped it to the headboard. Shay heard a click. He’d cuffed her hand to the bed. “What are you doing? Let me go!” She struggled, rattling the bed.
    “Sorry, but I need you to stay put.”
    “You bastard!” She tried to hit him, but Cody pulled her close, trapping her free arm.
    “I’m sorry,” he whispered, pressing his cheek to hers, “but I have to protect you.” He kissed her and left.
    Shay yanked at the handcuffs as he locked the door and closed it behind him, but she hurt her arm, and she was afraid she would damage the bed. She could dismantle the headboard, but she wasn’t going to ruin an antique just to get free. She sat down, fuming, cursing, calling Cody every name she could conjure. She examined the handcuffs. She’d never seen any like them. They were etched with symbols and made of a strange metal she couldn’t identify, not quite silver or gold. They must be antique. After the adrenaline rush left and there was still no sign of Cody or the stalker, she grew tired. Her arm was burning again. She lay down, thinking of ways to kill Cody, and fell asleep.
    ***
     
    Cody listened at the door. It was quiet inside. He had a moment of panic until he saw the door was still locked, and then another when he remembered how good she used to be at climbing out her window. He’d been gone for an hour. If she had escaped, he would probably never see her again. His fingers fumbled as he picked the lock. He eased the door open. She lay on the bed, asleep, one arm dangling from the headboard. His gut tightened. He walked over to her, torn between dread and relief that she hadn’t left. She was going to be furious. He was angry at himself for not putting the clues together—her panic after the lake and the scream in the bathroom—and angry at her for not telling him. Didn’t she know by now that he would move heaven and earth to protect her?
    He looked at the shackles holding her to the bed and realized he had come close to doing that. He hadn’t thought twice about it. He’d let concern for her make him forget the rules. Again. He rubbed the brand on his wrist, imagining the Council’s outrage if they found out. Michael wouldn’t be happy about it, either. Well, the Council and Michael didn’t have the troublesome task of protecting Shay.
    Cody debated whether to leave her shackled while he explained why he locked her up. Either way, there would be hell to pay. What really worried him was what she would do when she found out he hadn’t told her the whole truth. And he would have to tell her soon.
    A voice came from the doorway. “Hey, we’re heading back to the house—hell’s bells, you didn’t.” Lach gaped at the