Free The McKinnon by Ranay James Page A

he set her down on the ground knowing she was in shock. She would feel the pain soon enough as he began to search for the potentially fatal wounds. Discovering the mashed roots and berries in her shirt, Nic realized she was unhurt and just covered in juice.
    His concern turned to fury for her disobeying a direct order.
    “What the hell were you thinking?” he yelled. And that was just the beginning. He was fierce in his tirade, and Morgan closed down, having no way of knowing that this was his standard release valve after battle. The reaction was not very pretty, but effective in releasing any unused energy not spent on an enemy.
    He ran his hand through his hair in a gesture of frustration, turning his back to her. He hung his head in an effort to collect himself and regain control. Then realization struck him full force.
    “Oh, God, she could have died,” he said softly in stark contract to the rest of his monologue.
    He wheeled around to her. “Morgan, those men not only would have raped you, but would have killed you." His heart softened and he got down on one knee. "Morgan, look at me.”
    Her eyes were vacant, her mind having fled to a safer place. She did not hear him. It was a safety mechanism perfected over the years, and one Nic had seen often in the untrained soldiers who wer in the grip of shock and denial.
    Again he demanded pulling her back to him, “Look at me!”
    She finally blinked and raised her eyes to meet his, beginning to hear his words through the haze of the aftermath.
    “You are mine to protect. Do not think for one minute to ever defy me again, or I will beat you within an inch of your life!”
    He said it knowing he did not mean it. She took the flats of her hands and pushed him away, scrambling back to her feet.
    "Go to hell, you sorry bastard!" Morgan said, coming back to reality quickly. She was not taking that from him or anyone else ever again.  Morgan didn't realize she had spoken as she stomped off to find her new horse.
    He sighed heavily, following close behind. “Morgan, I’m sorry. I did not mean that. I wouldn't hurt you. I promise, Morgan on my Honor. However, could you not do as I asked? Not even for a few hours? All I asked of you was to stay put."
    She looked at him, not knowing what to feel. "They nearly killed you and almost stole my horse.”
     Nic looked at Morgan, knowing had they succeeded on either count, it would have been, indeed, a tragedy. 
    He turned to go recover the object of his affection. 

Chapter 15
     
    Morgan barely noticed the scenery as they continued to eat up ground. She had not put up a fight as Nic placed her behind him on Trojan.
    He had picked up two horses in exchange for Demon. In her mind, that was not a fair trade. She decided not to argue. She had agreed and an agreement was her word. Her newly-acquired mount, which she would soon ride, was pure white and aptly named Salt. The docile and easy going Bay’s name was Vernon. The name fit him because he was a very good boy.
    Both horses were trudging behind them, their reins tied to Trojan. Nic had securely tied all their supplies to the horses' backs.
    All right, she thought, so he got two horses and food. Maybe it was a decent trade, especially if she could talk him into letting her have Trojan for stud a time or two. She would ask when the time was right.
    Nic had not spoken two words since they had mounted up and headed east after her near rape in the woods. That was just fine with her.
    Her shock had given way to anger, and anger eventually to pensiveness.
    She wondered what drove a man like Nic, realizing again, she knew nothing about him. The fact that she wanted to know more was a surprise. Where was home for him? Did he have family? Where had his travels taken him? What was his business at Seabridge? Her mind continued to reel, understanding it was just morbid curiosity driving her. She was no longer upset with him having already forgiven him his threat of beating her within an