Chapter 50
Chapter Fifty
Gretchen
"Dougal MacWraith? Are you serious?" My voice has become shaky and so have my hands.
"Dougal is in jail, preparing for his trial.
Your friend Rory, the solicitor, told us as much.
" I feel a little lightheaded, probably because I'm barely breathing, and I swivel my head toward Kirk.
"Please tell me this is a prank and that guy only resembles the evil bastard.
I mean, Dougal is the guy who abducted Kenny and made it necessary for an army of tough Scots to take out MacWraith. "
"Aye, that's definitely him," Kirk confirms, clasping my hand tightly as he glowers at the scumbag walking toward us. "MacWraith has powerful connections, and it seems they've succeded in securing him a temporary release."
What? It can't be true. I think the blood has drained out of my entire body.
Dougal saunters toward us, and his lean figure moves through the crowd with predatory grace.
His black hair catches the sunlight, shimmering in shades of dark gray.
The throng parts around him, and he smirks at everyone he passes.
"This cannot be real." I dig my fingers into Kirk's arm, and he winces the tiniest bit. "Not here. Not today. Please tell me this guy is a body double."
"Stay behind me, lass." Kirk's jaw tightens as he moves slightly in front of me, a protective gesture that I appreciate.
Dougal halts a few paces away, his dark eyes calculating as they sweep over our group before settling on Kirk.
"Balfour," he begins, his voice carrying that gravelly edge I remember from our previous encounters with the evil bastard. "Ye gave quite the performance, Kirk. Always pushing yourself to the limit, aren't ye?"
Kirk's shoulders tense up. "What the bloody hell are ye doing here, MacWraith?"
"Can't a man enjoy the Highland Games?" Dougal spreads his hands in mock innocence. "I've been granted temporary release on...shall we say, humanitarian grounds. My advocate made a compelling case concerning the evidence of my so-called crimes. They simply couldn't find anything."
I peek around Kirk's shoulder, unable to contain myself. "There's no case at all? Are you fricking kidding me? After all the evil things you did? I guess kidnapping isn't a crime in Scotland anymore."
Dougal's fathomless dark eyes zero in on me, and I immediately regret drawing his attention. But I force myself to look directly at him. "Ah, the American fiancée. Gretchen, isn't it? I must say, I admire your spirit. So few people dare to speak to me that way."
Kirk squeezes my hand in a silent warning.
I know I ought to shut up, but terror makes me reckless. "Yeah, well, some of us aren't intimidated by psychopaths in designer clothes."
A ripple of tension passes through the onlookers. I notice Neil, Tam, and Kirk's father moving closer. They keep their postures alert and protective.
Dougal throws his head back and bursts into a fit of laughter.
"You think I'm a psychopath? That is such an ugly word for a man who simply knows what he wants and how to get it.
" His eerie gaze slides back to Kirk. "And speaking of wanting things, allow me to congratulate you on your engagement.
Marriage is such a vulnerable state, isn't it? "
The threat hangs in the air, invisible yet palpable.
Kirk shifts his gaze toward two men who are now approaching us. They wear what looks like police uniforms. Kirk shakes hands with the two men. "Glad you laddies could get here so quickly."
"Who are they?" I whisper to Kirk.
"This our local constabulary---Fergus MacRae and Sorley MacKechnie." Kirk glares at Dougal but speaks to the constables. "What have you lot to say about MacWraith's claim that he was released and willnae be put on trial?"
Fergus sighs, nodding gravely. "Unfortunately, the cacan is correct. MacWraith's slimy advocate convinced the Lord Justice General that the charges were unfounded."
"Aye," Sorley concurs. "And MacWraith here has the judge in his pocket, or at least someone high up does." Sorley's gaze narrows on Dougal. "That doesnae mean we won't be watching your every move."
My gut twists into a thousand knots. This cannot be happening. A man who orchestrated a kidnapping and who knows what other crimes, is standing here free as a bird while Kirk and I are supposed to be celebrating our engagement.
"You see?" Dougal spreads his hands with a wide grin that stretches his features and makes me want to punch him in the face. "It's all perfectly legal, I assure you. I'm simply a businessman who's been terribly maligned."
Roy Balfour comes up beside Kirk and me, his weathered face set in lines of granite. "Ye may have fooled the courts with your silver tongue, MacWraith, but everyone here knows what ye really are."
"And what might that be, old man?" Dougal asks, his eerie smile never faltering.
I can't stop myself. I step out from behind Kirk as my fear transforms into fury. "You are a predator, MacWraith. A low-down, dirty criminal a bastard who preys on others and believes he's untouchable."
Kirk's demeanor has transformed into fury, his teeth grinding and his nostrils flaring. "Gretchen, dinnae---"
I cut him off, refusing to back down. "Don't tell me 'dinnae' anything. This dirtbag has done his damnedest to terrify me for too long, and I now I say no more."
Dougal sniggers. "Ye've got such passion, lass. Too bad you save it all for the stuntman with a wee bigealais." He moves closer, and I feel Kirk's entire body stiffen and his fists coil. "I wonder if you'll keep that fire burning inside you once ye understand how things truly work in Scotland."
"Never threaten her, MacWraith, never." Kirk's voice has dropped to a dangerous register I've rarely heard before. "Because mark my words, we will find a way to verify your crimes and put you in prison for the rest of your life."
Dougal laughs, but the sound is menacing rather than humorous. "Is that a threat? We both know I'll never go to prison, Balfour. Never." His gaze veers to me again. "The American way isn't the Scottish way."
The two constables stride closer, creating a subtle barrier between us and MacWraith.
"Ye've made yer point by showing up here," Fergus points out. "And now I would recommend you enjoy the Games in another village and leave Loch Fairbairn alone."
"As you wish, Constable." Dougal holds up his hands in mock surrender, but his gaze never wavers from Kirk's face. "I wouldnae want to cause any strife." He takes a step back. "Oh, and Balfour? Congratulations again on your engagement. May your future together be...eventful."
The way he said "eventful" gives me a chill. I swear the temperature around us drops ten degrees as Dougal turns and walks away, his shoulders relaxed as if he hasn't just threatened us in front of dozens of witnesses.
I don't tremble in fear, despite the creepy circumstances. No, I'm beyond cowering now.
Kirk slides an arm around my waist, reassuring me with his steady manner and bodily warmth.
"Easy, lass," he murmurs against my hair. "The bod ceann is trying to rattle us."
"Well, mission accomplished. I'm thoroughly rattled."
Fergus and Sorley exchange glances before Fergus says, "We'll keep an eye MacWraith as best we can. Kirk, I recommend you and your lass stay with family or friends until the Dougal situation has been resolved for good."
"We'll do that," Kirk confirms. "I think my parents' house is the best option. My brothers and my Da can protect the lasses there."
Sorley nods. "That's a sound plan, Kirk."
With the Balfour clan at my side, I know I'll be safe.
And as we leave the Highland Games behind us, heading toward our cars, I realize how much I've come to love and respect the Balfours.
They invited me into their home the moment they met me, and I can't imagine ever going back to Tennessee.
I tell my parents that during the drive back from Dùndubhan, and they agree this is where I belong.
My parents want to go home to Gatlinburg once all this drama is over, but they also want to visit me and Kirk in Scotland as often as possible. I've gone from being an only child to having an entire clan of relatives and friends. It's amazing.
For the next few days, I insist that we behave normally. I also insist that Kirk must go back to work, especially since he had several stunt jobs lined up before Dougal's return threw us both for a loop.
I nudge him with my finger. "Come on, Kirk. I know you've been antsy, just waiting for a chance to get back in the groove of stunt work."
"Maybe I am." He nuzzles my hair. "But I dinnae think you should be there."
"Tough luck. I'm going with you as your assistant."
"Gretchen---"
"Nope, you won't talk me out of this. I'm more than capable of taking care of myself." I cross my arms over my chest. "Besides, there's safety in numbers."
Kirk thrusts a hand into his hair, shaking his head as he sighs. "You, Gretchen Carver, are the stubbornest woman I've ever met."
"Soon to be Gretchen Balfour," I remind him with a grin. "And stubborn is the only way to deal with alpha males like you."
He chuckles, pulling me close. "Aye, that's fair enough. But ye'll stay in my sight all the time, understand? And if I tell ye to run, ye run. No questions asked."
"Deal." I hold out my hand to him. "Let's shake on it."
We both know I'm not the type to flee while Kirk faces danger. But I'll let him believe I'm agreeing for now.