Fire Maidens Scotland (Billionaires & Bodyguards #6) - Anna Lowe Page 0,63
lip, putting it all in perspective. She was just leaving for a short walk. It must have killed Lachlan to leave her ten years ago, yet he’d done it. For duty. For honor. For his future, and for his family.
For years, she’d resented that. But now, she understood what drove Lachlan. Not just duty, but intense loyalty — so much, he’d been willing to sacrifice his own needs.
She took a deep breath. Maybe there was more honor in that than she’d ever considered.
If Mungo hadn’t yipped, she might have stood there forever, taking Lachlan in. Instead, she forced herself downstairs. Her true love wasn’t going anywhere, and neither was she. In a few minutes, she would be back in the warmth of his embrace, and they could take things from there.
“Coming, Mungo,” she called while pulling on her clothes. Grabbing Mungo’s leash and her jacket, she headed outside. “Okay, I’m ready.”
She looked around. Same stunning view, but no Mungo.
“Mungo?” She circled the house, scanning the tall grass. Where was he?
“Mungo!” she yelled a moment later, spotting him halfway up the hill.
She took off at a jog. What had gotten into him? He never strayed far. Had a rabbit taken off, luring him into a chase?
“Mungo!” She panted. Dammit. She had a studly dragon to get back to. Why did the dog have to take off now?
As the hill grew steeper, she bent, clawing at tufts of grass and stone. There was an old wall to scramble over and a field of boulders to navigate. The ideal place to stage a challenge exercise for an outdoor adventure group to work through, actually. Sighted people could navigate the area blindfolded and take a cue from the visually impaired, who could probably blaze through after two or three trips to get their bearings.
Still, she hurried along. There was no time to waste, not with a dog on the loose and the man of her dreams waiting for her in bed.
Mungo paused near the crest of the hill, panting and wagging his tail as if to say, Oh, there you are. Isn’t this fun?
But just as she came within reach, his ears twitched, and he whipped around, letting out a low, rumbling growl.
Holly looked around. What now?
The dog took off over the peak, barking madly.
“Mungo!” she admonished, rushing after him. What had gotten into him?
With the rugged terrain demanding her full attention, she barely looked up, following Mungo’s barks instead. She crested the hill and nearly tumbled down the other side from sheer momentum.
“Whoa.” Throwing out her arms for balance, she took long, hurtling strides, trying to slow down without falling on her face. Man, oh man. Mungo was going to lose his off-leash privileges, for sure. But first, she had to find a way to slow down.
A few out-of-control steps later, the rough landscape flattened out, and she nearly tumbled across a smooth carpet of grass. She rattled to a stop, then froze.
“Oops. Um, hi.”
A white-haired gent in tweed stood before her, holding a golf club, his mouth agape. And yikes — his friends stood a few steps away, gaping at her the same way.
She lunged for Mungo, who stood three steps away from the man, snarling. Oh God. She’d managed to stumble right into the middle of someone’s golf game. A very rich someone, judging by his fancy gear, slicked-back hair, and sizable entourage.
“Sorry about the dog. Quiet, Mungo.”
The older gentleman appeared more amused than upset. He stepped over, offering a hand. “No trouble at all. A pleasure to meet you, Miss…?”
Without thinking, she hauled back Mungo with one hand and extended the other.
“Holly Jennings. Nice to meet you.”
It was only when the man had his hand firmly around hers that it hit her.
Oh shit.
That wasn’t a wealthy golfer who’d secured permission to putt the private course. He was the prisoner, and his “entourage” were guards. Henry was there, holding his hands out from his sides like a gunslinger about to draw. Two big, bulky men bristled, along with Liam, whose stubble thickened in the first hint of a lion’s mane.
Back away, Liam’s dead-serious look said. Slowly.
A twig snapped in the bushes, and out of the corner of her eye, Holly spotted a lion — an honest-to-god, king-of-the-jungle, extra-large lion. It crouched, ready to pounce.
Tony, she nearly cried in relief. The golden-brown eyes were a dead giveaway.
The lion’s tail flicked in clear warning. If he moves, I’ll kill him. Make sure you get out of the way.