Embrace the Highland Warrior

Cody squinted. “There they are. A few curves ahead.”

“I see them,” Jamie said, speeding up. “What the—she almost hit the wall!”

“What’s she doing?” Faelan scooted forward.

Cody moved to avoid getting his ribs cracked and bumped Jamie’s arm, causing the truck to jerk. “Something’s wrong,” he said, as they lost sight of Cody’s truck.

Faelan had his knees against the dashboard, head moving like a bobblehead doll, trying to spot Cody’s truck. “Where’d they go?”

Cody shoved Faelan’s hand off his leg and tried to scoot forward. “There it is. She’s going too fast.” The truck righted itself, only to veer toward the next overlook. It lurched several times, slowing, but not enough.

“Damnation—”

“She’s headed for the drop-off!” Cody’s throat went dry. They watched as the truck careened toward the edge and disappeared. Jamie jammed the accelerator to the floor.

As soon as they reached the accident site, Faelan opened the door and jumped out before the truck came to a complete stop. Cody was on his heels. He could see the red car speeding around the next bend. Bastard hadn’t even stopped. The front of Cody’s truck was wedged against a cedar, the only thing keeping it from plunging down the mountain. The passenger door was open, and Bree lay on her side a few feet away.

“Mo ghaol.” Faelan’s voice was choked as he dropped beside Bree.

“Shay!” Cody rushed to the driver’s side, skidding to a halt as the ground dropped away. He ran around to the other side, where Faelan was trying to wake Bree. Blood trickled from Bree’s head, and three tiny drops were on the back of her neck, peeking out from under her hair. Or was it a mark? There was something odd about it.

Cody edged around them and peered in the open passenger door. A flip-flop lay on the floor and another on the seat, but Shay wasn’t there. His heart thudded. Had she been thrown out? The pine creaked and the truck shifted. God, don’t let her be under there. Cody knelt to check, but the space beneath the truck was covered with rocks and trees that could hide a body.

Jamie rushed up, carrying a wench line. “Attach this to the frame. If that tree snaps, the truck’s gone.”

“Shay’s not in the truck,” Cody said.

“Then where…” Jamie paled. Both men looked down the mountainside, covered in trees and jagged rocks that could shatter bones and tear flesh. Even if she was alive, if she was in the path of the truck, it would crush her.

“Hurry.” Cody put the hook in place while Jamie rushed back to his Chevy and tightened the line, steadying the truck. “I’ll check down there,” Cody said. “You check the top.”

“Shay!” Cody yelled, scrambling down the hill, holding onto trees. He wedged his feet against outcroppings of rocks to keep from falling.

“She’s here!” Jamie called a minute later.

Blood rushed past Cody’s ears like a cracked dam. She was upset when she left. She must have forgotten to fasten the seat belt and been thrown. He pulled himself back up, one tree at a time. Faelan still held Bree, but she was conscious, struggling to get up.

“Where’s Shay?” she asked.

“Here,” Jamie called. He was bent down close to the road. A pair of bare feet stuck out from behind a rock.

Cody ran, every muscle and bone in his body screaming with fear. He couldn’t lose her. He couldn’t. Shay’s eyes were closed. Cody dropped beside her. “Is she—?”

Shay’s eyes fluttered, and she touched her stomach. “Baby.”

He was so glad she was alive that it took a minute for the words to sink in. Baby? Cody stared at her stomach as his turned. Was Shay pregnant?

Chapter 6

Duncan Connor tapped his boot impatiently against the tire as Sorcha dug through one of her bags, giving him an unwanted glimpse of too much sleek, toned leg under her black skirt.

“I hope there’s a horde of demons waiting,” she said. “I’ve got all this pent-up energy since the battle with Druan. I need some hard, physical activity before I go insane.”

Kill me now. “Can whatever you’re doing wait? We’ll be there in an hour. What’d you do, bring your whole closet?”

“Stuff it, cousin. I’ve got a lot on my mind. There.” Sorcha pulled out her small dagger, a sgian dubh, and tucked it inside her boot, giving Duncan another unwelcome glimpse.

“Sorcha, your turn to baby-sit,” Anna said, opening the front passenger side of the SUV. “You know how I feel about kids.”

Brodie crossed his muscular arms over his chest. “Blimey. A guy tries to have a little fun, and that’s cause to treat him like a kid? What’s wrong, Anna, you got PMS? You’ve been in a foul mood for days.”

Sorcha opened the back door and glared at Brodie. “No practical jokes. If I see a snake anywhere in this vehicle, I’ll tie your legs around your neck and strangle you.”

Duncan grinned. She could do it. He started the engine and pulled away from the rest area.

“So Cody MacBain and the Mighty Faelan, two of the most powerful warriors in clan history, need our help,” Brodie said. “I’m not sure whether to be honored or petrified.”