And her behavior was increasing the heat on Lachlan’s simmering fury.
Eventually, Mac surmised something in Lachlan’s countenance and stood. “I think it’s time we give Robyn and Lachlan some privacy, eh?”
The women glanced over at him, and he ignored the raised eyebrows and murmurs and waited for them all to get out.
Mac was last to depart. He halted in front of Lachlan, a warning in his eyes. “Maybe save the lecture until after she’s out of the hospital.”
Lachlan made no promises.
With a sigh, Mac threw a tender smile at Robyn over his shoulder and exited.
As soon as the door swung shut behind him, Robyn raised an eyebrow. “Are you going to stand way over there or get over here and kiss me?”
His feet moved before he was even aware of instructing them to. He bent over the bed, cupped her face in his hands, and pressed a soft, relieved kiss against her mouth. Squeezing his eyes closed, he deepened it, tasting her, exulting in her being here and alive.
When he finally released her, Robyn gave him a charmed smile. “Now that’s what I call a kiss.”
What if he’d never gotten to kiss her again or have her smile up at him like that? To feel all that goddamn spectacular energy that emanated from the very essence of her? He hadn’t lied that night in bed when he told her she was the most truly alive person he’d ever met. And her magic had almost been snuffed out.
Because of him.
He couldn’t take it anymore.
If the curse was real, then every second Robyn stayed here, the greater chance he had of losing her. “You went to that fucking fairy glen alone,” he snapped abruptly.
Robyn winced, raising a hand as if to touch him, but he retreated. She frowned. “Lachlan, I was turning back. I promise. I was trying to find a passing place to turn around when the bastard came out of nowhere.”
“It was reckless, and you promised.”
“I know.” Her eyes flashed with irritation. “That’s what I’m telling you. I realized that and I was turning back.”
“A bit goddamn late to be sensible.” He gestured to the hospital bed.
“Hey! I do not need a lecture right now.”
Cursing under his breath, Lachlan reached out and hauled one of the visitor chairs closer to the bed. Slumping down into it, he bowed his head and tried to get his shit together.
A tickle caused a shiver down his nape and then he felt it again, more, as Robyn stroked her fingers through his hair.
“I’m sorry I scared you,” she whispered.
He squeezed his eyes closed.
Fuck, but he never wanted to care this much.
Lifting his head, he took hold of her wrist and pressed a kiss to it, feeling her pulse beneath his lips. Their eyes locked, and it was as if she could see right through him. See his torment.
“I’m so sorry,” Robyn insisted.
“I know. It’s not your fault.” He kissed her palm. “But there’s something I need you to do for me.”
“Anything.”
“I’m going to book you on a flight back to Boston.”
Her hand jerked in his, but he held on.
“Robyn, you’ve nearly been killed twice. It’s not safe for you here. I want you in Boston until we’ve caught him.”
“I can’t.” She frowned at him, seeming shocked. “Lachlan, this is my case.”
“No, this is Police Scotland’s case.”
“And a fine job they’re doing.”
“They haven’t much to go on. Neither have we. Now they have a truck, which is something we didn’t have before. He’s making mistakes now.”
“And I want to be around when he makes his last one.”
“No,” he commanded. “You’re leaving Scotland tomorrow. End of discussion.”
Robyn ripped her hand out of his. “You can’t order me to do that. You can’t order me, period.”
Lachlan took a deep breath. “Fine. Then do this for me. For my sanity and peace of mind. Because if you don’t—”
“If I don’t, then what?”
“It’s me or the case, Robyn.” His gut clenched at the ultimatum, but it was the only thing he could live with. He wouldn’t get himself in any deeper with her when the risk of losing her was so high.
Her lips parted, and she made a noise as if he’d winded her. “Are you serious?”
“More serious than I have ever been,” he replied grimly. He could live with hurting her, deal with soothing that hurt after, once this was over and he could fly her back to Scotland from the States.
But she didn’t give in like he’d dementedly hoped.
Instead, an alarming flatness entered her eyes as she stared at him. “You don’t know me at all.”
He reached for her. “Robyn—”
“No.” She jerked back from him, the flatness obliterated by her rising fury.
“Robyn, I’m asking you to do this for me. If you care about me, please.”
“If I care about you?” She gaped at him, disbelieving. “Lachlan … if you care about me, you wouldn’t dare ask me to do this. It’s not about asking me to run away from this coward, to let him win—it’s not about that. It’s only slightly about you trying to wrap me up in cotton wool when we both know it’ll suffocate me. What it is about is you giving me an ultimatum. Asking me to be someone I’m not, just to soothe your fears.” Tears filled her eyes, gutting him. “That’s not love. That’s emotional blackmail.”
Suddenly, it felt like rocks were piled on his chest. His breaths were shallow through the restriction. “I can’t … I can’t get in any deeper with you if I’m constantly worried about your safety. It’ll drive me mad.” Understanding dawned. Robyn was the worst kind of woman he could have fallen in love with. Her courage would always put her at risk. He stood up, pushing his chair back with
