Highlander Most Wanted by Maya Banks

him when he saw no place where people weren’t congregated. He stepped outside the back of the keep, where, finally, he spied an area near the bathhouses, where it was quiet and private.
    “Is something troubling you, Laird?” Taliesan asked, a tremble to her voice.
    “Aye,” he said bluntly. “I seek information, Taliesan, and I demand honesty from you.”
    She went pale and her eyes widened, but she nodded vigorously. “Of course, Laird. I do not lie. ’Tis not in my nature.”
    “Do you know anything of Genevieve influencing Ian’s plan to abduct Eveline Montgomery from her clan?”
    If possible, the lass went even whiter. Every bit ofblood drained from her face, leaving her to look as though she’d topple over in a dead faint.
    The stricken look in her eyes told him more than she could possibly voice. It was all there for him to see.
    God’s teeth, but this wasn’t what he’d wanted to hear. Or see, as it was.
    “Taliesan?” he prompted.
    He needed—wanted—the whole of it. He wanted there to be no guessing. No speculation.
    “Do not make me say what I know,” she begged. “I would not betray Genevieve in such a fashion.”
    “But you would betray me and my kin,” he bit out. “A defenseless, innocent woman who’s never done wrong to anyone.”
    “She is not the only one to have suffered!” Taliesan snapped.
    Bowen’s lips curled. “Nay, she is not. But neither has she been the one responsible for others’ suffering. Can Genevieve say the same? Can she, Taliesan? You said you do not lie. So tell me the truth. What do you know?”
    Tears glittered in Taliesan’s eyes, and he felt like a complete bastard for being so forceful with the lass. But he had to know if he could trust Genevieve. If she had wronged his kin, Graeme would never accept her into their clan.
    “I heard her say to Ian that he should not accept such humiliation from Eveline,” Taliesan whispered, tears slipping down her cheeks. “She told him that only a weak fool would stand back and not retaliate.”
    Bowen’s jaw clenched. The deceitful bitch had turned Ian McHugh’s ire on Eveline. She’d been the cause of Eveline’s imprisonment and her terror. He would
never
forgive her that. And neither would Graeme.
    He turned to stalk away, but Taliesan’s soft plea stopped him.
    “
Please
, Laird, do not punish her. She’s been punished enough.”
    Bowen stood a long moment, his back to Taliesan. Then he slowly turned, hating the distress in the lass’s eyes.
    “Where is she now?” he demanded.
    Panic flared across Taliesan’s face. “Do not hurt her!” Rage suffused her face, and she actually took a step toward Bowen as if to threaten him. “You are no better than him if you abuse her,” she spat.
    Bowen blinked in surprise at her vehemence. Then he frowned, because he’d just been handed a grievous insult.
    “You think I’d
abuse
her?”
    She flushed a dull red, but her eyes still shot sparks of anger.
    “I know not what you think to do, Laird. You’re angry. You feel you and your kin have been wronged. I
vow
you have not been wronged as much as Genevieve McInnis has.”
    Bowen heaved a deep breath and then sighed. “I’ll not explain myself to you or anyone else. I am laird. However, if you think I’d abuse her or any lass, you couldn’t be more wrong. I don’t appreciate the insult, Taliesan. I won’t tolerate such from you again.”
    Her lips quivered and fresh tears shone in her eyes.
    “What the hell is going on here, Bowen?” Brodie demanded.
    Bowen turned to see a scowling Brodie advancing toward him and Taliesan, his mouth drawn into a menacing line.
    “Taliesan and I were reaching an agreement on a few things,” Bowen said in a mild tone.
    “Then why is she crying?”
    Brodie sounded so horrified that it nearly amused Bowen.
    “Because he is a brute and he frightens me,” Taliesan blurted out. “And he’s going to hurt Genevieve. I know it. I do not trust such smooth words and