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"Who the fuck is that?" Michael asked her, digging his fingers into her arms harder.

Sin was on him in an instant, his eyes as hard as steel. It was the man from the bar the first night, returned. He pulled Michael off her, hitting him in the jaw with a right hook. Michael fell back on the ground. "I'm her husband," he hissed. He took the pullover sweater he wore off and handed it to her. "Are you okay?"

Charlie nodded, slipping the sweater over her head. The ring on Michael's hand had cut her cheek when he hit her.

Michael staggered to his feet. "Husband?"

"Aye, husband."

"Charlie," Michael questioned, "What's he fucking talking about?"

"Yes, he's my husband." She wiped blood from her cheek.

A gunshot rang out, hitting the sand at Michael's feet. Sin grabbed Charlie, running behind a rock. He pushed her to the ground and covered her with his body. Michael followed them, hiding in a crevice on the cliff wall. Another shot whizzed by, hitting the stone just inches from Michael's head. Sin pulled the gun from his holster, and coming into a crouching position, he fired.

"What's happening?" Michael yelled.

"Lower your voice," Sin said, ducking back down, his weight crushing Charlie.

"Did you hit them?" she asked.

"No. Not with this gun. They're too far away, but it lets them know I'm armed at least." He peeked back up. "Whoever it was is leaving." He stood and helped Charlie up, holding her against him. "It's okay."

"What the hell just happened?" Michael asked, coming out of his hiding spot.

"You fucking tell me?" Sin grabbed Michael by the front of his shirt, his gun pointed at his head.

"Sin, don't," she screamed. "You promised. Not like this."

He looked at her, his eyes softening. "Aye, not like this." He looked out at the ocean. "The tide's coming in. We need to go."

He took Charlie's hand as they climbed up the trail. His other hand still gripped his gun. When they got back to the cottage, she waited at the front door while Sin checked the rooms. "It's clear," he said, sliding his gun back into the holster on his chest. "Are you okay?" he asked, putting his arms around her. His thumb brushed over the cut on her cheek.

She nodded, unable to speak as everything caught up to her.

"You're freezing. I want you to go take a bath and warm up," he said softly.

"I'm fine. Who was shooting at us?" She looked over at Michael who looked just as shocked as any of them.

"Charlotte, I wasn't asking," Sin said. "Go warm up and then we'll listen to what Michael has to say."

"How did you know I was on the beach?"

"William was barking and scratching at the door. When I went to let him in, he turned and ran to the cliffs." He kissed her forehead. "Go."

* * *

Sin was more shaken than he imagined. To see this bastard with his hands on Charlie, had just about been his undoing. Fucking prick. He started the kettle. Whoever shot at them had been aiming for Michael. He was certain about that much.

"We should call the police," Michael said.

"We're not calling the police. You're going to sober up, then you're going to explain to me everything that has happened since you arrived in Scotland."

"Are you really married?" he asked.

Sin looked at him. Charlie was right. He wasn't a man, just some rich trust fund boy and woman abuser. Total scum. "Yes, we're married."

"Did you meet online? Did she come here for you?"