Bound by Blood (Cauld Ane Series)

by Tracey Jane Jackson

  “He’s in a private room now,” her father said. “The surgeon was able to repair the damage and he says he’ll make a full recovery. The injury wasn’t life-threatening.”

  “In a private room? Already? When did this happen?”

  “Yesterday.

  “Daddy, why didn’t you call me earlier?”

  “I’m sorry, honey. He made me promise not to.”

  Sam let out an uncharacteristic curse. “And you listened to him? Who the hell does he think he is?”

  Kade gave her a gentle squeeze and kissed her shoulder.

  “I know.” Her father sighed. “I’m sorry.”

  Sam squeezed her eyes shut. “Is Mom okay?”

  “She’s better now that he’s fine, but she’d really like you to come home for a week or so if at all possible.”

  “Of course I’ll come. But if Dalton really is perfectly fine when I get there, I’m going to kill him.”

  Her father chuckled. “I’ll let you.”

  “I’ll get the first flight I can.”

  “Good. Call me when you’re set and I’ll pick you up.”

  “Thanks. ’Bye, Daddy.” She hung up.

  “What happened?” Kade asked.

  “My stupid idiot moron of a brother went and got himself shot and made my parents promise not to call me,” she snapped.

  Kade stayed quiet as she pulled out of his arms and stomped around the bedroom, opening drawers and pulling out random clothing.

  “Knowing him, he probably tried to be the big macho hero and stop the robbery at his store.” She let out an anguished groan. “He could have been killed. Over his damn, precious, piece-of-crap cars!”

  Kade slid from the bed and stopped her from pulling on a pair of sweatpants. “Those are mine, love.”

  Sam burst into angry tears. “He could have been killed, Kade.”

  “Come here.” He pulled her close. “I’ve got you.”

  “He doesn’t think! He’s the most selfish, arrogant, egotistical…” Her sob stopped her tirade. “He could have died.”

  “I know, sweetheart.” Kade stroked her back.

  They stood in the middle of the room, Kade rubbing her back and Sam waffling between tears and lobbing unflattering adjectives toward her brother. Her emotions were so strong, it took several minutes for Kade to calm her.

  “Sorry, baby.” Pulling away from him, she grimaced. “I’ve gotten you all wet.”

  “I don’t mind in the least.” Kade chuckled and wiped her cheeks with his thumbs. “How’s your mum?”

  “Daddy said she’s doing better now, but wants me to come home.” She found a pair of her sweatpants and pulled them on. “Can you help me book a flight?”

  “Of course.” He retrieved his cell phone from the side table and dialed a number. “Hi, Russell. Sorry to wake you. Can you organize a flight to Hilton Head, Savannah, please? Aye, the States. Thanks.”

  “We could have waited until morning, honey,” she said.

  “You need to get home.” He made his way to the closet, returning with two suitcases.

  “What are you doing?” Sam asked. “I don’t need two.”

  “I’m going with you,” he said as he laid the bags on the bed.

  Samantha couldn’t stop another quiet sob.

  Kade rushed to comfort her. “Don’t you want me to come?”

  “No. I mean, yes. I just didn’t want to ask. You’re so busy.”

  “Och, love. I’m never too busy for you.”

  “But there’s all the Council stuff and your mom.”

  He lifted her chin. “No one is more important than you.”

  His phone rang and he answered it while keeping an arm firmly around her. “Hi, Russell. Excellent. Aye, we’ll be ready.” He hung up and kissed Sam’s head. “Wheels up at nine. How about we get a few more hours of sleep, hmm?”

  “It’ll never happen.”

  “Let’s try,” he suggested and climbed back into the bed.

  Samantha gratefully slid into his safe embrace and kissed his neck. “I can’t get close enough.”

  “I know, sweetheart. Quiet your heart. I’ve got you.”

  She took a deep breath and closed her eyes.

  * * *

  Kade heard his phone buzz, but turned it off before it could wake Samantha. She didn’t need to wake up for another hour. Easing out of the bed, he stepped into the dressing room and dialed Connall.

  “I hear you’re taking a trip,” Connall said without greeting Kade.

  “Aye. Her brother’s been shot. I’m taking her home.”

  “What happened?”

  “Something about a robbery, but it’s not sitting well with me, Con. Find out what really happened, hmm?”

  “Aye,” Connall said. “I also think we’re going to need to sort out Ármann sooner than later. I know we have Mum to deal with, but I think he takes precedence.”

  Kade pinched the bridge of his nose. “I agree. Just give me a few days.”

  “Okay. Don’t worry about anything here or at the office. I’ll call you as soon as we find anything on Sam’s brother, and I’ll also sort out the Iceland details.”

  “What about your horses?”

  “Max is taking care of those interests for the time being.”

  “Thanks.”

  “Tell Sam we’re praying for her brother.”

  Samantha’s scream filtered into the room.

  “I will. Gotta go.” He rushed into the bedroom, set his phone on the side table, and climbed into bed with her. “Bad dream?”

  She nodded. Her breathing was heavy and her face was in her hands. “Waking up without you doesn’t help.”

  “Sorry, sweetheart. Come here.”

  She settled herself onto his chest. “I don’t think he got shot because of a robbery.”

  Kade raised an eyebrow. “What makes you think that?”

  “Just a weird feeling. I could be wrong.”

  “We’ll know more soon.” Kade stroked her cheek. “Why don’t you go take a shower and I’ll finish packing?”

  Samantha reluctantly left him, grabbing an apple on the way to the bathroom. She was hungry again and this time she couldn’t ignore it.

  Once showered, she dressed in a soft T-shirt, comfortable sweats, and shoes. Forgoing makeup, she pulled her damp hair into a ponytail. At this point, she didn’t care who she met on the plane, she just wanted to get home. She glanced at Kade pulling on a clean shirt. “What time’s the flight again?”

  “Nine.” He looked at his watch. “The car will be here soon.”

  Sam glanced at her watch and frowned. It was just after eight. “Cutting it a bit close, don’t you think? Aren’t we supposed to be there like two hours ahead or something like that?”

  He shook his head. “We’ve got plenty of time.”

  “Well, I’m ready.”

  “Good. Would you like to eat more now or on the plane?”

  Sam raised an eyebrow. “I get a choice, huh?”

  “You make me sound like an ogre.”

  “When it comes to forcing food in my mouth, you are a bit Shrek-like.”

  “Your metabolism has tripled, love. You have to eat twice as much as you used to or you could get sick.”

  “I know, honey. And I appreciate you looking out for me.” She looped her hands around his neck. “But the apple helped, so I’d rather wait.”

  “You’re lucky you’re cute.”

  “Oh, really?”

  He patted her bottom. “Yes, I cannot seem to resist you.”

  “Kiss me, then.”

  He obliged.

  Kade’s phone buzzed and Sam reluctantly broke the kiss and followed him downstairs. He set her bag next to his in the foyer just as a large man dressed in a suit and tie walked through the door.

  “Sam, this is Tavish,” Kade said.

  The man bowed.

  Sam gave him a nervous smile. “It’s nice to meet you.”

  “Thank you, m’lady.” Tavis
h reached for Kade’s bag. “Are you ready?”

  Kade nodded and waited for Sam to precede him out the door. He held the car door open for her and she slid inside, leaning heavily against him when he sat next to her. He wrapped an arm around her and pulled her as close as the seatbelt would allow. “I talked to the attending.”

  She glanced up at him. “Dr. Selliken?”

  “Yes. You know her?”

  “I do. I attended one of her guest lectures. She’s notoriously tight-lipped. How did you manage a conversation?”

  “I have my ways.”

  “I know you do.” Sam smiled. “What did she say?”

  “That your brother sustained a flesh wound to his bicep and bruised his shoulder in his attempt to avoid the bullet. He has to wear a sling for a couple of weeks, but otherwise, he’ll make a full recovery.”

  “Did she say when he’ll be released?”

  “Tomorrow.”

  “He really is the luckiest man alive.” She kissed his cheek. “Thank you.”

  As Tavish drove them to the airport, Sam let the comfort Kade offered seep into her. She was relieved that her brother was going to be fine, but she couldn’t shake the feeling that something wasn’t quite right.

  Within minutes, Kade broke contact and squeezed her hand. “We’re here.”

  Sam glanced outside. “This doesn’t look like an airport…well, not a big one anyway.”

  Kade grinned and climbed from the car. He leaned in and reached for her. “I have a bit of a surprise, love.”

  She took his hand and slid from the car. “What did you do?”

  “We’re not flying commercial.”

  She bit back a groan. “You have your own freaking plane, don’t you?”

  “Aye.” He nodded at the jet in front of them. “That’s one of ours.”

  “One of yours?”

  “We have the family jet and the company jet.”

  She shook her head. “Kade. I can’t fly in a small plane. They crash.”

  “They do not.” He laid his hands on her shoulders. “I will make sure you’re calm without pills. Do you trust me?”

  “It’s not you I have an issue with.”

  “Let’s board, and then you can see how you feel, okay? One step at a time, love.”

  “I don’t know if I can.”

  “Yes, you can. Come on.” He took her hand and pulled her toward the plane.

  Sam swallowed and shuffled behind him in an effort to delay the inevitable.

  Lynyrd Skynyrd, Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens, um…

  “Samantha,” Kade admonished with a chuckle. “You are not going to die…at least not in a plane crash.”

  “Get out of my brain.”

  “Lynyrd Skynyrd, really?” he asked.

  “You can blame my brother for that one.” Sam bit her lip. “He used to sing “Sweet Home Savannah” instead of Alabama whenever I was having a bad day.”

  “Good brother.”

  Sam snorted. “You haven’t heard him sing.”

  He laughed, and before she knew what was happening, she was climbing the stairs and entering the cabin of his private jet. As her gaze swept the space, she couldn’t stop an appreciative hum.

  Large leather chairs that looked more like recliners filled the interior and a young woman dressed in something out of a fifties flight attendant magazine stood holding a tray with assorted pastries.

  “Welcome m’lady,” she said.

  “Thank you.”

  Sam felt Kade’s gentle push on her lower back. “There’s a nice bathroom in the back and a couple of beds as well. You won’t even know you’re in the air.”

  She frowned at him over her shoulder. “Yes I will.”

  He chuckled again. “Well, you won’t care.”

  She turned to face him and laid her hands on his chest. “I don’t know about this.”

  “I know you’re scared, love. But I’ve flown all over the world in this plane. Nothing has ever gone wrong.”

  “There’s always a first time.”

  “Do you want to meet my pilot?”

  “Now?”

  “Yes.”

  “No.”

  He chuckled. “I think it would be a good idea.”

  “Are you saying I should meet him now because there’s a chance I won’t be able to meet him later, because we’ll be dead?”

  Kade laughed. “Och, love, you are adorable.”

  She wrinkled her nose. “I’ll be happy to meet him…after we arrive safely.”

  He raised an eyebrow. “So that’s a yes, then?”

  “What kind of a woman would I be if I turned down the chance to fly home in a private Learjet?”

  “A crazy one.” He grinned. “I’ll speak with Russell quickly. Have some breakfast.”

  “I’ll wait for you.”

  He nodded and disappeared into the cockpit.

  CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO

  “DR. MOORE?”

  Sam turned to face the flight attendant.

  The woman indicated the chairs and smiled. “Please make yourself comfortable. Would you like some coffee?”

  “I’d love some. Thank you,” Sam said, and settled into the chair not near the window.

  Kade returned and sat next to Sam. The flight attendant set a cup of coffee in front of Sam, handed her sugar and cream, and turned to Kade. “Would you like some coffee, my lord?”

  “Yes, Maureen. Thank you.” Once he secured his seatbelt, he laid his hand on Sam’s thigh and gave it a gentle squeeze. “Russell’s doing his final checks. We’ll be taking off in just a few minutes.”

  Sam grimaced. “Yippee.”

  Kade grinned. “Maybe you should have scotch added to your coffee.”

  “Maybe I should.”

  Sam managed to finish her coffee before Maureen collected their cups in preparation for takeoff. As the engines whirred and the doors were secured, Kade linked his fingers with hers and Sam grasped his bicep with her other hand, leaning against him. The plane began its taxi and she laid her head on his shoulder. When the nose lifted into the air, she squeezed her eyes shut and took several deep breaths.

  “Let me in, love.”

  She shook her head.

  “If you block me, I can’t calm you.”

  “I can’t.”

  Kade pulled out of her death grip. He covered her lips with his and kissed her until she couldn’t think straight. Within seconds her panic was gone.

  He linked his fingers with hers again and smiled. “Better?”

  “Much.” She sighed. “Thank you.”

  “My pleasure.”

  “Um…” She settled against him again. “How are we going to eat with just one hand?”

  Kade chuckled. “As long as we stay connected, you’ll be fine. We don’t have to hold hands.”

  “Good to know.”

  * * *

  Samantha had one more panic attack when Kade left her to check in with the pilot. But he didn’t stay away long and gave her another heart-melting kiss to distract her. After lunch, he insisted she rest and led her to a room with a surprisingly large bed.

  She crossed her arms. “Just how many women have joined your mile-high club, Kade?”

  “Subtle,” Kade mused.

  She raised an eyebrow. “Was it?”

  He wrapped his arms around her waist. “You’re the only woman I’ve ever brought on this plane outside of my sister and mother.”

  “What about the actresses and heiresses you dated?”

  He frowned. “Who have you been talking to?”

  She shrugged, feeling very vulnerable at his fixed gaze. “Cole mentioned them, and the little news story kind of confirmed it.”

  “Bloody bastards.”

  “Forget it, Kade. It’s none of my business.” She slipped off her shoes and sat on the bed. “What you did before me isn’t relevant.”

  “Of course it is. You’re my mate.” He sat next to her. “I will tell you anything you want to know and may
be some things you don’t.”

  “Great.”

  He smiled. “I have dated a few powerful women, it’s true, but much to my sister’s irritation, I knew none of them were my mate, and the relationships never lasted very long.”

  “What did they think about that?”

  “I’m sure some of them didn’t like it. They told me as much.”

  “What about sex?”

  “I had a very nice experience last night, if you recall.”

  Sam rolled her eyes.

  “Before you, it had been a very long time.”

  She cocked her head. “How long?”

  “Years.”

  “How many years?”

  “Eons.” He chuckled. “I’ll give you a little back story, shall I?”

  “I love stories.”

  “I know you do.”

  “Especially when they get to the point quickly,” she clarified.

  “Duly noted.” He stretched out on the bed and pulled her up against him. “After my father died, I went off the deep end a bit and drank a little more than I should. I didn’t want the lairdship or the crown or the responsibility that came with it. I did everything I could to convince everyone I was the wrong person for the job. Finally, Connall got involved and I came to my senses.”

  “When did your father die?”

  “1847.”

  “Seriously? How did you handle that?”

  “I thought I was relieved at the time, but regardless of what kind of father you have, it’s still going to affect you when he dies. Connall helped me see that I could be different than the legacy my father had left me. That I could be better than what he said I was. That I was better than what he said I was.”

  “He was right. You’re kind of amazing.”

  Kade grinned. “Thank you.”

  “How did your father die?”

  “He was murdered.”

  She gasped. “How?”

  “I won’t give you the details, love, because they aren’t things you can un-hear. His enemies managed to slip Red Fang into his ale and he was assassinated.”

  “Was he alone? I mean, with the amount of security you have, I’m surprised someone could get close enough to hurt him.”

  “They turned on him. He wasn’t a kind man, so there weren’t people rushing to his defense.”

  “Are you telling me your own people let your father get killed? What about you and your brothers?”

  He rolled onto his back and ran his hands through his hair. “We were duped by someone we thought we trusted, and found out after the fact. I don’t want to give you the details, can you please let it rest?”