Bound by Blood (Cauld Ane Series)

by Tracey Jane Jackson

  Sam laid her hand on his chest. “But what if you’re in trouble? How will I know what to do? If you’re slipped Red Fang, what do I do? Are you sure everyone working for you has your back?”

  He grasped her hand. “Take a breath.”

  Sam blinked back the tears threatening to fall. “Sorry.”

  “Nothing is going to happen to me…or you. I made changes when I became king and have done as much as possible to create peace amongst the clans. My brothers have my back, as do my closest friends. I’m not worried.”

  “Who do you consider friends? I only ever see you with your brothers.”

  He faced her and ran his hand through her hair. “I don’t trust easily, but Duncan is certainly someone I consider a friend. I also trust the MacMillans, Max and Niall, although they’re closer to Connall.”

  “There’s also Angus,” she pointed out.

  He shrugged. “Angus is more of an annoyance, but I trust him.”

  Sam grinned. “I like Angus.”

  Kade grunted, but didn’t respond.

  “So if I can’t get hold of you or your brothers, I can call them, right?”

  “Of course. But you won’t need them, sweetheart. Nothing’s going to happen. If you feel something’s off, let me know, and I’ll deal with it.”

  “Like?”

  “It could be anything from someone offering you something suspect to drink or…”

  “A warm office?”

  “Excuse me?”

  Sam groaned. “My office thermostat was tampered with.”

  “What?” he snapped. “When!”

  “The first time—”

  “The first time?” he interrupted. “Exactly how many times has this happened?”

  She bit her lip. “Three. I thought it was the cleaning crew. I left notes, but it happened again.”

  He sat up. “Damn it, Samantha! Why didn’t you tell me?”

  “At the time, I didn’t realize the importance of temperature control! I couldn’t figure out why Fiona wouldn’t come into my office, but now I know why.”

  “Fiona knew?”

  “The first time. She was there. I told her not to tell you, because I didn’t think it was a big deal.”

  “I’ll deal with her.”

  She grasped his arm. “No! Don’t, honey. It was the day before our shopping excursion and we were all distracted. It’s my fault. I should have told you. Please don’t blame your sister.”

  “She knows better,” he snapped.

  “Maybe. But she was also letting me make the call. I’m your mate and asked that she let me deal with it. She was being loyal. Not to mention the fact, I was human! It’s not like they could hurt me.”

  “But they could have hurt me,” he pointed out.

  “I didn’t think of that.” She sat up on her knees. “They were trying to get to you…I’m so sorry!”

  He shook his head and sighed.

  “I promise I’ll tell you if it happens again.”

  “It won’t happen again,” he said.

  “Okay.” She smiled and stroked his cheek. “So…are you telling me you haven’t slept with anyone in over a hundred and sixty years?”

  Kade smirked. “Your ability to get back to your original point is quite impressive.”

  “Thanks…I think.”

  “I haven’t slept with anyone in almost a hundred years.”

  Her mouth dropped open. “Really? Who was she?” She held her hand up. “Wait, if it was Shannon, I don’t want to know.”

  His lip curled up in a sneer. “I have never had any kind of romantic relationship with her.”

  “I’m surprised.”

  “Why?”

  “She’s beautiful.”

  “If you think vipers are beautiful,” he said.

  Sam couldn’t stop a smile. “I love that the most about you.”

  “That I don’t like snakes?”

  “That you can see through the façade.”

  He stretched out on the bed again and held his hand out to her. “Come here, love.”

  She snuggled against him and wrapped an arm around his waist.

  “The woman was someone I thought I could marry. She was a great friend and she would have been a good partner. It would have been more of an arrangement, somewhat like my parents, I suppose, although without the mutual hatred. I had no intention of sleeping with her. She pursued the physical part of our relationship and at the time, I didn’t see any reason why it would be a bad idea.”

  “Outside of your faith, you mean?” she challenged.

  “Admittedly, at the time, I wasn’t particularly living the way I should have been, so sex meant a lot less to me.”

  “Why didn’t you marry her?”

  “She found her mate.” He ran his hand down Samantha’s back. “He’d come from Iceland to Scotland to visit family. The moment his ship came into port, she changed. She became distant and irritable. I realized that even if she “got over” whatever was ailing her that we wouldn’t work. This mating process really is similar to magnets. As soon as you’re close to your mate, you can’t help but gravitate toward them. They had both been invited to a party by two different people in Edinburgh and as soon as they touched we were done.”

  “Like us.”

  “Sort of.”

  “What was different?” she asked.

  “He had to deal with the fact that she didn’t save herself for him.”

  “Did he save himself?”

  “No. But in our world there’s still a double standard. He bound her and moved her back to Iceland. Away from me, even though I was no longer a threat.”

  “It’s a good thing you don’t care about that,” she said with a cheeky grin.

  He chuckled. “I wish I was that evolved. I knew before I bound you that you’d be mine only.”

  “I’m never going to have any secrets in this relationship, am I?”

  He lifted her chin. “Do you really want any?”

  “Not really. I think I just want the option.”

  “I’ll pretend I know less, then.”

  She kissed him. “That’s all I ask.”

  “You should try to sleep. We have several hours before dinner.”

  “I have something else in mind.”

  “Oh, really?”

  She sat up and straddled him. “I’d like to check out the membership requirements for the Mile-High Club.”

  “Would you now?” He settled his hands on her hips. “It starts with you passing a particularly stiff test.”

  Sam licked her lips. “I can see you’re already in the full and upright position.”

  “I’m sorry. I wasn’t paying attention during the safety demonstration; can you please show me your flotation devices?”

  “I’d be happy to, so long as you don’t experience a sudden loss of cabin pressure.”

  “Very well, then, you might want to brace yourself for turbulence.”

  * * *

  Kade woke Samantha an hour before they were set to land. They had time to eat and freshen up before they were forced to buckle up. Sam gripped Kade’s hand as the plane began to descend and didn’t let go until the plane came to a complete stop.

  “You made it, love,” Kade said. “I’m very proud of you.”

  “I couldn’t have done it without you.” She pulled her cell phone out of her purse. “I completely forgot to call my dad.”

  “You don’t need to. There’s a car waiting for us.”

  “Of course there is.”

  “The driver will take us straight to the hospital and then drop the bags at the hotel.”

  She shook her head. “Honey, I cannot stay at a hotel. My mother would be really hurt. I have a feeling she won’t want you to stay at one either.”

  “We have to remember our limits, love.”

  “Our limits?” Sam asked, and then it dawned on her. “Oh! Right. Luckily, my parents are cheap. Thermostat is set to sixty-five or below during the winter. They alway
s told us that if we were cold we could put on more clothes.”

  “Dr. Gunnach?” Maureen inquired as she stepped from the cockpit. “Your bags have been transferred to the car, my lord. You may disembark anytime.”

  “Thank you,” Kade said, and squeezed Sam’s arm. “Ready?”

  “Absolutely.”

  Kade guided her out of the plane and to the awaiting Towncar. Once settled inside, Sam dialed her father, but it went straight to voice mail. She left a quick message and then called her mother.

  “Hi, sweetie.”

  Sam smiled. “Hi, Mom.”

  “Have you got your flights?”

  “Actually, we’re here. We just landed.”

  “Wonderful. Do you need Daddy to come and get you?”

  “No, we have a car.”

  “We’ll be picking Dalton up from the hospital some time before dinner, so you can come with us if you like or hang out at home.”

  “Is that too much? Kade’s happy to get a hotel room.”

  “Absolutely not. We want to get to know your man. I want to hear all about the proposal as well. We even raised the temperature so he’ll be more comfortable.”

  “You know, mom, could you maybe keep it below sixty-seven? Scotland’s much colder than Savannah, and he prefers the cold.”

  “Not a problem. Are you sure?”

  Sam grinned. “Very.”

  “Okay then. I’ve asked Pepper to stay for a few days. Her mom’s not doing well, so she’ll be in the guest room.”

  “Good.” Sam sighed. “We’ll be there in about half an hour. Do you need us to stop anywhere?”

  “No, honey, we’re good. Just looking forward to seeing you.”

  “Me too. We’ll see you soon.” She hung up and dropped her phone back in her purse. “I’m guessing you’ll be staying in Dalt’s room.”

  Kade raised an eyebrow. “What about when he’s out of the hospital?”

  She snorted. “He’ll insist on going back to his place, especially since Pepper’s staying for a few days.”

  “Don’t they get along?”

  “They do. Sort of. They seemed really close for a while, but a few years ago, something happened, I think an argument or something. Neither of them would tell me. They both said it was no big deal, but they’ve been cool to each other ever since. I didn’t want to pry.” Sam rolled her eyes. “Anyway, sorry about the separate rooms.”

  “I can survive a few nights without you in my bed, love.”

  “Yeah, well I don’t know if I can.”

  Kade chuckled. “We’ll figure something out.”

  Sam settled further into the seat and watched the terrain fly by as they made their way to her parents’ house. She couldn’t stop thinking about how much her life had changed in such a short amount of time.

  * * *

  The driver pulled into the driveway and Sam smiled when the front door opened and her parents rushed outside. Kade slid from the car and held the door for her. She climbed out and ran straight into her mother’s arms.

  “Aw, honey, I’ve been wantin’ to hug your neck for weeks!”

  “Me too, Mom.” Sam sniffed, trying to force the tears away.

  Her father hugged her quickly and then went to help Kade with the bags. They shook hands and her father gave her a wink.

  “How are you feeling?” her mom asked.

  “Much better,” Sam said. “It didn’t last long. What about Dalton? How is he…really?”

  Her mom frowned. “He’s perfectly fine. I don’t know what that boy was thinkin’! He said the robber came up behind him and he got out of the way just in time. He shot the man before he could get away, but the officers haven’t said whether or not they’ve found him. I don’t imagine they’ll tell us anything, but still. I’m just glad your daddy taught you both to shoot.”

  Sam grimaced. “Yes. I suppose that’s a good thing.”

  “Let’s talk about better things, hmm? I had no idea Kade was so tall.” She studied Sam’s fiancé. “I suppose you were sitting down over Skype, huh? He’s taller than Dalton.”

  Sam smiled as Kade and her father finished grabbing the bags from the trunk. “He’s better looking too.”

  “I won’t touch that one.” Her mother chuckled. “Now, do you have something to show me?”

  “Oh, yes,” Sam said, and held her hand out.

  Her mother studied the ring and then hugged her. “Oh, honey, it’s stunning.”

  Kade and her father made their way to them and set the bags on the ground. Kade held his hand out to Sam’s mother.

  “We’ll have none of that,” she said as she pulled him into a motherly hug.

  Kade grinned and hugged her back.

  “You made it here in record time,” her father said.

  Sam chuckled. “We did. Your future son-in-law has connections.”

  “We’re happy you said yes.”

  “Like I could resist him, Daddy.” She leaned closer, lowering her voice. “He’s almost perfect.”

  I’ll remember that when you argue with me.

  Sam grinned. No arguing. No point. I’m always right.

  Her mother ushered them toward the house. “Why don’t we get you two settled and we’ll talk after you’ve rested.”

  Wait, love. Let me check the temperature.

  Sam distracted her parents long enough for Kade to peek inside. When he was satisfied, Kade picked up the bags and waited for the ladies to precede him.

  Sam’s father followed. “You kids rest up,” he said. “I’ll see you at dinner.”

  “Okay,” Sam said.

  “We have you in Dalton’s old room, Kade, and Sam, you’re back in yours,” her mother explained as she led them upstairs.

  Sam glanced over her shoulder and gave him a wink. Kade smiled and shook his head. Sam stopped at her room long enough to drop her bag inside, and then followed Kade into Dalton’s. Sam and Dalton’s rooms were separated by a Jack-and-Jill bathroom, which had been updated with new fixtures and accessories. “Mom, the bathroom looks really good. I can’t believe Daddy finally got around to doing it.”

  Her mother snorted. “He didn’t. I broke down and hired someone. He’s still stewin’ about it, so let’s not talk about it in front of him, okay?”

  Sam giggled. “No problem.”

  “I’ll leave you two for now. We’ll get Dalton and then eat around six, okay?”

  “Thanks, Mom.” Sam hugged her again. “Love you.”

  Her mom stroked her cheek. “Love you too, honey.”

  CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE

  HER MOTHER LEFT them alone and Sam flopped onto Dalton’s bed, crossing her legs and settling her chin in her hand.

  “What’s going on in that fascinating mind of yours?” Kade asked as he set his bag on the bed behind her.

  “If my mother knew how old you actually were, I wonder if she’d still force us to sleep in separate rooms.”

  “I’m going to venture a guess and say yes.” Kade laughed. “I think it has more to do with the fact she doesn’t know we’re boun…uh, married.”

  Sam blew out a sigh. “I know. Still, it’s annoying. We can’t even lock the doors—they removed the locks when we were kids.”

  Kade chuckled.

  “What’s so funny?”

  “It’s just interesting to see such a confident young woman turn into an irritated teenager in the presence of her mother.”

  Sam sighed. “I don’t know about confident, but I’ll agree with feeling like a teenager again.”

  Kade pulled the desk chair to the end of the bed and sat facing her. “Every mum and dad will always see their daughter as a little girl.”

  She wrinkled her nose. “Maybe we should get a hotel.”

  He grinned. “I have no intention of giving up the room I already booked. We’ll sleep here at night and “sightsee” during the day.”

  Sam straightened. “I knew there was a reason I love you.”

  “Just one?” He leaned over
to kiss her, but his phone rang, interrupting the moment. “Hold that thought.” He answered the call. “Hi, Con.”

  “Hi, Kade. How’s Sam’s brother?”

  “Fine. He’s being released tonight.” Kade smiled as Sam stood and started to unpack his bag. “What’s up?”

  “I’ve run into a wee bit of a snag.”

  “With which issue?” Kade asked.

  “Ármann. He’s making moves. We need to be at Haarde sooner than later.”

  Kade swore. “Okay. Set it up and I can meet you there.”

  Sam raised an eyebrow, but Kade forced a smile and she went back to her task.

  “Good,” Connall said. “There’s one other thing.”

  “What?” he asked as he focused on Connall.

  Why are you blocking me? she complained. Why do you have to go to Iceland sooner?

  “Can you hold a sec, Con? Sorry.” He lowered the phone and looked at Sam. “I don’t want you to worry, so will you trust me, love?”

  “Why would I worry?” she challenged.

  “Sam.”

  “Fine.” She waved her hand. “Go back to your super-secret conversation.”

  I love you.

  She stuck her tongue out at him and he chuckled. “Sorry, Con. What else?”

  “Cole’s working with someone, and you’re not going to like who it is.”

  “Who is it?”

  “It’s Dalton Moore.”

  Kade turned away from Sam. “What?”

  “Samantha’s brother is not who he says he is. He’s FBI.”

  “What?” Sam snapped.

  “Damn it!” Kade exclaimed. “How did you do that?”

  “Me?” Connall asked.

  “No,” Kade said. “Hold on.” He is stared at his mate. “Sam?”

  Sam shrugged and made a show of refolding one of his T-shirts. “I guess you could say you’re not a very good multi-tasker.”

  Kade sighed in frustration. “Con, do you mind if I put you on speaker? Sam should hear this as well.”

  “Not at all,” Con said.

  Sam sat on the bed, a triumphant expression on her face.

  Kade switched to speaker and said, “I thought Dalton owned car dealerships.”

  “He does. But it’s also a good cover, wouldn’t you agree?”