“I understand.” He nuzzled my neck. “But I won’t allow you to put yourself in any danger, Flora, and I’ll be right beside you at all times. Understood?”
“Och.” I swatted his chest. “Aye, all right.”
“Glad you’re being sensible.” Max’s lips landed on mine in a kiss full of longing, one that had me breathless in mere seconds.
We both heard Graham as he walked down the staircase inside the Manor, Max pulling away slowly. “Later,” he promised.
I nodded as Graham joined us, his face even whiter than it had been before. “This way.” He waved his arm off to the left toward the small stables building.
As we followed, the stench hit Max and I, our enhanced senses smelling the blood and rot of a corpse. I could smell something else, not human, and wondered what the other thing was that Graham said he had to show us.
Max slowed down, a frown on his face as he looked puzzled for a moment. His eyes widened and he stopped altogether. “Flora, maybe you should stay here. Let me deal with this.”
“What?” I scowled up at him. “Team, remember? I’m coming with you.”
I carried on as he pleaded, “Please, baby, just stay here.”
“I said no, Max, stop it.” I turned away, hurrying after Graham.
The man looked so much older than the last time I’d seen him. I guess grief can do that to you and as we reached the stable door he turned to look at us, his eyes flitting away from mine quickly. “I’m sorry, Miss. Flora.”
I didn’t understand what he was saying. Why would he apologize to me when it was his son-in-law that had been murdered?
Max tried again to stop me. “Baby, why don’t you go and find Isa? I’m sure she’d appreciate your support right now.”
“I’ll go and see her shortly.” I moved forward, confused at both Graham and Max’s attitude.
Graham’s arm held the door open only a few inches, his obvious reluctance to open it fully just confused me even more. What the hell was going on?
“Flora.” Max tried again to stop me but I stepped forward, shoving the stable door wide.
The scene before me stopped my heart dead as I gagged, dropping to my knees. There was Patrick, torn to shreds, but he wasn’t alone. He’d been placed upon the bloodied and torn body of something much larger, darker, and I realized it was my beloved Mallen.
The fuckers had torn my horse apart. It’s intestines lay all over the floor, his throat ripped clean away, and his dead eyes were open, staring up to the roof. I didn’t realize I was making any noise, not until Max dropped down next to me and grabbed me to him.
I howled with pain and anger as I stared at the tableau before me. This was personal. It was the one thing in the world that I cared about, other than Max, and they’d slaughtered my proud beast and put him on show.
For me. I knew without a shadow of doubt that this was aimed at me and I guessed that poor Patrick came across them and they’d disposed of the only witness to their crime.
I sobbed great hulking tears as my chest ached with sorrow. I could hear Graham’s voice saying over and over that he was sorry but he had nothing to be sorry for. Damn it. I should be the one apologizing. His son-in-law had died because of me and that’s not something I could let go.
No. I’d hunt these sleekit bastards down, tear their hearts out and spit down their damned throats.
Max rose, tugging me with him. “Flora, I’m so sorry.”
I steadied myself, anger taking over from the sorrow. “I’m going to kill them. Every last one of them is going to pay for . . . this!”
My body thrummed with fury at the senseless suffering the wolves had inflicted. Mallen must’ve been terrified and in so much pain if his wounds were any indication. His sleek coat now ripped and shredded, blood and entrails everywhere with Patrick’s body thrown carelessly on top.
Fuckit to hell! Those wolves had made the biggest mistake of their woeful lives and I was going to make sure they paid for everything, from their treatment of me, to Mallen and Patrick, and everything in between. I would dole out my absolute worst when I got my claws into them.
“Calm down,” Max cajoled, his arms tightening on me.
“I will not calm down,” I snarled. “What I’m going to do is ingrain their bloody scents into my brain and then hunt them down. One by one.”
“We have other things to attend to,” Max said pointedly, glancing toward Graham.
My anger rushed out of me as I remembered that an actual person had also died, albeit I was certain he’d just been in the wrong place at the wrong time. “I’m so sorry, Graham,”
Graham motioned toward the house. “I need to get back, Isa and Agnes will be worried and I’ve still to get a funeral director out, and the police, and . . .”
His words stumbled to a stop, things seeming to overwhelm him. “We’ll deal with everything,” I said firmly. “Take us to see Isa and Agnes, I’d like to give them my condolences.”
“Aye, they’ll appreciate that, Miss.” Graham started back toward the house, throwing over his shoulder as we followed, “But truth be told, they’ll appreciate you finding those that done this and dealing with them, without the law being involved. If you get my meaning, Miss Flora?”
His steely stare left me in no doubt what he meant and I had to agree with him. “I’ll make sure they pay, in fact, I promise you they will.”
“Thank you,” Graham said grimly as he led the way.
“Fucking cowards,” I ranted as I followed. “I’ll bet my ass that Donald is behind this, I’m certain that’s his stench I can scent. He always was a bully and . . .”
Max tugged my arm, halting me quickly. “What I want to know is how they knew you weren’t dead and buried.”
That information caused my eyes to widen in shock. “True.” I looked around as if expecting a Pack of wolves to appear, even though there were no indications of anything nearby. “What the fuck, Max?”
“Exactly,” he agreed, his face tight with anger. “As far as they were concerned you were dead so why come here to leave such a clear message?”
“Maybe it wasn’t for me?” I frowned as we started to walk again. “Maybe it was in retaliation of you killing my father? It wouldn’t take Sherlock Holmes to figure out who had taken him out.”
“Indeed, but if that were the case why did they wait so long?” He raised an eyebrow in question. “It’s been months, Flora, if they wanted to retaliate they would’ve done so before now. They had time before we left after I’d killed your father. They could’ve come for me then, but they didn’t. This doesn’t feel like revenge for that, this is more personal, Flora.”
“I guess,” I had to agree.
“No,” he said, anger infusing his words. “I believe they’ve somehow found out about you and this is their reaction.”
“Hell,” I said shrugging. “It doesn’t matter the why, all that I care about is finding them and tearing them apart.”
“I understand,” Max closed and bolted the large doors behind us as Graham carried on toward the kitchen. “But I want to make a few calls before we go hunting. All right? Promise me you won’t do anything on your own? We have to do this together, Flora.”
I stopped, eyes widening in shock as I felt, for the first time, his power flowing into me. Commanding me.
“Max?” I whispered his name, stunned he would use his hold over me in such a way.
“I’m sorry, baby, but I’ll do whatever it takes to keep you safe and if that pisses you off then so be it.” He reached over, running a finger along my face. “I can’t lose you, but I know how strong willed you can be, so if this is what I have to do then I’ll use whatever I can and I refuse to apologize for that.”
I wasn’t quite sure how to answer. I was pissed, of course, but I also understood. Damn it. I’d do the same if I thought Max was in danger but didn’t mean I had to like it. “Cheat,” I snapped back instead.
“I’ll
take that.” Max smirked. “Now let’s go and see how Agnes and Isa are doing.”
I tugged on his arm. “Max, I need to help her.”
He nodded. “Of course we will.”
“No,” I shook my head. “I mean, she has two kids at Uni and she’s just lost her husband but that also means she’s lost half her income. She’s going to struggle and it’s because of me.”
“I’ll make sure that doesn’t happen,” Max said softly. “I’d never allow Agnes or her kids to suffer because of this. Don’t worry, darling.”
Shit. I knew I was head over heels in love with Max but I fell for him even more when he said that. “Thank you.”
“No thanks necessary, sweets,” he replied as we finally arrived at the kitchen.
“Oh shit, I’m not looking forward to this,” I admitted quietly.
I mean, how the hell do you apologize to someone for losing the man they love just because he caught someone doing something to get back at me? I had no blinking clue, but I knew I had to woman up and do whatever I could to help ease her suffering.
~ Chapter 3 ~
Agnes’ face was so white I thought she was near to passing out, no color at all and her lips had a blue tinge to them. Her absolute sorrow engulfed me as I knelt down beside her.
“I’m so sorry,” I mumbled, a lump appearing in my throat as I tried to speak.
Her dull eyes turned to mine, one of her hands grabbing mine and squeezing hard. “You’ll make them pay, won’t you?”
I swallowed several times before I could answer. “Yes, I will.”
Max’s harsh tone interrupted. “We will find out who carried out this atrocious attack and deal with them, Agnes. I’ll make a call to my contacts in the Wolf Council and they’ll handle the legalities, but I assure you those responsible will soon be paying the price for their actions.”
She turned to look up at Max, her eyes pleading but there was also a spark of anger there. “I hope you do, they deserve to die for this.”
“They will,” Max assured her firmly.
“I can’t put into words how I feel, Agnes. It was obviously meant as a message for me, them killing Mallen like that, and I think Patrick was—”
She interrupted, “In the wrong place at the wrong time, yes, I’ve figured that out, Miss Flora. It’s not your fault and I don’t blame you. I’m just angry at everything just now. I can’t believe he’s gone and I won’t have his cheeky smile to look at tonight.”
“I’m so sorry,” I repeated. I was useless at this and couldn’t find words to help the grieving woman.
Isa came to my rescue. “Wheesht, none of us are blaming anyone other than those . . . excuse my French . . . fucking animals.”
Her face flushed at her own outburst but I just stood, giving her a nod. “Bastards is what I called them and they’ll suffer for their actions today. That’s a cast iron promise. Now, is there anything I can do?”
Isa looked to Agnes then back at me. “We’ve not told the kids their dad’s dead yet. We were scared to because we know they’ll rush home and we don’t want them here right now, you know, just in case they come back. We couldn’t bear it if they were hurt.”
“I totally understand,” I said, looking to Max for help.
“They are at Edinburgh aren’t they?” he asked quietly.
Agnes nodded, distraught.
“I want you all to pack a bag and we’ll get you booked into a hotel near them.”
Graham butted in. “What? No, Sir, we can’t leave you to deal with . . . everything. There’s Patrick to be taken care of and—”
Max held up a hand. “Graham, I’ll make sure Patrick is looked after and we’ll arrange everything, the funeral, service, and anything else that’s required. All you need to do is give me details of where you’d like the service to take place. Which church?”
Agnes gave a wan smile. “No church. Patrick wasn’t religious and never stepped foot in one, not even for our wedding. I think we should just have a small service here because this land is where he loved to be, but I can’t bear the thought of cremating him and I have no idea about finding a plot to bury him in. Oh god, the nearest place is miles away! I won’t be able to visit him.”
She dissolved into great wracking sobs, Isa rushing to hug her daughter. I raised an eyebrow at Max. “Max, would you be able to get whatever paperwork is required to bury him here? You’ve got miles and miles of open land and, well, maybe that would be better?”
Graham stepped forward. “There’s the old graveyard, it’s about a half a mile out the back, but it’s all legal and what not but it’s only got family members in it.”
“That’s perfect,” I said, hoping Max would agree and not be insulted at my idea.
“Patrick is more than welcome to be buried there if that’s what you want, Agnes.” Max looked down at the sobbing woman.
She raised her head with a look of relief. “Are you sure?” she hiccupped.
“Yes,” Max confirmed. “That’s all set then. You can have a service here, in the great hall and then Patrick will be laid to rest in the graveyard. Now, I know it’s a difficult time but do you have any preference for a casket?”
Agnes’ head shot up, nodding. “He was always going on about those new biodegradable ones. Patrick said it wasn’t good for the land to bury great big wooden boxes in it. He moaned that everyone should be made to use these new ones, said the government should make it law. He loved the land so.”
She couldn’t continue as tears started to flow again, Isa patting her back and cradling her in her arms. I couldn’t even imagine the pain she was in. If anything ever happened to Max, I knew I’d wither and die.
“I’ll look into it and make sure it’s exactly what he wanted, Agnes,” Max told her quietly before turning to Graham. “I’d like you to go and pack and be ready to go shortly. You can take whichever car you want from the garage and I’ll follow you on foot until you reach the highway.”
Graham nodded then smirked. “Highway? You definitely don’t spend enough time here, it’s all secondary, single track roads for at least an hour’s drive but we’ll be fine once we’re on the main road. That’s in the opposite direction of the Pack land and I doubt any of them would be that far from home.”
“I’ll track you, just to make sure,” Max said firmly.
I didn’t think the wolves would target Graham and his family but it was best that Max ensure their safety. Damn, if they were hurt too I would never forgive myself.
“I’ve got a few calls to make,” Max said as he left the kitchen. “I’ll be in the office, just let me know when you’re ready to go.”
Isa helped Agnes up, urging her to go with her. “Come on, honey, let’s get sorted and we’ll go and let the kids know what’s happened.”
“Mum,” Agnes stuttered. “How do I tell them he’s gone? I don’t know if I can do this.”
“You’ll do it,” Isa said grimly. “You’re their mum and you have to be strong for them. Now, come on, you can cry all you want just now but when we reach the bairns you need to be strong.”
“Okay,” Agnes mumbled as they disappeared.
I realized I was alone and looked around the kitchen, a place I’d hardly seen when I was here last. It was obviously the hub of the Manor, now, not so much. The space littered with empty plates and the table set for breakfast. A breakfast that hadn’t been served or eaten, the smell of sausages, eggs and tattie scone still in the air. I couldn’t help but have a pang of longing to taste my favorites one last time but knew it was no use thinking like that. The days of eating food were long gone and I would never again taste the delicious cooking that always reminded me of my own mother.
Shaking my head to clear it of the nostalgia closing in on me, I went in search of Max. I caught the tail end of a call, one where he was snarling down the phone, telling whoever was on the other end that he was going to deal with things himself and that nobody would be able to sto
p him.
Whatever was replied to him seemed to calm him and he said a curt, “Thank you,” before hanging up.
“Everything all right?” I asked quietly, his anger still simmering beneath the surface.
“Yes,” he sighed, running a hand through his hair. “The Wolf Council wanted to send one of their Enforcers to deal with the situation but I’ve told them I’m not waiting for him. I’m going to get Graham, Agnes and Isa on their way and then I’m going to do some tracking.”
I understood his feelings, it was how I felt, but he’d seemed to forgotten something important. “What about Patrick? We can’t just leave him out there and we also have to do something with . . .”
I couldn’t go on, couldn’t talk about my proud steed and the state he was now in.
Max frowned then rushed toward me, reaching out to pull me against his chest. “Once the family are safely on their way, I’ll move Patrick into the great hall. The casket they wanted will be delivered tomorrow and I’ll put him in there until the funeral.”
“I can help if you want?” I felt I had to offer even if I didn’t want to deal with Patrick’s corpse.
“It’s all right, I don’t need any help, baby,” Max kissed the top of my head. “What would you like to do with Mallen?”
I didn’t say anything for long moments as I tried to process what I wanted. Truth was I wasn’t sure. I guess dead animals usually went to the knackers yard, but I couldn’t bear to think of doing that to Mallen.
“I’m not sure,” I whispered, trying to keep emotion from my voice. I failed terribly.
“We could bury him in one of the fields, if you think you’d like that?”
“Really?” I looked up and saw deep concern in his striking blue eyes. “You don’t think that’s silly, burying a horse?”
“He was a majestic and beautifully wild animal. Only you could tame him and he means something to me too, Flora,” Max said with feeling. “He brought you to me all those months ago. If it weren’t for Mallen, we may never have met so I think we should bury him and mark the spot so we can visit him when we’re here.”
Freedom: A Vampire Blood Courtesans Romance Page 2
