Bound by Secrets (Cauld Ane Series)

by Tracey Jane Jackson

  He gave a slight smile. “Thank you, ma’am.”

  She sighed. “I should have asked you to document our honeymoon.”

  “It’s already done, ma’am.”

  She glanced at Brodie, who shrugged and then focused back on Karl. “Well, it would seem you have more abilities than anyone gave you credit for,” Payton said.

  Karl grinned then and nodded, stepping back to allow her access to the lift that would take them back to the ground. Dalton entered first, then the rest of them. As they exited the elevator, a change in Karl’s demeanor put Payton on alert. He guided Payton behind him and scanned the area. Now on alert, Dalton and Brodie created a human shield, protecting Payton. Brodie wrapped an arm around her waist from behind and pulled her against his chest.

  “What’s going on?” she whispered.

  Karl has sense gift and something’s not right. Just relax and be patient. Brodie kissed her temple and held her tightly.

  Payton nodded and watched their security closely. Sense gift was something that was almost as rare as the firestarter gift and according to the book it could be as frustrating as Payton’s visions. Karl scanned the area while Dalton waited. Then they spoke briefly, and Karl scanned again before giving Dalton a curt nod.

  “Sorry, folks, it’s back to the hotel for the moment,” Dalton said. “We’ll figure out what’s going on and go from there.”

  I don’t mind going back to the hotel, Payton projected. Is there anything else you need cleaned, monsieur?

  “Hotel, yes,” Brodie said. “No problem.”

  Payton giggled as she was whisked into the awaiting SUV and driven back to the hotel.

  * * *

  “What about this?” Payton read out loud. “A rare opportunity to buy a beautifully modernized four-bedroom flat in one of Edinburgh’s most impressive historical buildings.” She glanced at Brodie. “I can only assume that means really old with a coat of paint slapped on the wall.”

  They’d been home for two days, and Payton was due to return to work the following morning. She probably could have pushed it out a little while, but she was actually looking forward to getting back to work. And before she could return to work, she’d like to find a few homes to look at so that she could feel completely settled.

  Brodie chuckled. “Where is it?”

  “Says it’s next to Edinburgh Castle.”

  “Ah,” he murmured. “I think I know the building. It’s not far from here, actually. How big is the flat?”

  “Um, four bedrooms, two reception rooms, three bathrooms.”

  Brodie appeared contemplative. “Is that enough room for lots of babies?”

  “Yes. I think so.” Payton giggled. “It also has a communal garden and a terrace.” She smiled up at him. “And private parking.”

  Brodie leaned over her shoulder to look at the listing. “What do you think?”

  “I think it looks beautiful, but it’s quite dear, Brodie.”

  “It’s less than two million, Pay. That’s a great price for something so central to where we want to be.”

  “Are you sure?”

  Brodie chuckled. “I’m sure.”

  Payton bit her lip. “In that case, I think I’d like to see it.”

  “Then we’ll see it.” He kissed her head and headed into the bathroom.

  Payton heard the shower start and glanced at the clock. They didn’t have anywhere to be for two hours, and she wanted to take advantage of that fact.

  After a detour of the carnal variety, Brodie and Payton met the agent at the apartment. Payton was swept away by the history and size of the place. She found herself imagining what it would have been like to live there more than a hundred years ago, big dresses and all.

  Difficult without elevators.

  Payton nodded. I bet.

  “As you can see, Mr. Gunnach, the flat is quite opulent,” the agent said. Dawn Lane was a beautiful young woman with black hair and hazel eyes. She was eyeing Brodie as though she were starving and he was a gourmet meal..

  “I do see that,” Brodie said, and took Payton’s hand. “What do you think, sweetheart?”

  “I think it’s lovely,” Payton said, wishing she’d dressed a little nicer.

  “I’d like to bring an associate by to check out its security.” Brodie wrapped an arm around Payton and kissed her temple. You’re more beautiful than this piece of work on any day, love.

  “I would expect someone in your position would do so,” Dawn crooned. “I’m happy to meet with him anytime.”

  Brodie nodded. “Excellent. I think I’ve seen everything I need to. How do you feel, Payton?”

  “I’m good. Thank you for your time, Miss Lane.”

  After scribbling something on the back of a card, Dawn handed it to Brodie. “Feel free to call me as soon as you and your ‘security personnel’ would like to meet.” She ran her hand down his arm.

  Brodie stepped away from her and shoved the card into his pocket. “I will.”

  He led Payton from the apartment and down to where his car was parked. Once Payton was settled, he slid inside, taking the card out of his pocket and crumpling it in his hand.

  “What are you doing, love?” Payton asked.

  “Trying to erase the memory of that horrible woman. She is the classic definition of ‘strumpet.’”

  Payton took the marred paper and flattened it out as much as she could. The woman had written a phone number on the back with “call me” and a heart below it. “She did realize we’re married, right?”

  “Aye. Whore.”

  “Okay, that might be a bit harsh, love.”

  “Floozy, then. I won’t buy anything from her, Payton. Mark my words.”

  Payton giggled. “Shouldn’t I be the one offended here?”

  He shook his head and drove back to Kade’s building. Payton laid her hand on his thigh. “Baby, what’s going on?”

  “We are bonded, Payton. That means something. And don’t give me the whole excuse that she’s human and doesn’t understand. At the very least, she knew we were married.” He smacked the steering wheel. “Disgusting.”

  “I trust you, Brodie, if that’s what you’re worried about.”

  “No, that’s not what I’m worried about. I just hate people who try to take advantage.”

  She knew why he felt the way he felt, especially after the news of late, but still, it made her smile, knowing that he would protect her heart just as passionately as she would protect his. “I love you,” she said.

  He wrapped his hand around hers. “I love you more.”

  “So, what are we doing for our last night of freedom?”

  “We’re going to watch a movie and make out on the sofa, of course.”

  Payton laughed. “You woo me.”

  He grinned, releasing her hand so he could shift gears. “I actually thought we could go out for dinner.”

  “Really?”

  He nodded. “If you’d like to.”

  “Yes, please.”

  “Dressy?”

  “What?” she said with a gasp. “High heels as well?”

  He chuckled. “If you promise to wear something sexy, yes.”

  “I have some ideas, don’t you worry.”

  “Then, definitely something with high heels.”

  “Perfect.” Payton grinned. “Let’s hurry.”

  * * *

  The next day, Payton sat at her desk and let out a quiet sigh. She couldn’t believe she’d actually missed her job. Perhaps she loved it even more, since, technically, she didn’t need it, but whatever the case, she was happy to be back.

  She’d spent the better part of the morning going through what she’d missed while on her honeymoon, attempting to make sense of the notes the temp had left for her. Kade wouldn’t let the woman touch any of the important tasks Payton did. She was simply there to handle his calendar and field calls. This meant Payton had to catch up on a month’s worth of financial documents.

  They had three weeks
until Samantha’s coronation, and the whole office would shut down the day before and two days after the celebration. There was a lot to accomplish in a short amount of time, including arranging accommodations for out-of-town visitors who would stay at the castle for the ceremony.

  Her phone rang, diverting her focus. “Payton Mc…ah…Gunnach.”

  Samantha giggled. “It takes a little getting used to, huh?”

  “You’d think the amount of times I wrote that in my notebook, I’d be all set, but yes, it’s still a bit surreal.”

  “Want to grab lunch?”

  Payton glanced at her watch. “I don’t know if I can. I have so much to do, Sam.”

  “I know, but you gotta eat, Pay.”

  “True.” Payton checked her calendar. No meetings, and just the reports to get to Kade by end of day. “If we eat downstairs, I should be fine. Do you want me to meet you in the lab?”

  “No, I’m almost done here. I’ll meet you at the café,” Sam said. “Five minutes?”

  “See you then.” Payton hung up, grabbing her purse and keys.

  Lunch plans?

  She jumped, still not entirely used to Brodie’s voice in her head.

  Sorry, love, I didn’t mean to startle you.

  Payton smiled. It was a good startle.

  He chuckled. Oh, those exist?

  When they’re delivered by a gorgeous man they do. Payton locked her office door. And in answer to your question, I’m meeting Sam downstairs. What are you doing?

  “I was hoping to steal my wife away for an hour,” he said, and wrapped his arms around her before kissing her neck.

  She sighed as she turned in his arms and raised her chin for a heart-stopping kiss. “Hi.”

  “Hi.” He grinned.

  “Even if I wasn’t meeting Sam, I wouldn’t be able to take an hour, love. I have so much to catch up on.”

  Brodie smiled. “Do you still think you’ll be out of here at a decent hour?”

  “If my husband will let me meet my sister-in-law for a quick lunch and stop ravaging me in the hallway, yes.”

  “Killjoy.” Brodie laughed. “Is Kade in a meeting?”

  “No, he’s working on the third-quarter figures.”

  “I’ll go bug him, then.”

  “Do that.” She kissed him again. “I love you.”

  “I love you too.”

  Payton headed to the elevator, blowing Brodie a kiss as the doors closed. She made it to the café before Sam, grabbing a table away from the window, per Brodie’s request. Sam shuffled into the restaurant ten minutes later.

  “Hi,” Sam rushed out as she sat at the table. “Sorry. I can’t seem to just leave my office whenever I want to; I have to listen to a five-minute lecture from my husband.”

  “Mine showed up at my door.”

  Sam giggled. “At least that means a kiss at the end of the sermon.”

  “Yes, that’s very true.” Payton grabbed the menu. “Almost worth it. Almost.”

  A server interrupted their banter and took their order, returning remarkably quickly with their food. Once she left again, Sam folded her hands in her lap and took a deep breath. “I need a favor.”

  “Anything.” Payton lifted a glass of water to her lips.

  “Find a way to screw up the coronation so it has to be canceled.”

  Payton choked, grabbed for a napkin, and laid it over her mouth. “What?”

  “I can’t do this.” Samantha grimaced. “I mean, I’m fine with being queen…I guess, because I love my husband, and he does all the work, but I swear to Buddha, I will trip or drop something on my gown…or someone else. Someone way more important than me.” She grasped Payton’s hand. “Payton. Listen to me very carefully. I will ruin this. I will embarrass my mate and everyone will hate me. You have to stop the coronation.”

  Payton bit back a giggle. Her queen suddenly looked like a very scared little girl. “Sam. First, power of suggestion doesn’t work on me, sorry. Second, you’ll be fine. I promise. You always do everything right. You have nothing to worry about. Kade has kept the list of the closest guests very small. The Council and their families, security, us, and whoever you’d like to invite are the only ones who will actually be at the coronation. The fealty ceremony will happen later at the castle, which means you will be in your own home and can escape for little breaks whenever you need them.”

  “Hold on…back the truck up. What do you mean the power of suggestion doesn’t work on you?”

  Payton smiled. “My gift of psychometry prevents it.”

  “Really?”

  “Really. Won’t work on Pepper either.”

  “Dang it,” Samantha said. “Would you be willing to dye your hair brown and stand in my place?”

  Payton patted the hand still gripping hers. “Pepper already turned you down, didn’t she?”

  “Yes! After everything I’ve done for her…you know, being her best friend forever and stuff.”

  “Yes, she’s so hard to get along with.”

  Sam fought back a smile. “Besides, she’s pregnant. There’d be way too many questions.”

  Payton giggled. “Yes, I think there would be.”

  “You have to understand something. I didn’t even like my wedding,” she admitted, after taking a few bites of her lunch. “I mean, I did, because I got to marry Kade, but I hated all the attention. I really did it for my family, but I would have been just as happy with the bonding and be done with it.”

  “So romantic.”

  Sam sighed. “I know.” She closed her eyes and let out a quiet squeak.

  “Kade?” Payton took a bite of her sandwich.

  Samantha rubbed her temples. “Yes. Sorry. Just a sec.”

  Just as Payton took another bite of her sandwich, Dalton strolled in, grabbed a chair, and sat down. “Hi, sis,” he said, stealing a French fry from Samantha’s plate. “Payton.”

  Payton smiled. “Hi, Dalt.”

  “Hi, stranger.” Samantha glanced at her watch. “It’s been all of forty-five minutes.”

  “What?” He took another fry. “I missed you.”

  “Hm-mm, I bet.”

  When he reached for her plate again, she smacked his hand and he drew back with a wince. “Dang, Sam, you’ve gotten a lot stronger.” He held his reddened hand out. “I’m actually injured.”

  “Oh, sorry, Dalton,” she said genuinely. “I really didn’t mean to hit you that hard.”

  She laid her hand over his and the redness disappeared.

  “Wow,” he whispered. “I don’t know if I will ever get used to this. It’s so cool.”

  Sam smiled. “You still can’t have another fry.”

  “That’s sibling abuse. Don’t you think, Payton?” He frowned at his sister. “And I just gave you a compliment.”

  “Sorry, bud,” Payton said. “Injury aside, you’re still both much nicer to each other than Aidan and I are.”

  Dalton rolled his eyes. “Yeah, she loves me. She can’t help it.”

  “Who could?” Sam said. “You’re so adorable.”

  Dalton chuckled.

  Payton glanced at the clock on the wall. “I should get back, Sam. I have to get the salary matrix report done today and I’m already behind.”

  “I’ll go with you,” Dalton offered.

  Payton raised an eyebrow. “You don’t want to hang out with your sister for a bit?”

  Samantha giggled. “Nice try, Payton. I have my own guard dog lurking around the corner. You don’t get to fob Dalton off on me too.”

  “Buggar,” Payton said.

  “What?” Dalton said with forced innocence. “I’m simply going that way.”

  Payton gave Samantha a look of irritation, and Sam shook her head. “No, he doesn’t really think you’re an idiot, Payton, he’s just trying to have plausible deniability.”

  “Never mind, since you’ve made me.” Dalton sighed. “Come on, Payton.”

  Payton rose to her feet and gathered her leftovers, which Dalton
took from her.

  As soon as Samantha was on her feet, Karl, her security for the day, was right by her side, and the foursome made their way to the elevator.

  Dalton and Payton went up, Samantha and Karl went down. Once inside the lift, Dalton turned to Payton. “When did you know?”

  “When I got in the elevator to come downstairs.”

  “Shut up, really?”

  Payton nodded. “Brodie looked to his left just for a second. And what’s to the left of the lifts?”

  “The stairs,” Dalton grumbled.

  “Exactly.” Payton giggled. “I also saw you out of the corner of my eye as I sat down.”

  “Jigs up then, I guess.”

  “Even though I think it’s a little overkill in the office, I know I can’t fight the edict of my being guarded, so I guess, I like the idea that it’s you. I trust you, and more importantly, so does Brodie.”

  “Thanks. I appreciate that.” Dalton smiled. “I think once Jet’s no longer a threat, things will calm down a bit.”

  “Let’s hope so.”

  The elevator doors opened and Payton moved to step out, but Dalton held his hand out. “Hold on a second, please.”

  He leaned out of the lift, looked left, then right, and then stepped into the hallway, holding the doors open. “It’s all clear.”

  Payton rolled her eyes. “Shocker.”

  Dalton gave her a placating smile. “You can never be too careful.”

  “No, you really can’t,” Brodie said, strolling toward them.

  Payton’s heart fluttered and she failed at trying to give him an admonishing frown. Her mate was entirely too sexy for his own good. “We’re in the office, love. It’s a fortress.”

  Brodie kissed her cheek. “Aye, but I appreciate Dalton’s care with my favorite person in the world, all the same.”

  “I’ll talk to you later, Payton,” Dalton said, and handed her leftovers to Brodie.

  “Thanks, Dalton,” Payton said.

  Dalton left the couple and Payton led Brodie back to her office. Once she unlocked and opened the door, Brodie set her food in the fridge. “I know you have a lot to do, so I’ll leave you now,” he said. “I’ll pick you up at five.”

  Payton nodded as she logged on to her computer. “Sounds good.”

  He leaned down and kissed her. Payton sighed. “Okay, you cannot make this a habit.”