by Aliyah Burke
“Bag.”
Tiarnán didn’t speak all that much and Cale knew he was ready to get on his way. So he did a quick search of the apartment and found her bag. Gaudy, with its purple leopard print and gold lamé stitching. He grabbed the shoulder strap and frowned when a few more rainbow sparks exploded up.
“What was that?”
He shrugged. “I have no clue. Something left over from her touch, maybe? It was never far from her, she always touched it.”
“Hmm.”
Cale let it go—Tiarnán wouldn’t be giving more than that. The sparks died down and he swung the bag over his shoulder before walking towards the door. Tiarnán fell into step beside him.
“Something on your mind?” he asked as they made their way down to the first floor.
“That seemed too easy.”
“What are you thinking?”
“Something in the bag to track her location.”
“We’ll check it before we get home.” He had no intention of bringing danger to Taylor.
They pushed into the night and drew up short. A group of four men stood there, discussing something amongst themselves. All of them lifted their heads when Cale and Tiarnán approached.
“Oh, hold that door please,” the one in middle spoke.
Tiarnán was very deliberate in shutting it behind him.
“Sorry, you have to be let in by the person you’re here to see.” Cale adjusted the strap.
“You have my cousin’s bag. We’re here to see Taylor, do you know her?”
“Your cousin?” He tensed.
“What’s wrong?”
“If these are truly her cousins, then they are after her to kill her.”
“Remain calm.”
“They want to kill my mate. Calm is a word that is no longer in my vocabulary.”
“We have the advantage that they don’t know who we are.”
“Yes, Taylor Kenyon. We’ve been trying to reach her.”
“She’s not here. I’m her boyfriend.”
Behind him, Tiarnán readjusted his stance and Cale fought a smile—he knew exactly how intimidating the man could be. Their eyes widened and it took a moment before they caught control of themselves.
“Boyfriend?”
“Cale Mattox. Who are you?”
“Jeremy Kenyon.”
Cale stepped forward and offered his hand. The man sneered at him but took the outstretched hand. His shake was limp and damp. Cale hid his displeasure and released it quickly. There was no introduction of the others, nor of Tiarnán.
“Where’s my cousin?”
“At my cabin. I just came back for her bag, since she forgot it.” He moved the shoulder it hung from. “Would you like me to deliver a message?”
“I need to speak to her face to face.”
“Okay, well, I’ll let her know you were here and she can call you and set it up.” He flashed a grin and began to move by them.
“How about we just follow you there and I can talk to her then?”
“Sorry, don’t think that’s a good idea. Does she have your number?” He shrugged. “I’m sure she does. I’ll let her know to call you.”
They walked around a corner and moved to the vehicle he’d rented. Unlocking the door, he then tossed her bag in and paused. As expected, the four had followed them.
Tiarnán got in his seat and Cale got in as well. “What do you think?” he asked.
“They want to hurt her. Shall we eliminate them?”
“You’re getting more and more bloodthirsty, Tiarnán.” He shook his head and pressed the start button for the engine. “Something going on with you?”
“Nope. Just asking a question.”
That was one of the things he loved about his brother. The man might not be overly friendly to others, but he had Cale’s back no matter what was about to go down. And he could fight.
They all had the same training, but the eldest man in their group of six had skills that were incredible. Hell, in the apartment Cale knew he could have just stood there and not worried—Tiarnán could have taken them all. Alone.
He fit his namesake—the tiger. He was a loner and a fierce protector of what he considered his. Luckily for the people who stayed at Tennesol Winery, Tiarnán considered all of them his.
Cale drove away and sure enough, as he’d expected, another vehicle pulled out behind him. “Company.”
Tiarnán didn’t even bother to turn around. “You can’t bring them to her.”
“Feeling protective?”
“We don’t need more trouble at the vineyard.”
“I’m not stupid, and we’re not bringing them to her. We’re going to bring her to them so they can talk. I’d really like to get some answers as to why they feel they can hunt her like a dog and want to kill her.”
“So why am I bringing her when I can just extract the information from them?”
“You scare her and she’s equating you to Wolverine.”
Tiarnán glanced at him. “Wolverine?”
“Yes. I don’t want her scared of you, so I want you to bring her here. Be nice to her.” He pulled into the airport and dropped Tiarnán off. “Make it swift.”
“I can handle this.” There was no farewell, the man just strode off, his cowboy boots flashing with each of his long strides.
Cale shifted into gear and left the airport. Putting his hands free device in his ear, he used his phone to dial the woman he sought to talk to.
“Hello?” Her voice soothed the tension that had been building since the moment he left her.
“Taylor,” he said.
“Did you find my bag, Cale?”
“Do you miss me?”
“Bag?”
“Lonely?” He grinned at the huff she sent across the line. “Come on, tell me.”
“Yes, I miss you, but I’m having fun. Are you coming home?”
Home. Where she was. The idea was one he liked, immensely.
“Not yet. Tiarnán is going to come get you and bring you back here.”
“Why?” Suspicion lanced her tone.
“I ran into your cousins, they were outside your apartment building.”
“Jeremy?”
“Yes. They want to talk to you, so we’ll do it. Just not at the vineyard. Be nice to Tiarnán when he arrives, babe.”
“Me? Be nice to him? He’s the one who looks like he wants to slit my throat.”
He heard knocking behind her.
“I have to go.” She hung up and he pressed the button.
“She’s expecting you, Tiarnán.”
“Don’t sound so worried.”
“How can I not?”
“We will be fine. Go rent a cabin somewhere and let me know where you are. We’ll be there tomorrow.”
* * * *
Taylor worried her lower lip as she sat on the top step leading to the house. She’d not slept much and was now waiting for Tiarnán to show and get her. A pickup rumbled up the drive and parked at the foot of the steps. Swallowing her fear, she pushed to her feet and walked down to the bottom.
Tiarnán met her at the door and held it for her. She had to stretch up to make it in his truck, but he didn’t say a word. Once she’d settled on the seat, he closed the door behind her and she fastened her belt. Around the hood, he strode, the white of his shirt swathed broad shoulders and she shook her head. Lord, he’s built. He moved like a predator and one she didn’t want to be on the wrong side of.
The interior shrank when he climbed in. The slam of his door had her jerking slightly.
“I won’t hurt you,” he said.
“I know,” she replied. She dampened her lips and tried not to curl up into a little ball.
He looked at her through strands of dark hair, which fell over his hazel eyes. She waited for him to say something else, but he didn’t. Instead, he shifted gears and got them heading back down the driveway. She hugged the door and tried desperately to calm her racing heart and stop sweating like she was. It
wasn’t happening—she had this innate fear of him and she couldn’t explain it.
Tiarnán drove into the airport long term parking and put them in a spot after grabbing the ticket. He was at her door by the time she managed to unbuckle her belt. She wiped off her damp palm and took his outstretched hand. He was strength personified.
“Ready?”
She shook her head. “Yes.”
“We won’t let them hurt you.”
“Why do you care?” she asked as they walked towards the front door of the airport.
“Because you are important to Cale.”
She grabbed his arm and after a brief—maybe longer than that—moment of admiration for the cut muscles beneath her hand, she said, “Wait. You’re doing this for Cale?”
“Yes. He asked me to come get you.”
“You said we won’t let them hurt you. How many are there?”
“When I left him, there were four following him.”
She clutched at her chest. “Four? Is he okay?”
“Four are no issue for him. He will be fine.”
“Are you sure?”
“Yes.” He held her gaze and she shifted beneath his intense hazel stare. “He will be fine.”
She released her grip on him and nodded. They began walking again. “Do you not like me?”
“I don’t know you well enough to like you or not.”
“Do you have a problem with me because of my skin colour?”
It was his turn to stop and he did, staring down at her with a confused expression. “You have seen my family, right?”
“Some of them, yes.”
He glanced around the airport then focused back on her. “You and I will never have a problem unless you hurt Cale. I will keep you safe so long as there is breath in my body. You are a sister now. Does that clear it up?”
She smiled, reached up on her tiptoes and kissed his cheek. “Do I get to call you big brother?”
When he smiled, the man was positively, devastatingly handsome. “You, precious, can call me whatever you want.”
She slipped her arm through his and rested her head along his upper arm. “I’ll remember that.”
Grateful to have that uncertainty taken care of, she felt so much better, and a bit silly for having even had the fear. Tiarnán got their tickets and, side by side, they passed through security. She shook her head—they were in first class—but she wasn’t about to argue with him on it.
“Sleep,” he said as they sat.
“Are you sure?”
“You look like you didn’t sleep much. Rest now.”
She used him as her pillow and smiled softly when a blanket settled over her. “You’re not as scary as you come across, Tiarnán.”
* * * *
He woke her before they landed. On the ground, since they had no luggage, it didn’t take them long to head through baggage claim and out to the front. She couldn’t explain the joy when she saw Cale waiting for her beside a car.
“I missed you,” he said, gathering her close for a tight hug. Her legs trembled when he brushed their lips together. “He didn’t bother you too much with his moodiness, did he?”
“Be nice to my big brother,” she said, slipping her arms around Cale’s waist and winking at Tiarnán.
“Big brother?”
“Yes, I can call him that.”
“Can you now?” he rumbled.
She had a feeling the men were talking amongst themselves in their heads. Closing her eyes, she just waited for them to finish. Cale led her to the car and helped her into the backseat. The two men slipped in the front and they were on their way.
“Jeremy and his boys were lurking around the cabin yesterday evening.”
Cold poured in her veins and she wrapped her arms around herself as she wished for Cale’s warmth, or at least a blanket.
“Are you sure you two can handle them?”
Cale met her gaze in the rear view mirror. “After fighting demons, babe, humans are a lot less difficult to go against. Besides, if you keep questioning our…my…ability to protect you, you’re going to give me a complex.”
His comment made her smile. “Sorry.”
He blew her a kiss then pressed on the accelerator and shot off down the road.
She dozed again and woke when they went over a bump. She sat up with a yawn and glanced out of the window. They passed some cabins as they moved along the dirt road. All of it surrounded a lake. When he pulled up to a cabin, she felt a surge of energy pour through her.
Taylor climbed out and stretched. Cale joined her and popped the trunk. They each took some of the grocery bags and entered the small cabin. First thing she noticed was there were only two bedrooms. Shaking that off, she placed the items down and let Cale put them away.
Tiarnán vanished and she began twitching and moving things around, unsure of what she should do. “They’ll be here soon,” Cale informed her.
“How do you know?”
“Because they show up about ten minutes after the car is parked.”
“Where’s Tiarnán?”
“Near.” He stood in front of her and kissed her. She moaned into his mouth as her arms closed about his neck.
“How near?” she murmured against his lips.
The chuckle he emitted made her smile. “Near. Don’t worry, babe. Tonight it’s all about you and me.”
Heat spiralled out from within her and she bit the inside of her lip. “Perfect.”
The knock on the door had her tensing. Cale kissed her once more then went to open it.
Her breathing hitched when it swung open to put her face to face with Jeremy. Cale didn’t say a word, just gestured in her direction. When her cousin’s beady eyes landed on her, she gulped and stood straighter.
Bastard. I’m not scared of you. Okay, so I am, but I’m not running from you.
“Taylor! I’ve been looking everywhere for you.”
I just bet you have. “I’ve been here and there. Needed some time after Grandma’s passing.”
“Right. Can we go somewhere and talk?”
“No. We were about to start on dinner, so you can say whatever it is you need to before me and Cale.”
“Yes, Cale. Your boyfriend.”
He called himself my boyfriend. “What about him?”
“I didn’t know you were dating anyone. When did this start?”
She narrowed her gaze. “None of your business. What did you need to see me about? We have plans for the evening.”
The men behind him moved and she glanced up to see Tiarnán entering, his broad shoulders forcing the others out of his way.
Jeremy frowned and glanced between all three of them. “Wait, is he one of your boyfriends as well?”
Tiarnán stiffened before peering at her with one eyebrow raised a bit. Oh yeah, this is going to be fun. She plastered a smile on her face. “Of course. We’re all one happy couple.”
Cale pinched her on the ass, but she couldn’t bring herself to stop. Not yet.
“I found out a while ago I needed two men to make me happy, sexually.”
Colour drained from his face. She blinked and leaned into Cale. “Did I shock you? I’m sorry. I thought we were old enough to speak frankly.”
“What…what about Dale?” He gestured behind him.
She looked at the boy she used to date. Boy, not man. She waved at him. “What about him? He wasn’t good enough in bed and wasn’t all that fun. These two are…wow.”
Jeremy cleared his throat, tried unsuccessfully to wipe the shock from his face and said, “I need the charm from Grandma.”
“Sorry. She gave it to me, I’m not giving it over to you.” She licked her lips, fortified by the knowledge the two men with her would keep her safe. At least for now. “I know you’re trying to kill me, but know this. I don’t have it on me so if you do, you’ll still never get your greedy hands on it.”
“Kill you? You’re family.”
“Family you’ve never wanted. We
really don’t have anything to say to one another, so why don’t you leave?”
He shook his head. “I’d really hoped it wouldn’t come to this.” Jeremy drew his piece and the others who’d fanned out before the door did as well.
Five guns pointed at them. Fear? Yep, she had it in spades.
Cale moved his body in front of her. “You want to put them away.”
“No. I want that fucking pendant.”
“One last chance.” Cale’s tone was hard and unyielding.
“There’s five of us and three of you.”
Cale shook his head. “Actually there’s two of you and three of us.”
“Need to learn to count, dude.”
Cale shrugged and she counted. Shit. He’s right. What happened to the others? “Where’d they go?” she asked.
“Tiarnán.” Cale’s explanation was relaxed.
“And he left two for you why?”
“He wanted me to feel like I was protecting you.”
Jeremy glanced over his shoulder and saw he was alone with Dale. There was no sign of the other men he’d arrived with. “What the fuck, man?”
Cale moved with a blur of explosive motion. Taylor saw it happen but wasn’t sure she believed it. In less time than it took her to blink, he’d disarmed and knocked Dale unconscious. Jeremy was between Cale and the wall, feet off the ground as Cale shoved his face up to his.
She wasn’t sure what to do. Should she stop him? Would he kill Jeremy?
Chapter Eight
Cale snarled at the man he held against the wall. He wanted to reach in through Jeremy’s mouth and rip out his spine. The man’s eyes were wide with fear and panic.
“Let me make one thing clear,” he rumbled. “You look at Taylor sideways again and think that in some way you can get that pendant she received from her grandmother, not to mention kill her, I will introduce to you a world of pain you can’t even begin to imagine.”
“You can’t do this,” Jeremy sputtered.
He sneered. “I’m doing it. You’re alone now. The crew you travelled with isn’t here to back you up. Do you really think you can take me? You hide behind the threat of your gun, now you don’t even have that anymore.”
