“No,” Payton stressed as she grabbed his arm, dragging him back toward the entrance to the club. “This is not a work night, love. It’s a play night.”
“I agree,” Kade said. “We are taking the night off, so are you. Mingling and greeting a few key members isn’t the same as paperwork.”
“Okay, okay.” Brodie took Payton’s hand. “I’ll walk you up to the table and then let Jack know we’re here.”
Payton pulled out her phone, typed something in, and waved it at him. “I just let Jack know we’re here. You’re off the hook.”
“Way too good at that,” Sam quipped.
“Yes, she is.” Brodie rolled his eyes. “Why won’t you come and work for me?”
“Because she works for me,” Kade said. “And I’m nicer.”
Payton laughed. “He’s got you there, love.”
“All right, let’s go.” Brodie guided them to the VIP section of the club. Two of the five tables were already filled with folks who liked more than a little privacy and paid heftily for the option. They were seated in high-backed booths that offered the ability to have somewhat decent conversation, regardless of the amount of people in the room at the same time.
“Make yourselves comfortable. I’ll be right back.” Brodie grabbed Payton’s hand and pulled her toward the table closest to the balcony.
“Brodie!” A tall man with short blond hair stood and reached out his hand. “I didn’t think I’d see you here of all places. You were just here a few weeks ago.”
Brodie chuckled and shook his hand. “It looks like I’ll be here more often now.”
“Oh? Are you moving to the city, then?”
“Part of the year.” Brodie guided Payton forward. “I’d like you to meet my mate, Payton. Payton, Thane Allen.”
Payton shook the man’s hand, surprised that she wasn’t assaulted with some form of a vision. “It’s lovely to meet you.”
Thane Allen was a young Scottish actor who was rapidly becoming the next Ewan MacGregor. But he would never age the way Ewan would.
“Payton McFadden?”
She turned to find Genevieve Banks walking toward them. Genevieve was Duncan’s equivalent at Adair Medical, however, she was human.
“It’s Gunnach now.” Payton shook her hand.
“Yes, I heard you got married. Congratulations.”
“Thank you. How are you, Genevieve?”
“Very well,” she said. “I miss speaking with you every now and then.”
“I bet.” Payton smiled. “Duncan’s not as… .ah…”
“Warm?” Genevieve supplied.
“Sure, we’ll go with that.” Payton chuckled. “This is my husband, Brodie.”
Genevieve shook his hand. “It’s nice to meet you.”
Brodie smiled his princely smile. “It’s nice to meet you, too.” He dropped Genevieve’s hand and laid his other on Payton’s back, turning to speak with Thane again.
Payton smiled at Genevieve. “I didn’t realize you knew Mr. Allen.”
Genevieve grinned. “No, I do try to keep the fact I know him a secret. He’s a bit of a ratbag, and I’m not overly impressed.”
“Is he?” Payton tried to bite back a smile.
“Not really, and admittedly I’m impressed most of the time,” she said with a sigh. “But I do like to give him a hard time. For a sex symbol and even better actor, you’d think he’d be a little more conceited. I’ve known him for ages, and everyone throws themselves at him, but he just shrugs it off. He also never ages. It’s ridiculous, not to mention wholeheartedly unfair.”
“I know what you mean. I think men just might have it easier.”
“Yes they do. How long have you and Brodie been together?”
“A long time.”
“Really? That may have been the best kept secret,” Genevieve said. “I always thought you’d end up with that drummer, what was his name? Neil or something like that?
“Niall,” Payton said, glancing at Brodie when she felt him stiffen beside her. He said nothing, so she turned back to Genevieve. “No, he and I have never been anything more than friends. Brodie and I have been ‘complicated’ for years.”
“Oh, men. They’re a pain in the arse, aren’t they?”
Payton nodded. “They certainly can be at times. Brodie figured it out, though.”
“I’m happy for you.”
“Thank you.”
“We’re ignoring our family, sweetheart,” Brodie said. “We should return.”
“Let’s have lunch soon,” Genevieve said.
“I’d love to. I’ll call you.” Payton hugged Genevieve and then led Brodie back to the table.
Brodie held Payton’s chair for her and waited until she was settled before taking his own.
What’s wrong? she asked.
Nothing I want to get into at the moment, Payton.
Before she could respond, Jack arrived with two young people who would be their servers for the evening. Joanne took their drink orders while Richard poured water, and Jack set a few of Brodie’s favorite appetizers on the table.
“You were prepared,” Brodie said with a smile.
Jack grinned. “When am I not?”
Payton sat quietly as conversation continued around her. She hated when Brodie was brooding. Others may not pick up on it, but his irritation screamed at her and she wasn’t good with unresolved issues, especially, when a conversation would probably fix what ailed him. She stood, grabbing Brodie’s hand as she pushed back her chair. “I’m sorry. I just need to borrow Brodie for a minute.”
Payton, he projected.
She gave him a sweet smile. “Just for a minute, love.”
He laid his napkin on the table and rose to his feet. “Excuse us for a ‘minute,’ please.”
Payton dragged him downstairs and back to his office, frustrated when she had to wait through two doors for him to let them in with his keycard. Once inside, she crossed her arms. “Okay, what’s going on? I’m not going to sit through dinner with you sulking.”
He shook his head. “I wasn’t sulking, and for the record, I didn’t want to do this now, because it’s something that can wait.”
“What can wait?”
Brodie sighed. “Genevieve’s comment about you and Niall. It just hit me wrong. But I will get over it.”
“In the next five minutes?” she challenged.
“I don’t know,” he admitted. “I’m trying here, Pay, but sometimes it’s harder for me than I’d like to admit. I hate that your life didn’t revolve around me back then.”
“I hate to burst your bubble, love, but it doesn’t now.” She looped her arms around his neck. “I know you’re trying and I appreciate it, but I think you need to understand that even if Niall was there physically, you were here,” she tapped her temple and then her heart, “and here. No one will ever have that part of me.”
“I suppose I forget that sometimes.” He smiled and leaned down to kiss her. “I just don’t like to share you.”
“Ditto.”
He lifted her to his height for better access to her mouth, and kissed her to the point of breathlessness. “Brodie,” she rasped.
“Hmm?” He kissed her neck and then her jaw.
“Wait. Brodie.” Her breath was coming in pants. “We’re in public.”
“My office is not the public, love,” he said as he slipped the buttons on her top.
“Someone could walk…” She couldn’t finish her thought as his mouth continued to explore.
“No one has access but me,” Brodie said, but he did step away from her and drag his hands down his face. “But we should stop and get back to our family. You drive me batty, love.”
Payton smiled, righting her clothes. “Same, baby.”
“Raincheck on this, because now I won’t be able to think about anything else.”
Payton giggled. “I’ve been in your head, and, newsflash, you can’t think about anything else, period.”
“I suppose you’re right.” He
slipped her hair behind her ears and kissed her again. “That’s what happens when you’re forced to wait ten years for your mate to come around.”
“Come around?” She snorted. “Oh, please. Like I had any control over my age. Besides, even if you’d been able to bind me immediately, things would have been just the same.”
“Aye. You’re probably right.” He gave her bottom a gentle smack. “Come on, strumpet of my heart. I’m starving.”
PAYTON FOLLOWED HIM back to the table, and dinner continued as though nothing untoward had happened. Once the dishes had been cleared, Payton leaned against Brodie, smiling when he kissed her temple.
“Now that dinner’s over,” Pepper said. “How about a tour? I’m dying to see what a club that costs upwards of half a mill offers.”
“What?” Brodie asked.
“It does?” Sam asked.
“No,” Brodie said, emphatically.
“Kidding.” Pepper shook her head, grinning. “I’m still in the mindset of working two jobs and schlepping drinks for tiny tips. The thought of someone paying a membership fee for exclusivity at a ‘club’ is beyond me.”
Pepper had often spoken of her uneasiness of doing nothing, but with her pregnancy and being thrust into a new culture, she wasn’t quite ready to step out of her comfort zone. For the time being, she was content to work with their horses.
“You could always get a job, Pep,” Sam said.
“What? And give up my Real Housewife of Inverness card?” Pepper giggled and smiled up at Connall. “Once I squeeze out this cretin, I’ll have enough work with the horses, I think. I’m just bored. This is the most fun I’ve had in months.”
“Thanks,” Connall droned.
“Oh, don’t get me wrong, you’re fabulous,” she rushed to assure her husband.
“Don’t take it personally, Connall. She misses me,” Sam said with a sigh. “She has never done well without me.”
Pepper laughed, a snort escaping. “Sure. Let’s go with that.”
“Besides, you’re not the shut-in, Con,” Kade interjected, and grinned at Brodie. “Brodie is.”
Brodie chuckled. “Hey, I just happen to love my wife more than any of you slack bastards.”
“Ooh, burn,” Samantha retorted. “Are you going to let him diss you like that, Kade?”
The banter continued as Brodie led the group downstairs and into the public part of the building. Payton’s cell phone rang, and her mother’s number popped up on the screen. She stepped away from the group for a measure of privacy, but pulled Brodie with her. “Hi, Mum.”
“Hi, love. Are you in town or at home at the moment?”
“I’m in town. At Slainte. Why?”
“I thought I’d take you out to dinner,” her mother said.
Payton shook her head and grasped Brodie’s hand, her stomach uneasy. Her mother was up to something. Brodie wrapped his arm around her waist, calming her.
“We actually just ate,” Payton said.
“Oh,” her mother said, and let out a loud sigh. “Well, that’s a shame. I haven’t seen you in weeks.”
“We could have lunch next week, if you like.”
“I’ll look at my calendar and give you a ring tomorrow, eh?”
Payton nodded. “Sure. That sounds fine.”
“’Bye, love.”
“’Bye.” Payton hung up.
“What is she up to?” Brodie asked in suspicion.
“I have no idea,” Payton said. “I’m hoping she just wants to have lunch.”
He lifted her hand to his lips. “I highly doubt it.”
“Me too.” She bit her lip. “Will you come?”
“To lunch?” he clarified.
“Yes.”
Brodie chuckled. “You mean, will I take one for Team Gunnach and suffer through an hour with my monster-in-law?”
“Aye, exactly.”
“Of course I will.”
Payton let out a breath of relief. “Thank you.”
He grinned and led her back to the group.
“Everything okay?” Samantha asked.
“Yes, fine,” Payton said. “Drama from the mama.”
“Oooh, that’s always fun,” Pepper quipped.
“Right?”
“I really should use the facilities,” Pepper said. “This baby’s sitting on my bladder.”
“I’ll go with you,” Samantha said. “I want to check my face.”
Payton nodded. “Me too.”
“Use the executive washroom,” Brodie said and handed Payton his keycard.
“I don’t really want to walk all the way back upstairs.” Pepper pointed to the Ladies’ sign. “That one’s fine.”
“Yoohoo, Payton!”
Payton heard her mother and turned toward the sound of her voice. “Mum? What are you doing here?”
“It just so happened I was quite close, so thought I’d pop in and say hello.” Her mother gave a quick curtsy and smiled giddily at the group. “Sire, it’s wonderful to see you.”
Kade smiled. “Lovely to see you as well, Phyllis.”
Phyllis gave Brodie an awkward kiss on the cheek. “Welcome to the family, Your Highness.”
“Thank you,” Brodie said.
“Excuse me, please,” Pepper said, and headed to the restroom. Sam followed her.
Phyllis sighed. “I remember those days. I so enjoyed being pregnant. Especially with you, Payton. You were such an easy child.”
What is she doing? She’s creeping me out.
Brodie took her hand. I have no bloody clue.
“Is there something I can do for you, Mum? We were just getting ready to leave, actually.”
“Och, sorry, love,” Phyllis said. “I don’t mean to interrupt you. I thought you and I could talk for just a minute. I want to get your opinion on something. But first, I think I should use the lavatory. We can talk on the way.”
“Okay,” Payton said slowly, giving Brodie a questioning glance.
Payton followed her mother into the bathroom, but instead of heading toward the stalls, Phyllis took Payton’s hand and pulled her toward the private sitting room just next to them. Her mother then pulled out her compact and began to apply powder to her face.
Payton grew impatient. “So, what did you want to ask me?”
He mother closed the compact and dropped it into her purse. “Oh, nothing, dear daughter. You’re going to listen, or your friends are going to die.”
“What?” A nervous giggle escaped, sounding a bit like a snort. Brodie! she projected. She’s gone mental.
“I am no longer willing to live with your disrespect, young lady.”
Payton’s mouth dropped open. “I have no idea what you’re talking about.”
“You didn’t even invite me to your mökun móttöku!” Phyllis wagged a finger angrily at Payton. “I raised you better than that!”
“I’m leaving.” Payton moved toward the door, but her mother grabbed her arm. “Ow.”
Phyllis squeezed tighter. “Your queen and her spice friend are right now being subdued in order to bring about a little change. If you don’t convince Kade and your mate to release Annis, both of them will die.”
“What did you do?” Payton asked in horror.
The door slammed open and a furious Brodie filled the opening. “What the hell is going on?”
“I don’t know,” Payton said, and tried to put as much distance as she could between her and her mother, but she wouldn’t let her go. “Mum’s done something.”
“Release her,” Brodie ordered.
“No,” Phyllis said with a sneer.
With a speed that shocked even Payton, she found herself separated from her mother and Brodie’s hand was wrapped around Phyllis’s throat. Payton could see her mother’s face turning red, and grabbed for Brodie. “No! Don’t kill her. Something’s not right. Brodie, please. Let her go.”
Brodie released her mother and Phyllis rubbed her throat, gasping for air. The sounds of running could be h
eard even with the door closed, although Payton was surprised no one was yelling.
Brodie moved to stand in front of Payton, his hand around her wrist for comfort. Payton dropped her forehead onto his back and took several deep breaths.
“What have you done?” Brodie demanded.
Phyllis continued to rub her throat. “I want my daughter released from that hellhole and returned to where she belongs.”
“Annis and Baldvin’s fates are sealed, Phyllis. You know this,” Brodie said.
Phyllis shrugged. “Then your sisters-in-law die.”
“Brodie!” The urgent bellow of Kade sounded through the door.
Brodie pulled the door open. “In here, Kade.”
* * *
Kade rushed inside. “Jet has Sam and Pepper cornered.”
“Where?” Brodie asked.
“In there,” Kade said, nodding to the closed door next to the receiving room. Connall stood outside the bathroom, his hands on top of his head, pacing and muttering under his breath.
“Shite,” Brodie snapped, and turned to Phyllis. “What did you do?”
“I simply made a deal with a man that would work for both of us,” Phyllis said.
“How the hell did you get mixed up with Jet?” Brodie snapped.
“Serendipity, I would imagine.”
“You did this?” Kade snapped. “Why?”
“Because you wouldn’t!” Phyllis scowled at the king. “I want my child and her mate released, or your mate will die.”
“You’re bloody mental if you think any of this going to work,” Brodie snapped, and moved to grab her.
“Uh, uh, uh.” Phyllis held up a cell phone. “If I don’t call every four minutes to check in, they’re instructed to kill them.”
“Who are ‘they’?” Payton asked.
Phyllis smiled. “Friends.”
Payton took a deep breath. “Does Da know you’re here?”
“Your father is an idiot, Payton. I thought for certain you would have figured that out by now.”
Brodie squeezed Payton’s wrist. Don’t take the bait, love.
He peeked in the hall and frowned. “Why are you pacing, Connall? Get in there,” Brodie snapped.
“Oh, why didn’t I think of that?” he retorted, his sarcasm dripping with anger. “The bastard’s barricaded the door.”
“Let me try,” Brodie said.
Bound by Secrets (Cauld Ane Series Book 3) Page 26
