“Wait. If you manage to move the lock or whatever’s blocking the door, it might startle Jet. He’s got a syringe at Pepper’s neck,” Kade said. “He’s threatening to shoot Red Fang into her unless Sam does everything he says. Sam’s afraid the Red Fang will harm the baby, otherwise, we’d already be in there. Plus, she and Connall are trying to keep Pepper from burning down the club. Let me think for a minute.”
“Damn it. The little bastard.” Brodie rubbed his forehead. “Can Sam use suggestion on him?”
Kade shook his head, his eyes closed in concentration. “She’s trying, but he’s high on something and he’s all over the place, so she can’t get him to focus long enough to control him. Sam doesn’t think he’s figured out we’re here just yet, though.”
“He’s that out of it?” Brodie asked.
“Aye, apparently.”
Connall dragged his hands down his face, his eyes wet with unshed tears. “I want her out of there.”
Brodie stepped back into the room just as a bell rang on Phyllis’s phone and she raised an eyebrow towards Brodie. “What’s it gonna be? I can tell them to release Samantha and Pepper, or kill them. Your call.”
Don’t, Brodie, Payton begged. It’s probably a trap.
“Make your call,” Brodie said.
“After you make yours,” Phyllis countered.
Brodie pulled out his phone and dialed. “Alasdair, call the prison. Have them release Annis and Baldvin. Aye, Kade’s given authorization. Aye. Thank you.” He hung up. “One hour.”
“Excellent choice,” Phyllis said. “We’ll just wait here until they’re out, eh?” She dialed a number and said, “Aye, they’ve agreed. I’ll check in again shortly. Four minutes, aye.”
As soon as Phyllis hung up, Brodie rushed her, jamming a needle into her neck. She went limp immediately. “We’ve got four minutes before they realize Phyllis isn’t going to make her check-in call,” he said.
“What about Alasdair?” Payton asked.
“I never called him, love. I called Jack.” Brodie guided her mother to the floor. “He’s coming with reinforcements.”
“Oh, you’re brilliant. Okay, let’s get them out of there.”
“No ‘we.’” Brodie shook his head. “You are going to go back to my office.”
I can help, Payton said.
Hell no! Brodie snapped. You’re to stay right where you are.
It’s my fault they’re in trouble, Brodie.
No, it’s your mother’s fault.
“What if I can distract him enough to get him away from Pepper? Then Dalton or Cole can take him down. They can’t be hurt with Red Fang.”
“But you can,” Brodie said in exasperation.
Before Payton could respond, Thane distracted them by dragging Genevieve into their group. “Tell them, Gen.”
“Tell us what?” Brodie demanded.
“I… uh… helped the American. Jet Smith,” she stammered. “Not on purpose, honest. I just confirmed that you were here tonight. I met him in the bar when we came down to dance, and he said he knew Brodie, had met him years ago in America, and that Brodie told him to visit if he was ever in Scotland.”
“Sometimes, Genevieve, you slay me with your absolute stupidity,” Thane accused.
“Well, excuse me. He was nice! A hell of a lot nicer than you are, in fact. How was I supposed to know he intended to do any of this?” she said with a huff.
“Arguing about this isn’t going to get us anywhere,” Brodie said, realizing quickly Payton wasn’t standing next to him. “Where the hell is my wife?”
I’m inside, Brodie.
“Damn it! Who let her in there?”
I did it while you were distracted. I used telekinesis. Now, shush. I need to focus.
* * *
“Oh, oops,” Payton said with a forced giggle. “I didn’t realize anyone was in here.” She gave Sam a nod, urging her to follow along. Pepper was trapped in Jet’s choke hold, a needle to her neck. Her eyes were closed and her arms were wrapped protectively over her belly, but Payton noticed her hair was darkening at the ends.
“I locked that door,” Jethro slurred in his heavy southern accent. “How the hell did you get in?”
“You did? The door wasn’t locked,” she lied. “I’m sorry if I broke up the party. You three aren’t doing something naughty, are you?” She licked her lips. “I just want to use the loo, and I’ll get out of your way.”
“You look familiar,” Jet said, narrowing his eyes. “Damn it! You’re that weird lady’s daughter. She showed me a picture.”
“Am I?” Payton said slowly, trying to get a read on what he was doing. “She’s right outside. Why don’t we go and see her?”
“We’re not going anywhere,” a familiar voice seethed behind her.
Samantha let out a squeak of shock and Payton’s heart dropped.
Kade’s old administrative assistant stood before her. “Hi, Payton.”
“Anna?”
With a gun in one hand and a syringe in the other, Anna Fraser sneered at Payton. Anna was Shannon’s aunt, who used to work for Kade. In fact, had had the job Payton now did, albeit, without as much access to confidential information. She was a portly woman, who appeared to be in her fifties, with graying hair pulled into a tight bun at the base of her head.
It’s Anna, Brodie. She’s here as well. She has a gun and she’s aiming it at Pepper.
“What are you doing here, Anna?” Payton asked.
“Well, lass, let me see.” Anna waved the gun towards Samantha. “That bitch’s husband sacked me and sentenced my niece to one of the hottest places on the planet without so much as a backward glance in our direction. After everything my family has done for his! Your mother and I are in a little bit of a predicament with our loved ones being held against their will, so when Mr. Smith contacted me, I knew we could come up with something to benefit all of us. And now I have you as well, Payton. I wasn’t expecting such a bonus. How are you finding my job? Hmm? It’s not easy, is it? The king’s a demanding bastard. But I suppose now that you’re family, you have it far better than I ever did.”
“Anna, I don’t know what happened with your job. I wasn’t involved in the decision making within the hiring and firing. You know that.” Payton spoke slowly, hoping to keep Anna calm. “I always respected the job you did.”
“I’m so sorry my husband let you go,” Samantha added. “I’m sure it wasn’t personal.”
“Shut yer mouth. Because of you, my niece’s future was stolen! She would have been married to a king, but instead, she’ll be wasting away in hell.”
“Kade would have never married her, Anna,” Payton said, but it just irritated the woman more.
“He would have eventually!” Anna snapped.
Samantha bit her lip, moving to stand with her back toward Jet and Pepper, and focusing intently on Anna. “I’m sorry you feel slighted Anna. Drop the syringe and hand the gun to me.”
The woman did so before Jet realized what was happening. Samantha had the gift of suggestion and could make humans and several Cauld Ane, do exactly what she told them to do.
Payton waved her hand and the syringe moved away from Anna and toward Sam. With a skill Payton didn’t realize Samantha had, her queen laid her foot over the syringe, and aimed the gun at Jet. This provided just enough of a distraction for Pepper to jam her elbow into his ribcage, loosening his hold.
Payton waved her hand again and the other syringe flew out of Jet’s control and skittered across the floor.
The door flew open and Brodie grabbed Anna while Dalton and Connall headed for Jet and Pepper. Dalton threw Jet on the ground with lightning speed, while Connall moved Pepper away from them, sheltering her with his body, and Kade gently took the gun from Samantha’s hand, pulling her from the bathroom.
Brodie took Anna’s discarded syringe and pressed the needle into her arm. Anna went limp, which meant Alasdair could take her away.
Payton found herself wrapped in Br
odie’s strong embrace, almost so tight she couldn’t breathe. “If you ever do anything like that again, Payton Gunnach...”
She nodded, wrapping her arms around him. “Okay.”
He cupped her cheeks. “Are you okay? Did they hurt you?”
“No. Samantha took care of everything. She was able to get Anna under her control, which distracted Jet so Pepper could hit him.” Payton forced a smile.
Brodie frowned. “So, are you saying there was no bloody reason for you to be in here?”
“I got the gun away from Jet,” she countered.
“Which Samantha could have done on her own.”
“Maybe. I don’t know.” She tried to pull away from him, but he held her tightly. “I was trying to help.”
“By getting yourself hurt or killed?” he snapped. “Never again Payton. Hear me on this.”
“Okay, Brodie. I get it.” Payton tried to blink back the tears threatening to fall at the anger she felt pulsing through him.
Brodie stared at her with what looked like a mixture of anger and disappointment.
“Can we just go back to your office for a little bit?” she asked. “So we can talk?”
“No. You’re going straight home, and I’ll meet you there once we sort out this mess. We can talk then.”
Payton bit her lip. “You’re not coming with me?”
“I can’t, Payton,” he said. “I have to deal with this. Do you understand?”
She nodded. “I understand.”
He lifted her chin, kissing her quickly. “You scared me, Payton.”
“I know.” She felt tears slide down her face. “I’m sorry, Brodie. I didn’t mean to.”
Brodie gave her a curt nod and released her chin. “Go with Alasdair, please.”
Payton nodded, miserable and irritated, making her way to where Alasdair and Cole waited. Samantha and Pepper soon joined her, and the three of them were sandwiched between Ali, Cole, and Karl, and led to the waiting SUV.
THE MOOD WAS somber as the group drove back to the Gunnach residential building. Payton’s attempt to speak to Brodie had gone unanswered again, and she hadn’t been able to read his mind, as he’d done a brilliant job of blocking her.
“Payton?” Sam squeezed her hand. “Give them a little time. They don’t do well when we’re in danger.”
“I know,” Payton said. “That fact doesn’t make it any easier, though. He won’t let me in.”
“Neither will Kade. Brodie’s probably trying to protect you.” Sam turned to Pepper. “How are you feeling?”
“I’m okay,” she said. “Tired, and the baby’s doing cartwheels.”
“I’ll check everything out when we get back to the flat.”
“Thanks, Sammi,” Pepper said, laying her head on her best friend’s shoulder.
Payton’s phone buzzed in her pocket and she pulled it out, hoping it was Brodie. It wasn’t. “Bronwen?”
“Payton!” Bronwen whispered. “Don’t go to Slàinte tonight.”
“Why?”
“Someone wants to hurt your sis—” Bronwen screamed, cutting off her sentence.
“Bronwen?”
“Payton? What’s going on?” Alasdair asked.
“I don’t know.”
More screaming and the clatter of the phone sounded. “You sodding cow,” Bronwen bellowed.
“Bronwen?” Payton yelled.
The phone went dead.
“Payton,” Cole said. “What’s going on?”
“I don’t know, but I think Bronwen’s in trouble.”
“Okay, I’m tracking her phone,” Cole said.
“You have her number?”
He raised an eyebrow and Payton shook her head. “Of course you do. Never mind.”
Cole smiled. “I’ve had it since she called you that morning.”
“Oh, right,” Payton said. “I’d almost forgotten about that.”
Payton, what’s wrong? Brodie asked.
Payton scowled. Oh, now you’re gracing me with your attention? Where were you twenty minutes ago?
Don’t do that, love. Just tell me what’s wrong.
I don’t actually know. I’ll be sure to tell you when I do, though. You should probably get back to work. Or have you now decided your job is stalking me? You know that’s illegal in most countries. She imagined Brodie in stocks in the middle of a medieval town, rotten food being thrown at him.
Funny, Payton. Are you safe?
Payton rolled her eyes. Of course I’m safe! I’m with Alasdair.
Don’t do anything stupid.
Suck it, Brodie. She forced a block, hoping he’d get the point.
Alasdair pulled into the private garage and shut off the car.
“What about Bronwen?” Payton asked. “Don’t you need to be following her in order to track her?”
Alasdair raised an eyebrow at Cole, indicating the two might have a secret or two.
Cole faced Payton. “We’re on it. Don’t worry, Payton. We’ll find your friend. For now, though, let’s get everyone inside where we can control the environment.”
Cole assisted Pepper from the car, and Samantha and Payton climbed out the other side. Payton’s phone buzzed as she stepped into Kade’s apartment. Brodie’s name popped up on the screen, and she debated on whether or not she would answer it. Self-preservation won out. “Hi, Brodie.”
“Damn it, Payton, stop blocking me.”
“You were just blocking me,” she countered, and walked to one of the bedrooms down the hall. “Why is it okay for you and not for me?”
“That was for your protection. We had some things to take care of, and I didn’t want you anywhere near it.”
She squeezed her eyes shut. “Fine.”
“Now, please remove your block.”
“No,” she said. “Right now I need a little time without you in my head.”
“Payton.” She heard him take a deep breath and then a few seconds of quiet. “I have a few more things to do and then we’ll talk. I would really appreciate it if you would remove your block so that I can check in and make sure you’re okay.”
“I’ll think about it.”
“Payton,” he said with a groan.
“Yes, Brodie?” She put a little saccharin into her voice.
“Are we really doing this? Right now?”
“I wouldn’t dare, my liege.” Payton fought back angry tears, but decided to take the high road. “I’ll remove the block, because I don’t want you to worry, but it doesn’t mean I’m not still really mad at you.”
“I understand that, love, and I promise we’ll talk as soon as this is done, okay? I love you, Payton.”
“I love you too, although it’s far more of a choice right now.”
He chuckled. “I’ll take it. I have to go.”
“’Bye.”
Payton hung up and took another deep breath. Fighting with Brodie was about the worst thing in her opinion, and that was coming from someone who’d felt the effects of a paralytic drug. She made her way back to the living room and found Samantha listening to Pepper’s belly.
“Everything okay, Payton?” Pepper asked.
“Not really.” Payton shrugged.
Samantha gave her a sympathetic smile. “Brodie not happy with you putting yourself in danger?”
“That’s kind of an understatement.” She flopped onto one of the sofas and tucked her feet under her bottom. “And maybe he’s right, but I just wanted to help.”
“You did help,” Pepper said, shifting in her chair. “If you hadn’t come in when you did, I don’t think we’d have had the leverage to fight them off. I didn’t know that other lady was even in the stall and Jet had me held so tight, one weird move would have meant… well, I don’t really want to think about that. Using your telekinesis was brilliant. A gun might not be much of a threat to us, but to my baby, it could have been fatal.”
“True,” Payton said. “I just wish Brodie didn’t have his knickers in a twist. He might see it
as brilliant as well.”
“He will when he calms down,” Pepper assured her. “I feel Con checking in every few minutes, although he’s being very quiet.” She closed her eyes and then smiled, opening them again. “He’s trying not to frighten me, but since he can’t block me, I have to stay out of his mind.”
Payton sighed. “I wish Brodie would ask instead of dictating. He rankles me sometimes.”
Samantha squeezed her hand. “He’s just in the middle of something really tough. He’ll come around.”
Payton nodded.
Pepper pressed on her stomach and took a deep breath. “I can’t believe it was your mom!”
“I know,” Payton said sadly. “Me neither. I’m so sorry. I had no idea she was capable of something like that.”
Samantha smiled. “What your mother did is absolutely no reflection on you, Pay. Don’t think that it is.”
“Thank you,” Payton said.
Pepper groaned, shifting again.
“Quit movin’, Pep,” Sam admonished. “I need to take your pulse.”
“I can’t get comfortable,” she complained. “This little cretin’s all over the place today.”
“He probably feels your stress.” Sam laid her hand on Pepper’s belly. “Take a deep breath.” Pepper did and Sam leaned close to Pepper’s stomach. “Listen here, precious nephew, you need to give your mama a break and calm down.”
Pepper gasped. “He just went still.”
“Did he really?” Sam asked, surprised.
Pepper nodded. “Do it again.”
Sam giggled and leaned down again. “Hi there, little man, it’s your auntie Sam. I can’t wait to meet you.”
“Totally calm. You’re officially the fetus whisperer.” Pepper rubbed her tummy. “That’s it. You’ll need to move in with us until he’s born.”
Sam laughed. “I can just see Con’s reaction when I come in your bedroom at three a.m. because you can’t get your baby to calm down.” She listened again to the baby through her stethoscope and smiled. “Baby sounds good. Your pulse is normal, and your breathing seems to be much better. If you can survive being locked up where Connall can keep an eye on you until you give birth, I have a feeling you’ll survive.”
“You’ve got that right,” Pepper said. “He’ll probably follow me everywhere now.”
Bound by Secrets (Cauld Ane Series Book 3) Page 27
