Samantha rose to her feet. “Is anyone else hungry? I’m starved.”
Payton’s stomach rumbled. “I definitely am. I had two bites of food before everything… well, anyway, I’m hungry.”
“Okay, I’ll make us something to eat,” Sam said.
“I’ll help,” Payton responded, and followed her into the kitchen.
“I’ll sit here and look pretty,” Pepper retorted.
Samantha laughed. “Good plan.”
* * *
It was well past midnight when Payton awoke, surprised to find herself back in the master bedroom in the flat. Alone. Brodie must have carried her without waking her. She sat up and tried to rub the sleep from her eyes. Brodie?
You’re awake.
Sort of. She took a deep breath, her heart still a little bit sad. Where are you?
The bedroom door opened and Brodie stood silhouetted by the light in the hallway. “I’m here, love.”
“Hi.” Payton climbed off the mattress, feeling a little insecure, and not liking it.
“Hi.” He closed the distance between them, wrapping his arms around her and pulling her close. “I am so sorry, sweetheart.”
She couldn’t stop the tears. “Me too.”
“Samantha filled me in on everything that happened. I know now that if you hadn’t been in there, things could have been much, much worse,” he admitted. “I couldn’t see past my fright to think logically.”
She nodded into his chest. “I shouldn’t have acted so rashly, but you’re right that it would have been worse if I wasn’t there. Being able to use telekinesis was so cool.”
“Pepper told me. According to her, you and Sam were the dream team.”
“It’s not like she stood around and did nothing. But I don’t like ‘dream team’ much.” Payton giggled. “Let’s go with Charlie’s Angels. No, Gunnach’s Angels. It has a certain ring to it.”
“Yes it does.” He leaned down and kissed her quickly. “Please don’t ever do that to me again.”
“I can’t promise that, Brodie, especially if people I love are in trouble.”
“Humor me. Just for tonight.”
Payton linked her fingers behind his neck. “I will never ever do that again.”
Brodie kissed her again, a kiss very different than any before. One of desperation and relief, passion and reserve. Payton matched him, emotion for emotion, both comforted and awed by the care Brodie showed as he made love to her.
As they lay in bed, Payton wrapped an arm around his waist and kissed his chest. “Tell me what happened.”
He shook his head and kissed her temple. “Not tonight, love. I need to forget.”
She frowned. “That bad?”
He answered her by pulling her across his chest and kissing her. After that, Payton didn’t remember her question, and didn’t try to recall it, lost in his arms until she fell asleep.
* * *
Payton came awake with a giggle.
“Did I wake you?” Brodie asked in mock innocence, as he continued to run a finger over her side and kiss her shoulder.
“It’s not the worst way to wake up.” She rolled over and kissed him, frowning as she stroked the stubble of his cheek. He had dark rings under his eyes and stress lines around his mouth. “Did you get any sleep, love?”
“A little.” He kissed her again. “Do I look that bad?”
“Just very tired.” She laid her fingers over his lips. “Are you all right?”
“I will be,” he said, grinning lasciviously.
Payton searched his mind, but he’d blocked her. She sat up on her knees, and Brodie let out a frustrated groan and dragged his hands through his hair as he flopped back onto the pillows.
“Tell me, love,” she pressed.
“I didn’t want to do this here.”
“Brodie, you’re scaring me. What’s wrong?”
He sat up and stroked her cheek. “Let’s get up and get dressed. I never want our bed to be a place of sadness.”
She blinked back tears and nodded, climbing off the mattress and dressing quickly. Brodie did the same and led her into the living room, pulling her down beside him on the sofa. He stood again. “You should eat.”
She grasped his hand. “No, you should tell me what’s going on. Is it something about my mother?”
He nodded, his face grim.
“What?” she pressed.
“Your mother was brought before the Council last night.”
“Oh,” she said. “That was quick.”
He nodded again. “Your father was there.”
“Kade allowed that?” she asked, surprised.
The Council was made up of several influential men in the Cauld Ane race and her father was certainly one of them, but when it came to decisions within families, the family member on the Council would generally recuse themselves. An alternate would be brought in so that the decision could be made more fairly.
“Aye, love.”
Payton linked her fingers with his. “What happened?”
He closed his eyes for a few seconds and then focused solely on her and took a deep breath. “Your mother is being executed.”
“What?” Payton gasped, tears filling her eyes as she stood and wrapped her arms around her waist. “Was exile not an option?”
He stood again and wrapped his arms around her. “No.”
“Why not?”
“Because she is the one who assisted Alice in the attack on the three of you in America, and she is the one who took over when Alice was incarcerated. She and Alice have been putting together a group, human and Cauld Ane alike, and using them to attempt a coup.”
“She tried to kill Samantha?” Payton burst into tears, gripping Brodie’s shirt. “And me?”
“Aye.” He held her while she cried, lowering them both onto the sofa and pulling her into the shelter of his arms.
“Why?” she asked, once her sobbing had calmed. “Oh, what about Da? Is he in on it too?”
“No, sweetheart. He knew nothing about it, but discovered correspondence, emails, letters, and journals your mother had hidden. He brought them to Kade’s attention as soon as he found them…”
She sat up. “What else?”
“Nothing.”
“Tell me,” she demanded.
“I think you should speak to your father.”
She shook her head. “I don’t want to speak to my father, Brodie. I want you to tell me what you know.”
“It’s not my secret to tell, love.”
“Listen to me very carefully.” Payton gripped his shoulders and glared at him. “You are my mate. I don’t want to hear anything, good or bad, unless it comes from you. You are the only one I trust more than myself.”
He grimaced. “Your father made the final decision to have her executed.”
Payton slumped against him, processing the information, unsure she’d heard what she’d heard. “He can’t do that.”
“He can, love.”
“No, I mean, he can’t, for his own peace of mind.” She shook her head. “He’ll come around. I know he will.” She sat up again. “He has time to change the ruling, right? Kade, I mean?”
“Aye, love. There’s time.” Brodie pulled her close again and stroked her hair.
“He won’t do it.” Payton fiddled with a button on his shirt and then sat up again. “Can I speak to Kade?”
“Of course you can.”
“No, not as my brother or my boss, but officially. As my king?”
“Payton, you can speak to Kade for any reason at any time.” Brodie slid her hair behind her shoulder.
“Now?”
Brodie checked his watch. “We’ll call him after breakfast, eh?”
“Okay. Yes, good idea.” Payton climbed from his lap and headed for the kitchen. “What would you like?”
Brodie followed her. “I’ll eat whatever you put in front of me.”
“Eggs?” she asked, as she pulled her hair back into a ponytail.
She shook her head and opened the fridge, pulling out eggs and sausages.
“Hey.”
“Hmm?” She glanced up at Brodie, saw his expression of concern, and slid back into his arms.
“I love you,” he whispered.
“I love you too.” She smiled up at him, standing on her tiptoes to give him a quick kiss. “Now go change your shirt, love. I cried all over it.”
“Are you trying to be brave?”
She nodded. “Now, let me make breakfast so we can talk to Kade.”
He smiled. “I’ll be quick.”
* * *
Kade opened the door to his apartment and stepped aside to allow Payton and Brodie to enter. “I thought we could speak in my office, if that’s agreeable to you,” he said.
Payton nodded, trying to force down her fear. She felt ridiculous. This was Kade. The man who’d championed for her when Brodie wasn’t treating her right. The man who’d always supported her at work, always giving her the benefit of the doubt whenever a question came up surrounding any accounting numbers that seemed odd.
“I’ll come with you,” Brodie said.
Payton shook her head, and smiled. “No, I’d like to do this alone. Is that okay?”
“Of course. But I’ll be right here.” He tapped his temple. “I’ll come if you call.”
Samantha hugged Payton and then Brodie. “I made some coffee, Brodie. Would you like some?”
“Aye, I’d love some. Thank you,” Brodie said, and followed her into the kitchen.
Payton followed Kade down the hall and into his spacious office. He stood aside for her to precede him and motioned to one of the chairs by the window. Once she was seated, he sat across from her and leaned forward. “What did you want to speak to me about, lass?”
She wrung her hands in her lap. “I’d like clemency for my mother.”
“Do you know everything she did?” Kade asked.
Payton nodded, unable to look at him.
“And you know that your father has requested her execution?” Kade continued.
“Yes, but he’s upset. He’ll regret it if she dies and he’s the reason she died that way.” She glanced at Kade. “He’s a good man, Kade. He doesn’t really want this.”
“I know that, lass.” Kade took Payton’s hands and smiled gently. “Your mother won’t be executed.”
Payton gasped. “Really?”
Kade nodded. “I know your father, Payton, and I agree with you. He’d never be able to live with himself.”
Payton burst into tears. “Oh.”
“Come here, lass.” Kade pulled her to her feet and gave her a brotherly hug. “I’ll not do anything until everyone’s had a few weeks to sit with the decisions. She will be held until she’s exiled, but I won’t kill her. I’ve never been one to rush to judgment… I’m not the ultimate judge after all.”
“Payton?” Brodie stood in the doorway, concern written in the tightness of his features.
Kade walked Payton to her mate and then left the room, pulling the door closed behind him. Brodie pulled her into his arms and stroked her back. “What did Kade say, love?” he asked.
“That he wasn’t going to execute Mum. That he was going to wait for things to settle down and then he’ll exile her.”
“And how do you feel about that?”
Payton smiled, the first genuine one in over a day. “So much better. I don’t know why I was so nervous. Kade always does the right thing.”
Brodie chuckled. “Really? Always?”
“Always,” she said, emphatically.
“Should I burst your bubble of hero worship for my brother, I wonder.” He stroked her face. “Or let you keep your rose-colored glasses on?”
Payton wrinkled her nose. “Let’s keep them on for now, eh?”
“Your wish is my command.”
Brodie kissed her again and then led Payton out to the kitchen for a second breakfast.
MOVING DAY CAME and went quicker than Payton could have imagined. It was incredible how fast everything went when you didn’t have to pack or move anything yourself. A team of very strong Cauld Ane men and women took care of everything. Payton expected Brodie to carry her over the threshold, but instead, he’d thrown her over his shoulder and stepped inside, giving her bottom a gentle smack when she’d let out a squeal of surprise. After that, she had a difficult time catching her breath, due to uncontrolled giggling.
Brodie had taken Payton shopping the week before for furniture and accessories. She stood in the middle of one of the largest receiving rooms in the apartment and studied her purchases. Her home was gorgeous. A nice mix of hominess and opulence that combined both of their personalities perfectly.
“Payton!” Brodie called.
“In here, love,” she said, and poked her head into the hallway.
“Our bedroom’s done,” he said, and held out his hand. “Come and see.”
She grinned and rushed to join him, taking the two flights of stairs to the floor that housed their bedroom, two bathrooms, a nursery, and a private media room just for them. Brodie stepped back so she could precede him into the bedroom, and she let out a whistle of appreciation.
A large upholstered headboard took up little of the giant wall, but it still looked regal with its dark grey hues and lilac accents. Once again, the designer paired their tastes together perfectly. Two large windows let the light in and gave a lovely view of Edinburgh Castle. If they leaned just the right way, they could see Kade’s building, and joked that they would watch them through binoculars to make sure they behaved.
“Oh, Brodie, it’s beautiful,” Payton crooned.
“Aye, it is,” he said, wrapping his arms around her. “We’re going to make babies here.”
Payton giggled. “Aye we are, love. Loads of them.”
“What time is everyone arriving?” he asked as he shoved the door closed.
“Six.”
He glanced at his watch. “Loads of bairn-making time.”
“Did you check on your family?”
Mikko was able to convince Heather to bond with him, and they would be taking one of the apartments downstairs so that Heather could continue to work for Brodie. Mikko was a computer software guru and could do his job anywhere, surprising Heather by leaving Finland behind in order to live full-time in Scotland. Abela was also safely established in the building, close to her children, in the apartment across the hall from Heather and Mikko.
“I did,” Brodie said. “They’ll be here for dinner.”
Payton grinned. “Excellent. I’m very glad we bought the big table.”
Brodie laughed. “Seating for twenty-four. I can’t imagine when we’ll use it.”
“Um, hellooo, loads of bairns, remember?”
“Oh, aye,” he rasped as he kissed her.
He bent down, lifted her, and carried her to the bed. Payton sighed as he began to work his magic. “Hours, right?”
“Aye,” he said. “Now, shush. I have a table to fill up.”
Payton giggled and pulled him onto the bed.
* * *
Dinner had concluded and the family now sat in the parlor, wine and cheese at the ready for all who wanted it. Connall and Pepper sat on the loveseat by the window, Kade and Samantha on the one across from them, and Angus and Fiona were on one of the oversized chairs across from the fireplace. Mikko, Heather, and Abela had gone back to their homes not long before. The doorbell pealed and Brodie stood to answer it. “Mum probably forgot something,” he said.
“You’re getting your own door?” Connall asked him, a cheeky grin on his face.
Payton giggled when Brodie lobbed back a rather rude retort, but lost her glee when he led Cole, Dalton, and Alasdair into the room. Their faces were grim.
Kade, Connall, and Angus stood and shook their hands.
“You have news?” Kade asked.
“Yes,” Dalton said. “Shall
we talk somewhere else?”
Payton raised an eyebrow and waited without breathing for Brodie to answer the question… correctly.
“I’m fine with discussing everything here,” Brodie said.
Kade glanced at Samantha and then focused back on the security team. “Aye, let’s have a seat.”
Alasdair nodded and everyone took their seats again.
“Payton,” Alasdair said. “Some of what we’re going to tell you might be difficult to hear, so if you want us to stop at any point, let me know, okay?”
She nodded and Brodie pulled her close, wrapping an arm tightly around her waist.
Alasdair leaned forward, his elbows on his knees and focused on Kade. “Your mother has been planning for some time. Perhaps as long as ten years. Alice and Phyllis have been closer friends than either of them let on, plotting together while seeming to hardly know one another. They have been building a group of folks, Cauld Ane and human, that they have been able to manipulate into believing things that are untrue. Alice was incensed that you wouldn’t marry Shannon, sire, and we believe that’s when she decided to make the first move, roping in Baldvin and Alexander and sending them to the States to attack your mates.”
Payton sat, unmoving, trying not to panic.
I’ve got you, love, Brodie projected as his arm tightened.
“What neither of them predicted was that we were not the only ones watching,” Alasdair continued. “Cole can speak to that.”
“Right,” Cole said, and nodded. “This is where Bronwen comes in, Payton. She works for SIS, and Miranda Adams, you know her as Molly, was flagged for suspicious activity. From what I have been able to find out, Molly has been running guns, drugs, and other illegal contraband for a small Irish group. She met Jet when he was hired as muscle for the organization. Jet was becoming a problem, however, because he was sampling the product and screwing up the deals. When he was caught the first time, Alice struck up a bargain with him, providing the Red Fang and a getaway car. He went straight back to the group, and she followed, of course, and made the connection with Molly.”
“Has Molly been caught?” Payton asked.
“Aye,” Alasdair said. “That night that Bronwen called you to warn you. She had her in custody. Molly broke away, but Bronwen got her back under control. She’s being held at Scotland Yard. They transferred her from Edinburgh to London the morning after the incident.”
Bound by Secrets (Cauld Ane Series Book 3) Page 28
