by Denise Carbo
Kate walked around the bed and put her arms around a crying Celeste. “Bethany’s right. You seeing the world through your rainbow glasses drives me crazy at times, but I wouldn’t alter a thing.”
Smiling at her friends, she struggled to keep her eyes open. The pain medication had taken effect.
Davis stepped up to the side of the bed. “You all need to leave. She has to rest.”
After saying their goodbyes, her friends and Kioshi left. She looked at Davis. “Well?”
“Well what?”
“I saw you and Kioshi whispering over there. What’s going on?”
He sighed. “He has been keeping me abreast of the investigation into Edward. The guards searched his apartment and office at the company. They found duplicate files on his home computer of everyone in the clan. He also had financials he should not have had access to.”
“Is that all? What about the poison? Scent blocker?”
“No trace of the poison, yet, but they came across the scent blocker. They didn’t know what it was. Kioshi has relieved them of it with them none the wiser. The less people who know about it the better.”
She nodded sleepily.
“Get some sleep.”
She closed her eyes. Just for a moment or two.
Her breaths grew deeper as she drifted off. She looked so damn fragile and vulnerable. The bastard had almost killed her. How she had held him off so long he couldn’t fathom. She had not only survived but blinded him in the process and managed to get the door open. So much bravery in such a tiny package.
He had failed to protect his mate. The guilt chaffed. He understood the horror and rage Malcolm had experienced when Elsie had been kidnapped. How did he not keep her locked up in the house and away from any possible danger?
Shaking his head, he dropped down in the chair beside her. Now that Edward was caught, and dead would she return to his clan with him? Or would she have some other excuse to stay? He needed to go home and be surrounded by his clan. He wanted to take his mate home where he knew his clan would always have his back to protect her.
Chapter Twenty-Three
The clouds were thick and gray. Rain was imminent. Looking around at her clan gathered in the square to hear what Advisor Heyes had to say, she wondered and fretted over their future. She had insisted on attending when she heard he planned to address the clan. Davis and Elizabeth had consented as long as she stayed in the vile contraption of a wheel chair at the back of the square—away from the crowd.
Davis stood on one side of her and Elizabeth on the other. Three days had passed since the attack, and she was on the mend. She felt perfectly capable of returning to her flat, but these two acted like she was crazy when she suggested doing so.
Aaron, flanked by two guards, stepped out of the office building and approached the podium which had been set up for the speech. He stopped at the side and faced the crowd with a satisfied sneer firmly planted on his face. The rumor was Advisor Heyes would step down and officially remove himself from the running to rule the clan which would leave Aaron unopposed. By the expression on his face, she gathered he felt the same.
Advisor Heyes approached from the tree-lined path leading to the temple at the corner of the square. He wore his customary purple robe with his hands clasped in front of him. He stepped up to the podium and gazed out over the crowd. His face was pale and drawn. His hair and goatee were streaked with more white than she remembered. His son’s treachery and death had aged him considerably in just a few days.
The crowd grew silent as anticipation held them all in his grasp. Soon the only sounds were the distant city sounds from outside the compound.
“It is with a heavy heart and stricken soul that I stand before you today.” He cleared his throat. “My fellow clan members, as many of you are aware my son committed heinous atrocities against members of this clan and orchestrated acts to irrevocably damage the clan itself. He paid for these crimes with his life.” His voice broke, and he glanced down at the podium for a moment. “I can no longer in good conscience seek to guide the clan to a future I can only pray is achievable. Therefore, I formally remove myself from the vote to rule the clan.” Murmurings multiplied throughout the crowd. “Our future leader must have not only the strength to rule, but the wisdom and honor as well. We are at a desperate point in time. Our people must rise to meet the challenges we face, not with violence and selfish greed, but with a clear vision of what the future can hold for all of us.”
Aaron was scowling at the Advisor. Bethany could see his patience was wearing thin, and he had to know the veiled insult had been directed at him. “It is my sincere hope you choose a leader who has demonstrated not only unimaginable bravery and strength of will but has always shown a clear head and deeply honorable heart. I therefore nominate Lady Bethany to lead the clan.”
Gasps and surprised whispers echoed all over the square. Shock held her immobile. Dozens of gazes were trained on her. Aaron’s face was turning purple, and he glared at her with rage. As if she had anything to do with this!
Advisor Heyes was making his way toward her. The crowd parted for him, and she had the desperate urge to flee. What could he possibly be thinking? Had grief over his son driven him insane? She couldn’t be the clan leader. A woman had never ruled over the clan.
He stopped before her. “Lady Bethany, I apologize for springing this on you unaware. I had wanted to speak to you privately before this, but Mr. Campbell forbade it.”
They both glanced at Davis. He stared straight ahead. His face was completely emotionless. What on Earth was he thinking?
“My deepest apologies for what my son did to you.” He took a deep, stuttering breath.
She stretched out her uninjured arm and clasped his hand. “Advisor Heyes, you owe me no apology. I am so sorry for your loss. Despite his transgressions, he was still your son, and I know you are grieving.”
Clearing his throat, he nodded and gave a slight bow. She could see the tears glistening in his eyes.
“Thank you. Your kindness and compassion are part of the very reason why you will make an excellent leader.”
She sucked in a breath. “Advisor Heyes—”
He held up a hand. “Please, before you say anything, think on it for the remainder of the day at least.”
Glancing at over a hundred of her people watching and listening to their every word, she nodded. He turned and left, walking back toward the temple. She looked over the crowd to spot her cousin hoping he wasn’t going to force a confrontation, but he had disappeared. That couldn’t be a good sign.
“I’d like to go back inside.”
Davis maneuvered her chair back into the building and into the room she was staying in. She stood on her own and climbed into the bed covered in royal blue sheets. She was going to insist on returning to her flat today, but after the crowd dispersed. The last thing she wanted to do was answer questions from a stunned clan. She was just as surprised as they must be, and she had no clue how to handle it all.
“I feel the need to express what an admirable clan leader I believe you would make and hope you carefully consider Advisor Heyes’ nomination.”
Elizabeth strolled out of the room. Bethany’s jaw dropped, and she snapped it closed. Had everyone gone crazy?
Leaning back against the pillows, she looked at Davis staring out the window. “You are awfully quiet. Did he tell you what he planned?”
Davis turned and leaned against the wall with his hands in his front pockets. “No. I had assumed he wanted to speak to you about his son. I wanted you to heal first.”
She nodded. “Crazy, right?” She smiled expecting a smile in return, but he continued to gaze at her solemnly.
“Actually, I think you would make a great ruler.”
“What?” Was she dreaming? She must be still unconscious and having a drug-induced hallucination.
“Everything he said was true. You are the perfect choice to lead your clan. The people love you, because you genuinely care
about them and want what is best for the entire clan—not just the self-serving needs of the few. You also don’t crave the power, which is why you won’t abuse it. You know it’s a responsibility not a prize.”
Tears threatened, and she swallowed. “I don’t know what to say.”
He shrugged. “There’s really nothing to say. It’s a logical choice. Besides, you could never let Aaron rule the clan, not if you could prevent him.”
“Even if I do choose to make a claim, the clan might still vote for Aaron. He’s a man after all. I don’t know how many of the clan are ready to accept a woman as a leader.”
“I think you’ll be surprised. You never know until you try.”
“So, you think I should do it? What about his claims his father was the rightful ruler, and thereby him?”
“As you said, it’s what he claims. Where’s the proof? He hasn’t provided any. If he had any don’t you think he’d be showing it to everyone? Doesn’t matter anyway, it’s just hearsay, nothing official.”
“You didn’t answer whether you think I should do it or not.” Did he no longer want her to return to his clan? Was it simply to protect her from Edward? Now that the threat was removed, did he no longer plan to claim her as his mate? Did he want her to accept the nomination, so he could leave with a clear conscience?
“The choice is yours.”
Chapter Twenty-Four
Davis hung his head and let the hot water beat down on his shoulders. He’d left Bethany at the healer’s with Kate and Celeste visiting her, and Kioshi standing guard. He had been in desperate need of a shower and change of clothes, so he had returned to his suite. He didn’t think Aaron would dare try anything, but the coward had to be scrambling after the announcement.
He’d known as soon as the advisor started describing the qualities needed in a leader who he was going to say. Even before he said her name, he’d known he’d lost her.
Bethany would choose her clan.
Davis didn’t expect anything else. He slapped off the water and grabbed the towel he had hung over the glass doors. There was no way he could ask her to turn her back on her entire clan and leave it in the hands of Aaron. He wasn’t that selfish.
Stepping out of the shower, he wrapped the towel around his waist and wandered into the bedroom. Glancing at the clock on the nightstand, he calculated the time difference between here and Wyoming. Malcolm should be awake. He needed to fill him in and tell him he would be home soon.
****
“Please tell me you haven’t uncovered evidence of another accomplice and they’re still on the loose.”
Davis snorted. “No, Heyes was the last one. It’s all wrapped up nice and tidy.”
“Is it? Then what is it I hear in your voice?”
Sighing, he wiped a hand through his damp hair. “Your mate making you want to discuss feelings now?”
Malcolm chuckled. “As a matter of fact, we’ve had a few conversations on the subject. So why don’t you tell me what’s going on.”
“Advisor Heyes gave a speech in front of the whole clan and nominated Bethany as ruler.”
There was only a brief stretch of silence. “She’s a sound choice.”
“Yeah, I know.”
“What does she have to say about the nomination?”
“She was shocked as hell, but I think she’ll come around and see it’s the logical step for her to take.”
“Do you think her cousin is going to be a problem?”
“I plan to stick around long enough to see that he isn’t.”
“I see.”
Davis frowned and glanced at the phone. “What’s that supposed to mean? What exactly do you see?”
Malcolm sighed. “She’s your mate.”
“No shit. I know damn well she’s my mate, but what kind of selfish bastard do you take me for? I can’t stand in the way of her leading her clan. I’ll make sure she is safe and then I’ll get the hell out of the way.”
“You haven’t bonded with her.”
Bonded mates linked their spirits together. It gave them a deep connection even death was often unable to sever. Bonded mates rarely survived long without the other. His parents sure hadn’t, not even to raise him. “Been a little busy, and she hadn’t made her decision to come home with me. It’s a damn good thing we didn’t, seeing as we’ll be living on different continents.”
“And you’re okay with that?”
“Again, not much choice here, Malcolm.”
“I think you do have a choice. You know we’ll always be your clan, your family. Distance isn’t going to alter that. But Bethany is your mate. Can you really live without her? Do you want to?”
Davis sat on the bed. The thought of living without her made his chest hurt. When he had seen her lying bloody on the floor and believed she might die, he hadn’t wanted to go on. Tears stung his eyes, and he stared at the ceiling.
“You need to talk to her. There are always options and compromises to make.”
“You’re saying stay here.”
“I’m saying you need to be wherever she is, so if it’s there, yes. Besides, wasn’t it you who was talking my ear off about the security nightmare over there and all the changes that needed to be made? I happen to know just the guy to be put in charge of all that. Sound familiar?”
“Damn, Malcolm, I thought you liked me. That’s one giant headache you’re suggesting I take on.”
“Admit it, your palms itch to whip that place into shape.”
He was right. If his mate was going to be staying here, then he would have to ensure her safety. The current state of the clan’s security was insufficient in the extreme. They would need more guards, more surveillance, and a whole list of procedures. First item on the list would be to explore those tunnels and secure them.
A chuckle interrupted his thoughts. “Already making plans, aren’t you?”
Davis shook his head. “Thanks Malcolm.”
“Anytime, and I meant what I said. We’re always going to be your family.”
“There you go with those feelings again. What’s she done to you?”
Malcolm laughed. “Tell Bethany I can’t wait to welcome her to the council and the family.”
Davis hung up the phone and ran a hand over his face. Well, hell, that phone call certainly hadn’t gone the way he thought it would.
****
Bethany limped down the hallway as quickly as her aching body would allow. She had slipped out of the healer’s building after telling Kate and Celeste she needed to use the bathroom. They had started following her to help until she insisted on going alone. Why did everyone feel the need to treat her like an invalid? She sighed. That was unfair. They were simply concerned and wanted to help in any way they could.
After evading them, she had snuck into Elizabeth’s quarters and climbed out a window to avoid Kioshi and her friends. She would apologize to them later, but she needed to talk to Davis.
His withdrawn attitude frightened her. She grew tired of waiting for him to claim her as his mate.
She was claiming him.
The clan would survive without her. They had to be smart enough not to vote for Aaron. If they weren’t, well, she would contemplate the dire outcome if it occurred. Right now, she needed to find Davis before he did something stupid like go home to Wyoming without her. And if he already had, well then, she would get on a plane and follow him.
A door opened down the hall, and she stiffened. She had already been waylaid a dozen times on the way over here by clan members giving her their support. She appreciated it, she really did, but she needed to see Davis.
Reaching the door to his suite she was suddenly afraid. What if he turned her down? What if he simply didn’t want her?
Straightening her shoulder, she knocked on the door. She would just have to change his mind.
The door opened, and every thought flew out of her head. He stood before her with nothing but a white towel wrapped around his waist. The sight of his long, le
anly muscled body made her throat run dry.
He looked beyond her down the hall. “Where the hell is Kioshi? Are you seriously telling me you walked all the way over here, and by yourself? You need a damn keeper, woman!”
“Are you applying for the job?”
One side of his mouth quirked up. “Somebody has to do it. It might as well be me.”
Not exactly a declaration of undying love, but it was a start. “Good. When do we leave for Wyoming?” She marched past him into the suite. She wasn’t about to let him know but she was more than a bit sore and tired from her escape out the window and trek across the compound.
“Wyoming?”
She glanced over her shoulder on the way to the couch. “To your clan. We’re going to live there, aren’t we?” Did he want to go somewhere else instead? She couldn’t imagine him wanting to live away from his clan.
Davis’ phone buzzed, and he glanced down at it in his hand. He sighed. “Hold that thought. It’s Kioshi. I want to know what the hell he was thinking.”
“Don’t be hard on him. I snuck out.”
He glared at her while he answered the phone. Kioshi spoke rapidly, informing him she was missing. “She’s here.” She heard Kioshi apologize profusely. “I can hardly blame you since she’s done the same to me.”
She winced as he disconnected the call.
“We really need to have a long discussion about this tendency you have to slip away from those trying to protect you.”
“Mmhmm.”
Davis sighed and sat on the table in front of her and took her hands in his. He gently rubbed his thumbs over the tops of her hands. “We’re not going to Wyoming. Although it pleases me to no end that you were willing to go.”
“I don’t understand. Where are we going?”
“Nowhere. We’re staying here. Your clan needs you, and truth to be told it needs me, too. The security here gives me a migraine.”
“You want to live here and be in charge of security?”
“Once you’re elected to rule the clan, I figure I’m a shoe in for the job.”
