PAYTON LET OUT a frustrated squeak and rushed out of the room. Sam followed her and guided her into the family room. Payton paced the room.
Sam sat on the sofa and watched her. “Do you want to talk about it?”
Payton shook her head.
“It might help,” Sam pressed.
“Sam, I can’t talk to you about this.”
“Why not?”
“Things have changed.”
Sam frowned. “What things?”
Payton gave her an exasperated look.
“What?” Sam asked.
“This is not something you should be dealing with.”
“Why not?”
“Because you’re… well… you’re Kade’s mate.”
“So?”
“He’s our king, Sam.”
Sam laughed. “So?”
“So, that makes you our queen.”
Sam swallowed. “Oh, crap. Right. I keep forgetting about that.”
Payton sighed. “Sorry.”
“Whatever. It doesn’t change anything. I’m still your friend, Payton. You can talk to me about anything.”
Payton sat next to her and frowned. “I appreciate that, but I can’t bring matters of the heart to my queen.”
“Who made that stupid rule?”
“I don’t know. We just don’t do that. Fiona didn’t discuss things with her mother, and I’m not going to start burdening you with my problems just because we were friends first.”
Samantha’s mouth fell open and then she started to laugh. She had a difficult time stopping.
“What’s so funny?”
Sam squeezed Payton’s hand. “It just hit me that I’m this small-town girl who moved to Scotland for a job and ended up being bound to a virtually immortal king. A king, Payton! If I wasn’t living it, I’d think it was ludicrous.”
Payton giggled. “I suppose that would seem strange.”
“Very. But the bottom line is that we’re friends, and if what I understand to be true is true, in less than six months you and I will be sisters. So, will you please put aside tradition and talk to me? If I have to make a new law or rule or whatever, I’ll speak to my king and make it so.” She started laughing again. “King. Sorry, he’s just so not kingly to me.”
“He’s not?”
“No. He’s… well, he’s Kade. Gorgeous and wonderful and normal all rolled into one.”
Payton smiled.
“Spill.”
Payton sank further into the couch. “Between us.”
“Of course.”
“I’m in love with the idiot.”
“Oh, honey, that’s great.”
Payton shook her head. “No, it’s not. If he really is my mate, then why is he seeing another woman? He loses his mind if I even talk to another man, but it’s okay for him to spend all this time with this mystery woman? He’ll not bind me and think that’s going to continue.”
Sam nodded. “I can see the dilemma.”
“He also left me,” she whispered.
“When?”
“When we first met. Our family arrived in the village and he and I spoke for several hours. I really liked him. Even then. But he left within the week. For five years. Mates don’t do that.”
“That must have been hard,” Sam commiserated.
“The bottom line is that we’re expected to go willingly into our mate’s arms, let them bind us, and then be the dutiful Stepford wife at all times. Well, I can’t do it.” She shuddered. “The thought of sex is difficult enough, but him sleeping with someone else is worse.”
Sam frowned. “Why is the thought of sex difficult?”
“Because it’s for procreation, Sam, and my thoughts when it comes to him are wicked.”
“Wicked? How?”
Payton squeezed her eyes shut. “When I’m close to Brodie, I feel fluttery. I can’t think straight. I saw him once with his shirt off and… well… never mind.”
“Payton,” Sam said gently. “All of those feelings are normal. Especially when you’re in love with someone. And for the record, sex is for a lot more than procreation. If it weren’t, God wouldn’t have made it so fun.”
“There you are,” Fiona said as she sailed into the room, cutting off their conversation. She held her phone out. “Brodie would like to talk to you, Payton. You’re not picking up your phone.”
Payton rolled her eyes and took the phone. “Hi, Brodie. Yes, I’m fine. No, I’m not ignoring you. We’re trying to plan the wedding. Is something wrong? Okay, good. Yep.” She paused. “Aye, my liege. Whatever you say.” Her sarcasm was rising.
Sam glanced at Fiona, who shrugged.
“Don’t you dare. No. Fine. Yes. Okay. I’m hanging up now,” she said and handed the phone back to Fiona. “I am not bonding with that man!”
“Uh-oh, what happened?” Fiona asked.
“He said if I didn’t carry my phone with me at all times, he was going to get on a plane and come and get me.”
“He felt your stress,” Fiona said. “When he couldn’t get you on the phone, he thought the worst.”
“He told me.” Payton took a deep breath. “But I don’t have the brain capacity to deal with him right now.”
“You calling him ‘my liege’ only irks him, you know.”
“Him being bossy irks me.” Payton pressed her lips into a thin line. “Kade doesn’t even lord over me the way Brodie does and Kade’s my king!” She raised her hands in surrender. “I’d like to be done talking about Brodie Gunnach. Aren’t there some bridesmaids’ dresses we need to look at?”
Sam smiled. “Tomorrow. I have an appointment for a wedding dress fitting and I think we could combine the visit.”
“Perfect,” Fiona said.
Sam clapped her hands. “Well, I think we should have some fun tonight.”
“What do you suggest?” Payton asked.
“I say we pick Pepper up from work and head on over to the Tin Ear Saloon for drinks.”
“What’s the Tin Ear Saloon?” Fiona asked.
“The best karaoke in town.”
“I can’t sing!” Fiona exclaimed.
Sam laughed. “But Pepper can, and we can drink while she entertains us.”
Payton clapped her hands. “Love it.”
Sam pulled out her phone. “Now I just have to talk Pepper into it.”
* * *
The night at the Tin Ear wrapped up just before midnight, when Pepper insisted she needed to get up early the next morning. Samantha hugged her friend, reluctant to let her leave.
“I’m fine, Sam,” Pepper insisted.
“Are you sure?”
“Yes. I’ll text you when I get home, okay?”
“Fine.” Sam raised an eyebrow. “But I want to know you’re all tucked in and comfy.”
Pepper laughed. “Okay, Mom.” She turned to Fiona and Payton. “It was really nice to meet you both.”
“You too,” they chimed in simultaneously.
Pepper climbed into her VW Rabbit, affectionately called “Thumper,” and peeled out of the parking lot.
Fiona squeezed Sam’s arm with a hiss. “Something’s off.”
“What do you mean?” she whispered.
Samantha, where are you, love?
I’m at a club.
Specifically, Kade pressed.
The Tin Ear Saloon on Lincoln.
I need you to go back inside. Right now.
Are you here?
Aye. Go back into the building.
“Kade wants us to go back inside.”
“So does Angus,” Fiona said.
Before they could move an inch, an eerily familiar voice sounded in the dark.
“Well, well, well.”
Sam found herself looking at Shannon Fraser, followed by Alexander Baird and another man she didn’t recognize. The men had guns aimed at Payton and Fiona.
Payton gasped. “Baldvin.”
“Who?” Sam asked.
“My brother-in-law.”
“Alex?” Sam said, surprised the young IT expert would be involved in this.
“I’m truly sorry, Sam,” he said. “I liked you. But Kade has to learn.”
“Enough!” Shannon snapped. “You’re difficult to corner, Samantha.”
Sam stood a little taller. “What do you want, Shannon?”
“I thought that would be obvious.”
You may see things that frighten you. I need you to stay behind Payton and Fiona.
Sam took a deep breath. I am not hiding behind anyone, Kade.
“Enlighten me, Shannon, because even you aren’t stupid enough to think you had a snowball’s chance in hell with Kade.”
She sneered. “I thought you and I might be friends, Samantha. I’m disappointed.”
“And I’m disappointed you haven’t bowed before your queen.”
A quiet gasp sounded behind her. Sam forced herself not to look at Payton as she tried to keep her bravado intact. She was completely out of her element here, but something within her began to awaken and she was determined to see where it led her.
“Consider us revolutionaries taking a stand against a dictatorship,” Shannon said.
“And what were your plans for the chemicals, Shannon? A lot of innocent people could have been killed.”
“Are humans really ever innocent?” Shannon let out a sigh of irritation. “Besides, only a few would have ultimately died. We had an iron-clad plan until you arrived. You were an unforeseen problem.”
Sam snorted. “I think the real problem here is that my mate has been entirely too nice to you.”
She noticed Baldvin move out of the corner of her eye and before she could react, Payton slumped to the ground. Alex headed toward Fiona and Sam shouted, “Don’t!”
Alex froze. Sam blinked and focused on Shannon, whose eyes expressed fear.
You have the gift of suggestion, love. Use it.
What do you mean, “suggestion?”
You can make them do what you ask them to do. You are their queen, they must listen to you.
Sam bit her lip. Kade, I don’t know how I feel about this.
Sweetheart, I need you not to feel right now. I just need you to keep them from hurting you. We can discuss your feelings later. We’re almost there.
Payton’s hurt.
I know. Just stay calm.
Sam forced herself not to swear. Stay calm. Thanks, honey. Great advice.
She stayed locked onto the three adversaries while Fiona saw to Payton.
Fiona let out a curse. “You’re a real bitch, Shannon.”
“What is it, Fi?” Sam asked.
“Red Fang.”
Shannon’s hand twitched, but when Sam snapped, “Don’t move,” she froze again.
The plodding sound of feet distracted Sam and she found herself slammed to the ground, staring up at the sneering face of Shannon. A shot rang out, but before Sam could react, Shannon was hauled off her and Sam was lifted into Kade’s arms.
She wrapped her arms around his neck and sighed. “Hi.”
He gave her a gentle squeeze. “Are you hurt?”
“No. Who got shot?”
“No one. They missed.”
She tried to push out of his arms. “Let me check on Payton.”
He shook his head. “Brodie has her and Angus is administering the antidote.”
“Will she be okay?”
“Aye,” he rasped. “Be still, love. I need to make sure you’re all right.”
Sam took the time to finally look at him. The worry in his eyes made her heart stutter. She stroked his cheek. “I’m fine, honey. I promise.”
He closed his eyes and took a deep breath. Sam stayed quiet, offering her whole heart to him. He relaxed after a few seconds and opened his eyes again. “I was terrified.”
She smiled. “I know.”
“I didn’t think we’d make it in time.”
“I know, honey. But you did and I’m fine,” she said. “Put me down, hmm?”
He gently lowered her to the ground, but kept an arm firmly around her waist. She felt his emotion, the heaviness of it, and laid her palm against his chest, willing him to calm. “I really need to check on Payton. Okay?”
He took another deep breath and gave her a curt nod. She stepped away from him, not surprised that he followed.
Brodie was on the ground, cradling Payton in his arms. Her eyes were wide and she appeared frightened, but the rest of her body was limp. Tears slid down her cheeks and Brodie wiped them away gently as Angus stuck a needle into her arm and pressed the plunger in.
Connall and a man Samantha didn’t recognize were in a deep discussion, while the security detail secured the three “revolutionaries.”
A deep, frightened groan from Payton had Sam’s heart racing, but Brodie pulled her closer and Sam smiled when Payton wrapped her arms around his neck and sobbed into his chest. She would be fine. Brodie would make sure of it.
Kade grasped her hand, and Sam sighed as he pulled her back into the safety of his arms. “Everything’s secure now. Connall and Max are going to remove Shannon and the others, and we’ll head back to the hotel.”
“So, that’s Max?” Sam nodded toward the handsome, athletic man with dark hair and ice-blue eyes.
He nodded. “Aye.”
“He’s on the Council, right?”
“Why?”
She smiled up at him. “Just putting a face to the name.”
“You’ll meet him later. Right now, I want you all to myself.”
She linked her fingers with his and gave his hand a gentle squeeze. He forced a smile, but she could feel his stress. “Hey. I’m okay.”
He nodded.
“Did you get everything done in Iceland?”
He scowled.
Baby, tell me.
He closed his eyes and gripped her hand tighter. Iceland was a decoy.
In order to get to me here?
He nodded again.
Why?
They knew that if they could kill you, they could move forward with their plan, and I wouldn’t have been able to stop them.
Sam frowned. Yes you would.
No. I. Wouldn’t. “If you were to die, Sam, I would follow.”
“Don’t say that, Kade. Lots of people survive the loss of a spouse and you’re needed here.”
Kade’s sudden rage was so strong, Sam jumped away from him just before he slammed his fist into the car next to them, forcing it sideways with a screech of its tires.
A collective gasp sounded from the group as Connall rushed to Samantha, pushing her behind his back, and holding a palm out to Kade. “My lord.”
Sam stepped out from behind Connall and approached her mate. “Kade. Honey, I’m so sorry.”
Kade’s eyes burned red as he stood drawing deep breaths into his lungs.
“Sam, careful,” Connall warned.
Kade turned toward Connall and his eyes narrowed. Sam swallowed, but continued toward Kade. Baby, I’m here. I’m safe. The danger’s over.
He didn’t seem to understand her, so she tried again.
Kade. Honey. Despite her fear, she reached out and laid a hand on his arm. He stared down at her hand and Sam gave his arm a gentle squeeze. Shhh. Everything’s okay.
Kade blinked several times and Sam relaxed when she saw the flame recede and his eyes return to normal. He pulled her against him and buried his face in her hair. Sam wrapped her arms around his waist and held him tightly.
Fyrirgefðu ef ég hræddur þig, elska. (I’m sorry if I scared you, love.)
What? That little display? Pishaw.
He chuckled and Sam felt the rest of the group relax. Her familial bond with Kade’s siblings was made more remarkable by the fact that she could feel their stress.
I need you. Now.
Sam nodded and let him lead her to the car. Another large Saxon-looking man held the back door open for her. She didn’t recognize him, but that didn’t surprise her. Kade probably had hundreds of large, fierce, wrestler-types at his disposal. She slid into the seat and secured her seatbelt. Kade did the same and quickly grasped her hand.
You okay?
He nodded. I should have known this was going to happen.
How could you have possibly known?
Because my mother set it up.
Sam gasped. “Really?”
He nodded. She betrayed us all.
Before she could respond, the car pulled up to the hotel and Kade ushered her out of the car, into the hotel, and up to their room. He closed and locked the door, then rushed her. She was lifted off her feet and had to wrap her arms around his neck in order not to fall backward. His lips covered hers and she responded without thought.
* * *
Samantha licked her lips and tried to catch her breath as Kade slammed into her again. She was bent over the arm of the sofa in the hotel room, her ass to the sky and he was burying himself into her body harder and harder with each thrust.
She’d had three orgasms in the last thirty minutes, and she was heading for a fourth. Kade let out a deep groan and she felt his cock pulse inside of her before she’d fully reached her climax, but he reached between her legs and fingered her clit until she exploded around him.
Without word, Kade lifted Samantha and dropped her gently on the bed, settling himself between her legs. “Spread.”
She spread.
And ohmigod, she was so glad she did. What that man could do with his mouth was surely illegal in several countries. She felt her body building and he smiled against her.
“Come, but no noise,” he whispered.
She nodded and he resumed his assault. She threw a pillow over her face so that her panting breaths couldn’t be heard.
Kade slipped it away and smiled down at her. “Deep breaths, love, or you’ll hyperventilate.”
“I don’t know if I can,” she whispered.
He chuckled quietly. “Try.”
She nodded and did what she could to keep from passing out.
“There’s a good lass,” he said. “You liked that.”
“I loved that,” she corrected.
Kade grinned again, climbing off the bed and waving his finger in a circle. “All fours, Samantha, edge of the mattress.”
Holy crap, yes!
She moved into position and he stood behind her, running a palm down her back. “No noise.”
She nodded and took a deep breath. He slid into her and she dropped her head to the mattress, face to the covers, because not making noise when he was taking her from behind seemed like an impossibility.
He reached his hand between her legs and ran a fingertip over her clit as he surged into her again and again.
“Ohmigod,” she breathed into the bedding.
He slammed into her one more time and she came around him. It took him a few more thrusts to join her, but then they fell onto the bed and she was once again left without breath.
“I’m very proud of you, love,” he whispered, and slid out of her.
She pushed her hair away from her face and turned towards Kade. “My word, honey. I think you need to go away more often.”
Kade growled. “Never again, Samantha.”
“Sorry.” Sam giggled. “Too soon?”
He pulled her close and kissed her, as he lifted her onto the bed and stretched out beside her. “I thought I was going to lose you.”
“I know.” She stroked his chest. “But whatever this gift is came at just the right time.”
He nodded. “You’ll find more abilities manifest as time goes on.”
“That’s what Fiona said. Kind of cool, because I thought this might be the only one I get. Not that I’m complaining. It’s really kind of cool, but I’m not sure the ability to make people do what I want them to do is a good thing. I would never want to abuse it.”
“The fact that you’re concerned about that is probably why you got the gift in the first place. And according to the book, as my mate, you’ll be gifted with more.”
She settled her chin on her hand and raised an eyebrow. “So, you’re good value, then?” He chuckled and Sam grinned. “There it is.”
“What?” he asked.
“Your laugh.” She kissed his chest. “I have missed that most of all.”
He raised an eyebrow. “You’ve missed my laugh most of all?”
She grinned. “If you’d like to repeat what you did earlier, I could amend that statement.”
“Is that a challenge?”
“More like an invitation,” she retorted.
“I accept.”
He flipped her onto her back, laid a fingertip gently on her forehead and whispered, “Ég ætla að kyssa þig hér …,” and then ran his finger down to her hip and then her ankle. “… og hér og alls staðar þar á milli.” (I am going to kiss you here… and here and everywhere in between.)
Sam sighed and raised her chin to receive his kiss.
* * *
Two days later, Samantha stood in front of the mirror and tried to bring her wayward hair to heel. Pepper sat in her desk chair while Fiona and Payton sat on the bed and read a gossip rag. Kade had reluctantly left her to pick up his brothers and Angus, who had flown to Scotland with the “dissidents” and delivered them to the Council for decision of their fate. They were due to arrive at the Gastonian in an hour, where the ladies were scheduled to meet them.
“Kade just left you ten minutes ago,” Pepper said.
Sam scowled at her in the mirror. “Your point?”
Pepper crossed her arms and rolled her eyes. “My point, strange one, is that you can’t look any better than you already do and your fiancé wouldn’t care if you shaved your head. He’d still look at you like you’re the only woman on the planet.”
“I agree,” Payton piped in.
“Are you suggesting I shave my head?” Samantha retorted.
Pepper giggled. “Oh, I’m not suggesting, Sammi… I’m saying.”
Sam smiled and opened her mouth to say something just as Pepper’s cell phone rang. She ignored it.
“Your mom?” Sam asked.
Pepper nodded. The phone pealed again and Pepper let out a frustrated groan.
Sam laid the brush on the bureau. “Just answer it, Pep. She’ll keep calling, especially if she’s drunk.”
Pepper nodded and answered the call. “Hi, Mom.”
She listened for a few minutes and cringed. “I don’t know where your cat is, Mom. He’s probably roaming.”
Sam raised an eyebrow in question. Pepper’s mom was probably drunk and the cat was probably sitting on her lap.
Pepper’s face went ashen. “What do you mean?” she asked as she stepped out of the room. She returned within a few minutes. “Hey. I need to take care of something. Can you do without me for a bit?”
Sam nodded. “Sure. Everything okay?”
“Yeah. Mom’s melting down. I’ll be back by dinner.”
“Can we do anything?” Fiona asked.
“No. She does this a lot,” Pepper said.
Sam hugged her. “Are you sure you’re okay?”
“Yes.” Pepper forced a smile. “Now, enjoy your man. I’ll see you later.”
Sweetheart? What’s wrong?
Pepper. Sam sighed. Something’s going with her mom. Are they here?
Landing in about twenty minutes.
Are you coming here or to the hotel first?
I’m surprised you have to ask. You are always first.
Sam smiled. What about your brothers?
Kade chuckled. They aren’t nearly as beautiful as you.
Ah, so I’m first because you think I’m cuter than them?
Aye.
Sam stopped herself from laughing out loud. I don’t know, honey, Connall’s really pretty for a man.
I’ll tell him you said that. I’ll see in you in a little bit.
Hurry.
Of course.