ARRIVING AT THE hospital, Sydney was relieved to discover Lucy wasn’t actually in as bad of shape as she suspected. Bruised and battered, but nothing was broken and she didn’t need stitches. Just ice, pain meds, and lots of rest.
Aunt Clara still wasn’t talking to Uncle Cary, but managed a little civility until Lucy was released. Then the gloves came off and she insisted he stay at a hotel for a few nights until things calmed down. Sydney unwittingly caught the tail end of their argument as she was returning from getting coffee.
“Clara, love, don’t do this.”
“Don’t you bloody well “love” me, Carville Ashworth. If you loved me, you wouldn’t have tried to drug me. God, do you really think I’m that stupid? I was a nurse in another life, you idiot. I slid that needle out of my vein and the doctor didn’t even notice.”
He dragged his hands through his hair. “I was trying to protect you.”
“No, you were trying to “handle” me.”
“I’m sorry, Clara.” He dropped his head in contrition.
“I’m not ready to forgive you yet and, no, I can’t tell you when I will be. You’ll be lucky if you’re ever allowed back in.”
“Don’t say that.”
“You’ll give me space right now, Carville, or I’m calling a divorce attorney today and we’ll be done with it.”
Sydney decided to announce her presence by making heavier footstep noises as she came around the corner.
“Oh, Sydney, love. Thank you,” her aunt said, and took her coffee. “I’ll speak to you later, Cary.”
Aunt Clara walked back into Lucy’s room and Sydney followed, giving Uncle Cary a slight smile on her way in. Thane and Anson were chatting, so she handed them their coffees and sat next to Thane.
Two hours later, Lucy was cleared to leave and the family headed back to the Ashworth’s home. Uncle Cary made sure Lucy was settled and then did as Aunt Clara asked him to... he gave her space, but left a team of security guards to watch the house. Sydney didn’t want to leave her cousin, so her aunt offered her and Thane a room, and they took her up on it.
After climbing into bed, Sydney snuggled close to Thane as she tried to decompress after the most uncomfortable dinner she’d ever experienced.
“I thought Aunt Clara was going to stab Malcolm with her steak knife,” Sydney whispered.
Malcolm Smith had been with Aunt Clara when she’d been sedated and was the one who’d driven her to the hospital when she’d woken up. Aunt Clara appeared to put almost as much blame on him as her husband.
Thane smiled. “I was ready if she tried.”
“Aunt Clara has always been the sweet, fun-loving auntie. I have never seen her raise her voice. I’m not sure she and Uncle Cary are going to survive this, Thane. She’s pissed.”
“Aye, love, she is. But don’t count him out just yet. He was wrong, but his intention was pure.”
Sydney snorted. “Excuse me?”
He tightened his hold. “Hear me out before you hulk out on me.”
She craned her head, unable to move the rest of her body. “You better explain pretty damn quick, Thane.”
“Men are men, whether they are human or Cauld Ane, and sometimes we can be idiots.”
“You got that right,” she grumbled.
He smacked her bottom. “But there are carnal urges that overwhelm us on occasion, the biggest being the need to protect our women. So, no, I do not agree with what your uncle did, but I understand it.”
“You understand him drugging her?”
“I understand him wanting to keep the pain away from her for a little while.”
Sydney sighed. “I suppose I can see that side of it, but it really isn’t an excuse, it’s not even a good reason.”
“I agree, love.”
She relaxed against him. “Okay, mister movie star, you’ve calmed the beast.”
He chuckled, rolling to hover above her. “I’m thinking I want to rile her up again.”
“We’re in a house full of people.”
He kissed her neck and whispered, “We’ll be very, very quiet.”
* * *
One week later, Sydney was in their London apartment, attempting to throw together something that resembled dinner with the limited ingredients they had on hand.
They hadn’t planned on staying in London as long as they had, but until the mess with Zach was cleared up, they couldn’t head back to Edinburgh.
“Honey, I hope meatless spaghetti’s okay,” Sydney called as she peered into the refrigerator. “It’s about all we’ve got.”
Thane was in his office, trading e-mails with the powers that be (his words).
“That’s fine, love.”
Sydney let out a squeak and jumped, nearly hitting her head on the fridge door.
Thane chuckled. “Sorry, baby. I didn’t mean to scare you.”
“You move like you’re walking on air.” She wrinkled her nose and closed the fridge door, wrapping her arms around his waist. “I need to put a bell on you.”
“As they say, everything can use more cow bell.”
Sydney giggled. “That’s so true.”
“Do you want to eat first or talk?”
She leaned back to meet his eyes. “You have news?”
Thane slipped his hand into her hair and ran his fingers through it. “Aye, love.”
“That doesn’t sound good.”
“I suppose it could go either way,” he admitted.
“Let’s talk first.”
He nodded and led her to the sofa, where she sat facing him. He held his arm out to her. “Come here, love.”
“So you can ‘manage’ me?”
He chuckled. “Protect, sweetheart. Protect.”
She narrowed her eyes, but slid into his arms, settling her head on his chest. “It’s that bad?”
“Zach’s mother is here. So is his sister.”
“O-kay.”
“They want to see you.”
“No.”
He gave her a gentle squeeze. “That’s what I told the police.”
She glanced up at him. “But?”
“They didn’t have anything to do with this, and Zach’s mum is devastated that he did this.”
“So?” She pushed herself up. “She participated in an adulterous affair, one that ultimately got my mother murdered. As far as I’m concerned, the whore can rot in a cell right along with her son.”
He studied her.
“What? Don’t you dare give me judgey eyes, Thane Allen! What kind of a woman has two children with a married man and raises one of them to be a psychopath? As far as I’m concerned, this is as much her fault as it is Zach’s... or my father’s. And believe me, if my father was here, I’d probably kill him all over again.”
He raised his hands. “Baby, I’m no’ judging you. You have every right to feel the way you do. But can I give you a little more information so you have the whole story?”
“Why? What would be the point? It doesn’t change the fact my dad was a lying, cheating bastard, and it won’t bring my mom back.”
“Aye, lass, you’re right.”
“I’m not hungry.” She rose to her feet. “I’m going to bed.”
* * *
Thane let her go. This situation was far more intense and complicated than either of them had expected, and he knew she needed time to process. But he worried about the dark path she was going down. He took a minute and then he walked to their bedroom and slid onto the bed beside her, pulling her close.
“Don’t ever cheat on me,” she whispered almost too quietly for him to hear.
“Sydney,” he crooned, rolling her to face him. He wiped the tears from her cheeks and kissed her gently. “Even if it were physically or emotionally possible, I would never cheat on you. I won’t leave you and I won’t lie to you. I love you, baby. That will never change.”
She burrowed into his chest with a sob. “I don’t understand how he could do that to us.”
“I don’t either, love.”
“And what kind of woman does that? She knew he had a family!”
“She actually didn’t.”
Sydney glanced up at him. “Zach said she knew.”
“Aye, love, she knew, but not until several years in. He’d lied to her as well, and when she found out, she made a move to divorce him, which is when she found out they weren’t legally married.”
“I don’t understand.”
He stroked her chin. “He committed bigamy.”
“Oh my god. Seriously?” She face-planted into his chest again. “He was such an asshole.”
“At the risk of insulting the dead, I agree. On top of the fact your father was a sociopath and knew exactly how to work her, she’s the type of woman who has no apparent life skills.”
“What do you mean?”
“She’s totally incapable of handling anything emotionally taxing, and she’s been thrust into drama that’s she’s not prepared for.”
“You mean life,” she said, snidely.
“Aye, lass.”
“And how is that an excuse?”
“It’s no’, love, but perhaps a little grace can be given, considering she has a limited grasp of the language and has been dealt a blow that could fall the strongest of people.”
“I’m not very strong and it didn’t ‘fall’ me.”
“You are strong, Sydney,” he argued.
She snorted. “Because sobbing snotty tears into your T-shirt proves that.”
“Partly. But also partly because at twenty-four, you had to lay your mother to rest and deal with her estate by yourself.”
“Uncle Cary took care of that,” she countered.
“Oh, really?” He gave her a squeeze. “Did you no’ read the documents that you had to sign? Did you no’ agree to donate yer mother’s organs without anyone there to lean on? Did you no’ pack up your most treasured items and have them stored somewhere safe? Your uncle came to yer aid, aye, but he couldn’t make the important decisions. You did that, love. You did it and you did it without a woe is me, or buckling under the pressure.”
“No, I saved all that up for you and your T-shirts.”
He chuckled. “Maybe you did, but it’s mine and my T-shirts’ privilege to take some of that pain from you. Don’t doubt that I consider it an honor.”
“Thane,” she rasped as new tears started. “You make me sound amazing.”
“You are amazing, sweetheart. And I think the fact that you are, means you’ll find it in your big heart to give grace and mercy to a woman who doesn’t have a clue what happened to her life.”
She groaned. “I see what you just did there, mister movie star.”
“Do you now?”
“I hate you so much right now.”
Thane laughed. “I wouldn’t be doing this right if you didn’t.”
She lay in his arms silently for several minutes before letting out a ragged sigh. “I’ll think about meeting with her, but I’m not promising anything.”
“I’m not expecting you to.”
“Really?”
“Really, love. I’ve said my piece. I’ll support whatever you decide.”
She nodded into his chest. “Thank you.”
“How about we order out for delivery.”
“Mmm. Chinese?”
“Sounds perfect,” he said, and kissed her gently before climbing off the bed.
She slid from the mattress and gave him a tired smile. “I’ll just wash my face.”
“Okay, love.” Thane kissed her again. “I love you, Sydney.”
“I love you too.”
He left the room and headed for the drawer full of menus. A knock sounded at the door and he opened it in surprise. Wallace stood on the porch with a box in hand.
“Wallace?”
“Sorry sir, I hope I’m not disturbing you. Sydney’s uncle received this this morning. It’s addressed to her. We’ve scanned it and it’s safe to open.”
“Thank you, I’ll let her know,” Thane said and took it from him, closing the door. “Syd?” he called.
She walked into the room, pulling her hair up into a bun. “What’s that?”
“Wallace brought it by. It was delivered to your uncle this morning.”
Sydney read the shipping label. “It’s from my mom’s school. She taught art there.” Tearing at the packaging, she pried open the flaps. She pulled out several small canvases painted in her mother’s signature style.
“Those are lovely, sweetheart.”
Sydney blinked back tears as she sifted through each one. “She was amazing.”
An envelope floated to the floor and Thane scooped it up. Just one word, “Sydney,” was written in her mother’s handwriting on the outside.
Sydney set the painting down and ripped open the letter, unfolding it gently as she began to read: Oh, my sweet girl, how I hope and pray you never see this letter. If you do, it means I’m gone and you’re having to deal with all of this without me. I hope you’ll lean on your Uncle Cary. He loves you like he loves Lucy and Antsy, and I trust he’ll take care of you.
There are some things you don’t know about your father, and if I could take them to my grave, I would, but I now think he might have done something worse than cheating on us. Yes, honeybun, he cheated. He has two children with another woman, and I found out just before he went into hospice. I stayed because he was dying, and, believe me when I say I wanted to help him cross over into the next life much faster than he did, but we both decided to shield you from it. I wonder if it was the right thing to do, but it’s done, and I pray you are okay and that you know how much I love you.
I got a strange call a few weeks ago about an insurance policy in my name, and I haven’t been able to find out much more. I think now it might have been a mistake. But (as you know since you’ve walked in a few times), I have been getting threatening phone calls as well, and I wonder if this is far worse than we could imagine. The police are involved but nothing’s been found out yet. Please don’t be angry or hurt that I’m shielding you from this. I feel as though the less you know the better.
Sydney Roslyn Warren, you are the very best thing I’ve ever done... ever. You are the most remarkable young woman, and I don’t credit myself or your father for that, it’s you, honeybun. You are loving, smart, and beautiful all on your own merit. Never stop listening to your inner voice, never forget you are loved deeply, and always remember to follow your dreams, even if you’re ninety-two and want to take a pole-dancing class... Sydney giggled through the tears... you never know, honeybun, stripping in your elderly years might be your only option. But I hope and pray that you’ll find a man who worships the ground you walk on, because he’s the only man who will be worthy of you. I love you more than the stars in the sky and I know that one day we’ll see each other again. I’ll make sure my mansion’s sparkling and tidy when you arrive. I love you, beautiful girl. Always. Love Mama.
Sydney dropped the letter as Thane wrapped his arms around her. She sobbed into his chest and he held her, saying nothing as the sadness washed over her. “She thought she was in danger.”
“I know, lass. It’s okay, I’ve got you.”
Sydney let him comfort her this time, relishing the peace he provided. When she was sure she was all cried out, she decided to take a shower while Thane ordered dinner.
Walking out into the living room, she found Thane on the phone and he held an arm out to her. She slid into his embrace and leaned against his strong body.
“Aye. Oh, ’tis?” He chuckled. “Aye, Fi. That’s quite accurate. I appreciate it.” He chuckled again. “Aye, on so many levels. Right. Thanks. ’Bye.” He hung up, slipped his phone in his pocket and pulled Sydney closer. “That was Fi.”
Sydney smiled. “Yeah, I picked up on that. Who’s Fi?”
“Fiona. She’s the king’s sister and she’s become the unofficial expert on all things human-slash-Cauld Ane. I gave her a ring because I think your ability might have been recorded somewhere at some point and if anyone would know, she would.”
“And?” Sydney ground out, and smacked his chest.
Thane chuckled and took her hand, guiding her to the sofa, and pulling her down beside him. “You are an empath, which is quite common among human and Cauld Ane alike. Where you’re special... in an abilities way, not in the general sense of the word, since, to me you’re the greatest gift I’ve ever been given—”
“Oh my god, get on with it, man!” she retorted.
He grinned and kissed her quickly. “You are what we call ljós sannleikans.”
“Which means?”
“Truth revealer. You provide the light of truth.” He raised her hand to his lips. “That part’s not so common. In fact, there have only been six recorded Cauld Ane truth revealers in the past thirteen hundred years. It’s why your eyes turn green and your emotions become overwhelming.”
“And the green haze?”
“Aye, you’ll see that in your peripheral.”
“Why do your eyes turn red?” she asked.
“All Cauld Ane men have that, ah... reaction, shall we say... when we’re angry.”
She rolled her eyes. “Wow, that’s so bizarre.”
“It’s actually quite amazing, love.” He smiled. “And now that we know, we can work together to figure out how to handle it.”
“Right now, can you handle feeding your mate?”
He nodded. “It’s been here for ten minutes.”
“Then you better dish it up there, buddy.”
Thane laughed and went about feeding his mate.
* * *
Three days later, Thane drove Sydney down to Scotland Yard where Zach’s mother and sister were supposed to meet them. They weren’t sure if Beth would make it, as she’d been rushed to the hospital the night before and no one knew why or how long she’d be there.
Sydney gripped Thane’s arm as though it was her lifeline as they made their way into the building. After separating briefly to go through the metal detector, she once again attached herself to him.
It’s going to be fine, love. I’ve got you.
She nodded, but couldn’t find her voice, internally or externally to respond. She felt like her emotions were on ten and her nerves were settled on the surface of her skin.
Let me help.
She bit her lip and glanced up at Thane. “Please.” He smiled and within seconds, she was calm. She let out a relieved sigh. “Thank you.”
He raised her hand to his mouth and kissed her fingers. “I love you.”
“I love you too.”
“Ready?”
She nodded and forced a smile as Thane opened the door for her and waited for her to precede him inside.
“Mr. and Mrs. Allen,” Officer Smith said, and reached out his hand. “Thank you for coming.”
Sydney thought it was interesting how the majority of the people who met them assumed they were married in the traditional sense and that she’d taken Thane’s name.
It’s going to happen, baby... and I am wearing your ring even though it’s not “official.”
I know. It’s just funny.
He smiled.
“Right this way.” The officer led them to a large, bright conference room.
A slight and nervous-looking Asian woman sat with a stunning young lady who did not look well. But she did look as though she’d made a monumental effort to look better than she felt. Both of them stood as Sydney and Thane walked in the room, and Sydney gripped Thane’s hand again.
Deep breaths, love.
“This is Mei Wu and her daughter Beth,” Officer Smith said.
Beth reached out her hand with a gentle smile and Sydney reluctantly shook it.
“I’m so sorry we have to meet this way,” Beth said.
Sydney nodded and everyone took a seat as Officer Smith left the room.
“My mother doesn’t speak much English, so please don’t think her rude if she doesn’t answer you,” Beth said. “I’ll translate, but I’m having a difficult time with my breathing, so I might have to take some breaks.”
I want to be sick.
Thane squeezed her hand. I’ve got you, love.
“I’m not sure why you wanted to meet, to be honest,” Sydney said.
“That was my idea, actually,” Beth confessed. “I wanted to meet my sister. I think I was about seven when my parents split up, and I didn’t know about you until I was thirteen, so you’ve always fascinated me. I’m sorry if this makes you uncomfortable, but if I could see our father just once more, I think I’d beat him with a pipe for what he did to us.”
“It does make me uncomfortable,” Sydney admitted. “Can I ask what’s wrong with you?”
Beth nodded. “Ovarian cancer. I just finished chemo about two weeks ago, so I’m in a little bit of trouble for traveling.”
“Then why did you?”
She sighed. “Because I wanted you to know that we are not these people. What my brother did is reprehensible. He has some mental health issues and for the most part, he’s great provided he’s on his meds, but we discovered he’d stopped taking them... right after he called to say he’d moved to London.” Her mother said something to her and Beth responded in Chinese and then frowned at her before facing Sydney again. “Sorry. My mother feels we should keep this private. What she seems to forget is that it’s already about as public as it can get and you deserve some answers.”
“I appreciate that.”
“Zach’s sick,” Beth continued. “Not that his illness excuses anything he’s done. We will support whatever the courts decide to do, but he’s not right. If he was, he would have never done this.” She blinked back tears. “I don’t really know who he is anymore. We’ve always been close, but this... this isn’t something I can push past right now.”
“I’m sorry, Beth,” Sydney whispered. Thane ran his thumb across her fingers.
“No. I am.” She nodded towards her mother. “And so is Mom. I know it’s just words, but if she’d known about you and your mom, she would have never married our father. She would have never even gotten involved with him.”
“I appreciate that.”
“We’ll do whatever we can to help,” Beth said. “I don’t really know how any of this works.”
“I don’t either,” Sydney said. “Does your mother know that Zach used her money to hire the man who killed my mom?”
“We found out this morning. A check bounced.”
“Oh,” Sydney whispered.
“I’m so sorry, Sydney.”
“You didn’t cause any of this, Beth. I don’t blame you.”
“I appreciate that.” Her mother said something again and Beth nodded. “I should really go back to the hotel and rest.”
“Of course,” Sydney said.
Officer Smith returned to the room and smiled. “We have the paperwork ready for you, Mrs. Allen.”
“Thank you.” Sydney rose to her feet and Thane followed.
“Don’t get up, lass,” Thane said when Beth moved to do so.
“I can’t imagine what I can do, but if there’s anything, will you please let me know?” Beth asked. “Officer Smith has my information.”
Sydney nodded and led Thane out of the room. She didn’t speak much as she read over and signed the charges against Zach, and she didn’t speak much as Thane took her home. By the time they walked into the apartment, she was emotionally shattered. “I’m going to lie down for a little bit.”
“Hey.” Thane pulled her against him. “You okay?”
She nodded. “I just need to process.”
“Okay, baby. You process. I’ll check on you in a little bit.”
“’K.” She pulled away and headed to their bedroom, stretching out on the bed and quickly falling asleep.
* * *
Thane checked in with Sydney every few minutes. He felt her lose her battle with sleep, so he knew he could relax for a little while at least. He decided to make a call.
“Sir?”
“Wallace, I need you to do some background on Mei Wu and her daughter Beth.”
“No problem.”
“As soon as possible, aye?”
“Aye, sir.”
“Thank you.” Thane hung up and set his phone on the counter. He felt Sydney’s fear and heard her scream a few seconds later, but he was already in their bedroom.
She was sitting up, breathing heavily until she caught sight of him and then she calmed. “Sorry.”
He slid onto the bed beside her and pulled her onto his chest. “Don’t apologize, love. It’s been a tough day.”
“You can say that again.” She kissed his chest. “I liked Beth.”
“I did too.”
“I did not like her mother.”
Thane chuckled. “You’re entitled to feel that way, love. She was the woman who stole your dad.”
“I don’t know if I can believe she didn’t know.”
“Well, I can’t imagine you can know. Only she and your dad really know what happened.”
“Do you think I’m a bitch for not liking her?”
He lifted her chin. “Sweetheart, you don’t have to like her. You met with her. You treated her with respect. No one can expect any more than that from you.”
“My mom would,” she whispered.
“I don’t know that she would, love.”
“I just don’t want her to be disappointed in me. I don’t know where my allegiance is supposed to lie.”
Thane gave her a gentle squeeze. “Your allegiance lies with you and me now, love, and I’ve got you. I was so proud of you today. You were calm and sweet, and you didn’t jump to any conclusions. You let Beth have her say, which was gracious of you.”
“She doesn’t look well, honey.”
“I know.”
“I think we need to help her.”
He smiled. “I know that too.”
“You already called Wallace.”
“I already called Wallace.”
“Man, I love you.”
He laughed. “Love you too, baby.”
“Can we go home now?”
“Aye, love, we can go home. How long do you need to plan a ceremony?”
“A week.”
He lifted her chin again. “Are you serious?”
“Yep. We’ll get Elspie on it and it’ll be done in two days.”
“You’re probably right about that.”
Sydney giggled. “One week.”
“Aye, lass, one week.”
He kissed her gently. “I’m starving. How about you?”
She sat up and straddled his hips. “Yes, but not for food.”
“Let’s feed you then.”
“Good plan.” She leaned down and kissed him, and Thane fed her until she was stuffed.