PAYTON FOLLOWED HIM back to the table, and dinner continued as though nothing untoward had happened. Once the dishes had been cleared, Payton leaned against Brodie, smiling when he kissed her temple.
“Now that dinner’s over,” Pepper said. “How about a tour? I’m dying to see what a club that costs upwards of half a mill offers.”
“What?” Brodie asked.
“It does?” Sam asked.
“No,” Brodie said, emphatically.
“Kidding.” Pepper shook her head, grinning. “I’m still in the mindset of working two jobs and schlepping drinks for tiny tips. The thought of someone paying a membership fee for exclusivity at a ‘club’ is beyond me.”
Pepper had often spoken of her uneasiness of doing nothing, but with her pregnancy and being thrust into a new culture, she wasn’t quite ready to step out of her comfort zone. For the time being, she was content to work with their horses.
“You could always get a job, Pep,” Sam said.
“What? And give up my Real Housewife of Inverness card?” Pepper giggled and smiled up at Connall. “Once I squeeze out this cretin, I’ll have enough work with the horses, I think. I’m just bored. This is the most fun I’ve had in months.”
“Thanks,” Connall droned.
“Oh, don’t get me wrong, you’re fabulous,” she rushed to assure her husband.
“Don’t take it personally, Connall. She misses me,” Sam said with a sigh. “She has never done well without me.”
Pepper laughed, a snort escaping. “Sure. Let’s go with that.”
“Besides, you’re not the shut-in, Con,” Kade interjected, and grinned at Brodie. “Brodie is.”
Brodie chuckled. “Hey, I just happen to love my wife more than any of you slack bastards.”
“Ooh, burn,” Samantha retorted. “Are you going to let him diss you like that, Kade?”
The banter continued as Brodie led the group downstairs and into the public part of the building. Payton’s cell phone rang, and her mother’s number popped up on the screen. She stepped away from the group for a measure of privacy, but pulled Brodie with her. “Hi, Mum.”
“Hi, love. Are you in town or at home at the moment?”
“I’m in town. At Slainte. Why?”
“I thought I’d take you out to dinner,” her mother said.
Payton shook her head and grasped Brodie’s hand, her stomach uneasy. Her mother was up to something. Brodie wrapped his arm around her waist, calming her.
“We actually just ate,” Payton said.
“Oh,” her mother said, and let out a loud sigh. “Well, that’s a shame. I haven’t seen you in weeks.”
“We could have lunch next week, if you like.”
“I’ll look at my calendar and give you a ring tomorrow, eh?”
Payton nodded. “Sure. That sounds fine.”
“’Bye, love.”
“’Bye.” Payton hung up.
“What is she up to?” Brodie asked in suspicion.
“I have no idea,” Payton said. “I’m hoping she just wants to have lunch.”
He lifted her hand to his lips. “I highly doubt it.”
“Me too.” She bit her lip. “Will you come?”
“To lunch?” he clarified.
“Yes.”
Brodie chuckled. “You mean, will I take one for Team Gunnach and suffer through an hour with my monster-in-law?”
“Aye, exactly.”
“Of course I will.”
Payton let out a breath of relief. “Thank you.”
He grinned and led her back to the group.
“Everything okay?” Samantha asked.
“Yes, fine,” Payton said. “Drama from the mama.”
“Oooh, that’s always fun,” Pepper quipped.
“Right?”
“I really should use the facilities,” Pepper said. “This baby’s sitting on my bladder.”
“I’ll go with you,” Samantha said. “I want to check my face.”
Payton nodded. “Me too.”
“Use the executive washroom,” Brodie said and handed Payton his keycard.
“I don’t really want to walk all the way back upstairs.” Pepper pointed to the Ladies’ sign. “That one’s fine.”
“Yoohoo, Payton!”
Payton heard her mother and turned toward the sound of her voice. “Mum? What are you doing here?”
“It just so happened I was quite close, so thought I’d pop in and say hello.” Her mother gave a quick curtsy and smiled giddily at the group. “Sire, it’s wonderful to see you.”
Kade smiled. “Lovely to see you as well, Phyllis.”
Phyllis gave Brodie an awkward kiss on the cheek. “Welcome to the family, Your Highness.”
“Thank you,” Brodie said.
“Excuse me, please,” Pepper said, and headed to the restroom. Sam followed her.
Phyllis sighed. “I remember those days. I so enjoyed being pregnant. Especially with you, Payton. You were such an easy child.”
What is she doing? She’s creeping me out.
Brodie took her hand. I have no bloody clue.
“Is there something I can do for you, Mum? We were just getting ready to leave, actually.”
“Och, sorry, love,” Phyllis said. “I don’t mean to interrupt you. I thought you and I could talk for just a minute. I want to get your opinion on something. But first, I think I should use the lavatory. We can talk on the way.”
“Okay,” Payton said slowly, giving Brodie a questioning glance.
Payton followed her mother into the bathroom, but instead of heading toward the stalls, Phyllis took Payton’s hand and pulled her toward the private sitting room just next to them. Her mother then pulled out her compact and began to apply powder to her face.
Payton grew impatient. “So, what did you want to ask me?”
He mother closed the compact and dropped it into her purse. “Oh, nothing, dear daughter. You’re going to listen, or your friends are going to die.”
“What?” A nervous giggle escaped, sounding a bit like a snort. Brodie! she projected. She’s gone mental.
“I am no longer willing to live with your disrespect, young lady.”
Payton’s mouth dropped open. “I have no idea what you’re talking about.”
“You didn’t even invite me to your mökun móttöku!” Phyllis wagged a finger angrily at Payton. “I raised you better than that!”
“I’m leaving.” Payton moved toward the door, but her mother grabbed her arm. “Ow.”
Phyllis squeezed tighter. “Your queen and her spice friend are right now being subdued in order to bring about a little change. If you don’t convince Kade and your mate to release Annis, both of them will die.”
“What did you do?” Payton asked in horror.
The door slammed open and a furious Brodie filled the opening. “What the hell is going on?”
“I don’t know,” Payton said, and tried to put as much distance as she could between her and her mother, but she wouldn’t let her go. “Mum’s done something.”
“Release her,” Brodie ordered.
“No,” Phyllis said with a sneer.
With a speed that shocked even Payton, she found herself separated from her mother and Brodie’s hand was wrapped around Phyllis’s throat. Payton could see her mother’s face turning red, and grabbed for Brodie. “No! Don’t kill her. Something’s not right. Brodie, please. Let her go.”
Brodie released her mother and Phyllis rubbed her throat, gasping for air. The sounds of running could be heard even with the door closed, although Payton was surprised no one was yelling.
Brodie moved to stand in front of Payton, his hand around her wrist for comfort. Payton dropped her forehead onto his back and took several deep breaths.
“What have you done?” Brodie demanded.
Phyllis continued to rub her throat. “I want my daughter released from that hellhole and returned to where she belongs.”
“Annis and Baldvin’s fates are sealed, Phyllis. You know this,” Brodie said.
Phyllis shrugged. “Then your sisters-in-law die.”
“Brodie!” The urgent bellow of Kade sounded through the door.
Brodie pulled the door open. “In here, Kade.”
* * *
Kade rushed inside. “Jet has Sam and Pepper cornered.”
“Where?” Brodie asked.
“In there,” Kade said, nodding to the closed door next to the receiving room. Connall stood outside the bathroom, his hands on top of his head, pacing and muttering under his breath.
“Shite,” Brodie snapped, and turned to Phyllis. “What did you do?”
“I simply made a deal with a man that would work for both of us,” Phyllis said.
“How the hell did you get mixed up with Jet?” Brodie snapped.
“Serendipity, I would imagine.”
“You did this?” Kade snapped. “Why?”
“Because you wouldn’t!” Phyllis scowled at the king. “I want my child and her mate released, or your mate will die.”
“You’re bloody mental if you think any of this going to work,” Brodie snapped, and moved to grab her.
“Uh, uh, uh.” Phyllis held up a cell phone. “If I don’t call every four minutes to check in, they’re instructed to kill them.”
“Who are ‘they’?” Payton asked.
Phyllis smiled. “Friends.”
Payton took a deep breath. “Does Da know you’re here?”
“Your father is an idiot, Payton. I thought for certain you would have figured that out by now.”
Brodie squeezed Payton’s wrist. Don’t take the bait, love.
He peeked in the hall and frowned. “Why are you pacing, Connall? Get in there,” Brodie snapped.
“Oh, why didn’t I think of that?” he retorted, his sarcasm dripping with anger. “The bastard’s barricaded the door.”
“Let me try,” Brodie said.
“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 Brodie’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.