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.”
“And Jet?” Payton asked.
“Oh, he was dealt with,” Connall said, his voice dipped low in anger. “He’ll never see the light of day, and he’ll never bother anyone again.”
“What happens now? With my mother and Alice, and such?” Payton asked.
“They’re gone,” Alasdair said, and checked his watch. “They flew out two hours ago to Pohnpei. We have one Cauld Ane and one human guarding them, but they are dosed with Red Fang and on a constant drip of it until they are placed into the holding facility. Annis and Baldvin are with them, as are Shannon, Anna, and Alexander. They’ll die there, lass. You’ll never have to worry about them again.”
Payton nodded. “What about my father?”
“Your father is making a few changes,” Kade said, gently. “I know he’d like to tell you about them himself, but has given me permission to fill you in if you’d rather not wait.”
She shook her head. “No, it’s fine. I’m happy to wait.”
“Do you have any questions?” Alasdair asked.
Payton shook her head again. “Thank you so much for telling me in person.”
“Of course,” Alasdair asked. “We’ll leave you now and let you spend some time with your family.”
Brodie rose to his feet. “I’ll walk you out.”
Dalton kissed his sister on the cheek and followed the group out. Suddenly, nausea overwhelmed Payton and she made a rush for the bathroom.
“Pay?” Brodie pushed open the door and knelt beside her. “What’s wrong?”
“Just sick,” she said, and stood. She washed her face and hands and then gripped her stomach again.
“Did you eat something off?” he asked.
She shook her head. “I don’t think so. Just give me a minute, okay?”
Brodie nodded and stepped out of the room, pulling the door closed behind him. When Payton felt as though the nausea had passed, she opened the door again, to find Kade and Brodie standing in the hallway.
“Brodie said you’re unwell,” Kade said, and laid his hand on her forehead. “No fever.”
“No, I’m fine. I’m probably just tired and overwrought.”
Kade raised an eyebrow and hovered his hand over her stomach. “May I?”
Payton shrugged. “Ah, sure.”
Kade laid his hand on her belly and closed his eyes, a slow smile forming on his face within seconds. “Nope, not sick.”
Payton gasped. “Am I…?”
“Aye, lass, you’re pregnant.”
“What?” Brodie asked, his mouth gaping open. “Really?”
“Aye.” Kade grinned. “You’ll want to get in to see Gillian as soon as possible.”
Payton’s sister was one of the best doctors within the Cauld Ane, and often sought out. Brodie let out a whoop, and the rest of the family rushed to see what all the hoopla was about.
“We’re having a baby,” Brodie said, and pulled Payton into his embrace. “Loads of bairns,” he whispered.
Payton nodded, her eyes filling with tears. She kissed him, before being pulled in for hug upon hug from her new family. The group made their way back to the receiving room and Payton settled herself on Brodie’s lap.
I love you, Payton Gunnach, Brodie projected as he stroked her face and kissed her.
I love you, too.
As she laughed and planned with her family, Payton couldn’t believe how blessed she was to be part of such an amazing group of people. They loved her deeply, they would protect her with their lives, and they had her back. She smiled at her mate. He’d made her his world and she was the luckiest girl alive.