Kieran Hendry isn’t unbreakable. He’s hurting. I feel his pain wrapped around me as tangibly as his arms, and only God knows why, but I want to comfort this man. I want to take away his torment.
I freely give him what he asks for. We lie facing one another on the couch, motionless with eyes closed, and silently let the world pass us by. Although he does frighten me, I don’t do it because I’m afraid not to. I do it because it’s what I want to give him.
He showed me his vulnerable side. And I feel certain that it’s a part of himself that he’s never shown to another woman. Brothers don’t do that.
He touches my cheek, and I open my eyes. “I killed four men today.”
Killing is part of our world. I know that brothers do it and often, but none of them have ever spoken to me about it. I’m not sure how I feel about hearing these things.
“They were forming a rebellion against us—my family and I.” He pauses a moment. “I heard the leader tell the group that they needed to kill you.”
Kill me? What the actual fuck?
I might wonder what I’d ever done to deserve a sentence like that, but I already know the answer: I’m a Breckenridge. Guilty by birth if nothing else.
“I was already going to kill them, but something snapped in me when I heard that fucker threaten your life.” Kieran cradles the side of my face and caresses my cheek with his thumb. “I’ll never hesitate to kill for you.”
I know it’s wrong. I shouldn’t like hearing him say that he’s willing to go to that extreme for me, but I do like it. I like it a lot.
His eyes are locked on mine when I lick my lips and lean forward to press them to his. Just the surface of lips on lips until we simultaneously open and our tongues find one another. I press my palms to his chest and circle his pecs through his shirt, feeling the firm muscle beneath my hands. So hard. So strong. So masculine.
I can’t believe how nervous I feel. The butterflies in my stomach are alive and fluttering out of control. Electrifying tingles are bouncing back and forth between my nipples and knees.
Our kiss is slow, seductive, and sultry until Kieran grabs the back of my head and pulls me closer, deepening our kiss. My body has a mind of its own, squirming against his. He rises to a sitting position and pulls me with him, lifting me to sit atop him, my legs straddling his body. I’ve never been wrapped around a man this way.
His hands move to my bum and his fingertips dig into my hips through my pants. He pulls my body against his and rocks. Hard. Dry humping me. I hold on tightly and move in counterpoint. It’s nothing but instinct. And there isn’t a single cell in my body that’s not on fire for him. “This is wrong,” I whisper.
“Doing it isn’t wrong when it’s with your intended.” Kieran gets up from the sofa and holds me around my waist, carrying me from the sitting area to his bed. “I am your intended.” He lowers my body to the bed and crawls over me, nestling between my thighs. “Let me claim you, Westlyn. I swear that I will make it so fucking good for you.”
This man has flipped a switch inside me. Ice-cold to red-hot. Polar opposites. The war between my body and mind is a crazy and unbelievable clash, and I don’t know which one is stronger.
Kieran Hendry is a stranger. How is it possible for me to want to give him my body? Hand over a piece of myself to him forever?
“I want to, but…”
He places a finger to my lips. “No buts.”
“I can’t do this until I’ve spoken to my family.”
Kieran tilts his head and sighs. “That’s not going to happen, doll.”
“You are a leader. You can make it happen if you want.”
“I’m not the leader. My father is, and he’s made his decision. There will be a marriage treaty between The Order and The Fellowship.”
“I’m not saying no. There can still be a treaty, but I want to speak with Thane and Sin before there’s no going back.”
“There’s already no going back. You’re mine, and I’m not asking for Thane and Sin’s permission to take you.”
“Forcing their hand this way doesn’t seem like a very good way to begin a treaty.”
“What do you think Thane and Sin would say if we asked them to hand you over to be my bride?”
The point Kieran is making is a legitimate one. Thane and Sin would never freely give me to them.
“You’re not answering because you know I’m right.”
“Why propose then? Why make a production of getting down on your knee and giving me your grandmother’s ring if I don’t have a choice?” I look at the diamond on my finger and wonder if he made up the whole thing about his grandmother. “Did this even belong to her?”
“Yes, it did. And I proposed in a traditional manner because I want this marriage to be real. I want you to marry me because you said yes. Not because I claimed you by force and you had no choice.”
“I met you last night, not even under half-decent circumstances, and you expect me to sleep with you less than twenty-four hours later so that we’ll be bound to one another until death do we part. That’s not how normal marriages begin.”
“We aren’t normal people. They don’t write romance novels about our way of life because there’s nothing romantic about it. But I’m trying my damnedest because I don’t want you to hate me. I want a chance at making this relationship be as normal and real as possible.”
I actually believe him. “I appreciate that you’re trying, but I need you to be sensitive to the fact that I’ve been stolen from my home and my people. I’m in a strange place with a man who told me he was going to beat and rape me but now expects me to happily give him my virginity. I need time.”
“I want to give you what you need. I swear I do, but my job as leader is to ensure that this treaty happens. That means claiming you before you leave our compound. I have to ensure our union.”
I know that Arabella Hendry’s loyalty lies with Kieran and this brotherhood, but she’s been in my shoes. I hope she can give me encouraging words even if every one coming from her mouth is deceptive. “I want to see your mother.”
He beams. “That’ll make her very happy; she’s eager to meet you.”
I’ve just floundered with Kieran on the couch and bed. I’m sure I look a mess. “I need a moment to make myself presentable.”
He moves to get up but first leans forward to kiss my forehead. “No worries. You look beautiful.”
Dammit. Why can’t he just be an asshole all the time? He’s giving me whiplash.
I’m a bit fresher and feeling slightly more confident about my appearance when there’s a knock at the door. I stand tall and straighten my clothing—the clothes that this woman chose for her anticipated daughter-in-law.
“Come in.”
Oh. It’s Mrs. Bruce. “Mrs. Hendry is ready to receive Miss Breckenridge.”
Silly of me to think Arabella would come to her son’s bedroom to talk to me when there’s an entire compound.
“Thank you, Nan.”
“Would you like me to take her to Mrs. Hendry’s sitting room?”
“Thank you, but I think I’ll take her.”
The sitting room is on the opposite side of the compound, so I get my first look at the interior. It’s nothing like my parents’ home; my mother has ostentatious taste. Everything in this house has clean lines. I like it. “If this marriage happens, would we live here?”
“This marriage is going to happen, and when it does I’m going to buy you any home you want and shamefully spoil you.”
“Another MO for convincing me that this marriage is a good idea?”
“Maybe.”
Kieran knocks on a door, and a soft, feminine voice calls out for us to come in. I’m surprised by the woman I see when we enter the sitting room. She looks much too young to have a twenty-eight-year-old son. I also wasn’t expecting a fair-haired blonde with pale blue eyes, considering her son’s dark hair and eyes. Guess Lennox Hendry must be the dark one of the two.
“Hello, Westlyn.” She gets up from the sofa and meets me in the middle of the room. “It’s lovely to meet you.”
Arabella Grieves Hendry looks nothing like her evil brother, Torrence Grieves. Her face is youthful, her eyes kind, her smile warm and welcoming. “It’s lovely to meet you, Mrs. Hendry.”
“None of that Mrs. Hendry stuff. Please… call me Ara.”
My brotherhood has been at war with hers for years. It doesn’t feel natural to call her by such a personal name.
“I’m sure you’re feeling out of sorts, but I’m pleased that you’ve asked for me.” She looks at Kieran. “I think we’re all good here. I’ll return her to you when we’re finished talking.”
“Enjoy your girl talk.” Kieran goes to his mum and kisses the side of her face before moving closer to whisper something in her ear.
Arabella leans away from him and smiles. “Kieran Bryce…” She smacks his arm. “You are so bad. Get out of here.”
Only a few minutes into this meeting and I can already see that Arabella and Kieran have a loving mother-son relationship. Certainly not what you expect to see in a man who killed four men this morning.
He leaves, and his mum goes to her minibar. “I know it’s still early, but would you care for a whisky? Might ease your nerves.”
“I could stand a drink.” Or twelve.
She fills the glass two fingers high, just like every other whisky drinker I know. “The best conversations always begin with whisky.”
“That’s what I hear although I’m not much of a whisky drinker.”
“I only keep the dark stuff. This life calls for it more often than I like. I can send for wine if that’s what you prefer.”
“No. Whisky is probably the better drink choice for this conversation.”
“Probably.” She moves to the chair, and I sit across from her on the sofa. She takes a drink of her whisky and looks at me. “You’re a very lovely girl.”
“Thank you.”
“When Nox told Kieran that he had to take you as his wife, he built you up to be some kind of ogre in his mind. Needless to say, he was relieved when he saw you for the first time.”
“I’m glad he doesn’t find me comparable to an ogre.”
“I’ve never seen my son like this. He’s very taken with you, but I’m curious about the way you are feeling toward him.”
“I’m puzzled by what I feel.” I don’t know how to explain what’s happening in my head.
“Your body is betraying your head. He touches you and you respond, and you don’t know why. Your mind tells you it’s wrong because you don’t know him, because he abducted you, because he’s your enemy. But you find yourself wanting him, regardless of those things. You feel weak, which makes you angry with yourself.”
“Yes. That’s exactly it.”
“Darlin’, I understand everything you’re feeling right now. I lived it twenty-nine years ago. No one comprehends what you’re going through right now more than I do.”
“Kieran tells me that I don’t have a choice. And that I won’t leave this compound without being claimed, by force if need be.”
“My situation was very similar. I was barely eighteen when my father told me I was going to marry Nox.” That only makes her forty-seven.
“Were you angry?”
“Angry doesn’t cover it. I was pissed off, mostly because I fancied myself in love with a boy from The Order. I hated my father. I hated the man he was forcing me to marry. I hated the world and everyone in it. I thought my life was over… and then I met Nox.” Her lips form an O and a whistle leaves her mouth. “My God… that man did things to me. Pissed me off. Turned me on. I didn’t know if I was coming or going.”
Sounds familiar. “How long did you have from the time you met until he claimed you?”
“Three days.”
Her situation is more like mine than I thought. “I was under the impression you had more time together.”
“I was told about the treaty around a week before Nox came for me. I had a little more time than you to get used to the idea. And I also had my family’s encouragement.”
“You were claimed… voluntarily?”
“I left out the best part.” She giggles, making her seem even younger. “Nox spent every minute of our first three days together pursuing me. Romancing me. Winning me over. The man was the master of seduction. By day three, I was ready to jump into bed with him. And that’s exactly what I did. Mmm… I enjoyed the hell out of it, too. Often. I was already pregnant with Kieran by the time we married a month later… just as Nox intended.”
I’ll have the same fate if Kieran has his way.
“You were okay with being pregnant by a man you’d just met?”
“Nox didn’t feel like a stranger for long; I quickly came to accept him as my intended. Everything else just fell into place.”
“Leaders can’t be soft. They must be unmerciful and iron-fisted and hard-hearted. There are times when it’s necessary for them to be cruel and savage. How does that work in your marriage?” I only saw it work one way within my parents’ marriage. My mother never said a single opposing word to my father.
“Nox is an iron fist inside of a velvet glove. Forceful but soft. Strong yet gentle. It’s a delicate balance. He’s also everything else I need him to be. Kind. Respectful. Loving. Protective. And Kieran will be all of those things for you as well.”
That iron fist part worries me. “I’m not submissive by nature. I have a smart mouth.” I grin when I recall what he said about it. “But Kieran says that he likes it.”
“He likes a lot of things about you. You’re in a very good place, considering the circumstances.”
“The biggest difference between your circumstances and mine is that you had your family’s support. Your father told you that you were going to marry Lennox. I haven’t spoken to my family since I was taken, so it doesn’t feel right to accept this fate without a fight.”
“I can understand why you feel that way, but becoming Kieran’s wife is your fate. It’s going to happen with or without your family’s support.”
“Lennox and Kieran decide everything. They can let me see my family. Or at least let me talk to Thane first.”
“Nox and Kieran lead this brotherhood, and they do make all of the decisions, but your fate is the same if you speak to your uncle or not. This was a very well-thought-out plan. It’s been decided, and there’s no going back.”
Arabella can’t help me. I’m seeing that now.
“Don’t fight this, Westlyn. Don’t fight him. Willingly give yourself to Kieran. Make it an experience you’ll always remember for pleasant reasons. Not dreadful ones.”
Arabella speaks fondly about her claiming. It wasn’t a horrid experience for her. Maybe it can be enjoyable for me too.
“You’ve not met Nox?”
“I haven’t.”
“I think it’s time you meet your father-in-law.”
Lennox Hendry. The Order leader. My father-in-law. That’s more than just a little bit intimidating.
Arabella picks up her phone. “Is Kieran with you?” She pauses. “I think so but…” Arabella looks at me and smiles. “I really believe that this transition would go much smoother if she were able to call home first.” Another pause. “Don’t go anywhere. We’re coming to you.”
Oh my goodness. I can’t believe that she just encouraged Lennox to allow me to call home. “Thank you for doing that.”
“Calling home won’t change anything, but it could ease your mind going into it. I want to give you that if at all possible.”
“Thank you, Ara. I really appreciate it.”
“He didn’t say yes… but he also didn’t say no. We’ll see.”
Arabella leads me down a hallway and then a staircase to a room located in a basement. Dull. Dark. Dreary. I think it’s The Order conference room.
Every man at the table stands when Arabella and I enter. Five pairs of eyes on me. It’s unnerving.
I immediately know who Lennox Hendry is based upon appearance alone. Salt and pepper hair. Sable eyes. Tall and broad. An older version of Kieran. “Miss Breckenridge, I’m Lennox. It is a pleasure to meet you.”
“Nice to meet you.” Not really, but it’s the cordial thing to say. And I don’t wish to anger him if he’s considering letting me call my family. “You have a lovely home.”
“It still doesn’t feel like home, but I’m sure that will come in time.”
“Edinburgh is a wonderful place to live. Have you been able to explore much?”
“Bella and Shaw have done some exploring.” He calls his wife Bella. Makes him seem more human.
Arabella’s gaze shifts from her husband to me. “We’ve explored a little, but we’d like to do more. Maybe it’ll be safe to do so after the treaty is in effect.”
I want to tell Arabella that she and Shaw could explore as much as they like, and The Fellowship wouldn’t bother them. Hurting women and children isn’t our way. That’s been the MO of The Order. Fellowship women are the ones who’ve been in danger.
“The boys and I have been too occupied with settling brotherhood business to see much of the city.” Lennox gestures toward the other men around the table. “These are our other sons, Maddock, Calder, and Carson.” Maddock and Calder look like Lennox and Kieran, but Carson is fair and favors Arabella.
We exchange polite banter about it being nice to meet one another, but I don’t miss the way each of them is looking at me. Unsettling to have all of these eyes on me at once.
“Boys, your mum and I have a private matter to discuss with Kieran and Westlyn. We’ll adjourn for now and pick up with this again tomorrow.”
Kieran’s brothers file out, but not before one punches him in the arm. “You lucky fucker.”
“Tell me about it.”
The same brother, I think Maddock, stops in the doorway. “Do any of the other Fellowship women look like you?”
“People say that my sister and I look alike.” He doesn’t need any ideas about taking Evanna, and I know one sure way to discourage him. “But she’s in love with someone. She’s already given herself to him.”
“Fuck, that’s too bad.”
There are plenty of attractive single Fellowship women, but I’m not telling him that. This brotherhood doesn’t need more motivation for abducting another one of us.
Arabella waits until her other sons are gone. “What do you think, Nox? Would it be okay for Westlyn to call her family? Maybe just for a few minutes?” Lennox sits in his chair and taps his index and middle fingers against the table while looking at me. “I ask on her behalf because after speaking to Westlyn, I believe it would allow things to progress naturally and more smoothly between Kieran and her.”
Lennox sighs. “You think it would move the claiming along?”
“I do.” Arabella goes to the table and sits beside her husband. She places her hand over his. “I was in her shoes once. You remember how frightened I was? That’s multiplied for Westlyn. She was kidnapped by her enemy. She knows none of us, but I’m certain she must think the worst. An encouraging word from her family would go a long way.”
“What happens if she calls and the person on the other end orders her to die before submitting?”
“They aren’t The Order. The Fellowship is reasonable. No one is going to tell her to do that.”
“You don’t know that.”
“We know how the conversation will go if she calls Isobel,” Kieran says.
“Please, Nox. It’s what we would want for Shaw if the situation were reversed.” Arabella squeezes Lennox’s hand. “You’re going to deliver our daughter into their hands soon. Please show one of theirs kindness, so the favor will be returned when they have Shaw.”
Lennox lifts Arabella’s hand and kisses the top. “You’re right, Bella. We have to think of Shaw and the way we want her to be treated after she goes to them.” He looks at me. “You may speak to Isobel, but in front of us and on speaker. We can’t give you privacy.”
“Thank you.”
Kieran takes my phone from his jacket pocket and holds it out. I can’t believe it’s been within my reach all this time. Not that it would have done me much good if I’d gotten my hands on it. “Thank you.”
I’m not at all surprised when Isobel answers on the first ring. “Wes?”
“It’s me.”
“Oh, darlin’, I knew ye were safe, but I’m still relieved to hear yer voice. Can ye tell me what’s happening?”
I want to verify Kieran’s story and see if he really spoke with Isobel or if he was lying to persuade my decision. “Kieran told me that he and his father spoke with you last night?”
“We spoke briefly.”
Okay. He was telling the truth about that much. “And you know about the marriage treaty? That they want me to marry Lennox and Arabella’s oldest son?”
“I’m aware, and I fully support yer union to him. I’m well acquainted with Lennox, and I trust him. Yer marriage tae his son will bring an end tae the war between oor brotherhoods.”
I can’t look at Kieran when I say the next part. “He’s planning to claim me and I…”
“What is it?”
“It feels wrong to give him my consent without talking to the family since our marriage involves the future of both brotherhoods.”
“Thane has decided that he is going tae agree tae the marriage treaty. One of ye will marry Kieran Hendry, and either Jamie or Mitch will marry their daughter.”
There’s my answer. No more reason to wrestle with indecision or uncertainty. I’m going to give myself to Kieran of my own free will. “Tell everyone to not worry about me. Everything’s going to be okay.”
“Yes, it is. But I need ye tae keep this conversation a secret between us. And also the one I had with Lennox and Kieran last night. Thane would be furious if he knew I interfered.”
“You don’t have to say any more. I understand completely.” Women are viewed as incapable when it comes to Fellowship business. Dumbest shite I ever heard of. But I’m not sure that’s the case here among the Hendrys. Looks to me like Lennox listens to Arabella.
“Will you pass the phone to Lennox?”
“Yes. I love you.”
“I love ye too.”
Kieran and me. We are going to happen and soon, judging by the predatory look in Kieran’s eyes.
He comes to me, takes my hand in his, and tugs me toward the door. “Come.”
This is it. Once this deed is done, it can’t be undone.
I’m his forever.