Chapter 30
After a humongous breakfast of eggs, back bacon, link sausage, toast, baked beans, tea and tattie scones, Ian, Colton and Angus excused themselves, leaving Zane and David, Dakota and Slate, and Logan and Kieran at the table.
Calling Jackson, Logan told him the prisoners had been flown out and asked if a complaint had been filed.
Once his twin confirmed that it had, he hung up, promising to call later.
Logan then turned to Zane. “Are you returning to the hotel now that David is out of danger?”
“Yup.” Zane grinned. “But my mate isn’t out of danger, yet.”
“Shit, don’t tell me there are more men looking for him?”
“Nope…well, yes, not men but a woman and I need help.”
“This woman, is she in Scotland? Should I call Groose to warn him about her?” asked Logan.
“No need because she’s in Italy, as far as we know, right, David?” Zane asked, turning to his mate for confirmation.
“Yes, I’m sure she’s still at the Convent of the Sisters of the Four Gods,” David answered.
“A nun is after David?” Logan asked, confused at what he’d heard.
“No, bro, not a nun…a High Priestess. Look, it’s a long story so can it wait till we get back to the hotel?” asked Zane.
“Sure, but we won’t be leaving here until tonight,” replied Logan.
“Why not sooner?” asked David.
“Because my dragon needs the cover of darkness to fly so humans are not calling the authorities to report a UFO,” answered Logan.
Giggling, Kieran said, “Can you picture an airline pilot trying to explain seeing a dragon flying with us on its back? I bet his company would think he’d gone round the bend.”
David’s jaw dropped and his eyes opened wide when he realized he’d be aboard the dragon with the rest of them when Logan flew them back to the hotel. “I didn’t know Logan was a dragon, I thought he was a wolf. Can you really sit on a dragon? How do you keep from falling off?”
“My mate is a wolf shifter but the Fates gave him the gift of shapeshifting so he could help me.” Kieran grinned.
Looking at Zane, David said, “You didn’t tell me that.”
“Righto. I guess I was sidetracked because all I could think of was claiming you,” Zane laughed, his hands finding David’s ticklish spots.
“But I promise I’ll tell you about everyone’s gifts when we get back to the hotel.
Okay? And by the way, to answer your question, I’ll be holding you so you won’t fall off. ”
David nodded, giving his mate a shy smile before he asked, “So we’ll be riding his dragon tonight?”
Glancing at his brother who nodded, Zane said, “If you want to, or we can just bop back.”
“Oh, no! I’d love to ride a dragon! My mother read me books about dragons and I always dreamed of meeting one!” exclaimed David, his excitement mounting.
“Then you’ll want to talk to Fionn,” Logan said. “He’s a real dragon. I only shapeshift into one when we need to get somewhere quickly or breathe fire or…”
“Macushla, I have a great idea!” Kieran interrupted enthusiastically. “Maybe…”
Zane groaned, “Oh, no, not another one!”
“Hush, I want to hear it,” David said, batting his mate’s arm.
“Thank you,” said Kieran, continuing on.
“I thought maybe Fionn would like to go flying with us some night. I’m sure he hasn’t done that in a long time,” Kieran said, looking at Logan.
“And it’s not good for his dragon to be kept pent up because the longer Fionn does that the more likely he’ll shift at the wrong time and, with his father dead, he doesn’t have to fear him anymore and I think he’d feel better if you went with him, you know, so he’s not alone. ”
Contemplating his mate’s words for a few seconds, Logan said, “And you think it will help get him out of his depression?”
“I’m hoping it will, macushla,” replied Kieran, then turning to David. “Would you like to come with us, David?”
“Oh, yes! Can we? Please…” David asked his mate.
Zane smiled, happy to see the joy in his mate’s face. “Absolutely, babe! It should be a lot of fun.”
“Yes, it should be fun,” Logan said. “But first we have to take care of this High Priestess thing.”
“Absolutely, macushla,” Kieran said, eyes twinkling with delight.
“Let’s find where the others have gone,” Logan said, “because it’ll soon be time to leave.
” He took Kieran’s hand and led him outside with Zane and David following.
Looking around, Logan spotted three men deep in discussion on the far side of the village center, so he headed there.
When they arrived, the three were exchanging ideas about housing, jobs and improving health care for Ian’s subjects.
Glancing at the new arrivals, Ian smiled and said, “Angus, once we prioritize the projects, then Slate’s company can do the initial assessment of what will be needed regarding supplying power, heat, and water before drawing up a set of blueprints for the hospital and clinic.
Once that’s done, Colton can get to work on the design and layout for it. ”
“Ay, that’s fine, but what aboot the cottages? Some o’ them are in very rundown condition and families are havin’ to share what homes we have,” Angus pointed out.
Slate then joined the conversation. “My company will work on the houses at the same time since the need for both them and the hospital are equally important,” he assured Angus.
“Once the blueprints are finished for the houses, I plan to hire Logan to do the design for them,” Ian said, with a smile. “That is, if Logan wants the job.”
“Are you kidding!” exclaimed Logan, squeezing Kieran’s hand. Babe, will you help me with this project?
Oh thank you so much, macushla, I have loads of ideas!
I’m counting on it, babe.
“Do you have an idea about the timeline?” asked Logan.
“Can I get back to you on that?” replied Slate. “I’ve arranged for my team to be here next week to make an initial survey and, once that’s finished, I’ll have a better idea of what the project will involve.”
Nodding, Logan said, “Great. Let me know once you have a firm one.”
“Ah have one more thing that needs tae be included…a castle fur our king,” Angus said.
Ian’s eyes widened. The last thing he wanted was to waste money on a castle he’d use only a few times a year, if that, especially since his shifters’ needs were so great.
Colton, aware of his mate’s conundrum, asked, “Angus, does it have to be a castle? Why not a house, like the ones Slate’s company will build?”
Angus was quiet while he gathered his thoughts.
Then he said, “When ye father died, the only thing that kept us alive was his promise that ye would return and take yer place as our king.
All these years, on yer birthday, we celebrated and ended the evening with a toast ‘Next year, our King will return tae Scotland.’
“The Scottish Wolves have had a king since the beginning o’ time, a king who we respect, follow ‘n’ obey. We will fight any battle, wage any war, keep any peace for our king because our trust in him is absolute. It’s been that way since the beginning ‘n’ it’s that way now,” Angus said.
“When I told everyone what ye have planned, no one was surprised. They ne’er doubted their king would take care of them, just as ye father did when he gathered up as many Scottish Wolf families as he could tae save them from the war the humans began.
He did whit was necessary fur his people, even if it meant sacrificing his own life.
Why does King Ian need a castle? Fur each stone used tae to build it represents every Scottish Wolf shifter’s loyalty tae their king. ”
Ian blinked his eyes several times trying to hold back the tears caused by Angus’ eloquent words.
Understanding better now, what his kingship meant to his people, made his reluctance about granting Angus’ request fade away.
Instead, he knew a castle would now have to be included in his plans.
Worried about the cost of building one, Ian looked at Colton. “Any suggestions as how to proceed?”
“Well, you already have a castle, so I suggest Slate take a look at it and see what’s needed to make it livable again,” replied Colton.
“That’s true, but it’s closer to Inverness,” Ian said.
“Angus, does the castle have to be located here?” asked Slate.
“I don’t know, but it would be better if it were,” Angus said.
“Why don’t you move it?” asked Kieran.
“Move it? A castle? I don’t think it can be done,” said Colton.
“No, Kieran’s right,” said Logan. “I read an article about it not too long ago. Do you know how many houses have been moved? In the early days, when a family wanted to move, their house went with them; now it’s usually done to save an historic building from demolition.”
Slate nodded in agreement. “Dire Enterprises’ construction division has moved a number of buildings through the years. Of course the method has changed but we do it in circumstances just like this. If you want, Ian, I can look into the viability of moving the castle,” he offered.
“Ay, that would be amazin’ if it could be done,” Angus said.
Ian, glancing at Colton and, getting a nod of assent, said, “It would be amazing to be able to preserve our history for future generations. Slate, please go ahead and find out.”
“Ay, once it’s done, then your coronation can tak’ place there,” Angus beamed.
Colton glared at a snickering Logan, Dakota and Zane, knowing the teasing that would be coming his way about his ceremonial role as the king’s consort.
Not that he could blame them; he knew if one of his brothers was in his place, he’d be first in line with the jokes.
Turning to Angus, Colton said, “We were planning to visit the castle in a few days. Would you like to join us?”
Angus’ eyes sparkled at the offer. “Ay, thank ye. It’ll be a pleasure to see it again. Now if we’re done wi’ business, the pack has cooked its traditional feast to celebrate our victory.”
“Oh how exciting,” David said to Zane, smiling, “I wonder if there’s dancing?”
“Ay, there’ll be music and dancin’. Ye can join in, if ye want,” Angus replied.
Shaking his head, David said, “I’ll just watch, if that’s okay.”
“Ay,” Angus smiled, leading the group over to wooden tables scattered around a huge bonfire.
Dakota sniffed at the mouth-watering smells of different foods on the tables and couldn’t wait to try them, hoping to get recipes of the ones he thought his brothers would like most. Leaning into Slate, he murmured, “I can’t believe we’re going to taste some Scottish Wolf traditional dishes.”
Giving his mate’s hand a squeeze, Slate responded, “Maybe something you can include in your book.”
Laughing, Dakota was touched his mate had remembered the cookbook he wanted to write. “Hopefully! It would be a real coup if I could. As far as I knew, all their recipes were lost when humans supposedly wiped them out.”
“Then this is a fortuitous turn of events,” said Slate. “Because if you have any trouble obtaining recipes, I’m sure the king’s consort could help you out,” he chuckled.
“Yup, love those family ties,” Dakota said, laughing, as he took his seat at the center table along with the rest of the group.
~/~/~/~/~
It had taken Tyson all day, but he finally arrived in Tuscany and was now headed for Brenda, who had dinner waiting for him.
Thinking back on his day, he was relieved at how easy his assignment had been, but he wasn’t going to tell his sister that.
Instead, let her think he was able to pull off the hit of the century.
Though his sister never admitted it, Tyson knew she was afraid of Michael and had expected him to betray her at some point.
Getting the kill order told him she was right to be suspicious of her partner, but now he had to be careful not to give her a reason to do the same to him.
Staring out the car window as it sped toward the Convent of the Sisters of the Four Gods, he thought about David.
Tyson remembered what David told Michael before the battle, but had he really been rejected by his mate?
The huge, white wolf he caught a glimpse of before dodging the blade of a kilted warrior diverted his attention from Michael and, from that point on, survival was uppermost in his mind.
It was just luck that Michael stumbled past him in his human form, catching his eye.
After throwing off another attacker, Tyson ran into the woods, easily picking up his boss’s scent.
Then, it was just a matter of time until an opportunity presented itself for the kill.
Tyson came out of his reverie when the car stopped and he got out. Looking up at the imposing stone building, he realized how far he and Brenda had come. His sister greeted him and, after kissing her on the cheek, they hugged each other. “Good to see you again,” he murmured.
“Hello, Ty, I’m so glad you could visit me. I hope you’re hungry because dinner is ready. We’ll eat in my quarters, if that’s all right,” Brenda said.
“Perfect,” Tyson replied, following his sister through the door and up the stairs.
Passing a priestess-in-training, Brenda smiled, but said nothing until they were behind the locked door of her rooms. Then, whirling around, she lunged into her brother’s arms, hugging and kissing him. Finally, drawing back, she said, “I’m so glad you weren’t hurt. Did he put up much of a fight?”
“Nope, I snuck up on him from behind. He never saw it coming, but I did let him know you were alive and I was your brother.”
“You didn’t!” Brenda exclaimed. “Oh, my god, I bet that surprised the asshole.”
“Sure did. I have to hand it to you sis, you had him pegged right. But how did you know who he hired to kill you?”
“Remember Vinnie?”
“The kid you used to give free blowjobs to?”
“Yeah… Well, he’s one of my regulars so when Michael approached him to do the job, Vinnie called me about what he should do. I asked him how much he was getting paid, and then I tripled his fee, so it was a no-brainer for him.”
“Fucking brilliant, sis, fucking brilliant. Shit, he was so stupid to hire someone local.”
“Indeed, he was,” mused Brenda, before continuing, “but his biggest mistake was thinking I was dumb.”
“True,” Tyson agreed. “So, what about David? I have a lot to tell you about what happened.”
“Good. Let’s eat first. Then we can get down to business.”