Chapter 24
Chapter Twenty-Four
Mason stood outside the cottage in the morning sunlight, staring at the mobile in his hand rather than the scenery.
He had been debating calling Billings. Mason wanted to check in on him and see how the rest of the staff was doing, but the butler had no idea Mason was now in Scotland, and though he wished to talk to Billings, he didn’t want to give anyone listening to the call any information.
Which is why he still stared at the phone.
Billings knew the house and estate better than anyone.
He would keep the staff safe while defending the manor and grounds.
Mason didn’t doubt the butler for a moment.
It was his own worry that made him want to reach out.
Thomas knew he was on Skye, but that wouldn’t stop any London Druids from descending upon the estate in Mason’s absence.
He blew out a breath and pocketed the mobile. He had thought he was doing the right thing by keeping everyone in the dark, but he might have only put them in more danger. If Billings had known, he could’ve prepared.
Mason’s gaze swept over the landscape. Wildflowers were blooming, their bright colors drawing his eyes. A gust rushed past him so hard he swayed. The wind never seemed to stop. Above him, the sun did its best to penetrate the clouds that would certainly bring more rain soon.
The weather might be inhospitable, but the striking terrain more than made up for it.
Skye would be special, even if there was no magic.
As if the isle had been made specifically to bring wonderment and admiration from all who had the privilege to behold her magnificence.
He was one of the few, and he could honestly say that he was forever changed by being here.
He wondered what his parents would think of their children breaking London’s most supreme rule by being on the isle. Would they have banished him and Ferne if they were still alive? At one time, he had believed he knew the answer. Now, he wasn’t so sure. His parents had had many secrets.
His dad had trained him and Carlyle for a reason, and it wasn’t as a hobby or just in case something ever happened.
It was as if his father had known he and Carlyle would need to know how to defend themselves against Thomas.
Mason had asked his dad several times why they were put through such intense training, but his father had never divulged anything.
The thought of his friend had Mason pulling out the mobile again.
Carlyle answered immediately. “I thought you might ring.”
“Did you? Why?”
“Being here is making you think about the past,” Carlyle answered. “Specifically, your dad.”
Mason twisted his lips. “How did you know?”
“It’s what happened to me.”
“Did Dad ever tell you why he trained us?”
The sound of a door closing came through the phone before Carlyle said, “No. Did he share it with you?”
“No, and I asked many times.”
“What I can tell you is that the obstacles he put us through got me through headquarters to Song. If he hadn’t run us through that course as relentlessly as he did, she’d be dead. And I right along with her.”
Mason squeezed his eyes closed for a heartbeat. “Why didn’t he or Mum tell us more?”
“The same reason you kept what you were doing from everyone.”
“I thought I was doing what was right.”
Carlyle grunted. “So did your parents. It’s done. All of it. There’s no sense staying in the past.”
“I know.” It was good advice, but it might take Mason a while to actually do it. “I need to talk to Billings.”
“I wouldn’t do that if I were you.”
Mason shook his head, his frustration festering. “London knows where I am.”
“I can guarantee that they’re at the estate already. They’re simply waiting for you to call so they can threaten everyone there. And before you say you need to go back, let me state for the record that it would be a stupid idea.”
“So, I’m just supposed to stay here protected while they suffer?” Mason bit out angrily.
Carlyle chuckled. “Of course not. There are a few ways we can get to the estate without London discovering.”
“Then count me in. That is my staff and home, and I need to be there. If only to ensure no one is being harmed. Unless you still think I’m working with your father.”
There was a beat of silence before Carlyle said, “Thomas might have supplied the sperm, but he isn’t a father. I believe your and Rowen’s stories, but I want to make it clear that if we do this, I’ll be the one making the decisions. If I say we have to go, we go. No arguments.”
Mason clenched his jaw. It had been a long time since anyone had ordered him about, and he chafed at the idea. Yet the opportunity to visit with Billings was too great to resist. “Then tell me who I need to speak with. Either I go with you, or I return home today by car.”
“Stubborn wanker,” Carlyle mumbled. “You need to talk to Rhona. Come back to the manor so we can discuss logistics. Is Rowen returning to America?”
“As of last night, she has decided to remain.”
Carlyle made a noise at the back of his throat. “Really? I thought for sure she’d be on a plane home today.”
“She’s made of stronger stuff than that.”
“As she keeps proving.”
Mason recalled their plans the night before. “She and I wish to tour the isle today to get more accustomed to the important places. What time should we be at the manor for the trip to England?”
“I’ll let you know soon.”
The moment the line disconnected, Mason dialed Ferne. The call went to voicemail. Just when he’d convinced himself that she didn’t want to talk to him, her name lit up his screen.
“I was getting out of the shower,” Ferne said breathlessly when he answered. “Is everything all right? There isn’t any trouble, is there?”
“We’re good. Rowen and I want to take a look around Skye, and I was hoping you’d join us to point out important locations. Plus, I’d like to spend some time with you.”
There was a brief pause before she said, “That sounds doable. Let me finish getting ready.”
“I don’t think Rowen is up yet.” He turned to look at the house over his shoulder, hoping he’d see her in the window as he had the day before. The sight of her framed in the glass, watching him, had made his blood race.
“That’s fine. Let her sleep. I’ll head to you once I’m dressed.”
Mason smiled. “Sounds good. I’ll see you soon.”
He felt lighter than he had in weeks as he made his way to the cottage and entered through the back door.
Instantly, his gaze landed on Rowen, who looked up as she set aside the tea kettle and offered him a smile.
She had chosen a navy sweater that clung to her in all the right—infuriatingly distracting—places.
But it was the way the deep color made her hair burn like fire in the light that struck him the hardest.
She moved about the kitchen without realizing how captivating she was, unaware of the way that rich blue made her skin glow, or how the curve of her neck above the collar called for him to stroke her skin.
The sweater should’ve made her look cozy and safe.
Instead, his thoughts turned dangerously carnal.
He had to turn his mind to something other than what it might be like to kiss her. Or slip his fingers beneath the hem of that maddening sweater and push it up and over her head to get a glimpse of her wondrous curves. Bugger it. He was in trouble.
“Did you sleep well?” he asked.
A small frown marred her brow. “I slept hard, but I had weird dreams.”
It wasn’t her words that alarmed him, but the concern that filled her eyes. “Weird how?”
She took a drink, looking at him over the rim of the cup. “I heard someone talking in my head.”
“I confess that after the stories we heard last night, I had some pretty weird dreams of my own.”
“That’s true,” she said softly, her gaze dropping to the floor.
Mason’s worry grew the longer he watched her. She was leaving something out. “Whatever it is, you can tell me.”
She blinked and looked up at him, waving off his words. “I’m sure it was just lack of sleep from before, coupled with the shock of learning everything.”
He wasn’t buying it, but he decided not to push. For the moment, at least. Trauma had thrown them together, but they didn’t know each other. Not really. “I spoke with Ferne. She’ll be here in a bit to take us on a tour if you’re still up for it.”
“You bet,” Rowen replied with a smile. “I saw some of Skye when we drove in, but I’m awake now.”
He grinned. “Meaning, you weren’t before.”
She rolled her eyes. “Ha. Ha. Very funny.” Then she wrinkled her nose. “But I kinda wasn’t.”
“We’re both in one piece. You won’t hear me complaining about anything. Are you hungry?”
“I had some toast while you were outside. You seemed rather intent on your phone.”
He sank onto a stool. “I was debating calling the estate.”
“Did you?”
“Not yet. I called Carlyle instead.”
She nodded, holding her mug close to her body. “It’s good that you two are talking. At least, I assume you are.”
“We are,” he said with a grin. “He thinks London is already at the estate, waiting for me to call so they can threaten the staff.”
“I could see that being a possibility. What are you going to do?”
“After we see Skye, I’m heading to the manor. Carlyle said they have ways to get me to the estate without London knowing.”
She blinked, clearly startled by his words.
“The danger there is real, and I won’t drag you into that,” he said. “It’s not a question of trust. I think we’ve established how much I trust you. It’s about ensuring that London doesn’t get near you again.”
She drew in a deep breath and slowly released it. Her voice was soft and low when she asked, “Is going back wise?”
Mason shrugged, shaking his head. “I don’t know, but it’s what I have to do. It’s my home, and those working for me are my responsibility. They shouldn’t be harmed because of who they work for.”
“Do you intend to come back here?”
“Absolutely.”
She looked away, uncertainty furrowing her brow. “Good.”