Shoulder the Skye (Skye Druids #2)(53)
Author: Donna Grant

 

“That’s all I ask,” he said as he pressed the accelerator and continued driving.

 

As he talked about hiring movers for her things, she was already planning on reaching across the distance to Kirsi.

 

 

 

 

 

Pounding on the door interrupted Bronwyn’s work. She irritably glanced at the clock on the laptop, thinking it had only been a few moments, to see it had actually been three hours. She moved the computer aside and got to her feet.

 

Elias stood in the hallway when she approached. He didn’t look her way, and that hurt, but it didn’t change her mind about things. She opened the door to Sabryn, Carlyle, and Finn.

 

“We bring news,” Sabryn said.

 

Bronwyn stepped aside. “Come in.”

 

The three filed into the manor. Before she could say anything, Elias motioned for them to follow him into the library. Bronwyn watched them. She thought about joining but decided it would be better if she didn’t, even if they were talking about Sydney.

 

“You’re not coming?”

 

She turned at the distinguished voice and found Carlyle standing in the open doorway to the library. Bronwyn looked past him to see Elias observing the exchange. “I assumed the four of you wished to talk.”

 

“We do,” Carlyle replied. “But this involves you since what we have to say is about Sydney and his associates. Come,” Carlyle beckoned.

 

Bronwyn thought about the cover she was near to completing. If she was going to face Sydney alone, it would behoove her to have all the information she could. She nodded and walked past Carlyle into the warmth of the library.

 

The room had been one of her favorites as a child. The array of books that lay within reach, each offering a different adventure, the large, stained-glass windows, and the comfort of one of the oversize chairs had been her best friends. She wasn’t sure when the room had lost its luster. Or perhaps she was the one who had changed. Either way, she missed the security the room had given her.

 

Bronwyn sank into one of the chairs she had once curled up in to read and folded her hands in her lap. Sabryn and Finn claimed the sofa while Carlyle stood sentry at the hearth, and Elias leaned against a wall far from her.

 

“First, we want to say how sorry we are about the chickens,” Sabryn said.

 

Bronwyn inclined her head. “Truth be told, I should’ve expected it out of Sydney.”

 

“Do you need help cleaning things up?” Finn asked.

 

Before Bronwyn could answer, Elias said, “I’ve already done it.”

 

Her gaze jerked to him. She hadn’t realized he had gone outside. Then again, she had buried herself in work so she didn’t have to think about the horrid scene. “Thank you,” she told him.

 

Elias shrugged as if it meant nothing when, in fact, it did.

 

Three pairs of eyes watched them closely. Bronwyn got the feeling the trio had deciphered the tension between them without needing to be told specifics. She met Sabryn’s gaze and waited.

 

“Do you know what Sydney was looking for on the estate?” Sabryn asked her.

 

Bronwyn shook her head. “The estate is comprised of about twenty-six acres of land. There is an old hunting cabin, but there isn’t anything left other than the chimney and one stone wall.”

 

“What about entrances to the estate?” Carlyle asked.

 

Bronwyn thought about that, digging through memories. “My great-grandparents once ran sheep. There are most likely gates along some fences to herd the animals from one field to another.”

 

Finn rested his arm along the back of the couch. “I’ve been thinking about that. Sydney and his acquaintances never split up while Carlyle and I trailed them. They didn’t appear to look for anything, but he seemed to know exactly where they were headed.”

 

“And where was that?” Elias asked.

 

Sabryn turned her head to him. “Where you left your car.”

 

“We’d moved it already, though,” Carlyle added.

 

Bronwyn didn’t like any of this. “That means Sydney knows who Elias is.”

 

“That was our thought, as well,” Sabryn replied. “And I think I know who told him.”

 

Elias pushed away from the wall. His hands were in his pockets, and he stood as still as a statue, his irritation palpable. “Who?”

 

“George,” Finn replied.

 

Bronwyn was so taken aback that her mouth fell open.

 

Sabryn nodded as she looked between Elias and Bronwyn. “I followed the group to a café, where they split up. The woman and one of the men headed to the police station, while Sydney and the third man visited none other than Georgina Miller.”

 

“Bloody hell,” Elias murmured.

 

Sabryn licked her lips. “It gets worse. Saber got into the CCTV at the police station again.”

 

“And?” Elias urged when she paused.

 

Sabryn sighed loudly. “All recording devices were shut off prior to the duo issuing statements.”

 

“Fuck me.” Elias angrily raked a hand through his hair.

 

Finn nodded. “That’s exactly what I said.”

 

Carlyle scratched his jaw. “We might not know what was said to the authorities or Georgina, but we didn’t come here empty-handed. Saber was able to identify Sydney’s friends from the pictures Sabryn got.”

 

“Lucy Smith, Thomas Carter, and Jacob MacAfee,” Sabryn said as she turned to Bronwyn. “Do you know any of them?”

 

Bronwyn shook her head. “Sorry, I don’t. It’s been years since I left Sydney.”

 

“We know their names and faces now,” Finn said. “So, how are we going to fight these arses?”

 

Elias met Bronwyn’s gaze. “We’re no’.”

 

Once more, every eye was on her. Bronwyn looked at each of them. “He’s right. I’ve made my stance clear. This is my problem. I caused this, and I’m going to clean it up myself.”

 

“Well, that’s all fine and dandy,” Finn stated as he sat forward, “but you’ve forgotten one thing.”

 

She frowned. “What’s that?”

 

Carlyle crossed his arms over his chest. “They involved us the moment they targeted Elias. We can work together, or we’ll go after Sydney without you.”