Shoulder the Skye (Skye Druids #2)(67)
Author: Donna Grant
He removed the condom and cleaned up before hurriedly dressing, all the while telling himself that it was a simple thing to declare his love to Bronwyn. Simple and easy. There was nothing standing in his way. Not the past, not a person, and certainly not irrational fears.
Elias started to leave when he drew up short. There was something he needed to do. He pulled his mobile from his pocket and dialed the number he had memorized in case of an emergency. It connected on the second ring.
“Rhona, it’s Elias. I want you to know what’s about to occur. No’ because we can no’ handle it, but you have a right to know who can be trusted and who can no’.”
There was a beat of silence. Then she said, “Go on.”
Elias took a deep breath. “I’m at Carwood Manor. I’ve been with Bronwyn since I helped her fend off an attack a few days ago.”
“What?” Rhona asked in shock.
“The man’s name is Sydney Russell. He’s from Inverness. There isna time for specifics. Bronwyn got mixed up with him, and when her father tried to help her, Sydney killed him.”
“Shite,” Rhona whispered.
“Bronwyn’s cousin became involved with Sydney, and Bronwyn took matters into her own hands.”
“That’s why she turned drough.”
“Aye. It’s also why she’s used blood magic. That isna why I’m calling, though. Sydney is working with George to frame me. The man they found at my house was part of the group Sydney brought to Skye to attack Bronwyn. They were verra much alive when I left them.”
Rhona’s voice was fierce and steady when she asked, “When is this battle?”
“Tonight, on the estate. My team is helping Bronwyn, but I wanted you to know that once this is finished, I’m going to Frasier to make my statement and clear my name.”
“We’ll talk about that later,” Rhona hurried to say. “I’m on my way.”
“There’s no need.”
“There’s every need,” she said and hung up.
Elias pocketed his mobile and walked from the room. He found Bronwyn and Carlyle on the main floor. Bronwyn had just finished buttoning her coat when her head swung to him.
“You two had hours, and you chose now for a dalliance?” Carlyle snapped.
Elias shot him a flat look. “Does anyone actually say dalliance anymore?”
“Would you rather I say—?”
“All right, lads,” Bronwyn said over him. She looked pointedly at Elias before sliding her gaze to Carlyle. “We apologize. There were things we needed to say, and we wanted to do it in private.”
Carlyle wiggled his fingers as he pulled on his custom leather gloves. “There will be all the time in the world once we put Sydney and his associates in their places.”
“About that,” Bronwyn said.
Elias quirked a brow. “What’s wrong?”
She licked her lips and played with her gloves. “I’ve been thinking. I know we agreed to capture them and turn them over to the authorities, but if, for some reason, things don’t go according to plan, I’ll be the one to take his life. My life is already forfeit with the blood magic.”
“Absolutely no’,” Elias and Carlyle said in unison.
Bronwyn lifted her chin and locked gazes with Elias. “You’re already under suspicion for murder. I don’t want any of this touching you.”
“Agreed,” Carlyle replied.
Elias turned his head to his friend. “Excuse me?”
Carlyle shrugged. “Sorry, mate, but Finn, Sabryn, and I already decided you won’t be connected to any deaths for the time being.”
“It isna going to matter. We’re capturing them,” Elias said to both Bronwyn and Carlyle.
Carlyle grinned. “Exactly.”
“The plan is a good one. I was just overthinking it,” Bronwyn said.
But they all knew the likelihood of things going according to plan was about a billion to one. The Knights were good, but no one was perfect. And Sydney had proven that he would stoop to new lows for what he wanted.
Carlyle tossed Elias his coat. Elias slipped it on. He left his head and hands bare since that was how he preferred to face his enemies. The three walked from the house. Bronwyn was the last to leave. She closed the door, put her hand on it, and bowed her head.
Elias spotted the blood on the wood. She met his gaze as she hastily pulled on her gloves. “What was that?”
Bronwyn looked away as she walked to her vehicle. “I made sure that if I should die, the blood magic will dissipate from the house.”
Elias glanced at Carlyle, who shrugged, one brow raised. They climbed into Bronwyn’s SUV and began the drive over rough terrain to the meeting spot. No one said anything as the vehicle bounced along. Elias thought about his father, who still had a hold of him.
He thought about his mother who had sacrificed everything for her children.
He thought about his sisters and how much time he had missed with them.
He thought about the friends who had become a second family to him and how they always had his back.
And he thought about Bronwyn.
He didn’t know how much time he had with her, but he wouldn’t waste a second of it. That only fueled the flames of anger at Sydney for putting her in the position she was in. And that, of course, caused Elias to wonder what might have happened between Bronwyn and him had he never left Skye. He could’ve been there for her so she wouldn’t have felt as if turning drough and using blood magic were her only options.
But he couldn’t change the past. What was done was done.
However, there was the present, and he and the other Knights could ensure that Sydney never bothered Bronwyn or Beth again.
The SUV rocked to a halt. Bronwyn turned off the ignition and swiveled her head to him. Their eyes locked in the dim light of the interior. Their hands linked. Then there was movement from the back seat as Carlyle leaned forward and put his hand on theirs.
“Let’s kick some ass,” Carlyle said.
Bronwyn laughed, and Elias grinned. The three exited the vehicle. Elias slapped Carlyle on the back as he melded into the shadows. Elias walked around the front of the SUV to where Bronwyn waited. They stood in silence, each letting their eyes adjust to the darkness.