So in other words, they were going to keep Rob as a prisoner for who knew how long.
Cat looked over at Lachlan, trying to gauge his expression. If they followed the order, then it could deepen the rift between Lachlan and his sister, if for no other reason than his nephews would keep asking where their father was. And that would mean Sarah either had to lie or tell them the truth.
Neither of which Cat wanted for the boys who were only five and seven years old.
Finn spoke softly, "I know it's a lot to ask, aye? But if we go against the request, it would ruin more than one life in the process. Isn't that worse than disappointing your sister a wee bit?"
Cat opened her mouth to say it was more than that, but Lachlan placed a hand on her lower back and beat her to it. "I'm not sure we have a choice." He looked down at Cat and added, "I've done far worse to Sarah in the past. This is barely anything."
She placed a hand on his chest. "Lachlan, you shouldn't be so dismissive. Once things are safe, she could decide to be done with you and flee with her lads. By keeping Rob prisoner, it could be the last straw with Sarah, and you might end up never seeing any of them again."
He pressed gently against her back in reassurance. "I'd rather they be alive and not speaking with me than them thinking tender thoughts right before they died."
Anger boiled inside her at the whole bloody situation. Lachlan had done so much, tried so hard to be a better person toward all, and it could all come to nothing.
Well, not nothing since Cat would stand by his side. But she hated to think he'd lose his sister after all this time.
Needing to feel his skin against hers, Cat took his hand and threaded her fingers through his.
The choice was his, she realized, and she could see the decision made in his eyes. However, Cat would fight to help him any way she could.
Her dragon murmured, And me.
She whispered, "No matter what happens, I'll still be here, Lachlan."
Her mate squeezed her fingers and gave her a loving glance before looking back at Finn. "What about the artists arriving in less than a week? Is it safe to allow strangers to stay here?"
In the recent chaos, Cat had forgotten all about the event. Leave it to Lachlan to remember every detail, no matter what else was going on.
Grant was the one who answered. "Every single participant has been vetted by the DDA, as well as by us. If any of them are a threat, they're bloody good at hiding it. The best we can do is to keep them situated in the cottages just outside Lochguard's gates for everyone's safety, as well as watch everything carefully whilst they're inside the warehouse during the day."
Lachlan looked at her again. "Is there anything I can say to convince you not to be near any of these people?"
She raised her brows. "If you're there, I'm there. I wish we could cancel, but with the threat from the hunters…"
He nodded. "Aye, I know."
As she stared up at her mate, Cat just wanted to wrap him in a hug and say everything would be all right.
And yet, she had no bloody idea if it were true.
The whole mess with the art collective and the dragon hunters was a "damned if they did, damned if they didn't" type of situation.
All they could do was make the best guess and be vigilant.
Although Cat hated how she'd have to constantly look over her shoulder. Art was special to her, one of her greatest joys, and it somehow had become tainted because of the damn dragon hunters.
Her beast murmured, One day, they'll be gone too. Just like with the Dragon Knights.
I hope so. Sooner rather than later would be fantastic.
Finn's voice interrupted her thoughts. "Stonefire, Skyhunter, and Snowridge are all sending one or two Protectors to help monitor things whilst the artists are here. One of them paints on the side and will be in the warehouse the whole time as nothing more than a participant, to keep an eye on things without being noticed. Chase McFarland is going to install extra security—locks, hidden cameras, and panic buttons—as another precaution. Protectors will be in one of the small offices in the building, ready at a moment's notice." Finn paused, looked between them, and added, "I know it's not foolproof, but it's the best we can do."
As Finn and Grant discussed the final details with Lachlan, Cat had an idea. Once she was alone with her male again, she said, "I should be the one to talk with your sister and explain the situation."
Lachlan frowned. "She just started feeling comfortable around you. So, no, I should be able to do it."
She shook her head. "You said she does better with females, aye? Let me talk with her. Maybe there are some things she doesn't want to tell you, afraid it'll upset you. If she went to such great lengths to get you help when you needed it, I also think she'd avoid causing you distress if she could help it, to keep you from relapsing." She could see the indecision flash in his eyes. Cupping his jaw with her hand, she said, "I'm your mate now, Lachlan. We share everything, including burdens. Let me do this for you because it would break my heart if this was the final straw to push your sister away for good. Let her hate me, not you. I can handle it."
As she waited for his response, her dragon paced inside their mind. Cat knew her beast wanted to do more than talk—she'd rather join in the fighting.
But Cat wasn't a soldier, a Protector, or anything like that. She was good with people—talking with them, bringing out the good in them, and so much more.
And she wanted to use those strengths to help.
Lachlan finally sighed. "I'm still getting used to having someone at my side, having my back. It's going to take some time to not want to do everything by myself."
She raised her brows. "So is that a yes, you'll let me tell Sarah what's going on?"
He cupped her cheek with his free hand. "Aye, I will. But if she makes you cry, I'll be visiting her myself."
Her dragon snorted. We're stronger than that.
Ignoring her dragon, Cat replied to Lachlan, "I doubt it'll come to that. Now, tell me anything that can help with your sister."
And as Lachlan did so, Cat started to formulate her approach.
It seemed all the years she'd been handling her siblings—finding ways to soothe them, scold them, or merely be there when they cried—was going to come in handier than she thought.
Chapter Twenty-Two
A short while later, armed with Connor on one side and Jamie on the other, Cat reached the cottage where Sarah and her sons were staying. She looked to either side of her as she said, "Remember, make them feel welcome but don't start wrestling or anything that could be construed as hurting them and making their mum upset."
Connor rolled his eyes. "Jamie and I both have worked with the children at the school before. And whilst I can't exactly teach them to cook in a garden, Jamie brought his football. I'm sure we can play some footie and not break any bones."
Jamie tossed the black and white ball, bounced it on his knee, and caught it. "Even if I just do tricks, that'll keep them entertained, aye? If not, Connor and I will think of something to distract them. Don't worry about them, Cat. You have enough to do as it is. Leave this to us."