Hamish stared at her for a moment, wiping at his eyes with the back of his hand. “How long do you think she has?”
Badger took a deep breath. “Dunno. She’s frail, but healthy other than the Alzheimer’s.”
“If I’d claimed her as my mate, would it have slowed things?”
“Perhaps. But if ye didn’t feel a mate bond with her, that wouldn’t be very fair to either of ye now, would it?”
“I guess not.” He stared at her for a long moment.
“And no, yer not claimin’ her now, either. Talk about cruelty. There’s no guarantee that would help her mind or her health. Just because yer feeling guilty doesn’t mean ye have a right to decide somethin’ like that for her. She can’t consent in this state. Maybe even ten years ago I would’ve thought about lettin’ ye, but not now. Do ye even love her?”
He stood and returned the chair to where he’d moved it from the table. “I feel guilty I wasn’t there for them. I did feel…something for her. I think we could’ve been happy together.”
“Well, had ye been, like as not there woulda been other issues to deal with beyond not havin’ a mate bond with her.” Badger arched an eyebrow at him. “Like mebbe yer brother? Wouldn’t be fair to make her cut off contact with her kin over fear of him trackin’ ye now, right?”
“True.”
They returned to the rental car, Badger not breaking the dark, swirling silence engulfing Hamish. Badger knew this had to be emotional for him and gave him a moment to process.
Finally, Hamish looked at Badger. “I want to be in their lives. That’s my daughter, my grandsons, my great-grandkids. I want to know them. They need me.”
“Well, Imani and Bebe definitely need ye.” He fastened his seatbelt. “We don’t yet know if anyone else is a shifter. Problem is, we don’t know how Imani will react to the news about any of this. She may not want ye in her life at all, and again, that’s her right. I can’t use Prime to overwhelm her and force her to love ye. And yer forgettin’ the ones whoreallyneed ye more than anyone else right now.”
He scowled. “Who?”
“Tamsin and her little one.” He pulled out of the parking lot and into traffic. It was just as easy to drive to Tampa rather than waiting for a flight tomorrow morning. They’d be there in under eight hours. He’d sent Ken an e-mail that he was returning, but no other details.
Like that he’d located Hamish and was bringing him, too.
“Right now,” Badger said, “Tamsin needs all the trusted loved ones she can close around her. Mebbe ye can’t turn the clock back and reclaim those lost years with Imani and Corrine, but ye can damn sure help Tamsin and Maisie Rue with their new life. She’s hurtin’ somethin’ fierce. Duncan and I weren’t even sure at first if we’d be able to keep her alive. I think she’s turned the corner now, but having someone like you to lean on? Actual blood family who gives a damn about her? That will go a long way to giving her something to look forward to.”
Hamish nodded. “Of course. Anything I can do.”
“And then there’s Ken. He’s your nephew.” He started winding his way through streets, heading toward the Interstate. Traffic was heavy but once they made it south of the Atlanta metro area, it would taper off.
“Do we even know if they’re still alive?” Hamish asked. “Bryn and Callum?”
“We do not. My guess is this many years on, probably not. Then again, I been wrong before.”
* * *
Badger had just pulledover north of the state line for a gas stop when he received another text from Peyton.
Flying into Tampa 11:30pm. Can you pick me up?
I can, but I’m in Valdosta now, heading to Tampa. Got Hamish with me. Do ye mind hanging out at the airport? Or I could get Ken or Duncan.
Peyton quickly replied.
No, I want you, and don’t tell anyone I’m flying in except Hamish. Come straight there to pick me up. I’ll wait for you at the airport. Text me when you’re almost there and I’ll meet you curbside at arrivals.
Badger acknowledged it and slipped his phone into his pocket.
Long ago, he’d accepted not asking questions of his Pack Alpha in certain situations.
Like this.
If Peyton had a reason to keep his arrival secret, Badger certainly wouldn’t disobey a direct order from him.
