Honor.
He’d tried not to harm people personally, only to be a shrewd businessman.
And now that all comes back to haunt me at the worst possible time.
Chapter Sixty-Six
Gillian
Ken had been back from the UK for three days when Badger came and got Gillian that afternoon. “How about ye leave the baby with Dewi and come help me wi’ somethin’?”
She eyed him. “Whhyyy?”
When he arched an eyebrow at her, she realized she would not learn why unless she did as he asked. “Why can’t we bring the baby with us?”
He waited.
“What about my armed babysitters?” she snarked.
“Just us.”
Finally, she gathered things Dewi would need and carried Adair out to the cabin. “Sorry,” she said when Dewi opened the door, “but I guess Badger’s abducting me.”
Ken, standing behind Dewi, laughed and helped take the other things so Dewi could take the baby. “How long?” he asked.
They all looked at Badger, who smiled. “Eh, prob’bly late. Well after dark.”
Gillian stared at Badger but knew he wouldn’t break. “Okay, fine.” She kissed the baby and followed him around the house to?—
“Why are we taking Peyton’s truck?” she asked when she realized Badger had the keys.
“Ye gonna stand there, or come wi’ me?”
“Goddammit,” she softly growled, climbing into the passenger side. She was unable to stop herself from taking several long, deep breaths with her eyes closed, smelling Peyton’s scent.
If Badger wasn’t already sitting in the driver’s seat she’d likely have her face pressed to it.
“Where are we going, Badger?” she asked after he cranked the engine.
“Eh, it’s P?—”
“If you say ‘Pack Alpha business,’ so help me, I will punch you.”
He cackled. “All right, then. Have it yer way. I won’t tell ye that.”
They drove through the main part of the pack compound, where most of the residences were located. Then deeper still, where she hadn’t ventured lately. Past where anyone lived, past the campgrounds, headed northeast. They drove for over thirty minutes, until the fire road was little more than two hints of ruts and it looked like no one had ventured there in weeks, or longer, from how the grass lay undisturbed.
And still, Badger drove.
Gillian didn’t want to get her hopes up, but as they drew closer to the eastern pack compound boundary where it butted up against the national forest proper, something told her she would’ve greatly regretted punching Badger.
When they parked and he shut off the truck, she stared around. “Why are we here?” she softly asked.
He chuckled, pointing. “Mebbe get out, shift, and let yer snoot tell ye. I’ll be back about an hour after dark to get ye.”
She flung herself out of the truck, running in the direction he’d indicated and shedding clothes along the way. When she shifted, she streaked east, pulling up short when she smelled him.
A fresh scent, too.
