Not to mention his conscience ached enough.He certainly didn’t want to be the reason a war broke out.
Worse, if he were seen as being a traitor to the Targhees, it would be his hide on the line.And possibly his mate’s.
He didn’t value his own skin, but he would kill or die to protect his mate.She’d suffered enough in her life because he couldn’t protect her before.
Like hell would he not move heaven and earth to protect her now.
“Well, you look… huge,”Donnel said.
Bryn smiled across the table at him.“I feel huge.”
“When are you due?”
“Soon.”He didn’t blame her for her cageyness.They were eating lunch at a restaurant across the street from the hotel.He hadn’t called the information in yet because he knew as soon as he did…
Well, that would be the last time he ever saw his sister.One way or another.
He hated himself for the betrayal, but it couldn’t be helped.
“Callum let you come by yourself?”
“He doesn’t know I came at all.I’ll be home tonight before he calls to check in.”
Hereallyhoped she was lying, and that he was out there, watching them now.
If not?
Well, he’d lived with guilt for a long time.It wasn’t like it was a new emotion to him.
“I miss you,” he said.
“I’ve missed you, too.I wonder if Hamish truly died in the war?”she mused.
“Impossible to say for certain.I’ve never located any trace of him.I lied to Faegan and said I didn’t tip Hamish off, but I did.Least I could do, to help him get free when I was stuck there.”
“He’s smarter than us, then,” she said.“If he is alive.”
Another silence, then they both started to talk at the same time.“No, you go,” Donnel insisted.
She sighed.“I meant it that this will be the last time we see each other again.Until our pup is an adult, at least.Or any others we might have.That’s not Callum’s fault,” she quickly added.“It’s mine.I can’t riskhimfinding us, and I want my children to have as normal a life as we can provide them.I want them to have a large network of friends and a childhood completely unlike ours.I’ve put off having a family for as long as I can tolerate.Iwillhave my happiness.”
“I don’t blame you.”
She leaned in and dropped her voice.“Why should I continue to put my happiness on hold for his evil idiocy?”
“Again, I don’t blame you.”
“I thought we were shed of him when Callum did”—she waved her hand—“that business for him and you.And still, we waited, watched, listened for rumors.Moving every time there was even a hint of something.I’m tired of waiting and watching and listening.The only way for us to finally have a life is to completely sever ties to our old one.”
“Can’t Callum’s family help you?”
“We don’t know who we can trust,” she said.“Other than Badger, of course.But he doesn’t want to drag Badger into this.Callum’s afraid that if we turn to the Targhees, Faegan may start a war with them.Callum would prefer to leave them out of it completely unless it’s our last resort.The risk of utter carnage is far too great.And while we know we can trust Badger, who knows if there’s anyone in their pack who might betray us?Threats can come from anywhere.”
Well, she’s not wrong there.“I really hope this works out for you,” he said.
“I know you’ve pledged to the Targhees,” she said.It surprised him that she possessed that intel.“I don’t blame you.I know they’re good people.”
“We have little contact with them,” Donnel admitted.“We pledged more so that we would be ignored.I felt it best that we affiliate ourselves with the largest pack instead of them realizing we’re in the States after the fact and asking a lot of uncomfortable questions.Plus, once we eventually need new IDs, we can turn to them for help.They believe we were refugees from the war.Like you, I don’t wish to deeply enmesh ourselves with them and risk fallout.”
