Why was she calling them by their name? Not Uncle or Father? Even when angry with her dad, she still called my pop,dyadya.
“They’re planning an assault, Natasha.”
I braced a hand on my chest, forced a long inhale. “Stop them, Sima!”
“I will try.”
“Tell my pop to call me. And if you’re in Scotland this evening, I’m getting married.”
“Married?”
Simona Resnova. No emotion. I sighed. “Yes.”
“Is it because …”
I arched a brow. So weird. My blunt cousin never hedged statements. “Because?”Spit it out already, Sima!
“Is Lachlan forcing you? Or you’re afraid your family will murder them all?”
“Sima”—I snorted—“quit reading those crazy action stories. Call me back.” I hung up and pocketed the phone.
“You’re thinking?” Lachlan said.
About her saying you forced me into marriage? No.“She sounds off.”
“Do you think she’s still freaked out from last night?” Lachlan rubbed my shoulders from behind.
“Actually, she doesn’t scare easily.”
“Good, she can help us.” His mouth, hot and tender against my neck, was a vow, and I was the promise. I promised to believe whatever Lachlan said. As he kissed me, his hands splayed over my stomach, then he stepped back.
“I can wait. Tonight,” he groaned.
Laughter cut through the torture of us nurturing and protecting our growing love for each other. Outside the floor-to-ceiling window, children jumped into the lake. Lots of children.
“Are those your nieces and nephews?”
“Mostly, and the crazy part? Most of them belong to Cam and Willow. C’mon, let’s bundle you up.”
After dressing in jeans and a matching jacket, courtesy of Willow or Chevelle, Lachlan had forgotten who had agreed tobring extra clothes, I followed him. The oak door creaked as he pushed it open. The chill in the castle’s stone corridor nipped through my jean jacket, a stark contrast to the lingering warmth of his body pressed against mine minutes ago. We descended a spiral staircase and exited glass-paned doors.
We walked across the green lawn, and, in the distance, the glimmering loch mirrored the gray sky.
Lach pointed to the lanky boy who’d just cannonballed into the lake, fully clothed. His splash sent ripples dancing across the surface. “That’s Leith Junior.”
He looked to be a junior or high school senior. “Brave. The water’s so cold it smokes. Mia’s his sister, right? The one who’s close in age to Jake andRomeoRory? You grew up like siblings with her?”
“Nae, she’s our niece. She called meUncailLachlan.”
“Ah, I see.” The cool breeze made me brush my hair back. “The world’s youngest uncle wasn’t relinquishing his title. Now, why haven’t I seen Jake?”
“He rarely attends clan gatherings. Only comes to steal Mam’s Tupperware and leftovers.”
I laughed, the air condensing before my lips. My eyes swept across the lakeside chaos again. “Who are those two?” On the dock, the chubby cuties huddled, wet in matching sweats.
“Brittany and Justine.”
“Does Little Brody have sons?” I asked.
