“My move is not to move at all. I’m going to stay right here, binge watch Top Gear, and make myself beans on toast for dinner.”
“Isla—”
“What, Cal? I’m being stalked by a serial-kisser and my wing-woman has betrayed me. I’m not going anywhere.”
“Or you could get dressed while I wait here, and I’ll escort you to dinner as your wing-woman…uh, wing-man. I’ll make sure this Arric guy doesn’t get near you.”
My heart swelled and I found myself unable to resist Callum’s display of brotherly love. “Really?”
“Aye.”
I hugged him. “You are the best big brother in the world.”
“Oh, I know.”
I smiled up at him. “I won’t be long.”
Callum left me to change, then drove me to the castle.
Isla
CALLUM AND I walked into the great room, our family and close friends already gathered by the giant fireplace. My heart raced with excitement as I scanned the room. The men wore their traditional kilts, while the women were dressed to the nines, looking every bit the glamorous bunch they were. Everyone I cared about was here and I couldn’t wait to hug each and every one of them.
I slipped my hand into the crook of my brother’s arm and he laid his hand over mine. “I got you, sis.”
I grinned up at him and nodded just as I heard a deep American voice bellow, “Isla Gunnach, get over here and give me a hug.”
I pulled away from my brother as Colton Drake walked my way. “Cole!” I said excitedly, rushing in for a hug with a laugh.
Colton, or Cole as we all called him, used to be Dalton’s partner in the FBI, and had helped coordinate human security for my family that worked alongside the Cauld Ane to protect my uncles and father, along with the rest of us when needed.
“I thought you were back in the States.”
“I was but I wasn’t going to miss the games,” he said, hugging me tight. “Not to mention your special birthday.”
Cole was one of the few humans who knew everything about us, and he’d never betrayed that trust.
“I’m so glad you’re here,” I said. “How long are you staying?”
“I don’t have to be back for about a month, so I’m doing a little work here, but using it as an excuse to catch up with everyone.” He squeezed my arms. “You look beautiful.”
I blushed. “Thank you.”
I loved my gown. It had been made especially for tonight and was a shimmery silver, with flowers and tiny jewels embroidered into the fabric. The back dipped in a vee fashion, and was adorned with embroidery, while the A-line skirt flaunted blossoms as it flowed into a sweeping train. The wide V-neck helped to show a little cleavage and the long ornate sleeves meant I didn’t have to wear much in the way of jewelry. Tonight, I wore my grandmother’s ring on my left index finger, and a simple diamond choker my mother had given me on my sixteenth birthday. I’d pulled my hair into a simple bun at the base of my neck and secured it with shiny little butterfly clips.
There was something to be said about dressing for how you wanted to feel. I was already starting to forget the arsehole that was Arric Mann.
Cole hugged Callum, then said, “Dalton and I are planning on a game of pool tomorrow. You in?”
“Hell, yes, I’m in,” I said. “I need to redeem myself from my bloody embarrassing stint last year.”
Cole laughed. “Don’t do that. I like taking your money.”
“Oh, I have no doubt.”
“I’m in as well,” Callum said. “Particularly, if there’s beer.”
Cole laughed. “There’s always beer.”
