“Loki?”
Not knowing how to express himself, he mumbled, “I do not have feelings…”
Alex made his pronouncement. “Then it’s settled. We’ll not question you anymore about this. But you are to stay away from Bella. Understood? She’s free to choose another. You’ve had your chance and you’ve turned it away.” Immediately, he heard the door close behind him. His mother had left. His sire soon followed. Loki stayed rooted to the floor. He had no wish to see his mother cry.
Logan moved over to his side of the room. “Then we’ll take him in training for the crown if you are agreeable, Laird.”
Alex’s narrowed gaze focused on Loki. “Aye, take him. His hot head will get him in trouble. Loki, before you go…” Alex tipped his head toward the door. “You know how you’ve hurt your mother. I expect you to mend this. I recall how foolish young lads are. ‘Tis why I’m ordering you to say goodbye to your parents before you leave.”
Loki frowned. “I’d be happy to pen her a note.”
“Loki, you did not hear me. You will speak to her before you leave. Lad, I know you’ve not had the easiest life, but no one could care for you more than Brodie and Celestina do.” His voice softened. “I believe you know that, but you’re young, and my guess is you must work through this in your own way. I’m forcing you not to be too heartless along the way. You’ll speak kindly to your mother before you leave, or I swear, I’ll hunt you down. Understood?”
Loki swallowed before answering. “Aye, my laird. My thanks for all you’ve done.” His uncle was the last man he wished to anger.
“Do not thank me, thank your parents. They are the ones who brought you home. And thisisyour home, lad. I trust you’ll discover that in your own way. There will always be a place for you in Clan Grant.”
Logan turned to Loki. “Go see your parents. We’ll be leaving before first light on the morrow.”
Jake
Book 4
The twin most like his father.
Chapter Four
*This scene stuck in readers’ minds. It’s the twins and the stones, and the pain in their mother’s eyes. I loved that when Jake matured, he asked his father why he stopped his mother from striking them, but that scene comes later…
It had happened over six summers ago, back when Jake and Jamie were five and ten summers. Their uncle, Robbie, had warned them to make careful decisions, but they were young and giddy and three other lads had found some of the best liquid the Scots could make and hidden it for a special occasion. The “breath of life” that the Scots brewed and aged had a reputation like no other. They’d each had their times with too much ale, but this was different.
They’d decided to hide the bottle of whisky and celebrate with it on a special occasion. Ewan, Roy, and Douglas had told him they’d talked two lassies into baring their breasts for the lads. Like most lads that age, the twins had developed a keen interest in lassies and their bodies. Though it shamed him to think back on it, Jake had been stirred by the mere thought of such a show.
Jamie had tried to talk him out of going, but Jake had insisted, knowing that his brother would follow him anyway. So they’d planned the occasion carefully, choosing an isolated place in the stables, setting sentries outside to watch for them, and bringing food and drink for all. Jake had been as excited as ifthey were attending a jousting match or a fair, but the evening had not unfolded as he’d expected.
The lassies had changed their minds.
When Jake stepped into the stall at the far end of the stables, the two lasses were struggling with his three friends against the wall. Douglas was trying to rip open the one lass’s bodice while Roy held the other lass and Ewan had his hands all over her breasts.
“Stop, please, Ewan,” she said through tears. “I’ve changed my mind.”
Ewan exploded. “Then why in hell are you here? You should have stayed home. When you walked through the door, you agreed to show us your titties.”
“But Roy said I could kiss Jamie if I came. ‘Tis all I want. Leave me be.” She struggled against Roy’s arms.
The other lass cried out, “I’ve changed my mind, also. I do not want to do this anymore.”
“Too late,” Douglas said. “You’ll show us now. You cannot be a tease.” He pulled on the ribbons at the front of her bodice, causing one breast to fall out of its confines, and the lass screamed in response.
Jamie yelled, “Leave them be. Douglas, take your hands away.”
When Douglas did not answer him, Jamie rushed over and tugged his hands away from the lass. Jake took off toward Ewan. But Ewan was the quicker of the two, and he took a swing at Jake, catching him in the jaw, before he turned back to the lass. He grabbed her breast, and the only thing Jake could think to do was grab the lad’s hand and pull it away.
Unfortunately, that was the exact instant the twins’ mother had flung the door open. Jake’s hand was on the lass’s breast and Jamie’s hand near the other lass’s bare breast. The look of painand anger on his mother’s face was one he’d never forget, but it was almost eclipsed by the fury of his sire, who stood behind her.
Hellfire, he glanced at Jamie because he knew they were in the worst trouble they’d ever been in.
Maddie Grant shot across the room and raised her hand to slap each of her sons, but Alex stopped her, attempting to remove her from the stall altogether. Instead of her sons, she grabbed Ewan and Roy by the arms, yanking them away from the girls. Alex managed to pull her to his chest before she could go after Douglas. Having never seen his mother in such a tirade, Jake was stupefied.
