Checking the bedside clock, Fionn saw it was well past two; everyone would now be asleep. Rising, he summoned the portal, and instantly found himself a half a world away, deep in a mountain with his hoard. The plan to leave Scotland came to him as they drove back from the hotel; he knew the dragon he sensed was also sensing him. He snorted at the thought of what his father would say when the dragon told him Fionn was no longer in Scotland.
He planned to stay here all night, before returning to the hotel in the morning, hoping once the dragon could no longer sense him, it would give up and leave. The tension drained from his body as he drew strength from caressing priceless artifacts, money and jewels—sleep was now calling to him. Wiggling around on a pile of gold coins, he hollowed out a spot where he could lie down. As he drifted off, he realized that for the first time since his mother died, he felt safe and secure.
Chapter 29
Slate’s head spun with all the information he learned at the meeting with his brother and father. Neither had any problem with his decision to stop traveling, so he could be close to his mate. Once he trained Carson and his new PA, his father wanted him to take charge of all the new construction that was about to begin on the Blackwood Pack land. Hurrying to the kitchen where he’d left Dakota, Slate couldn’t wait to put his mate’s worries to rest. He found Dakota sitting at the island, writing in a notebook, muttering to himself. “Hey babe, what’s the problem?”
Looking up, Dakota grinned at his mate. “How did it go?”
“Uhh, I asked you first.”
Smirking, Dakota said, “Lack of supplies. I don’t know how Oracle and Steel used up so much in just a few days, but I have to put in a new order today. Your turn.”
“No you don’t. My brother can do that. I’m taking you out to dinner to celebrate. C’mon.” Slate took the pencil from Dakota’s hand, and set it down before pulling him to his feet. Kissing his mate’s forehead, he said, “I have lots of news to share and before you ask, all of it is good.”
“Really? You won’t have to travel anymore?”
“Right! But that’s all you’re getting out of me until we’re sitting at a candlelit table waiting for our mouth-watering entrées.”
Grinning at the thought, Dakota asked, “Do I have time for a shower?”
“As long as we shower together,” Slate said, leading his mate out of the kitchen.
~/~/~/~/~
“Artur, your son isn’t in Scotland anymore and no, I don’t have any idea where he went. One minute I could sense him and the next minute, nothing…like he vanished.”
“What the fuck are you talking about? He’s staying with the members of the Blackwood Pack in a hotel in Edinburgh. Did you fly over the hotel?”
Sighing, the dragon answered, “Yes, but he’s not there.”
“He has to be. My men swore he’s inside. Fly over again! Find him!”
“Listen. To. Me. Your son isn’t in Scotland anymore. I’m sorry but I have to leave. I’m sure he knows I’m here and has told his guardians who will alert the High Council. I need to get out of here before I’m discovered. Let me know when you find him and I’ll be glad to help you but until then…don’t bother me.”
Slamming his phone down on the scorched desk, Artur roared, flames burning it to a crisp, unable to control his anger yet again. Rising from his desk chair, he stalked around the room, damning the stupid people working for him. “Disappeared! What bullshit! Stupid assholes! Fuckers can’t do anything right! Damn ‘em all to hell!”
The night gave way to dawn; Artur was still mumbling about the ineptitude of the men he’d hired. “Fuck…the finest money could buy…what a load of crap.” Finally, his anger spent, he sat down at his desk and sorted through what facts he knew. “Shit! Of course!” He remembered a piece of information about the Blackwood Pack his investigator told him. “That’s how that gay fucker disappeared!” Now, knowing what he was up against, he spent the rest of the morning devising a new plan.
~/~/~/~/~
Logan placed a room service order for everyone who would shortly be arriving for brunch at his and Kieran’s suite. Last night was too close for comfort and he’d called Jackson earlier, waking his brother up. Not happy about that, Jackson grumbled about inconsiderate brothers but once he heard what happened, he agreed with Logan’s plan to safeguard the young dragon. Jackson promised Logan the arrangements would be made after everyone had awakened and he could speak to Cody and Dylon.
Relieved his brother had agreed with him, now all Logan had to do was convince Fionn it was for the best and was hoping Kieran would help with his plan. Walking into their bedroom, Logan chuckled at the sight of Kieran on the floor, his pert ass sticking up in the air, wiggling, as he reached for something under the bed. “Hey, babe, is that your way of asking for another fuck because I have to say, it’s certainly convincing.”
Kieran pulled his arm out from under the bed before looking over his shoulder, grinning at his mate. “I was trying to get my earring that rolled under the bed but I could always use another fuck…maybe some rimming thrown in because that would certainly make up for me losing my earring. Hey, I was thinking when I was down here we could go get your nipples pierced today because I know you’ll love that, especially when I pull the rings with my tongue when I play with them. Maybe nice gold ones or maybe silver would look better with your gorgeous green eyes. You would look hotter than fuck wearing them with the leather harness the next time we go to The Meat Locker.”
“I thought I looked hotter than fuck last night.”
Giggling, Kieran said, “You did but with pierced nipples you’d look even hotter.”
Getting down on his hands and knees, Logan peered under the bed, looking for Kieran’s lost earring. Finally spotting it, he stretched his arm until he grasped it with his fingertips, dragging it out and dropping it into Kieran’s hand.
“Thank you,macushla,” Kieran said, sitting back on his heels and inserting the earring into his left ear. “Now, about that fuck…”
“Sorry babe, I’ve already called room service and they should be here any minute. Besides, I wanted to talk to you about Fionn before everyone arrives.”
“Is something the matter? Does it have to do with the dragon he told us about last night?”
