“Not important. A tent would be fine, but I’d prefer a cabin because I want him to feel secure,” Zane answered.
“Ay. There’s a place I own, up in the highlands, far away from any other dwellings. I go there often so it has everything ye need. Will that work?” asked Brian.
“Perfect,” Zane said as his mate joined them.
“What’s perfect?” asked David, looking at the food Brian was plating. “Oooh, everythingdoeslook perfect.”
Zane rose. “Have a seat babe, I’ll be back shortly.” After giving his mate a quick kiss, he hurried to the head.
After bolting his breakfast, Zane leaned back, waiting for his mate to finish. He always ate in haste as a result of having to compete with his big brothers who gobbled their food, so they could go back for second helpings. Sometimes he’d even push himself, so he could go back for thirds. Obviously, his body needed all that food ashe’d been going through a growth spurt and was as tall as his brothers, though he was the youngest.
When David and Brian had finished, Zane began. “Babe, are you positive the dude you scented last night meant to harm you?”
“Positive,” David replied, looking a bit puzzled.
“I figured as much. There wasn’t any reason for him to sneak around unless he was up to no good. When you were washing up at the hotel, I saw someone loitering across the street and it struck me as odd that he was out so late in shitty weather,” Zane said. “I don’t want to go back to the hotel because it’s not safe. Whoever this guy is, I’m sure he isn’t in it alone.”
“But where do you want to go? Morgan’s isn’t safe either,” said David. “That’s why I didn’t take you there last night.”
“I agree. While you were in the head, I asked Brian if he knew of a place we could go that no one knew about. He was kind enough to offer us his cabin, up in the highlands, so we could have time alone to talk and, then if you still want to, we can claim each other,” Zane said.
Looking at Brian, David asked, “Are you sure? I don’t want you to get into any trouble.”
“Ay, dinna worry, I’ll be fine,” assured Brian.
Nodding, David glanced at his mate. “What about your brothers? Aren’t they going to worry about you disappearing with me, again?”
“I plan to call Logan after this and let him know we’ll be gone for a few days,” Zane said.
“I don’t know,” said David, “they seem very protective. Are you sure they won’t get angry at me?”
“Babe, listen to me. You’re my Fated Mate. That means you come first in my life from this point on just as Kieran does for Logan. If anyone understands why I want to do this, my brother will. Trust me.”
“Okay,” David said, in a doubtful voice, “I’ll trust you. My only other question is what do we do for food and clothes?”
“My cabin is stocked, and I keep a big supply of clothes for all weather so me and my guests dinna have tae bring hilt nor hair when we go there,” Brian replied. “Lots o’ different sizes so don’t fret.”
David looked at Zane and nodded. “Okay, let’s go after you call your brother.”
Chapter 12
Rolling over at the ringing of his phone, Logan swore at the early wake-up call, ready to hang up if it was Jackson. Swearing to himself, he growled, “Yeah?”
Hearing the growl, Zane checked the time to make sure it was after seven before saying, “Bro, everything okay?”
“Zane? Where the fuck are you!” Logan asked, quickly sitting up. “Your room is empty.”
“Yeah, about that. Last night David heard someone in the living room, so he and I disappeared.”
“Groose’s men have the asshole in custody but he claims he’s David’s friend.”
“Just a minute,” Zane said, muting the call as he looked at his mate. “The dude that was in our room last night was captured but he claims he’s your friend.”
“That’s bullshit! He was sent by the High Priestess to hurt me for having a Fated Mate!” David cried out, becoming agitated.
“Shhhh, babe, I believe you. I just wanted you to know what the fucker was claiming,” Zane said, reassuringly. “Babe, will the High Priestess send someone else because this dude failed?”
“I d-d-don’t know,” David stuttered, overcome by fear.
