“Will the security guards be enough?”
“Fingers crossed,” Niall said drily.“I can work from the castle, if necessary, in my small lab there.I’ll get you to collate the test results that have come in so far.Next, we’ll decide on the label and jar and organize shipping.”He tapped his fingers as he snapped out instructions.“We’ll have to hire guards to protect the shipments and ensure the honey goes on sale immediately.I want you to write up an advertising proposal.We’re cutting it fine on promotion, but pre-booking can lead to competitor leaks.”
“But I’m flying home soon.”
“No,” Niall snapped.“Since you inserted yourself into my world, you’re staying and seeing this out.You can go home in six months.No more discussion.”
Suzie planted her hands on her hips, her fury hot and instant.“For the umpteenth time.You can’t make me stay.That is kidnapping, imprisonment, and dozens of other charges.”
Niall scowled at her.“I have your passport.”
Suzie spluttered before her teeth snapped together.“Saber didn’t agree to that.”
“Call him and ask.”Niall’s confident tone told her everything.He wasn’t lying because he had spoken to Saber.She frowned.Maybe it was Saber teaching her a lesson.
Niall could hold her here but not constantly watch her.Let him try.
6
Unwelcome Visitors
Backinhiscastleoffice, Nial unpacked his honey samples and the notes he’d brought for safekeeping.His mind drifted to Suzie—the annoying woman his bear craved and didn’t want to leave.There had been women in his past, but none had affected him this way.She kept interrupting his thoughts when he was trying to work, mucking up his efficiency and logical mind.
She’d asked if she could go for a walk—a reasonable request, but he’d had things he wanted to do.So he’d sent a trusted employee with her with strict instructions for him not to let her out of his sight.The problem—he’d noted the hint of appreciation in the wolf shifter’s gaze.He’d kept everything together until the pair had left.Barely.
“Mine.Mine.Mine!” his bear chanted, the litany growing wearisome.
“She is staying for six months,” Niall muttered, praying that his bear would get over his infatuation with the leopard shifter.
He’d considered marriage, but when the idea occurred, it was because he was thinking of children and passing on the legacy he’d inherited and built upon.He’d thought to look among the daughters of his business associates.Human or not, the choice of a wife hadn’t mattered.His bear had never asserted his opinion before.
Niall stalked to the window and glanced out at the private garden below.His gaze went straight to Suzie.The sun glinted off her hair, and she laughed at something her escort said.A low growl rumbled up his throat, and a burning sensation darted through his chest.He knuckled his breastbone to ease the pain while his gaze followed the pair through the garden.
“Mine!” his bear chanted.
Niall cursed and dragged himself away.He was ten years older than her, and her cheerful chatter would drive him crazy.By the time six months had passed, they’d be heartily sick of each other.
His phone rang, and glad of the interruption, Nial plucked it off his desk.“Sinclair.”
“Sir, it’s Robbie at the gatehouse.Two men to see you.They say they’re your brothers.”
Niall’s hand tightened on the phone, but he controlled the curse that tickled the tip of his tongue.“Did they give you names?”
“I shall inquire,” Robbie said.
Something told Niall he’d already asked and that the men had declined to give their names.If it were his brothers, they’d be up to their usual games.He mightn’t have seen them for almost twenty years, but he hadn’t tried to hide despite traveling to a different country.His entire family were bullies and freeloaders and always took the easy way.Mostly, stealing or intimidation, and as the runt, he’d taken their abuse.
Hell, had his brothers broken into his property?
Robbie came back.“They say their names are Euan and Colin.”
A growl crawled up his throat, his bear as perturbed as him.Their timing was certainly suspicious.“Tell my brothers,” he said in an icy voice, “they are not welcome here, and I have no wish to see them.They made their feelings very clear before I left home.Nothing has changed.”
“Yes, sir.”Robbie’s crisp acceptance released the tension seeping into Niall’s shoulders.
Niall pocketed his phone and resumed his position at the window.He sought Suzie and found her sitting on a bench with her face turned to the sun.Her escort was nearby and fiddling with his phone, his attention split between Suzie and his screen.
Niall returned to his desk, intending to go through his plan again to tweak and perfect, given the destruction of some of their product, but his mind refused to settle.His brothers’ arrival.Why?Why did they seek him after all these years?Knowing them, they wouldn’t have cared about his disappearance—one less mouth to feed.
