“Niall,” a masculine voice said, the owner halting behind her.“Fancy seeing you here.”
Something about the smug note in the voice raised her hackles.Intuition told her this man had known their location.Did that mean he’d followed them from the castle?Had he shot at them?Her gut cried yes, and Suzie had learned to trust her instincts.Her mother knew stuff, too, although their grandmother—her father’s mother—dismissed this freaky power out of hand.
“Who is the pretty lady?”a second masculine voice asked.
Suzie’s stomach flipped, but she plucked a crisp from the packet and popped it into her mouth.Niall tensed even more until he reminded her of a coiled spring.Whoever these men were, Niall loathed them.She could see it in the hard glint of his eyes.
“Aren’t you going to say anything, baby brother?”the first voice said, its taunting quality irking Suzie.“Introduce us to your friend.”
She hated bullies.Especially now since hindsight told her she and Edwina had started to tread this path.That of a thug.She hadn’t liked what she’d seen and thought she’d become a better person.She’d certainly tried.And she recalled the pain in Niall’s voice when he’d told her about his family and their cruel treatment.
Suzie picked up her drink and savored the botanical notes of the gin as she swallowed.Summer fruits, juniper, and herbs.She’d quiz the barman later and see how good she was at distinguishing the flavors.
“Hey, Runt.You don’t seem pleased to see us.Afraid we’re gonna steal your lady friend?Or did you pay for her company?”
Suzie’s breath hissed through her teeth, and she opened her mouth to fire a reprimand.
Niall beat her to it.“That’s enough.What is so important that you must hound me?Whatever you want, spit it out and leave.”
“What about the niceties that you’re always harping about?”one brother asked.
“Quit mucking around,” Niall snapped.“What.Do.You.Want?”Fury glittered in his expression.His bear was mighty pissed, as evidenced by the amber flecks in Niall’s hazel irises.
One brother edged around the table and into Suzie’s sightline.He matched Niall’s height, and she could see the resemblance in the eyes and cheekbones.Handsome in a hard way, he bore a scar that ran from his ear to the corner of his mouth.He’d slicked his hair back with something that darkened the color to muddy brown and wore a thick gold chain around his neck.This was the sort of man her grandmother had warned her about.One she might’ve flirted with once but now sensed was trouble.Niall was worth ten of him.
Suzie wanted to tell Niall and his brother that, but she remained mute.She and Niall could talk later.
The second brother appeared, his smirk provoking her urge to strike.They thought Niall would capitulate and do whatever they wanted.
Niall pulled out his phone.“Tell me what you want, or I’ll contact the police and tell them you’re the ones who were shooting at us in the forest.”
8
Visitors From The Past
Niallheldhimselfstill,fighting his bear’s orders to attack.His brothers were up to no good and hadn’t denied his charges.He grabbed the business card the cop had given him from his wallet and started pushing buttons.
“What are you doing?”Colin’s eyes were wide and held a trace of shock.
Niall didn’t allow himself to indulge in petty satisfaction.He went for the jugular.“Calling the cops.”
“Knock it off,” Euan snapped.“Family don’t turn their brothers into the cops.”
“Even if they took potshots at innocent people out for a relaxing walk?”Niall asked, his tone calm, even while his bear bucked at his iron control.The more Niall thought about it, the more his conviction grew.He was right.His older brothers wanted something from him.He changed tack, again going for direct.“What do you want?”
Euan shot a glance at Suzie.She stared coolly back, her expression not changing, even when Euan leered at her.
Enough!“Whatdoyou want?”
“We want to speak with you in private.”
“Yet you approach me in a pub.”Niall didn’t bother hiding his sarcasm.And he realized something else.During the years apart from his family, he’d grown and acquired balance when it came to his brothers.
They were ruffians, and if he let them, they’d walk all over him.
Not happening.
“You wouldn’t speak to us at that castle,” Colin said.
