“I’m a busy man.Tell your boss to make an appointment like everyone else,” Niall said.
“He’s busy too,” the man said.
The men sniggered, but Niall didn’t shift his attention from the speaker.It must be related to his honey.It was the only thing that made sense.
“You tell your boss he can produce his own honey.I have no intention of letting him steal my formula.”
The big man shrugged, and he grinned.“Why should he when you do his work?He has your honey, but a few crucial parts are missing.”
“You broke into my research station,” Niall snarled, taking half a step forward.
The man straightened, and the others closed around him, not appearing as casual now.
“Stop mucking around,” the man said.“You’re coming with us.Why not make it easy on yourself?”
Niall darted forward, smashing his weight against the nearest man.He went down with a yelp.Niall punched hard and used his size and fitness to knock two more men over before the rest grabbed him.Someone hit him from behind, and everything turned black.
11
Trouble And Disappointment
“Angus!”SuzieburstintoNiall’s private apartments and hoped the steward was nearby.Thankfully, he appeared from the salon before she filled her lungs to bellow again.What would they do to Niall?She should’ve stayed, shouldn’t have listened to him.Suzie could’ve helped.Their assailants might’ve outnumbered them, but Isabella had taught her to protect herself.
“What is it, Miss Suzie?”Angus appeared alert, his composure unruffled.
She probably looked like something the cat dragged in—a house cat, that is.She drew a sharp breath and another to steady herself.“It’s Niall.We walked around the lake, and men accosted us.Niall told me to come for help.”
Angus didn’t muck around.He barked several orders into his phone before bustling to the rear of the castle and the garden where she and Niall had first walked.She found four burly gardeners awaiting Angus’s instructions.
“Can you show us where you were?”Angus asked.
She was still gasping but nodded and set off at a trot.It took about ten minutes to reach the area where the men had intercepted them.The bellows of an enraged bear met them, and Suzie slowed, uncertain of what she’d find.Angus and his men didn’t hesitate and rushed past.Swallowing her trepidation, Suzie followed more slowly.Upon rounding the last corner, she immediately noticed a massive bear.He lurched toward two smaller bears.As she watched, spellbound, one bear fled.The massive bear paused, which allowed the second bear to retreat.The men with them had vanished.
“It doesn’t appear Mr.Niall required our help,” Angus said.
Suzie thought that was a grin twitching his firm lips, but she couldn’t be sure.
“Did any of them get away?”Angus directed his question at the bear.
The bear shook his head before focusing on Suzie.His snarl held a nasty edge, and she took an involuntary step back, her heart suddenly racing.
Angus shot her a concerned glance and casually stepped between them.The bear—Niall—released a sharp chuff that might’ve been humor, but given the display of sharp white teeth, Suzie thought otherwise.What the hell?He’d held her hand earlier.Kissed her.What had happened during her absence?
What had the men done?Said?
“Go home,” Angus said.“I’ll pick up your clothes, and the men and I will check for other trespassers.”
Niall didn’t reply but swung his big body around and broke into a lope.
Angus sent her a long look.
“What?I did nothing except run for help.I have no idea of those men’s identities.The two bears are Niall’s brothers.They ambushed us when we had dinner last night at the pub.I know their names, but that’s all.”
“Something has upset Niall.He seldom shifts to his bear,” Angus said.“You’d better stay with me until we can work this out.”
“Joy,” Suzie muttered, not trying to hide her annoyance.“No matter what I do with Niall, I can’t win.”
Niall raced up the hill and into the trees before his steps slowed.The knot on the back of his head ached, but worse, his mate had betrayed him.
