“No, I can’t believe… It has to be someone testing the honey for me,” Niall said.
“You could find your brothers and ask them,” Suzie suggested, her heart breaking for Niall.He refused to believe the increasingly plausible explanation.
19
Betrayal
Bone-deepexhaustiontuggedatNiall, every muscle and his head aching.How had it come to this?All he wanted was to market his honey and improve athletes’ performances.It wasn’t about money.He’d merely wanted to share the honey he’d discovered.His identification of its unique properties had happened by accident, and after he’d tested his theories, he realized he’d found a wonder product.The honey had made the difference, and he thought it might have other applications.What if it could help older people or those who were sick?
What should’ve been a happy and celebratory time had morphed into a nightmare.
Someone had ordered his brothers to kidnap Suzie, dragging her into this mess.He’d failed to keep her safe, and that fact taunted him.
Niall glanced in her direction and found her watching him.Her smile was soft and full of understanding he didn’t deserve.That lush mouth of hers firmed, and she reached for his hand.She leaned against his arm, her scent filling his lungs.His bear gave a soft chuff of need, and Niall resettled, wrapping his arm around her and drawing her close.
“I’m sorry,” he murmured.
“Why?None of this is your fault,” Suzie said in surprise.“You didn’t kidnap me.Your brothers are the problem.Will you hold Colin while I punch him in the nose?”
Niall spat out a laugh at her bloodthirsty query.“I could do that, but something tells me you can show my brothers your displeasure without my help.”
Liam pulled up at the rear of the castle.
“Anyone hungry?”Niall asked.“Angus will want to whistle up breakfast for us.Feeding people is his way of dealing with a crisis.”
“I could drink coffee,” Suzie said.“I’m craving a shower.”
Niall squeezed her gently.“You go and shower.”
She blushed and leaned closer, whispering in his ear.“I was hoping you’d share with me.”
“After I speak with Angus.”
“I understand.He’s your family,” Suzie said.“I didn’t see it before, but now I know you better, it’s easy to see your bond.He’s very proper in public, but I’ve heard him joke with you when you’re alone.”
“We’re going to clean up,” Scott said.“Why don’t we meet for breakfast and a strategy meeting in an hour?”
“Works for me,” Liam said.
Niall nodded and urged Suzie from the vehicle.“Go up while I speak with Angus.”
The door to Niall’s private entry flew open, and Angus filled the doorway.Once he spotted Niall, the anxiety in his thin face fell away.His assessing gaze took in the rest of them.
“You’ll want coffee and something to eat,” Angus said.“I’ll speak with the cook.”
“Can you deliver breakfast to the dining room in an hour?”Niall asked.“We want to shower and change clothes before we eat and devise a plan.Will you join us?We’d welcome your input.”
Niall caught Angus’s surprise, then the flash of pleasure that filled his narrow face.“I will be available.”
Niall dipped his head in recognition.Liam and Scott disappeared, and Suzie hovered, waiting for him.His heart squeezed, and the gentle chuff from his bear urging him to touch her had him holding out his hand.She closed the distance between them, slipping her hand into his.Niall curled his fingers, his world righting despite the trouble surrounding them.
“Thank you,” he said, tugging her from the entranceway toward the stairs leading to his private apartments.
“For what?”
“My brothers abducted you and kept you locked in a cold, drafty room.Even after your ordeal, you’re calm.You’re not blaming me for what my brothers did.”
“Shouting won’t help.Besides, I’m more pissed than upset.Your brothers are idiots.I don’t have a high opinion of the man pulling their strings, either.He’s the one I blame for our trouble, and he’s not brave enough to do his dirty work.”
