“One more thing,” Scott said.“Suzie, Liam, and I arrived with three additional friends.I didn’t know them well before, but this experience has brought us closer.Our entire community is like a big family; if you and Suzie end up together, you’ll become part of it.Middlemarch is an amazing place.My cousin Saber is in charge and supports those in his community.I bet he or London has already sorted out help for Suzie’s parents and looking after her brother and sisters.Your family doesn’t define you; there are people who care.Those people are your family, and you give and hold to them in return.They are your team.Look, Suzie cares for you.Her scent wouldn’t cling to you otherwise.With her at your side, you’ll have a big-ass family who have your back.Blood might not connect you, but they’ll be encouraging and loyal and sometimes pains in the arse.Don’t chuck this opportunity away because of hurt pride or rotten memories.”
“Couldn’t have said it better,” Liam exclaimed, raising his hand for a high five.
Scott beamed as he slapped his friend’s palm.
Angus met Niall’s gaze and gave an imperceptible nod, lifting some of the weight on Niall’s shoulders.
“I’ll think about what you’ve said,” he promised.He had dated women previously, always being the one to end things.He’d never experienced this sense of emptiness.Yet Scott and Liam were correct.Suzie had intended to go home next week.He hadn’t asked her to stay.He’d commanded her rather than asking properly.He’d given her sweet words, but he hadn’t claimed her because, deep down, he was still that scared child trying to protect his heart.He needed to woo her instead of taking her for granted.Basically, what Angus had told him during his lecture before he’d handed over breakfast.
“Let’s go over our plan again,” he said, finding the shift of topic eased his tension.In his business realm, he exuded confidence and knew precisely how to proceed.Romance and love were beyond his ken, but he’d get there.Eventually.
Tension simmered through Niall as he settled in his tiny office, but he quashed the emotion, determined to act naturally and flush out his honey thief.Liam and Scott had hidden inside the nearby research building, their feline senses allowing them to perceive others easily.They were his backup, and he was grateful for their unstinting support.
Angus remained at the castle, a phone call away.
Confidence in their plan cut away at his anxiety.It was an excellent strategy, and damn if he’d let someone else steal his honey.Let them work to produce their own miracle.
The purr of a motor vehicle pulling up outside had him straightening.Showtime.His bear’s chuff echoed in his mind, leading Niall to a decision.
They were right.Angus, too.He loved Suzie, and she made him happy.He didn’t know why, but his ray of sunshine had embraced his grumpiness.Because of Suzie, he had two new friends at his back.Afterward, he planned to fly to New Zealand.He’d beg for forgiveness and tell Suzie he loved her and couldn’t live without her.She’d supported him fully with his honey, but he hadn’t given her the same level of backing with her music.That changed now.
His bear gave a testy chuff, and Niall grinned.Aye, they’d claim their woman and love her until none of them doubted where they stood.
The car door slammed, and Niall forced his thoughts to the present.Rapid footsteps came closer, and the door squeaked as a hand yanked it open.
“Niall, I didn’t expect you here.I thought you were working from the castle,” Michael said.He was a height-challenged man, but his suit and crisp cotton shirt gave him an elegant air.His brown eyes were shrewd and full of confidence.Right now, they held a trace of alarm.
Niall needed to nullify Michael’s suspicions.“I had a folder of research notes here.In the turmoil after the break-in, I missed grabbing it.I was just about to tidy up and search for my folder.How is the advertising campaign going?”
“We’ve hit a few snags.I was going to call you after I checked through everything again.”
Niall glanced at his watch.“I have a meeting but can return this afternoon.”Niall met Michael’s gaze and took satisfaction in the fact that Michael glanced away first, under the excuse of checking his diary.
“I have a marketing meeting at midday.Could we meet later in the afternoon?Around four?”
Niall considered their plan.“Could you make it four-thirty?That would give me leeway if my three o’clock meeting goes long.”
“I’ll be here.I’ll leave you to it and go over the marketing plan.Hopefully, I have time to tidy a bit before leaving.”
“Thanks,” Niall said, working hard to keep his voice even.He didn’t want to scare the man off.Every sign pointed to Michael’s perfidy, and Niall wanted to learn how deep the rot ran.Did Michael have others working with him, or was he the boss?The brains behind this attempted heist?“I’ll see you later.”He glanced at his watch.“Damn, I’d better go, or I’ll be late.We’ll discuss the marketing budget and hash out any problems this afternoon.”
Michael gave a quick nod before disappearing into the area where he worked.Niall glared after him.He’d checked the marketing budget a few days ago.All their ducks were in a row, and they had done nothing unusual that might cause problems.They’d decided on a low-key plan because they would never have a vast stock of honey.Niall hoped word of mouth would kick in and he’d amass loyal customers.
The next problem: he’d need to replace Michael with someone he could trust.That might take more work and research.Angus might have some ideas.
Anger filled Niall as he picked up his phone and the papers he’d been pretending to work on when Michael came to see him.It galled him he couldn’t just punch the man, but there was a chance Michael wasn’t responsible, and someone else was after his honey.He had to be certain.Also, deep in his gut, he knew Suzie would want him to behave to plan rather than using his fists.He aimed to be the man Suzie admired and loved and not act like his brothers.
Without hesitation, he rose and departed his research building, not bothering to check for Scott or Liam.It was one of the hardest things he’d ever done.
Until he came to Scotland, he had only himself to count on.Everything changed when the laird and Angus entered his life.Now, he was taking another step and letting in Suzie’s friends—still a challenge for him but necessary.
He didn’t want to remain a loner.He wanted Suzie and everything a relationship with her might encapsulate.
Niall left the research building and drove to a stand of pine trees.Liam and Scott would contact him as soon as something happened.He called Angus to give him an update.
“What does your gut say?”Angus asked after Niall had explained what had happened.
“I think Michael is our thief.I don’t know whether it’s greed or another reason, but I wish he’d talked to me.”
