Page 10 of Blades and Bone

“True, but the clock is ticking. You will join my family and we will be married, though it is a marriage of vampire tradition.”

“Ink and blood.”

“Yes.” At least he knew something. “As you are joining my family, I am responsible for you, and your crimes became mine. Suffice to say I will not let things get that far, as my sister is the matriarch.”

“I am aware you have a reputation to maintain, but I haven’t had the privilege of reading a file on you the way you have on me.”

Brodie smiled. “I am happy to share the file so you can make corrections. As for me, I’m sure if you ask Garrick, he will have one on me prepared for you. He does not strike me as the kind of man who leaves loose ends.”

Garrick was the one to watch; everyone knew that, even though Ann and Elizabeth were in charge.

Hamish gave a single nod. “I can build a new life here.”

“Nursing? Perhaps in a few months, once you have earned our trust.” Brodie leaned forward. “Ann took in Nixon Hadley…how is he going?”

“Watched.” Hamish swallowed and looked away. “Am I to be treated like a venomous snake, or a necessary evil?”

That was what Brodie had thought when Vivian first told him, but the idea had settled. While he resented the burden, there was also an element of excitement. Hamish was his puzzle to solve, and also protect from both himself and others. “I am hoping neither, as we both want the same thing—to halt the Orlans before they make life complicated for every vampire on the continent. They act as if nothing has changed in a hundred years when they were dealing in liquor, weapons, and gold.”

“And your family was cattle rustling.”

Brodie laughed. “Only the first herd, allegedly. My family arrived in chains, and we have been crawling our way up ever since.” He checked his watch. Their time was almost up. “Obey, and your leash will be lengthened. Since we both value the treaty and dislike the cancerous growth of the Orlans, I do not see this partnership as problematic.”

“That is because you are not the one being traded and leashed. You gain a pet, and I get a master.”

At least Hamish knew who he needed to obey. “I do not want a pet, and while this is not a marriage in the human sense, I hope it can be something…” Not equal. Hamish Ashby would always be on the lowest rung because of his blood. “Productive for both of us.”

Hamish lifted an eyebrow, his lips curving. “So I am free to pursue my own pleasure.”

“No. Your leash is not that long.”

“Fine. No feeding on the guests and no fucking the guests.”

“Or staff,” Brodie added.

“Then what the fuck am I supposed to do? Sit around and await your next command like an inconvenient blow-up doll you accidentally acquired?”

He almost laughed at the idea of Hamish only springing to life when ordered, but it was a very good question, as he was used to having a job, friends, and family. Here he had nothing but distrust and boredom, which would no doubt lead to trouble. “I will arrange something.”

“Great, I can’t wait.” He slumped back in the chair, arms crossed, and that sullen expression marring his features.

If the situation were reversed, what would he be asking for in Perth? What concessions to his old life would he expect? Would they give him a resort to run the way they had given Nixon Hadley the winery to keep him out of trouble?

He couldn’t send Hamish to the nearest hospital to work, as that required absolute trust. And he didn’t want him in his office or following him around.

When Vivian and Ann had hashed out the deal, had anyone considered what he was supposed to do with his disgruntled husband? He couldn’t stick him in a castle or hunting lodge and let him spend his days whoring and hunting the way they had in the past. Hell, he couldn’t even send him to a cattle station for his brothers to deal with, as the problem was his.

Ann had definitely gotten the better end of the deal in that she didn’t have a potential traitor in her family. While he was sure Hamish would not betray them to the Orlans, he expected him to report back to his family.

Brodie drew in a breath and reminded himself that, technically, their families were not united. Separate branches of the same tree. Of course it was not that uncommon for branches to be pruned when they became diseased or inconvenient. That was why his family had been sent to Australia as convicts, having been lopped and expected to die en route.

Chapter Seven

Hamish knelt at Vivian’s feet, the way he had at Ann’s when he’d first been blooded and then again when he had re-sworn and been re-inked. Tattoos faded after three months, so loyalty was always re-sworn. He’d been expecting to re-swear again; instead, he was trading a red heart on his wrist for a blue dagger along the side of his index finger.

Would he still follow Garrick on the unsanctioned raid?

Yes…but he wished he were smarter and able to say no.