Page 2 of Blades and Bone

He glanced at Vivian.

She arched one eyebrow. “Is there a problem?”

Brodie glanced back at the dossier. Had it been supplied by the Reids, or put together by an Ashby? “How many others know of this plan?”

“Us and whoever Ann Reid has told.”

Had the smiling young man learned of his fate? Had he been handed a dossier on him? What did it contain? What was there to write about him?

His degree, when he’d been blooded, his last tax return information…they were the obvious things, but someone would have done a more personal assessment from what they’d gleaned in previous meetings or the media.

“I hope he understands that he will be swearing into this family.”

“I am sure Ann will make it clear. She will not send someone unsuitable. After all, she needs this alliance as much as we do.”

He doubted the Reids needed anything from them. “You think the Orlans will swing north while they are tied up in the west?”

“I think it would be foolish to believe they are not already encroaching.”

Brodie held his sister’s gaze. “What have you heard?”

“Nothing, but the Reids didn’t know until it was too late either.”

The idea that an Orlan vampire could be creeping around his resorts or their territory made his fangs throb. He was going to spend more time walking the property and speaking to staff, as well as increasing security.

“Do not start behaving suspiciously. We do not want to tip our hand.”

“And what do you call a union with the Reids?”

“A statement that Mirabella will understand.” Her phone buzzed. “Damnit. I have to leave for my appointment.” She stood, her rounded belly more obvious at every meeting.

She already knew the baby was a girl. Her first child would secure her place as matriarch, not that Brodie expected his aunt to attempt a takeover. She seemed to have no desire to run the family and shoulder that responsibility.

“Everything is okay?”

Vivian waved him off. “Yes. It is routine.”

For reasons only she knew, the human father of her baby was still around. It appeared that she actually liked him. That, or she was keeping him for a snack during labor.

“Read the file. I will send you their travel details so you can have their rooms ready. And prepare your living quarters…and yourself for marriage.” She put her hand on his arm. “If the Orlans come north, we will stand no chance. They outnumber us and are used to fighting dirty. The distance protected us in the past, but these days, it may as well not exist. Our mother told me of the changes she saw during her leadership. I have read her diaries. I know our history.” Her grip tightened. “I will not let us be erased.”

“I understand.”

“Hmm. Your mouth says yes, but your eyes are full of questions. Do not look at me like that in public.”

“I would never.” He knew his place when they were around others.

“Good. Remember that when you are on your knees, re-swearing to me with your new husband at your side.”

Chapter Two

Hamish re-read the text from Garrick, his favorite uncle.

We’re going to Queensland to meet with the Ashbys. Pack for all possible outcomes.

Why was he going? He’d just done a job for the family, and the job in Albany hadn’t been without issues. He was aware of the tension caused by rescuing the human reporter who was now living with Garrick. Garrick’s mother, the matriarch of the Reid family, had ordered Garrick to let the Orlans deal with the reporter.

But Garrick had a thing with the reporter and had ignored her. Hamish and Jamie had agreed to help because if they hadn’t, Garrick would have gone alone, and it didn’t seem right to let the Orlans kill a human when they could save him. It had felt good to mess up their plans…even the killing had felt good at the time. Now he tried not to think about it. Perhaps despite the disobedience, for which Garrick had taken full responsibility, Ann had determined that the job had been successful, and this was his reward—though not the kind he wanted. He was not surprised that Garrick was going.