“I memorized it before you hung up from Daniel yesterday. Now, would you care to answer my question? I’m missing my mate and I gave her my express promise she wouldn’t leave my lair without me.”
“Sorry, but I decided to take the convertible for a spin. She drives like a beauty, and now I’m back on the clock. I also borrowed your shirt. I really needed it. I hope you don’t mind.”
Daniel tore around the corner, pulled onto the main road and blew down the highway.
“What I mind is not knowing where you are.”
“Don’t worry about your baby. I left her locked in the parking lot at the inn. The key is inside.”
“That’s not the baby I’m after.” One gloriously low drawl that made her ache in places she shouldn’t be aching, or at least while on the clock. “Give me your destination. I’ll follow you.”
“I’m on clan business.”
Daniel whizzed past a gas station. Ahead, past the rolling fields of lush grass, the stone steeple of a church rose high within a quaint village. Daniel tapped her leg. “Put Iain on speaker. Let me have a chat with him.”
“Sure.” She pressed the speaker button. “Iain, meet Daniel and play nice.”
“I’d rather play nice with you.” That deeply sexy voice of his was going to be her undoing.
“Iain”—Daniel cleared his throat—“I apologize for taking your mate from you so soon after you met her, except right now we’re on the clock as she said and after two killers. Saving the life of innocents comes first. I hope you understand.”
“I understand, but you still have no right to take her from me.” A car engine roared to life, and then a door slammed shut, the dual sounds loud coming down the line.
“Follow us then,” Daniel offered. “Since it sounds like you’re on your way. We’re headed to Milliner’s Bridge, half an hour due west of here. There’s a large property on the right. You know where I’m talking?”
“There’s nothing but fields of corn in that area. Who owns the property you’re speaking about?”
“An old man by the name of Gerald Mathie-Bourner owned the place. He’s now deceased and the reading of his will is yet to be completed. We’re going to park out of sight just off the road. The shack is a mile farther down the drive. Ensure you’re well-armed.” Daniel glanced at her. “My phone’s in the glove compartment. The chief sent me a few satellite images of the turnoff and the bridge. Send them to your mate. I wouldn’t want him to get lost.”
“I won’t get lost, but send the images to one of my brothers’ cell phones.” Iain’s husky voice sent another delicious burst of heat curling through her.
“What are their numbers?” She fanned her flushed face.
Iain rattled them off.
She keyed both numbers in then added his as well when he recited it.
Daniel slowed as he drove through the village then sped up the moment they cleared the town’s speed restriction.
“We just passed through the village, Iain. Where are you?”
“Close on your tail. The black SUV. We’re catching up quick.”
She gripped the side of her chair and looked through the rear darkened window. One of the large vehicles with enhanced tires that she’d seen in the castle’s lot sped down the road in hot pursuit. “I hope you’ve got your seat belt on, Mr. Bear.”
“I do.”
She smiled and let her next words float to him, the truth within each and every one. “I miss you.”
“Prove it.” A deep rumbling purr.
“Oh, I intend to.” She blew him a kiss even though he’d never see it.
“If you’re getting all hot and bothered”—Daniel frowned—“then jump into the back and shift. There’s plenty of room in there for your little bear.”
“Smarty-pants.” She cuffed him on the arm. “I’m not shifting in front of you. You’ve got your own little bear who likes to get naked and dance attendance on you.” To Iain, she said, “Just ignore Daniel. He’s got the worst sense of humor, but I promise you, you’ll get used to it.” She lowered her voice, whispered into the phone for Iain alone. “And I promise from now on, I’ll only ever shift in front of you.”
The SUV behind them swerved then moved back into its lane.
Daniel chuckled. “The man’s already fallen under your spell.” He turned off the main highway, crossed Milliner’s Bridge and made another right into the driveway they were after. He bumped across the pot-holed entrance and snuck into a small flattened area in the front field of corn, their vehicle hidden within the towering rows surrounding them.
“Let’s go and kick some bear ass.” Daniel holstered his weapon and came around and opened her door.