Bound by Blood (Cauld Ane Series) (35 page)

“Is that too much? Kade’s happy to get a hotel room.”

“Absolutely not. We want to get to know your man. I want to hear all about the proposal as well. We even raised the temperature so he’ll be more comfortable.”

“You know, mom, could you maybe keep it below sixty-seven? Scotland’s much colder than Savannah, and he prefers the cold.”

“Not a problem. Are you sure?”

Sam grinned. “Very.”

“Okay then. I’ve asked Pepper to stay for a few days. Her mom’s not doing well, so she’ll be in the guest room.”

“Good.” Sam sighed. “We’ll be there in about half an hour. Do you need us to stop anywhere?”

“No, honey, we’re good. Just looking forward to seeing you.”

“Me too. We’ll see you soon.” She hung up and dropped her phone back in her purse. “I’m guessing you’ll be staying in Dalt’s room.”

Kade raised an eyebrow. “What about when he’s out of the hospital?”

She snorted. “He’ll insist on going back to his place, especially since Pepper’s staying for a few days.”

“Don’t they get along?”

“They do. Sort of. They seemed really close for a while, but a few years ago, something happened, I think an argument or something. Neither of them would tell me. They both said it was no big deal, but they’ve been cool to each other ever since. I didn’t want to pry.” Sam rolled her eyes. “Anyway, sorry about the separate rooms.”

“I can survive a few nights without you in my bed, love.”

“Yeah, well I don’t know if I can.”

Kade chuckled. “We’ll figure something out.”

Sam settled further into the seat and watched the terrain fly by as they made their way to her parents’ house. She couldn’t stop thinking about how much her life had changed in such a short amount of time.

* * *

The driver pulled into the driveway and Sam smiled when the front door opened and her parents rushed outside. Kade slid from the car and held the door for her. She climbed out and ran straight into her mother’s arms.

“Aw, honey, I’ve been wantin’ to hug your neck for weeks!”

“Me too, Mom.” Sam sniffed, trying to force the tears away.

Her father hugged her quickly and then went to help Kade with the bags. They shook hands and her father gave her a wink.

“How are you feeling?” her mom asked.

“Much better,” Sam said. “It didn’t last long. What about Dalton? How is he…really?”

Her mom frowned. “He’s perfectly fine. I don’t know what that boy was thinkin’! He said the robber came up behind him and he got out of the way just in time. He shot the man before he could get away, but the officers haven’t said whether or not they’ve found him. I don’t imagine they’ll tell us anything, but still. I’m just glad your daddy taught you both to shoot.”

Sam grimaced. “Yes. I suppose that’s a good thing.”

“Let’s talk about better things, hmm? I had no idea Kade was so tall.” She studied Sam’s fiancé. “I suppose you were sitting down over Skype, huh? He’s taller than Dalton.”

Sam smiled as Kade and her father finished grabbing the bags from the trunk. “He’s better looking too.”

“I won’t touch that one.” Her mother chuckled. “Now, do you have something to show me?”

“Oh, yes,” Sam said, and held her hand out.

Her mother studied the ring and then hugged her. “Oh, honey, it’s stunning.”

Kade and her father made their way to them and set the bags on the ground. Kade held his hand out to Sam’s mother.

“We’ll have none of that,” she said as she pulled him into a motherly hug.

Kade grinned and hugged her back.

“You made it here in record time,” her father said.

Sam chuckled. “We did. Your future son-in-law has connections.”

“We’re happy you said yes.”

“Like I could resist him, Daddy.” She leaned closer, lowering her voice. “He’s almost perfect.”

I’ll remember that when you argue with me.

Sam grinned.
No arguing. No point. I’m always right.

Her mother ushered them toward the house. “Why don’t we get you two settled and we’ll talk after you’ve rested.”

Wait, love. Let me check the temperature.

Sam distracted her parents long enough for Kade to peek inside. When he was satisfied, Kade picked up the bags and waited for the ladies to precede him.

Sam’s father followed. “You kids rest up,” he said. “I’ll see you at dinner.”

“Okay,” Sam said.

“We have you in Dalton’s old room, Kade, and Sam, you’re back in yours,” her mother explained as she led them upstairs.

Sam glanced over her shoulder and gave him a wink. Kade smiled and shook his head. Sam stopped at her room long enough to drop her bag inside, and then followed Kade into Dalton’s. Sam and Dalton’s rooms were separated by a Jack-and-Jill bathroom, which had been updated with new fixtures and accessories. “Mom, the bathroom looks really good. I can’t believe Daddy finally got around to doing it.”

Her mother snorted. “He didn’t. I broke down and hired someone. He’s still stewin’ about it, so let’s not talk about it in front of him, okay?”

Sam giggled. “No problem.”

“I’ll leave you two for now. We’ll get Dalton and then eat around six, okay?”

“Thanks, Mom.” Sam hugged her again. “Love you.”

Her mom stroked her cheek. “Love you too, honey.”

CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE

HER MOTHER LEFT them alone and Sam flopped onto Dalton’s bed, crossing her legs and settling her chin in her hand.

“What’s going on in that fascinating mind of yours?” Kade asked as he set his bag on the bed behind her.

“If my mother knew how old you actually were, I wonder if she’d still force us to sleep in separate rooms.”

“I’m going to venture a guess and say yes.” Kade laughed. “I think it has more to do with the fact she doesn’t know we’re boun…uh, married.”

Sam blew out a sigh. “I know. Still, it’s annoying. We can’t even lock the doors—they removed the locks when we were kids.”

Kade chuckled.

“What’s so funny?”

“It’s just interesting to see such a confident young woman turn into an irritated teenager in the presence of her mother.”

Sam sighed. “I don’t know about confident, but I’ll agree with feeling like a teenager again.”

Kade pulled the desk chair to the end of the bed and sat facing her. “Every mum and dad will always see their daughter as a little girl.”

She wrinkled her nose. “Maybe we
should
get a hotel.”

He grinned. “I have no intention of giving up the room I already booked. We’ll sleep here at night and “sightsee” during the day.”

Sam straightened. “I knew there was a reason I love you.”

“Just one?” He leaned over to kiss her, but his phone rang, interrupting the moment. “Hold that thought.” He answered the call. “Hi, Con.”

“Hi, Kade. How’s Sam’s brother?”

“Fine. He’s being released tonight.” Kade smiled as Sam stood and started to unpack his bag. “What’s up?”

“I’ve run into a wee bit of a snag.”

“With which issue?” Kade asked.

“Ármann. He’s making moves. We need to be at Haarde sooner than later.”

Kade swore. “Okay. Set it up and I can meet you there.”

Sam raised an eyebrow, but Kade forced a smile and she went back to her task.

“Good,” Connall said. “There’s one other thing.”

“What?” he asked as he focused on Connall.

Why are you blocking me?
she complained.
Why do you have to go to Iceland sooner?

“Can you hold a sec, Con? Sorry.” He lowered the phone and looked at Sam. “I don’t want you to worry, so will you trust me, love?”

“Why would I worry?” she challenged.

“Sam.”

“Fine.” She waved her hand. “Go back to your super-secret conversation.”

I love you.

She stuck her tongue out at him and he chuckled. “Sorry, Con. What else?”

“Cole’s working with someone, and you’re not going to like who it is.”

“Who is it?”

“It’s Dalton Moore.”

Kade turned away from Sam. “What?”

“Samantha’s brother is not who he says he is. He’s FBI.”

“What?” Sam snapped.

“Damn it!” Kade exclaimed. “How did you do that?”

“Me?” Connall asked.

“No,” Kade said. “Hold on.” He is stared at his mate. “Sam?”

Sam shrugged and made a show of refolding one of his T-shirts. “I guess you could say you’re not a very good multi-tasker.”

Kade sighed in frustration. “Con, do you mind if I put you on speaker? Sam should hear this as well.”

“Not at all,” Con said.

Sam sat on the bed, a triumphant expression on her face.

Kade switched to speaker and said, “I thought Dalton owned car dealerships.”

“He does. But it’s also a good cover, wouldn’t you agree?”

“Are you sure?” Sam asked.

“Aye.”

“How did you find this out?” Kade asked.

“It wasn’t easy, but there’s more. I think Dalton might have been the one who sent your résumé to Duncan, Sam.”

“You can’t be serious,” Sam said. “Is there proof?”

“More of hunch at this point,” Connall admitted. “But I’m looking into it.”

“Thanks, Con. Let us know what you come up with. I’ll call you later,” Kade said, and hung up.

Sam frowned. “Connall could be wrong, couldn’t he?”

“I’ll know more in a few days, but I intend to talk with your brother while I’m here,” Kade warned.

She stood and started to pace. “Why would Dalton do this?”

“Connall will ask Cole, I’m sure, and I’ll ask Dalton.”

“I want to be there when you talk to my idiot brother.”

He chuckled. “I’m not sure that’s a good idea and not just because you may cause him bodily harm.”

Samantha crossed her arms. “He’ll be more forthcoming if I’m there. My brother has never been able to lie to me.”

“Never?”

“Never. He has a tell.”

“Does he now?”

She grinned. “Yep. If he’s lying, his left ear turns red.”

“You can’t be serious.”

“You’ll be able to see for yourself…if he’s lying.” She wagged a finger at him. “But like Pepper’s real name, that tidbit of information stays between you and me. Got it?”

“I’d never share your secrets.” He settled his hands on her hips. “Especially considering that they’re so entertaining.”

“Why does that matter?”

“If I spill the beans, you might stop telling me those secrets.”

Sam giggled. “Are you forgetting you can read my mind?”

“There is that.” He leaned down and kissed her. “But I prefer it when you tell me.”

“Good thing I like to tell you everything.” She looped her hands around his neck. “What was the other thing?”

He sighed. “I have to go to Iceland.”

“Right. Iceland.”

“My cousin’s making trouble. The bottom line is that he needs to be replaced. I should have gotten rid of him a while ago, but I’ve been trying to give him the benefit of the doubt.”

“Can I come?”

“Not this time.”

She bit her lip. “Will it be dangerous?”

He slid a lock of her hair behind her ear. “Potentially.”

“Don’t go then.”

“My brothers will be there, love. There’s nothing to worry about.”

“Famous last words.” A horn sounded outside and Sam sighed. “My brother’s home. Yay,” she droned.

Kade grinned. “I’m looking forward to meeting him.”

Sam rolled her eyes and dragged him downstairs just as her mother opened the front door and stepped outside. Sam followed and couldn’t stop her smile. Pepper was in the front seat. Sam’s father obviously convinced her to let him pick her up…something often difficult to do.

Sam’s smile faded as her best friend climbed from the car. Pepper didn’t look well. She’d lost even more weight and had dark rings under her eyes. She looked exhausted. When she caught sight of Sam, she managed to paste a smile on her gorgeous face and hold her arms out, but it looked forced.

Her brother climbed out of the back seat and Sam hugged him carefully. Niceties continued as the group made their way inside and spent the next thirty minutes introducing everyone and then lobbing question after question to Dalton. He answered them vaguely, which made Samantha more and more frustrated.

* * *

Kade sat with the family and observed the small group. Samantha’s mother was just as she had appeared during their Skype chats. Strong southern matriarch to the core. Pepper was certainly treated like another daughter. Dalton was not what Kade had expected, on any level. Sam had described him as a rich playboy, and although he may give that impression, Kade noticed something he doubted many people did. Dalton Moore missed nothing. He was on constant alert.