Bound by Blood (Cauld Ane Series Book 1) Read online

Samantha laughed. “I said you could ask. I didn’t say I’d agree.”

  “So, I’m back to my scheming then.”

  “That sounds ominous.”

  He squeezed her hand. “Only to you.”

  “We don’t want that.” She blushed and pulled her hand away. “Yes, I’ll have dinner with you.”

  “Would you like me to cook for you, or would you rather go out?”

  “You can cook?” she asked in delighted surprise.

  “I can.” He rose to his feet and held her chair for her. “You just tell me what you do and don’t like.”

  “I like everything.” Samantha stood and gathered her purse and outerwear. “But if you need time to plan, we can do it another day.”

  “Tonight will be perfect. I’ll walk you to your office and we can go on up to the meeting together.” She stalled and Kade found himself closing the distance between them. “Samantha? Are you all right?”

  * * *

  Samantha bit her lip and pondered the question. Other than the fact that you’re making me fall in love with you and that scares the freakin’ pants off me? Yes, I’m fine.

  “I just don’t want to keep you from anything. You must need to prep for the meeting, right?”

  He shook his head. “Anna has everything under control. I’m yours for the morning.”

  Samantha forced a smile and nodded. “If you’re sure.”

  He laid his hand on her arm and gently squeezed. “You want to run, don’t you?”

  She blinked in surprise. “You have no idea.”

  “Your fear is pouring off of you. Just relax and trust me.”

  “But I don’t know you,” she countered even as her panic began to fade.

  “You know me well enough, Samantha. If you listen to your heart, you know you can trust me. It’s important you don’t sabotage your own feelings.”

  “Why is it important?”

  “We’ll talk tonight, all right?”

  She took a deep breath and gave him a reluctant nod.

  Kade’s eyes bore into her. “Your mind is fascinating.”

  She frowned. “You acting like you can read my mind isn’t making me want to trust you.”

  He chuckled. “Sorry. I’ll stop now.” He rubbed the arm he still grasped. “Calmer?”

  “Yes.” Which doesn’t make sense.

  “I know this doesn’t make sense right now…”

  She pulled away from his touch. “Okay, now you’re just freaking me out.”

  “Why?”

  He stared at her with such sincerity, she wasn’t sure if she was being fair. But he seemed two steps ahead of her, and when she could focus logically, she knew something out of the ordinary was going on. She also knew she didn’t think she could handle whatever it was.

  “Samantha?” he pressed.

  “Never mind. Let’s just go.”

  “Would you rather meet me in the conference room?”

  She grimaced. “Would that be okay?”

  “Of course. Don’t worry about this, all right? I’ll explain everything.”

  He led her to the elevator bay and pressed the down button, waiting for her to step onto the elevator before pressing the up button. Samantha watched him as the doors closed, and her heart felt both bereft and nervous as she rode down to her office.

  KADE BERATED HIMSELF as he made his way to his floor. He’d pushed too fast.

  “Good morning, Dr. Gunnach.”

  “Good morning, Anna. Will you find Connall for me, please?”

  “Uh, he’s actually in your office, my lord.”

  “Excellent,” Kade said, and stormed into his office.

  “What’s happened?” Connall asked as Kade slammed the door.

  “Yer idiot brother’s what’s happened.”

  Connall laughed. “What have you done?”

  “Doing. It’s constant. Puttin’ my bleedin’ foot in me mouth is what I’m doing!”

  Connall sat at the table by the window and waved his hand toward the other chair. “Calm yourself or Samantha’s going to feel what you’re feeling.”

  Kade dragged his hands down his face and nodded. “Bloody hell, Con. I had no idea it was like this.”

  “Do you want a change of subject?”

  Kade dropped into the chair and sighed. “Please.”

  Connall slid a file toward him. “I found Samantha’s Cole.”

  Kade couldn’t stop a glare toward his brother as he opened the file. “He works for Fox Securities and is currently lecturing at Edinburgh.”

  “Aye,” Connall said.

  “Colton Drake.” Kade went back to the file. “Shite, Con, could his name be any more stereotypical.”

  Connall laughed. “I thought it might be fake, but it’s not.”

  “He’s thirty-two, from Detroit, Michigan, and used to be a cop,” Kade read. “What else?”

  “That’s just it. There’s nothing else.”

  “What do you mean, there’s nothing else?” Kade laid his hand on the folder. “That’s impossible.”

  “Exactly. Alasdair’s digging into it further.”

  “This stinks, Con.”

  “Yeah, I know. Hence, the reason Ali’s digging further into it.” Connall tapped his fingertips on the table. “There’s something else.”

  “What?”

  “Samantha. The word’s beginning to spread.”

  “I figured as soon as Shannon saw us together, she’d know. I should never have let her come to the introduction lunch.” Kade sighed. “I need to talk to Hamish about his sister. She needs to be leashed.”

  Connall’s eyes widened. “I’ve never heard you speak so brutally.”

  “I want Samantha safe, and if Shannon can’t keep her gossip to herself, she has the potential to do harm.” Kade stood and faced the windows. “I think I’m going to need to move Anna.”

  “Really?”

  “Aye. If Ármann gets wind of me mating with a human, we could have a few issues.”

  “But Anna’s always been loyal.”

  “Aye, but she’s also Shannon’s aunt, and I can’t take any chances.”

  “Who’ll replace her?” Connall asked.

  Kade raised an eyebrow.

  “Duncan’s not going to like that.”

  “I know, but we need to close ranks. Payton will be family and even if she wasn’t, she’s more trustworthy than any of us.”

  Connall nodded.

  “Don’t worry,” Kade continued. “I’m not going to make any changes until after the stockholders’ meeting, and I’ll make sure Duncan’s happy. What’s the update on security?”

  “Alasdair’s got men on Samantha at all times now, but until you two are official, the danger is greater.”

  “I know.” Kade’s desk phone rang and he made his way to it. “Yes, Anna.”

  “Dr. Moore is asking to see you, but she doesn’t have an appointment.”

  “Send her in. And in the future, Dr. Moore never needs to have an appointment.”

  “Aye sir.”

  Kade hung up and slipped the file into his desk drawer.

  “I’ll see you at the meeting,” Connall said, and made his way to the door.

  “Thanks, brother.”

  Connall opened the door just as Samantha raised her hand to knock, smiling at her as he ushered her inside. “Good morning, Samantha.”

  “Hi. Am I interrupting?”

  “Not at all. I was just leaving.” Connall made his exit and pulled the door closed.

  Kade leaned against his desk and smiled. “Everything all right?”

  Samantha pressed her lips into a flat line. “You tell me. I have that unsettled feeling again.”

  “Och, Samantha, I’m sorry.”

  “Were you arguing with your brother?”

  He shook his head and held his hand out to her. “Not arguing with, just discussing something intense.”

  Samantha stayed put. “Oh.”

  He waved her over. “Come here. I w
on’t bite.” She stepped toward him, her hand shaking as she took his. Kade linked his fingers with hers and stroked her palm with his thumb. “We have so much to talk about.”

  “Clearly.” Her face showed confusion as she looked up at him. “I just don’t want to hear that every time I’m feeling unsettled or panicked, I’m going to have to hold your hand in order for the feeling to go away.”

  He smiled. “It won’t always be like this.”

  “What won’t always be like this?”

  “This. The uncertainty and confusion of our acquaintance. We’ll get to know each other and things will be calm.”

  She grimaced. “Why doesn’t that give me any kind of comfort?”

  His phone rang again and he let out a frustrated groan. “Tonight, we can talk uninterrupted until you’re feeling calm… without holding my hand. All right?”

  She nodded and he picked up his phone.

  “The team is ready, Dr. Gunnach,” Anna said.

  “We’ll be right there.”

  * * *

  The staff meeting wrapped up and Samantha escaped to her office. As was her habit when she was deep in thought, she chewed the soft end of a ballpoint pen, which would render it useless within a few days.

  Payton, Anna, and Shannon had been on hand to take notes and assist, as Sam was sure they did every week, but she couldn’t help notice the curious stares from Anna… and the irritated ones from Shannon. Kade barely glanced at Samantha during the meeting and she didn’t really have anything to add, so she didn’t say much. She thought about calling Pepper, but a knock at her door put that idea on hold.

  “Come in,” she called.

  Payton pushed the door open and stepped inside. “Hi.”

  “Hi. How are you?”

  “Good. You?”

  “Just dandy,” Sam grumbled. “What can I do for you?”

  “I brought you lunch,” Payton said, and dropped a paper bag on Sam’s desk.

  “That’s so sweet. You didn’t have to do that.”

  “I also thought you might need a friend.”

  Sam dropped her pen on the desk and sighed. “And why would you think that?”

  Payton shut the door and sat down. “Maybe because of the glares Shannon was giving you at the meeting.”

  “So it wasn’t just me, huh?”

  “Ignore her, Samantha. She’s been sniffing after Kade for years, and he’s rebuffed her at every turn. She can tell he… uh… likes you, so it’s driving her mad. She’s a nasty piece of work, but she has no power over you.”

  “I don’t know why she’s upset, Payton. I don’t have any exclusivity when it comes to Kade, so I don’t know why she’d even be worried.”

  Payton’s eyes widened. “But you want it, right? The exclusivity?”

  Sam shrugged. “I have no idea.”

  Payton smiled. “What can I do to help?”

  “I think this is something I have to figure out on my own.”

  “I understand, but my door is always open, as they say.”

  “Thanks.”

  “One more thing,” Payton said as she stood. “Should you need to pick something up from the market, please let me or Alasdair know. We can show you where the best shops are.”

  “Ooh, yes, please. I’d like to pick up a bottle of wine, if you can point me in the right direction.”

  Payton nodded. “I’d be happy to pick up whatever you need.”

  Samantha rolled her eyes. “You’re spoiling me, Payton.”

  Payton chuckled. “Can’t be helped. What would you like me to get?”

  Samantha wrote down her favorites in order of importance and handed Payton the list. “If they don’t have these, if you could ask the sommelier to recommend a red and a white that will go with everything, I’d appreciate it.”

  Payton took the list and smiled. “No problem. I’ll bring them by your flat later if that works.”

  “That’s fine as long as it doesn’t interfere with your plans. You can bring them here as well. I can carry them home.”

  “My plans are to bring you wine. I’ll see you later.” Payton left her office and pulled the door closed.

  Sam ate in relative peace and then made her way to the lab. She decided since she wouldn’t be able to concentrate, she might as well observe her staff. She found them to be efficient and thorough, which didn’t surprise her. Gunnach Pharmaceuticals was at the forefront of drug research.

  Sam was surprised when the staff started to pack up for the day. She headed back to her office and found a gift bag sitting on her desk. She peeked inside to find a dark green umbrella nestled at the bottom underneath piles of tissue paper, and a card that had her name scrawled across the top. She opened the envelope and smiled.

  In case I’m unable to keep you dry, this will have to do. K.

  “Are you for real?” she said as she pulled the umbrella out.

  “Is who for real?”

  Sam let out a startled squeal as she turned to find Shannon Fraser in her doorway.

  “Sorry. I didn’t mean to alarm you,” Shannon said with a smile.

  A smile that looked more shark-like than human.

  Samantha slipped the card into her purse and shook her head. “No problem. I was just packing up for the day. What can I do for you?”

  Shannon sauntered in and sat down. “It’s more what I can do for you.”

  “Oh?”

  “Yes. With you being so new, I thought I could help you. I’ve known the Gunnachs for years. Kade and I, particularly, are extremely close, so should you have any questions, I’d be happy to answer them for you.”

  Samantha sat in her chair and forced a smile. She didn’t really care at this point if it looked sincere. “That’s so generous, Shannon. I appreciate that.”

  “It’s my pleasure. Is there anything you’d like to know?”

  “Not yet. I haven’t really been here long enough to have questions pop up.” Samantha rose to her feet. “But I’ll certainly let you know if there is.”

  Shannon nodded as she also stood. “Please feel free to use me as a resource. I’ll tell you everything you need to know. Kade and I have been close friends for years.”

  So you said.

  “Thanks.”

  “I think he might like you,” she continued.

  “Oh?” Sam hoped she sounded nonchalant.

  “I saw it at the meeting. Next he’ll be asking you to have breakfast with him, and then perhaps he’ll offer to cook for you. Something like that. It’s his M.O.”

  How did she know? Did Kade tell her?

  Sam let out a nervous laugh. “Good to know. Thank you.” She gathered her coat and purse and guided Shannon out of the office.

  “Do you have big plans tonight?”

  Ooh, you just don’t give up! Like I’d ever tell you what I’m really doing.

  Samantha shrugged. “If you consider a pizza and whatever’s on TV big plans, then yes, I plan to paint the town red.”

  “Perhaps one of these weekends, I could show you around Edinburgh. Once you’ve settled in.”

  Samantha locked her door and pulled on her coat. “That would be nice.”

  “Great. You just let me know what works and I’ll set it up.”

  “Sounds good.” They walked to the elevators and Sam hit the up button. “Are you heading out now?”

  Shannon shook her head. “No, I have to meet with Kade in a few minutes.”

  The elevator arrived and Sam pressed the lobby button while Shannon pressed the top floor. Once the doors opened, Samantha forced another smile and stepped out. “Okay. You have a nice evening.”

  “Good night.” Shannon waved and the doors closed.

  Samantha shook off her irritation and started toward home. The rain had stopped, so she shoved her new umbrella in her purse and used the brief moment of exercise to push aside her insecurity. She didn’t know how she was going to get through this dinner. She didn’t know if she even wanted to.

  When
she arrived at her building, Alan greeted her with his familiar smile and held the door for her. “Miss McFadden dropped off a few things for you, Dr. Moore. Shall I have Jon carry them up for you?”

  “I think it’s just a couple of bottles of wine, which I’m happy to take up.”

  “Actually, ma’am, it’s more like a case of wine.” He led her to the security desk.

  Jon, the young security guard, stood and smiled. Payton had told Sam that he was Alan’s son and working to save for college. “Hello, Dr. Moore.”

  “Hi, Jon. My word,” Sam said as she went through the bottles. Payton had purchased two of everything on the list. “She’s thorough.”

  Alan chuckled. “That’s one way of describing her.”

  “Yes, please bring them up when you have time.” She checked her watch. “It doesn’t need to be right this minute.”

  “I’m available now, Dr. Moore,” Jon said. “I’m happy to follow you up.”

  “Okay. Thank you.”

  Samantha led Jon to her apartment and found an envelope taped to her door. She pulled it off and unlocked the door. Jon set the wine in the kitchen and then left Sam alone. She opened the note and smiled.

  I’ve missed you today. Looking forward to seeing you at six. K

  “You’re killing me, Smalls,” Sam groaned, and fired up her computer. Pepper was online, so Sam requested a video call.

  “Hey, long-lost friend,” Pepper said as she answered and adjusted her video camera.

  “Hi.”

  “How’s it going with Mr. Hottie?”

  “I’m dying, Pepper. Seriously, this guy cannot be for real!”

  “Why? ’Cause he has good taste and is falling madly in love with you?”

  Samantha snorted. “He’s not falling in love with me, but there’s definitely something going on.”

  “But Miss Smarty Pants can’t put it into a neat little pile that fits into one of her many compartmentalized boxes, right?”

  “You got me.”

  “Well, I’d like to see you be messy for once. Find out more about him. You have nothing to lose, Sam.”

  “Except my sanity.”

  “Oh, honey, that was gone the moment you chose me as your friend.”

  Samantha laughed. “Good point. Okay, well, you better be available for sobbing sessions when this thing goes south.”

  “Way to stay positive.” Pepper grinned. “But, yes, I’ll be here whenever you need me. Now, is that what you’re wearing to dinner?”