by Holly Ice
Shane stroked the back of my hand, his low whisper vibrating through me. ‘What’s wrong?’
He saw me, always. He knew I wasn’t just done with this class.
I watched his finger move over the veins in my hand, sending shivers to pool in my belly like butterflies. He watched my skin rather than my face. That made it easier to spill.
I filled him in on my trip to the morgue and what I Saw.
Shane’s finger stilled, his brow scrunching. ‘Liels Birži, you’re sure?’
‘As sure as I can be, aye. Why?’
He tapped a pen on his desk. ‘I can’t place it.’ He bit his lip, like the answer was just out of reach.
I itched to smooth his frown with the answer but I’d never had a vision from him, and our childhoods were completely different. Had his uncle or great uncle let slip the name of this place?
‘It’s right there.’ He tapped his head a touch too hard. ‘If I could remember, we could find the women, put an end to your retrial.’ His eyes searched mine, brimming with care and worry.
He put so much thought into me, but we might also put his suspicions about his dad to rest if we found the right farm. And each second of that look, so focused on me, so guilty, dropped another stone in my gut. I prodded his hand. ‘We’re in this together. This isn’t all on you.’
His smile was weak but still sent tingles along my nerves.
‘There’s that sexy smile.’
He huffed, his sudden scowl way too predictable.
I chuckled. ‘So touchy.’ But I was glad I’d nudged him out of his shame spiral.
‘You’re trouble,’ he grumbled. But his lowered brows soon lightened into a real grin.
I held back another laugh. It turned into a snort, but I covered it with a cough when the teacher looked our way. No need to bring extra attention.
We battled through our classes. I was only called out twice – a minor victory – though we’d had a ton of work dumped on us for the weekend. Me especially, with practice tests for the previous term’s modules.
Shane typed in his phone through dinner, his forehead furrowed. He hardly glanced my way.
The stones in my gut clunked together.
‘Want to go to the library? Make a head start on homework?’ I asked.
Maybe that’d take his mind off that stupid farm name. It wasn’t his job to single-handedly solve every single one of my problems. Shouldering it all would flatten him.
‘Shane?’
He was still typing but finished quickly. ‘Sorry. I can’t.’
‘Why not?’
It wasn’t like he’d hung out with Cameron or his old friends since we got back.
‘Don’t feel like it.’
But he’d averted his eyes. He was trying to act casual, but he was hiding something. And the twist in my gut agreed.
‘Okay. Maybe tomorrow?’
He nodded as we scraped our plates.
I walked with him to the stairs. ‘See you later?’
‘Sure.’
He kissed me, his fingers massaging my neck. I arched into him, the ache from earlier flaring into a pulsing need.
His eyes danced as he broke the kiss. His slow grin sent heat to my belly. Then he turned and climbed the stairs, his round arse so, so, squishable.
I bit back my discontented mewl and pulled in a cool breath. Later. I took one step towards the library, but my gut upended. I had to stay here.
‘Everything okay?’ Peregrine asked.
‘I… yes. We’re going to wait here a bit.’
‘Why?’
‘Wish I could tell you.’
I feel like a numpty standing here.
But I couldn’t break that need and go to the library without serious stomach gripes.
That explains it.
I frowned and was about to ask what when I spotted Shane, head down, a bag slung over his shoulder, stuffed.
Where the hell is he going?
I grabbed Peregrine and drew us against the stairs, out of Shane’s eyeline.
He slipped out of the foyer and over the lake bridge.
Ten minutes later, he came back, wheeling his motorbike.
I waited for him this side of the bridge. ‘And where are you off to?’
Shane’s head jerked up. He flipped open his visor. Hard to tell from what little of his face I saw, but he seemed sheepish. Mira pawed the ground with complete focus. Not suspicious at all.
‘Going out for a bit,’ he said.
‘With a stuffed full bag.’
I sighed. Honesty was the best policy, right?
‘My gut pulled me out here. Should I know where you’re going?’
His hands tightened around the handlebars. ‘I’m going home.’
I blinked, the memory of his trembling lip and slumped shoulders flashing through my mind.
He hadn’t visited his family since I got out of jail, and hadn’t talked about them much either.
‘To see your brother?’
I could get behind that. Blowing off some steam and having fun for a weekend.
‘No, my dad.’
Relief burst inside me, and a smile stretched over my face. He was finally taking my advice to patch things over?
‘Did you make up?’
‘I need to ask him something.’
My gut flip-flopped, and my smile wilted. That was why I was here.
‘What do you need to ask?’ My tone came out suspicious.
He sighed. ‘You know those spirit powers are super annoying?’
‘I know.’ Nightmares rushed at me with gnashing teeth and the click of nails, but I pushed them away. ‘Trust me.’
Shane took off his helmet. His hazel eyes were focused, his lips pressed tight together.
‘I remembered where I heard that farm name. It was a place Dad bought for the company.’ He tapped a lump in his jacket pocket. ‘I texted Callum, and he agreed.’
Tingles zipped over my skin. His brother agreed. That brought everything back to the McKee’s family business. My stomach twisted. I’d so wished his dad had nothing to do with this. How must he be feeling? What must he be thinking?
I hadn’t wanted Shane to talk to his father during my trial because it might affect the women Russell held, but with no other leads… it was worth it. If it was done the right way. Shane needed to ken the truth.
But he was stiff and prickly, set on finding answers. Unlikely to be diplomatic.
‘I ken you want to help, but what’s your plan? You’re not going to storm in and confront your dad without warning, are you?’
That wouldn’t go well. They’d held each other at a distance for too long. One or the other would take the conversation the wrong way.
He scuffed the ground. ‘Callum told him I was coming.’
‘That’s good. Maybe you can both talk to him, find out why he bought that property?’
He shrugged.
The more I asked, the more his mission-ready focus crumpled. He’d been so worried about his dad’s involvement during the trial, and I hadn’t been able to help him, talk it through. But I could now.
‘Let me come with you.’
He glanced at Grim, who shook his head.
‘Bianca should be restricted to the academy as much as possible. It’s safer for her, and everyone else. A last-minute trip without preparation is asking for trouble. You could meet anyone on the road.’
Shane fiddled with the straps on his bag, but I caught the flash of disappointment, the slight slump of his shoulders, before he straightened again.
He wanted me with him, even if he couldn’t admit it.
Technically, Grim couldn’t confine me to academy grounds, but moving him would take hours and Julian’s help.
I checked the time. Six fifty. If I wasted another ten minutes, I could ask Inzi if she’d approve the road trip. If I explained the lead, she might go for it.
‘How are you going to approach it with your dad?’ I asked. ‘Maybe we can talk it through, find a good
strategy?’
‘I don’t know.’
‘Does he have old paperwork, anything you can take to him with the farm name on it?’
‘No. All that’d be with the company, filed away.’
‘I could ask Julian to look into property records?’
Shane shifted his weight. ‘I already asked him. No hits.’
Oh. My throat tightened. He’d really wanted to keep me out of this.
‘Okay.’ I cleared my throat. ‘How about your maw? Maybe she can get him to talk?’
Shane grunted. ‘Tried that. Mum takes his side, and Callum would rather keep the peace.’
Gravel crunched behind us.
Inzi waved. ‘Hey, guys. What are you all doing out here?’
I double-checked my phone. She was five minutes early. Worked for me.
‘Peregrine banned my weekend plans.’
Shane blinked, the cutest furrow scrunching his forehead. ‘You really want to come?’
I bit my tongue. He’d supported me through the trial and the hearing, throwing himself against every obstacle along the way. Did he really think I wouldn’t be there for him when he needed me?
‘Of course I want to come.’
‘My dad… probably won’t be that welcoming.’
My heart beat loud in my ears. He’d hidden all this to protect me. The numpty. Shane’s feelings were more important to me than anyone else’s. I wasn’t going to let him fight this battle by himself.
‘I don’t care what your dad says.’
Shane slowly smiled, and my stomach fell by my feet.
‘We could make it work,’ he said.
So, guy-speak for ‘yes, please, I’d love the support’. Got it.
I grinned and glanced at Inzi. ‘You up for it?’
‘What are you planning?’
Grim rolled his eyes. ‘Shane wants to introduce her to his parents.’ He frowned. ‘And something about a farm name?’
Inzi narrowed her eyes, catching on quick.
‘I see.’ She got out her phone, sent a short message, and waved for us to follow. ‘I’ll get the car. You two drive the bike in front.’
Peregrine kept pace with Inzi. ‘This is not a good idea, and you know it,’ he hissed.
Inzi put her phone under his nose. ‘Check the time. It’s my shift now. Go home, Perry.’
He stalked off, calling someone as soon as he was out of earshot.
My nerves prickled. ‘I hope you don’t get told off for that.’
Inzi shrugged. ‘Perry’s being overly cautious. It’s a lead. Keller could do with more of those.’
Shane put his hand on the small of my back, sending hot shivers along my nerves.
‘One sec. Can you hold this?’ he asked.
‘Sure.’ I took his bike’s weight.
He rushed across the lake bridge, then jogged back with his spare helmet.
‘Safety first.’ Inzi said, smirking.
I ignored her, turning the helmet over.
Shane cleared his throat. ‘I think you should wait with my brother at the pub while I talk to my dad.’ A cheeky smile teased his lips.
I’d rather be with him, on hand if the conversation with his dad got ugly, but if keeping me out of the line of fire made him smile like that… I shook my head. This was his family, and his decision.
‘Okay, if that’s what you want.’
‘Callum will love you. He’s already asked so many questions.’
Shane was grinning now.
‘What kind of questions?’
He rolled a shoulder and threw his leg over the bike. ‘Ask him yourself.’
* * *
Each bump of the long ride into the sticks pressed me closer to Shane until my cheek lay against the soft back of his leather jacket. I felt his chest rise and fall and heard his heartbeat, inhaling the musky pine scent that clung to him. We were glued together, front to back, swaying through turns.
Between him and the thrum of the bike, I felt safe, even buffeted by the wind.
Every few miles he patted my hand or turned to check I was okay. So sweet. And so damned sexy.
I groaned into the rushing air, wishing I could have him to myself for an hour, but he wouldn’t stop moving until he had answers. It was how he’d got through the trial, and how he’d get through this.
When we finally parked on a gravel side road much like the one I’d seen in my vision, I peeled back from Shane and focused on how glad I was to stretch my legs.
Turned out, my butt went numb miles ago, and my legs were a hair away from cramp. I’d been so caught up in him, I hadn’t noticed. Like how I often had to tell Ivy to keep her eyes on the road rather than moon over me. I shook my head. Not my memory.
Inzi parked in an empty space as I rubbed down my muscles.
Shane pulled off his helmet and pointed across the car park, beaming.
There, tucked behind a long estate car, was another motorbike very similar to his.
‘Callum’s already here.’
I followed Shane inside, blinking rapidly to adjust to the dim light and dark furnishings.
A bike helmet balanced on a stool. The man leaning on the bar beside it was strikingly similar to Shane.
His hair was as dark, but he was an inch or two taller, and more muscular. Maybe even a wee bit wilder. There was something about that quick grin and sly side-eye to his brother that set my hair on end.
I’d heard he was a womaniser, but it was more than that.
His gaze snapped to me, prickling like stinging nettles. ‘You must be the woman who dragged my brother into a murder trial.’
I winced. ‘Bianca.’
He hugged me, slapping my back as if I were one of the guys.
‘Welcome to the family, Bianca.’
I drew back and frowned. ‘Thank you?’
Callum smiled. ‘Shane’s told me everything. I know you didn’t do it.’
I bit my lip. His ready acceptance didn’t feel natural, but I couldn’t put my finger on why.
Callum’s smile faded. He gripped his brother’s arm, his eyes narrowing enough to be a warning shot. A clear message. He’d sit with me so Shane could talk to his dad, but he wasn’t happy about it.
‘I’ll get the drinks,’ Callum said. ‘You two find a seat.’
Shane picked a corner table. I joined him and looked for Inziya, but she wasn’t in the pub or by the car. Maybe she was checking the area.
My gaze ran over Shane’s bike, barely cold. ‘When are you setting off?’
‘In an hour or two?’ Shane pulled me into his side. ‘I want to make sure you’re comfortable first.’
‘I’ll be fine. I’m sure Callum’s very good at keeping girls company.’
Shane grinned. ‘Oh, he loves it, but he knows you only have eyes for me.’
‘Uh-huh.’
His eyes widened, but I grinned and waved off those thoughts before they took root.
‘Your brother is lovely, but he’s a player.’
Callum sat beside me. ‘You picked a clever one here, Shane.’ He winked to show there were no hard feelings.
Being around him felt warmer now. Maybe he was mad at his brother, not me?
‘A woman may have finally settled me down, too,’ he said.
Shane’s jaw dropped. He slapped the table. ‘I don’t believe it. You didn’t keep one girl for a week our entire gap year!’
Callum’s cheeks heated a touch, enough to let me ken he really had found someone special.
‘Say it loud and proud why don’t you, little bro!’ He laughed, a wee bit uncertain, but nodded. ‘She might be a keeper.’
‘That’s great, really.’ Shane sipped his lager and eyed the window, his shoulders hunching slightly. ‘How’s Dad?’
I rubbed his back, hoping to calm him.
‘Fine. His usual obstinate self. You know. But he misses you.’
‘Yeah.’
* * *
Watching the two brothers was something. Once th
e tension between them eased, Callum was gregarious, the soul of a good story, and Shane was his laughing wingman.
Callum’s charm was magnetic, but Shane’s laugh rumbled through me. I slipped my hand into his, wishing I was the one to bring him such light-hearted joy.
I could see how they found so many smitten girls on their holiday.
One drink turned into two, then three, Callum regaling us with tales of his adventures after Shane returned home for school, and about the many women he’d spent time with before finding his current flame.
His cheeks heated half the time he spoke about her. She sounded lethal enough to hunt him down and demand a damned good explanation if he let her go, too.
But in a blink the pub closed. We were too hammered to drive anywhere, so we stumbled to Inzi’s car.
She opened her window and sniffed the air.
‘You three smell like stale beer.’ She shook her head. ‘Get in.’
Callum sat in the front. Shane and I took the back.
Inzi winced and lowered all the windows. ‘Anyone needs to puke, direct it out a window. Got it?’
We agreed, and she started the car. But she wasn’t taking the main route back to the academy.
‘Are we dropping off Callum?’
Inzi smirked. ‘Almost. You’re all staying at Shane’s parents’ house tonight.’
My mouth dropped open. Shane’s dad would not want me arriving rubbered at who knew what time it was. One?
‘Don’t act like that,’ Inzi snapped. ‘You three messed around all night when you had a lead to chase. I’m not letting you waste another day on new flames and mildly entertaining memories. You’ll talk to Shane’s dad bright and early tomorrow morning. No excuses.’
Shane blinked, and Callum stiffened. I felt numb and slightly dizzy. How had she heard all that?
Guilt tipped my stomach. She’d driven us all the way out here for a lead. If she didn’t get one, Keller could come down on her, hard. He might even take her off guard duty.
A minute or two later, she drew up outside a large log cabin. From the frown on Shane, this was the right place.
‘In you go,’ Inzi said.
I squeezed the plush seats. They’d make a fine bed. One far less likely to have me waking to Shane’s dad, hovering over me. But I’d pushed reality away enough for one day – a retrial, the imprisoned women, Avery, and Inzi – they’d all be better served by me sucking up my nerves and making sure a conversation with Shane’s dad happened early tomorrow morning. Even Shane would be better for that. He needed an end to this worry over what his dad had or hadn’t done.