Bound by Fire

by Tracey Jane Jackson

  Sam nodded. “I don’t have a problem with that.”

  “Samantha,” Kade admonished. “You are not getting involved.”

  “Like hell I’m not. I should have done something ten years ago, but instead I let Pepper walk into a nightmare.”

  “Whoa!” Pepper argued. “Need I remind you, you tried to talk me out of going over there? I was the one who didn’t listen. If you hadn’t told Dalton, something much worse could have happened.”

  “It doesn’t really matter,” Kade said. “Neither of you are having anything to do with this. We will take care of it. Without you. Got it?”

  Sam took Pepper’s hand, gave it a squeeze, and then nodded at Kade. “Got it.”

  “I mean it, Sam,” Kade pressed. “You are not to engage.”

  Sam smiled. “Yep. Got it.”

  Kade narrowed his eyes, but didn’t say anything further. He turned to Connall. “Want to head on over with us?”

  “We’ll meet you for lunch,” Connall said. “Ali’s dropping Dalton here first, so we’ll bring him with us.”

  “Sounds good,” Kade said. “Do you want a key to our place?”

  Connall shook his head. “Dalton can leave his stuff here and we’ll take it to your place later.”

  Sam hugged Pepper and then followed Kade out of the flat.

  Connall locked the door and faced Pepper. “Neither of you are going to leave this alone, are you?”

  Pepper shook her head. “You’re definitely smarter than the average bear.”

  “Fine.” He crossed his arms. “Just promise me you’ll stay close to me. Or Sam. Or Santa Claus, I don’t really care. Just make sure you are never alone.”

  “Santa? What’s he gonna do? Use the elves as muscle? Newsflash, they aren’t big enough to ride most of the rides at Disney World.”

  Connall raised an eyebrow. “Your humor’s intact, I see.”

  “My plan is to stay as close to you as possible, so I don’t think that will be a problem.”

  “Good answer.”

  Pepper smiled. “What would you like for breakfast?”

  “Surprise me,” he said, and leaned down for a kiss. “I’m going to take a quick shower.”

  “Hey.”

  “Hmm?”

  “I love you.”

  He grinned. “I love you too.”

  CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE

  DALTON ARRIVED TWO hours later and spent more time than Connall would have liked hugging Pepper. He fisted his hands at his side in an effort not to hit the man.

  Fight the urge, baby.

  He needs to get his hands off you.

  Pepper gently pushed Dalton away and grinned up at Connall. Okay. Okay. Don’t kill him.

  She leaned against Connall and he wrapped his arms possessively around her. “How was the flight, Dalton?” she asked.

  “Flying private’s the way to go. I could so live like this forever.”

  Pepper rolled her eyes. “Most people say that.”

  “I think everyone says that but you.”

  “I’m beginning to change my mind,” she grumbled.

  “Shocker.” Dalton laughed. “Cole said he’d meet us at the Gunnach Towers, does that sound right?”

  Connall nodded. “Aye. You can leave your bags here for now. Kade and Sam are already at the office, but we’ll meet them at their place for dinner and you can settle in.”

  “I can stay here, if that would make you feel better,” Dalton said to Pepper. “I want you to feel safe, babe.”

  “I do feel safe,” Pepper said.

  “Are you sure?”

  “She’s sure,” Connall pressed, fisting his hands at his side again.

  Don’t hit him, Connall. She laid her hand on his arm. I know you want to, but resist.

  “I’ve got her, Dalton. But thanks.” Connall said pointedly.

  “If you need me, you only have to ask, right?” he asked Pepper.

  Connall shifted.

  He’s messing with you, Con. Take a deep breath.

  “Yes.” Pepper gripped Connall’s hand. “I appreciate it, but we’re all good, and I know Sam wants to spend some time with you.”

  Dalton grinned. “Be sure to let me know if you change your mind.”

  Connall stiffened again.

  “I won’t change my mind, Dalton.” Pepper grabbed Connall’s arm with her free hand. “And you need to stop.”

  Dalton shrugged and gave Connall a sly grin. “Stop what?”

  “Dalton,” she warned.

  He reached his hand out, as if to touch her, but Pepper shook her head. “Dalton!”

  Now he’s just being an ass. If he says one more thing, Connall, I’ll let go of your arm.

  Right now, I want him to give me an excuse.

  Dalton lowered his arm. “Sorry.”

  “How about we head to lunch?” Pepper suggested.

  “Sounds great,” Dalton said.

  They made their way down to the garage and into the car Alasdair had waiting for them. The offices were close enough to walk, but Connall wanted them safe and to be driven from building to building under cover. He ushered them up the private elevator and to the executive offices.

  Payton sat at the large desk outside of Kade’s office. He’d made several personnel changes over the past few weeks and one of them was to steal Payton away from Duncan MacKenzie, their Chief Hiring Officer. Duncan wasn’t happy, but with the promise that Payton would not only hire his new assistant but train them as well, he reluctantly agreed. Not that he really had a choice, but Kade had wanted to give him the illusion he did. One of the reasons Kade was respected far more than his father had been.

  Payton grinned and stood as the three of them exited the elevator. “Hello, everyone. Dalton, it’s lovely to see you again, especially so soon.”

  “Payton. Wonderful to see you as well. How do you like being home?” He smiled and shook her hand. The perfect southern gentleman.

  “It’s much quieter, but I love it,” she said. “Kade and Sam are expecting you. Agent Drake has also arrived. If you’ll follow me, I’ll walk you back.”

  Connall waited for Dalton and Payton to precede him, keeping himself between Pepper and Dalton.

  What’s Dalton going to do, Con?

  I’m not willing to find out.

  You act like he’s going to accost me or something. He’s always been respectful. Plus he knows. Oh, wait! No he doesn’t. He doesn’t know we’re married.

  Connall sighed. We need to fix that.

  She took his arm and turned him to face her. “That’s fine, but let me do it, okay?”

  “Not alone.”

  “What? Why not?”

  “Because he may object,” Connall said.

  “Baby. Come on. You’re overreacting. It doesn’t matter if he objects.” Pepper peeked around him and then frowned. “I want to tell him alone. I owe him that. But if you want to be close by, that’s fine.”

  Connall took a deep breath. “I suppose I can live with that.”

  “I thought once we were bound, this jealousy would stop,” she whispered. “You have nothing to worry about.”

  “It’s not jealousy as much as me wanting to keep you safe.” He kissed her forehead and pulled her close. “I don’t want to take any chances.”

  She smiled. “I get it. But it’s all going to be okay.”

  “I hope so,” he said, and led her down the hall and into Kade’s office.

  * * *

  Once Kade and Connall went into their meeting, Sam directed a tour of the offices and lab, and then the small group decided to stop at the café for something to eat. They ordered and sat at one of the tables away from the windows. Pepper knew she was going to need to proceed carefully with Dalton. She knew he’d be hurt.

  “So, this thing with Connall is serious, huh?” Dalton asked.

  So much for proceeding carefully. Pepper glanced at Sam and then nodded. “Very.”

  “Like exclusive?” he asked.


  “Like married.”

  “What?” he said. “You got engaged?”

  Pepper shook her head. “No. We got married.”

  Dalton stared at her. Just sat and stared at her for several uncomfortable seconds.

  “Dalt.” Sam laid her hand on her brother’s arm.

  He yanked it away and shook his head. “What the hell, Pepper? You’ve known the guy for less than a month. What about us?”

  “What about you?” Sam asked.

  Pepper shook her head. “We were done a long time ago, Dalton. You agreed.”

  “Um, excuse me,” Sam pressed. “When exactly did you start?”

  “We dated for a while after her twenty-first party,” Dalton ground out.

  Sam’s face went red and she crossed her arms.

  “I’m sorry, Sam,” Pepper rushed. “I didn’t want to say anything unless it went somewhere, and since it was over before it really began, it was easier just to keep it to myself.”

  Sam stood. “I need a minute. I’ll be right back.”

  Pepper tried to follow but Sam shook her head.

  “Don’t, Pepper. I’m mad enough to say something I might regret. Just stay with Dalton.”

  Pepper bit her lip, her heart breaking. The last person she wanted to hurt was Sam. She nodded and sat back in her seat and Sam left the café.

  “Are you really hurt, Dalt?” she asked.

  “Aw, baby. I’m devastated.”

  “Dalton,” she admonished. “Honestly?”

  He fiddled with the knife on the table and shook his head. “Honestly? No. Not hurt. I saw you two together back at home. But I am concerned. I mean, how much do you know about this guy?”

  Pepper raised an eyebrow. “What did your background check reveal?”

  He gave her his innocent look. “What do you mean?”

  “Oh, please. I know you well enough to know that you would have done checks on Kade and Connall.”

  “Yeah.” Dalton laid the knife down. “They’re saints who give more money away than pretty much anyone on the planet. Which worries me even more.”

  “I love him, Dalton. From the moment I met him, I knew he was the one. That won’t ever change.”

  “I believe you. I guess I just never figured you’d end up with a billionaire playboy.”

  Pepper cocked her head. “Um, I think you’re a little mixed up. You mean Kade’s the billionaire, right?”

  Dalton chuckled. “Babe, Connall makes more money than either of his brothers. He’s worth over a hundred billion.”

  Pepper swallowed. Connall, were you planning on telling me this major piece of information?

  Eventually. Would you please tell Dalton to stop calling you “babe.”

  “You didn’t know?” Dalton asked.

  “I didn’t realize it was that much,” she said.

  Dalton chuckled. “It’s probably more with all his properties.”

  When you’ve been alive for as long as we have, you do nothing but amass money. I’m still me. Remember that.

  I’m trying, Con.

  “You okay?” Dalton took Pepper’s hand.

  She felt Connall’s irritation and quickly pulled away from him. “Yeah. I’m fine. I’m just a little overwhelmed with everything right now.”

  I’m coming down.

  Don’t, baby. He’s just being Dalton. Go back to your meeting.

  She felt him relax, so she focused back on Dalton. Their order was announced and Dalton went to the counter to pick it up. Pepper’s phone pinged in her purse. She grabbed it and saw she had an email from an unknown source with a video attached.

  Watch this.

  She played the video and her blood went cold. Helen Smith was tied to a chair with a gag in her mouth and tears streaming down her face.

  Pepper’s phone rang and she grabbed it. “What are you doing to Helen?”

  “I want you to leave the café, Pepper, and do everything I say. If you do anything to alert Dalton or your boyfriend, I’ll kill her.”

  “How do I know she’s not already dead?” Pepper whispered, calming her heart to block Connall.

  “I’m still alive,” Helen whimpered. “Don’t listen to—”

  A slap sounded and Pepper heard Helen’s painful cry.

  “What do you want me to do?” Pepper asked.

  “I want you to leave the café and head down to Greenside Row. I’m watching.”

  He hung up and Pepper forced a smile as Dalton set the tray on the table. “You okay?”

  Pepper nodded. “Yes, fine. Just need to use the ladies’ room. I’ll be right back.”

  “I’ll come with you.”

  “No!” she snapped. “Um, I mean, I can go to the bathroom without you. It’s right over there.” She pointed toward the foyer. “You can watch from here, okay?”

  He frowned, but finally nodded.

  Pepper headed toward the restrooms and pushed open the door, watching as Dalton kept his eye on her. He glanced down at his food and she took the opportunity to escape his sight.

  * * *

  Connall felt Pepper’s sudden panic and frowned. Pepper? Are you okay?

  Fine, baby. Go back to your meeting.

  He relaxed until he felt her panic again. Pepper, what the hell is going on?

  She didn’t respond.

  Pepper?

  Nothing. He stood, slamming his chair against the wall in his effort to get out of the room as fast as possible.

  Brodie frowned and Kade rose to his feet as well. “Gentlemen, we’ll need to reschedule. An emergency,” he said.

  Connall made a mad dash for the lifts.

  Payton stood up as he passed her desk. “What’s wrong?”

  “Pepper,” was all he could manage as he slammed his hand against the lift button. “Damn it!” Before he could put his fist through the wall, the elevator arrived and he entered the code to bypass the other floors. A beep sounded, warning him he’d entered the wrong number. “Shite!”

  “Here,” Payton offered, appearing like a guardian angel. She stepped in the elevator and entered the code. The doors closed just as Brodie rushed for her.

  Connall heard his brother’s curse as the doors closed before he could reach the lift. “You shouldn’t have done that, Pay.”

  She shrugged. “If Pepper’s in trouble, you might need my help. Brodie will find me.”

  Connall realized that for all Payton’s nonchalance when it came to his brother, she knew he’d protect her. Connall could see that assurance was something she loved about him. She may not be ready to admit her feelings until her birthday, but it was clear she loved Brodie.

  The elevator doors parted, and Connall rushed through them before they fully opened, nearly running into a woman as he sprinted to the café. “Sorry,” he called as he sailed past her.

  He saw Dalton sitting at a table, eating a muffin. “Where’s Pepper?” Connall snapped.

  Dalton nodded toward the bathroom. “In the restroom, why?”

  “I’ll check, Con,” Payton offered, and slipped in through the door, returning a moment later shaking her head. “She’s not there.”

  “Damn it!” Connall grabbed Dalton’s shirt and yanked him from the chair. “You were supposed to watch her, you son of a bitch. Where the hell is she?”

  “Get your damn hands off me,” Dalton ground out.

  Payton bent down and picked up what looked like Pepper’s watch.

  Connall released Dalton and grabbed for the watch. “The clasp never stays closed.”

  Footsteps sounded and Brodie and Kade arrived, with a guilty-looking Samantha. “What happened?” she asked. “Where’s Pepper?”

  “We can’t find her,” Dalton provided.

  “I am the worst friend.” Sam burst into tears and fell against Kade. “I let my hurt overtake my common sense.”

  “Shhh, love,” he whispered.

  Payton took Pepper’s watch from Connall and closed her eyes. Brodie shifted so he was in front of her, maski
ng her from prying eyes.

  Connall grabbed his cell phone and punched in Alasdair’s number. “Track Pepper. Now,” he demanded and hung up. Pushing Brodie aside, he glared at Payton. “So? Anything?”

  Brodie laid his hand on Connall’s shoulder and squeezed. Hard enough to prove as a silent warning to take care with his mate.

  “Sorry,” Connall said.

  Payton frowned. “I see her heading toward Prince’s Street, I think.”

  “You think?” Connall pressed, receiving another squeeze. “Damn it, Brodie.” He shoved him away.

  Brodie scowled, but Payton squeezed his arm. “He’s worried. Let him be.”

  She closed her eyes again and Connall’s heart raced as her expression changed from concentration to fear. “She’s near the Balmoral.”

  Connall saw the black SUV pull up outside and made a run for it, Brodie and Kade on his heels. They jumped inside and Alasdair pulled away from the curb. “Balmoral.”

  “Aye. We have another problem,” Alasdair said. “Tavish’s son’s gone missing.”

  “When?” Connall asked.

  “Couple hours ago.”

  “Dick and Helen were traveling with Tavish and Beth. It was a short holiday for the family,” Connall provided.

  “I’ve got men on it,” Alasdair assured him. “We’ll find him.”

  They drove toward the hotel, but before they reached the building, Alasdair turned and headed away.

  “What the hell?” Connall bellowed.

  “Her phone’s moving,” Alasdair explained.

  Connall glanced at the screen Alasdair had on his dashboard. The green dot, indicating Pepper’s cell phone, was in fact moving.

  Connall’s phone rang and he saw his sister’s name on the screen. “Now’s not a good time, Fi.”

  “Don’t hang up,” Fiona insisted. “You need to calm yourself and focus on her emotions. The reason you can’t hear her is because you’re trying to listen to her mind. You need to listen to her emotions. That will give you the link you need.”

  “Are you sure?”

  “Aye.”

  “Thanks,” he said, and hung up. Digging his fingers in his scalp, he focused on Pepper. It took a few seconds to find the path of her fear, but Fiona was right. Once he did that, he had a direct line to her. Pepper? Sweetheart, where are you? Answer me.