Melanie and Tristan disembarked next. While Finn wouldn't exactly say he was best friends with his brother-in-law, he respected Tristan's love and care for his human mate and twin bairns.
All three of them moved to stand together, just outside the car door that hadn't opened yet. Tristan glanced at Finn, and once he nodded, Tristan lifted the handle and pulled.
A male only slightly shorter than Finn, with gray hair and a well-worn face lined with frown and grimace lines, emerged. The car blocked most of his body, but the male walked in jerky movements. When he finally cleared the car, Finn saw why.
He used metal crutches that wrapped around his forearms and he gripped in his fists. Watching the material of his trousers move against his lower legs, Finn determined he had prosthetics.
Missing limbs still wasn't a reason to abandon a family. Finn would hear the truth, but he wasn't about to pity the male who should've helped Arabella when she'd needed it most.
Tristan motioned to his father. "George MacLeod, meet Finn Stewart, Lochguard's clan leader and Arabella's mate."
George studied Finn a second before the male averted his gaze to the side. Since George didn't say anything, Finn focused on Tristan. "I hope you have a bloody good reason for this, Tristan. I can't say that I'm at my most levelheaded at the moment. The male claiming to be your father abandoned Arabella, as well as you. What right does he have to be here now, when my family might be on the verge of a crisis?"
George murmured, "I have none."
Before Finn could do more than frown, Melanie jumped in. "A shouting match won't help Freya. Explanations can wait. It's more important that Dr. MacFie, Sid, and Gregor talk with George. Once that's done, then you two can have your shouting match."
"I didn't say I would shout," Finn pointed out. "But I'm not about to be charming."
Melanie rolled her eyes. "I'm not going to comment." She turned toward the main pathway. "Now, are you going to escort us to the surgery or should I just make my own way?"
With a grumble, Finn muttered, "Follow me." He pinned George with a stare, not caring that the male probably didn't see it because of his gaze remaining toward the ground. "Try anything, and I will toss you into a cell and allow the doctors to do their examinations that way."
George didn't answer. But Finn's dragon spoke up. I think he's broken. Maybe ease up a wee bit on the threats.
Until I know the truth, no, I won't. Arabella suffered because of him.
For all we know, that might not be entirely true. Besides, we can't change the past. And even if we could, doing so would probably result in us never finding Ara at all.
Not wanting to debate the point, Finn ignored his beast and picked up his pace. He took the rear entrance to the surgery and herded everyone into a private waiting room. He told one of the nurses to fetch a doctor before closing and locking the door. He looked at Tristan, Melanie, and George in turn. "I think whilst waiting for the doctor, you lot need to start talking and tell me what the bloody hell is going on."
Melanie didn't bat an eye at the dominance in his voice. "I understand that you're trying to protect Arabella, but you could try being less of an asshole."
Tristan snorted, but Finn ignored him. "I'll return to my charming self soon enough. However, my daughter's life and sanity could be in danger, not to mention Arabella's so-called father could send my mate back into a state of depression, or worse. You understand dragon-shifters almost better than any other human, Mel. So you know that until all threats are vanquished, I'm not going to ease up."
She sighed. "I know, but I keep thinking that someday I can talk some sense into one of you."
Tristan spoke up. "How about we just explain the situation?" He motioned toward George. "I only located him in the last year or so. I debated telling Ara, but then she found you and I didn't want to threaten her newfound happiness."
"Aye, well, it's been over a year. So start talking," Finn ordered.
George's quiet voice filled the space. "I went rogue shortly after my mate's death."
He zeroed in on the older male. Sensing George needed a second, Finn kept his mouth shut. George finally continued, "Finding out that your true mate was tortured and murdered, as well as the fact that your daughter was set on fire, isn't an easy thing to digest. I know dragon males are supposed to be strong and tackle any issue. But while I could pack away my grief and disgust at my own failure whilst Ara recovered from her burns, once she was released and back home, it crashed over me." He finally met Finn's gaze. The despair in the other male's eyes nearly made him suck in a breath. "My dragon thrashed about and took control. I barely made it into the air and to a remote part of Yorkshire before I lost any hold over my beast. I was fortunate to find a few clan-less dragon-shifters to keep me from doing something irreversible."
"You were gone over a decade," Finn pointed out.
"At first, I didn't fight my dragon. It was easier to let his instinct guide us than to dwell on my failures. However, when I teetered on the edge of destroying a local village, I resorted to drugs to keep my dragon silent."
"And you still never thought to contact your children?"
George shook his head. "Their lives were better without me."
"Coward," Finn growled.
"Yes, I was," George answered.
Finn's dragon spoke up. He's clearly defeated. Whilst I detest his cowardice, yelling at him won't help Arabella or our children.
But he abandoned his family. That is unforgivable.
I won't disagree. But it should be Arabella who decides whether to forgive him or push him away. Not us.
Finn grunted. "Rattling off my opinion of your actions is pointless, as they aren't the ones that matter. However, if Arabella tells you to leave Lochguard, you'll do so."
George nodded and Tristan chimed in. "George doesn't know the full extent of his allergies, but he mentioned something about having adverse reactions in the wild. I think it's best to let Sid or the other doctors do what they need to do before introducing him to Ara."
Finn noted how Tristan called his father by his given name, but decided to ask about it later. "Aye, I agree. You lot will stay here. I'm going to check on Ara and our bairns." He glanced at Brenna. "It's your duty to follow and enforce my order, aye?"
"I have no desire to cause trouble, Finn," Brenna answered.
"Right, then I'm off."
With that, Finn exited the room and ran a hand through his hair. How am I going to break this to Arabella?
Tell her the truth. That's all she wants.
You say that so easily, dragon.
Picking up his pace, Finn headed toward the nursery. His mate had no idea that her life was about to change yet again.
Maybe one day he could see through his promise to give her a safe, stable future.
Unfortunately, he wasn't there yet.
Chapter Six
Since Faye had rushed out of the nursery on an urgent Protector matter, Arabella had put aside her laptop and rocked in the glider chair, ready in case one of her babies needed her. She usually tried to sleep when her children did, but even with her eyes closed, her brain kept whirling.
Her search hadn't yet brought up anything about her father, for one. And two, she wondered what was keeping Finn away for so long.
Her dragon spoke up. He won't stay away longer than is absolutely necessary.
I know, but for once, I actually want people around me. Is it wrong to wish for Aunt Lorna to come home as soon as possible? I miss her.
Of course it's not wrong. She is like a mother to us. Merely having her near will help both us and Freya.
She heard the door and instantly opened her eyes. Finn already stood at the crib, staring down at their children.
Standing, she crossed over to her mate. However, when he didn't pull her close and kiss her head, she knew something was wrong. Finn always did that after rushing off for an urgent matter, to let her know he'd missed her. "What happened?"
"Tristan and Melanie
are here."
She frowned. "What? Why? Not that I don't want to see my brother and sister-in-law, but they weren't supposed to visit for weeks." With a sigh, Finn met her eyes. At his unreadable expression, her heart skipped a beat and every worst-case scenario ran through her head. "Please tell me that they're okay and the twins are, too."
"They're all fine."
At his monotone answer, irritation flared. Mindful of the babies, she kept her tone low, but firm. "Just tell me what's going on, Finn. You hesitating is only making the situation worse."
Gently taking hold of her bicep, he guided her to the far side of the room before whispering, "Tristan found your father."
Her heart skipped a beat. "That's impossible."
Finn shook his head. "No, he's here. Dr. Sid and Gregor should be with him as we speak."
She was torn between wanting to rush out of the room to find her father and staying put to avoid him.
Her dragon grunted. We shouldn't cower in this situation. You wanted closure. This would be it.
I need more information before I rush to him. We have no idea what he's been up to.
Meeting Finn's gaze, she asked, "Something must be off. Otherwise, you wouldn't be so quiet and restrained."
He sighed. "You know me too well, love."
Placing a hand on his chest, she leaned closer to murmur, "Just tell me, Finn."
He wrapped his arms around her and pulled her against his body. "He's here, but I suspect different than you remember. It's almost as if he's given up, and you never mentioned that about him before."
More than anyone, Arabella understood feeling defeated. If she hadn't met Finn, she might've given up, too. "Do you know where he's been?"
Finn rubbed slow circles on her back. "In hiding." Finn relayed what he knew of her father's hiding and subsequent drug dependency before adding, "Tell me what to do, Ara. If you want him gone, I'll order it. If you want to meet him, I'll arrange that too. But I hope you understand why I met him alone first, before you could."
She nodded. "I do. If you hadn't told me about him, then I'd be bloody upset and shouting when I found out. But you did tell me. And now I can face him without shock clouding my brain."
He kissed her forehead. "My brilliant mate never ceases to amaze me."
Normally, she'd make a quip, but Arabella was exhausted, and it looked as if she need to reserve what strength she did have. "When can I see him?"
Leaning back, he cupped her cheek. "Until I'm positive he's not a threat, I won't allow him near our children. That means leaving them for a short while under someone else's care because I'm going with you."
"I know." She traced Finn's jaw with a finger. Just as she tried to decide who would be the best choice to watch over her babies, the door opened to reveal Aunt Lorna's gray and blonde-haired, slightly plump form.
Lorna rushed over to them. "I came back as soon as I could." She hugged the pair of them. "Is it true? What Faye told me about Freya?"
Arabella answered first. "Yes. She's stable for now, although the doctors are working on a more long-term solution." She looked behind Lorna, but didn't see her mate. "Is Ross with Holly?"
"Aye. Holly's getting closer to giving birth, which means Fraser is driving her crazy. So Ross is acting as peacekeeper."
Despite everything going on, Arabella couldn't help but smile. "Is that wise? Usually, there's only more fighting whenever Ross and Fraser get together."
Lorna clicked her tongue. "Both of them are to be on their best behaviors, as they promised me. But that lot will be fine. Tell me what I can do to help my granddaughter."
Something as simple as Lorna thinking of Freya as her granddaughter instead of great-niece helped Arabella relax a fraction. The one thing that the MacKenzies always had in ample supply was love.
Well, and stubbornness. But their love was more important.
Arabella moved to the crib, and Finn and Aunt Lorna followed. Arabella kept her gaze on the three sleeping babies. "I know you just returned, but could you watch Freya and the boys for a short while? Finn and I have something to do."
Lorna looked at the pair. "I sense it's important, but that you don't want to discuss it right now. As long as you promise to do so when possible, then aye, it's not a hardship to watch the triplets. They're angels compared to when my own children were their age."
"I think you're lying about that, Aunt Lorna. But we can talk about that later." Arabella hugged the older dragonwoman. "Thank you." Releasing her, Arabella glanced at Finn. "Let's go."
He raised an eyebrow. "Are you sure you want to do this now?"
"Yes." Taking Finn's hand, she squeezed it. "I stopped running and hiding when I met you, and I bloody well won't start doing it again now."
Raising their clasped hands, Finn kissed the back of hers. "I love you, Arabella. You're so bloody brilliant."
She resisted blushing. Arabella still had trouble with compliments, no matter how many times Finn gave them. "Some of your grumpiness has faded, which is a good sign. Let's hope it stays that way for this meeting."
He nodded at his aunt, and they exited the room. "I can't promise anything with regards to my grumpiness. But let me know if you need to leave. We could devise a code, or you could simply tell me you want to go."
"Normally, I'd create the worst code word I could think of, but I'm exhausted, worried about Freya, and nervous about meeting my dad." She threaded her arm through his. "Just having you near will be a great help."
After kissing the top of her head, they walked the rest of the way in a comfortable silence. Finn at her side gave her the extra bit of courage she'd need for what was to come.
She couldn't imagine her life without him.
Her dragon spoke up. Don't forget about me. I'm here to help, too. Always.
Pushing aside the guilt that flared at the decade Arabella had all but ignored her inner beast, she replied, And I'll never take that for granted again, love. I promise.
Finn finally stopped them in front of a door to a private room. "He's in here."
Taking a deep breath, Arabella opened the door.
A gray-haired male with slumped shoulders sat with his back to her. While he'd always sat tall when she'd been a child, she recognized the form of her father.
Tristan was across the room, with Melanie at her side. Tristan spoke before she could say anything. "Arabella."
She waited for her father to turn his head, but George MacLeod kept his gaze on the ground in front of him.
Despite her rational intentions, she gripped Finn's hand tightly to avoid screaming at her dad. When he'd been at her bedside, during her recovery from the severe burns she'd received from the dragon hunters setting half her body on fire, she'd taken comfort from his strong hand gripping her non-burned one, his gentle voice persuading her to fight.
It had only been when he'd vanished that she'd realized how much her father had kept her grounded and fighting during that critical period of her life.
And now he wouldn't even look at her.
Emotion choked her throat.
Her brother repeated, "Arabella."
At her usually gruff brother's soft voice, she finally looked up. Part of her wanted to run to him. Finn was her mate and she loved him, but Tristan had been the one to fight for her when she'd been younger, in place of her father.
And she'd missed him.
As if reading her thoughts, Tristan closed the distance between them and opened his arms. Without a word, Finn released her hand and Tristan hugged her close. He murmured, "I'm sorry I didn't tell you earlier."
Shaking her head against her brother’s chest, she replied, "No, it's okay. I just missed you."
Tristan grunted. "With the twins being older, I'm sure we can visit more often." He leaned back and touched her chin. "Just tell us what you want to do right now and I'm sure we'll all follow it."
She glanced at Finn and he nodded his agreement.
The easiest path would be to say she wanted to leave,
go back to her children, and forget about the male who'd abandoned her as a teenager.
And yet, to do so would erase much of the progress she'd made over the last few years.
She'd promised herself that she wouldn't run again, and Arabella was determined to fulfill that vow.
Taking a deep breath, she pushed away from Tristan and took a few steps toward her father.
Standing just behind her dad, she noticed the metal crutches lying next to him. Since he hadn't needed them before, something must've happened to him to.
Despite everything, she wanted to know what.
Mustering her courage, Arabella moved to stand in front of her father. Since he still didn't look up, she spoke. "Dad, look at me."
One beat passed and then another. Just as she debated squatting to see his face, George MacLeod met her gaze.
The guilt and self-hatred in his brown eyes were more than familiar. Arabella had seen it in the mirror every day for years.
She might still be angry and wouldn't forgive him without a lot more discussion and time, but in that moment, she knew she wanted to help him.
Because she sensed that if she didn't, he might not live much longer. And despite everything that had happened, her children deserved to have another grandparent.
Not just because her father's genetics might better help understand what was going on with Freya, but because somewhere deep inside the self-loathing male in front of her was the male she remembered. The one with pieces of her and Tristan's quirks and personalities.
On top of that, he was one of the few links to her mother.
Crouching down, she took her father's hands in hers. He tried to pull them away, but she tightened her grip. "No, I'm not going to let you hide and run away any longer." His gaze shot to the healed burns on her neck. She growled. "Yes, I suffered when I was younger. And of course, I missed my father and wished he would've been around to help. But right now, you're the one who needs support, and I'm going to give it to you."
She barely heard his words, "I'm not worth it."
The Dragon Family (Lochguard Highland Dragons Book 5) Page 5