Bound by Song (Cauld Ane Series)

by Tracey Jane Jackson

  “It’s good that you challenge him,” Kenna continued. “Not many of us do…at least, not many of us do and stick around.”

  Grace wondered how long it would take him to get rid of her. She pushed the maudlin thought aside and shrugged. “I’m just me. If I stick around, I stick around, I guess.”

  Kenna raised an eyebrow. “You’re not going anywhere.”

  Grace smiled. “We’ll see.”

  “Right,” Kenna said, and laid her hand on the envelope. “Have a read through this and if everything looks good, you can sign and either give it to me or Max. Whatever’s easiest for you. And if you have any questions, feel free to give me a ring. My card’s in the offer folder.”

  “Thank you.”

  “Shall I send Max in?”

  Grace shook her head. “Will you ask him to wait just a bit longer, please? I’d like to look this over in private.”

  “Of course.” Kenna stood and gathered her paperwork. “It was really lovely to meet you, Grace. I think you’re going be a great asset to the company.”

  Grace rose to her feet and shook her hand. “Thank you for taking the time to meet with me. I really appreciate it.”

  “My pleasure. I’ll see you soon.”

  Kenna left the room and Grace opened the envelope. For the most part, everything was pretty standard, until she came to the offer salary. Before she had a chance to fully process everything, Max walked in the room. He leaned down and kissed her cheek, and Grace bit the inside of her cheek in an effort not to sigh out loud.

  “How does the offer look?” he asked, sitting down in the chair Kenna had vacated.

  Grace shook her head. “The offer is far too much.”

  Max chuckled. “I don’t believe I’ve ever heard that before.”

  “Max, seriously. Sixty thousand would be exorbitant enough, but this is in pounds. That’s nearly a hundred thousand a year. I don’t know any assistant making that, except maybe in California.”

  “We pay our employees well, Grace,” Max explained. “We like them to stick around.”

  “Are you telling me you’d pay someone else this much? Someone who wasn’t me?”

  He shrugged. “I don’t discuss employees’ income, love.”

  “Okay. What about when you’re not on tour? You can’t pay me if I don’t work.”

  “There’s plenty to do at our corporate headquarters.”

  “In Scotland.”

  Max nodded. “Aye, in Scotland.”

  “Max, I can’t move to Scotland. At least not right away. My family and friends are here.”

  He shrugged. “We’ll work around it.”

  “What about health insurance? I didn’t see anything in here about insurance.”

  “We will cover any medical costs you have.”

  “Max, not that this is any of your business, but I have migraine medication that’s exorbitantly expensive without insurance. It’s not a big deal right now, because I’m on my dad’s insurance for the time being, but I’ll age out of that option soon.”

  “Grace.” Max’s spoke as to a very small child. “If you have need for your prescription, doctor visits, whatever it might be, do it. I will reimburse you.”

  “What about confidentiality?”

  “Baby, you don’t have to tell me what it’s for. Just tell me you need X amount and I’ll make it happen.”

  Grace snorted. “You are too much.”

  “Are you going to accept the position?”

  “Of course I am,” Grace said. “I’m not an idiot. I just hope this doesn’t all go down in a fiery ball of dung.”

  Max laughed. “It won’t, Grace. I promise.”

  She opened her purse and pulled out the iPhone. “I was going to give this back to you because I didn’t feel like I could keep it, but I really won’t need it now, because I’ll be getting one for my job.”

  “That is yours for the job.”

  “What?”

  “That’s the one you’ll use in your administrative capacity.”

  Grace raised an eyebrow. “What if I’d said no to the job offer?”

  “I knew you wouldn’t.”

  “Am I that much of a given?”

  Max cocked his head. “I feel as though the honest answer to that question will not go well for me.”

  Grace shook her head with a sigh. “I wish I had the luxury of telling you to take this job and shove it.”

  Max laughed. “Would now be a good time to tell you that you do have all the luxury in the world?”

  “Max.”

  He smiled and leaned forward. “Let’s have lunch, eh?”

  “I’ll sign these first and then, yes, lunch would be great.”

  Grace signed her name, initialed where indicated, shoved the papers back into the envelope, and then held it out to Max. “My official acceptance.”

  Max rose to his feet, pulling her up with him. “Welcome to the company,” he said, and then kissed her breathless. Grace dropped the envelope onto the table, slid her hands into his hair and let herself go. He truly was irresistible, and the way he held her, making her feel wholly loved and protected, was something she’d never experienced before. She wondered how long it would last.

  He broke the kiss and gave her a gentle squeeze. “I’m getting carried away.”

  “You’re dragging me with you.” Grace giggled. “Do you give this much attention to all your new hires?”

  “Only the pretty ones.”

  Grace bit back her jealousy and handed him the paperwork again. “Lunch?”

  He took it from her and nodded. “Aye, lass. Where would you like to go?”

  “You’re going to brave the public with me?”

  “I’d brave anything with you.”

  A shiver stole up her spine. “Lord above, you’re too much.”

  Max grinned. “Am I growing on you?”

  “Yes, Max. Somewhat like a weed.”

  He laughed.

  “Do you think Bruce is up to driving us a few blocks from here?”

  Max nodded. “Of course. Where to?”

  “One of my favorite lunch places is in the Pearl, and I think you’ll cause less of a frenzy there.”

  “How so?”

  Grace smiled. “They’re far too cool be impressed by you.”

  Max laughed again. “Then, by all means, lead on, love.”

  CHAPTER NINE

  THURSDAY MORNING ARRIVED and the house was in chaos. So much for Grace’s grand plan to pretend she was going to a “normal” job. She’d packed last night and set everything in the foyer, hoping her family would go about their day like regular folk. Her hope was for naught.

  “Grace, honey,” her mother said, as she knocked on Grace’s door. “I made you breakfast.”

  Grace laid her hand on her roiling stomach. “Oh, Mom, I’m sorry, I don’t know if I can eat anything.”

  Her mom smiled. “You’re going to do great, you know. After a thorough check, Daddy feels sort of okay with you working for Max’s band… company… whatever they consider themselves.”

  “You still never answered the question about how you guys have access to background information.”

  “And I don’t think I will.” She took Grace’s face between her hands. “Guard your heart, sweetheart. I don’t worry about you the way I worry about Maggie, because you’ve always had a strong sense of discernment and you’re justice driven, but this boy is different.”

  “Ya think?”

  Her mom leaned against the bed. “That being said, try to give him the benefit of the doubt, okay?”

  “What do you mean?”

  “Not everything works on paper, honey. Sometimes, things that are delivered to us with a pretty bow aren’t always nice, and the gifts in a brown paper sack are better than we could have imagined.”

  “Mom.” Grace sighed, but tempered it with a smile. “The problem is that Max is both the pretty bow and the brown paper sack.”

  Her mom laughed. “Yes, I supp
ose he is. All I’m saying is that I get a very genuine vibe from him.”

  Grace tapped her temple. “I have your blessing… got it.”

  “No, I’m not saying that, Grace. Time will tell as to whether or not this is a good fit. I’m just saying he’s different, and I want you to be in the moment and enjoy yourself. Don’t cut this off at the knees before it has time to become something wonderful.”

  “The problem with you, Mom, is that you’re a hopeless romantic.”

  “I am now, but you should have seen what I put your father through. Good Lord, that boy had the patience of Job. I think I dumped him at least a dozen times before he proposed, and then broke off the engagement twice.” She shook her head. “He pursued me, honey. And twenty-eight years later, we’re more in love than we ever were. I want that for you.”

  “And you think I’m going to get that with an entitled rock star?” Grace challenged.

  “Maybe not, but you might get it with Maximilian MacMillan the man.” Her mother shrugged. “Just give him a chance.”

  “This is all really interesting, Mom, mostly because you were never this open about Trey.” Grace shoved her laptop into her backpack. “I felt like I was constantly defending him.”

  “That’s because when you befriend someone, you will defend them to the death, even to your own detriment.” Her mother raised an eyebrow. “Trey did a lot of lying, Grace. I’m not saying he was a bad kid or anything, but he was very good at playing the church game. Evasive and vague most days, and Daddy and I felt like we had to take much of what he said with a grain of salt. And then when it came out about his cheating...”

  “I know, Mom. He was a jerk. But he was the devil I knew, and for the most part, I could handle him.” She wrinkled her nose. “Is it ungracious of me to say I kind of kept him around so I didn’t have to deal with the dating scene?”

  “Maybe at the beginning, but after everything that went down, I’m glad you didn’t fall head over heels for him. Max, on the other hand, seems different to me. So, be both open and careful.”

  Grace gave her a thumbs up. “Oh, that’s helpful, Mom. Thanks,” she droned.

  Her mother laughed again. “It’s my job to help and guide.”

  “So, what I’m hearing is, totally fall in love with the guy, but don’t get hurt.”

  “You got it.”

  Grace snorted. “Mother of the Year Award goes to…”

  “Come on. I made bacon.”

  “Oooh, yay. Everything’s better with bacon,” Grace retorted.

  “Yes, yes it is.”

  Grace followed her mother downstairs, stashing her backpack by her overnight bag and making her way to the kitchen. Before she’d even managed to grab a plate, her siblings started in with the third degree.

  “When are they coming back through town?” Spencer asked.

  “Can I come to Alaska?” Maggie inserted.

  Grace picked up a piece of bacon and pointed it towards her brother. “I don’t know”—then at Maggie—“No.” She ate the bacon and grinned as Maggie groaned in disappointment.

  She didn’t have much time to listen to the complaints of her brother and sister, as the doorbell pealed. “Saved by the bell.”

  “You go, honey, I’ll clear,” her mother offered.

  “Thanks, Mom,” Grace said, and rushed to the door. She opened it to find both Bruce and Max. “Well hi, you two.”

  Bruce nodded with a smile.

  “Good morning, beautiful,” Max said, and leaned down to kiss her.

  Grace broke the kiss and smiled. “This is a surprise. I thought Bruce was picking me up. I wasn’t expecting you as well.”

  Max grinned. “I want to spend as much time with you as I can before things get crazy.”

  “Charmer.” Grace felt the heat creep into her cheeks.

  “I also have some information for your parents. Are they here?”

  “Dad’s still away, but Mom’s here.” Grace stepped back. “Come in.”

  Max paused for a few seconds, glancing at Bruce, who nodded, before stepping inside and following her to the kitchen.

  A clatter filled the room as Maggie dropped the plate she’d been rinsing. “You’re here again?”

  “Maggie,” Grace admonished.

  “Excuse my daughter, Max,” Lila said, and smiled. “Good morning.”

  “Good morning, Mrs. Wilson.”

  “Would you like some breakfast?”

  “I actually have already eaten, but thank you.” He set a manila envelope on the kitchen island. “I thought you’d like to have our itinerary and pertinent contact numbers while Grace is away. I’ve included my cell phone number and that of my brother.”

  Grace’s mother wiped her hands and smiled, reaching for the envelope. “That’s very thoughtful, Max. Thank you.”

  Grace caught her mother’s nod of approval and she couldn’t help but be impressed with Max’s thoughtfulness as well. “We should go, huh?” Grace said. “We don’t want to miss our flight.”

  Max smiled. “Of course.” He faced her family. “Maggie, Spencer, good to see you both. Mrs. Wilson, always a pleasure.”

  “Have a safe trip,” her mother said. “Call me as soon as you land.”

  “I will, Mom,” Grace promised.

  Max laid his hand on Grace’s lower back and guided her back to the foyer. Before they could exit the house, his phone rang. “Yes, Bruce. Damn it. Aye. Okay.” He raised an eyebrow at Grace. “Is there a back way out of here?”

  “We could go through the yard gate, why?”

  “Paparazzi.”

  Grace peeked out one of the side windows to see Bruce battling with photographers and news people.

  “Side gate, Bruce. We’ll meet you there.” Max hung up. “Sorry, love.”

  “I’m actually surprised it’s taken them this long,” she admitted. “Especially, after the incident at the restaurant.”

  “It’s my fault.”

  “How come? I mean, outside of your obvious fame.”

  “I should have never said your name on the news interview.”

  “Right.” Grace nodded. That interview seemed ages ago. “I forgot about that. I suppose it’s not hard to find Maggie, Spencer, and Grace Wilson in Vancouver, Washington if someone has a mind to.” She smiled. “Yes, it’s all your fault.”

  Max chuckled and glanced out the window, careful to stay as hidden as possible. “Bruce is gone, so I’ll follow you.”

  Grace nodded and led Max back to the kitchen.

  “Everything okay?” her mother asked.

  “Paparazzi has found us,” Grace said.

  “Seriously?” Maggie said, and smoothed her hair. “Want me to distract them?”

  “Honey, you don’t want to feed the jackals,” her mother warned.

  “But I look really good right now,” Maggie argued.

  Grace rolled her eyes. “Mags, it’s not worth it.”

  Maggie settled her hands on her hips. “And you don’t think they’re going to figure out that the side gate is going to be your exit of choice?”

  “She’s got a point,” Max said, and grabbed his phone again, holding it to his ear. “Are we clear? Aye. Okay. We’ll go with plan B, just stay where you are.” Max hung up. “Bruce says they’re wrapped around the house. Every exit is covered.”

  “Dang it,” Grace said.

  “For the love and glory be. I’ll just take care of it,” Maggie said, and rushed from the room.

  “You go,” Lila said. “We’ll cover you.” She giggled. “Oh, I sound like a cop right now.”

  “I’ll help with your bags,” Spencer offered, and took Grace’s suitcase from Max. “You can dive into the car, and your driver and I’ll throw your bags into the trunk.”

  Grace groaned. “You’re enjoying yourself, aren’t you?”

  Spencer laughed. “So, so much, Gracie. Come on.”

  He led them out the back slider and to the side gate. Before opening their escape portal, though, he
pulled out his phone to snap a few pictures of him and Max together. “Now I have proof.”

  “You’re an idiot, Spence,” Grace complained.