“We cannot risk it.” Darrogh walked to Tamsin, stood behind her, and put his hands on both of her shoulders. “I want to announce that Tamsin has agreed not only to be my mate, but to marry me.”
“Good.” Savis looked up from his monitor. “I am glad you were able to overcome your doubts.”
“So am I.” Darrogh pulled her close and kissed her cheek.
Warmth and love flowed through her. Amazing as it seemed, Darrogh was almost back to full strength. He’d told her that Earth had increased their abilities, and faster healing must be one of them. That meant the bullet had to be taken out soon.
“Would one of the bathrooms work for the extraction or would you prefer a bedroom?” Tamsin asked.
“The bathroom would be best.” Ranon picked up his bag. “Where is it?”
“Follow me.” Darrogh left the room with Ranon.
Tamsin refused to think of all the things that could go wrong with the bullet removal. Instead, she lifted her chin and looked at the rest of her guests. “We have food in the kitchen. Is anyone hungry?”
Darrogh and Ranon returned a half hour later and sat at the dining room table with the rest of the Hunters. Tamsin gave each of them a bowl of soup. There were a few sandwiches left, and a cheese and fruit platter that she passed to the two men.
“Coffee?” Tamsin asked as she offered both of them a mug.
Darrogh nodded and pulled her down onto his lap. He held her close as he ate. His embrace eased her fear about his shoulder. Gradually, Tamsin relaxed and leaned her head against his chest.
“I need to make plans to visit the main compound.” Darrogh addressed the rest of the Hunters. “Ardal wants me back there and I will take Tamsin with me. We should go tomorrow, but I want to be certain everything is being monitored here.”
“What do you want done?” Firbin put his elbows on the table.
“Someone needs to watch Sir Robert.” Darrogh’s voice was serious. “The Albireons were willing to risk exposure to kidnap or kill Tamsin. That must mean controlling Creighton’s Bank is very important to their plans. Sir Robert needs protection.”
“My team can set up surveillance there,” Partlan offered. “That will allow your team to continue their work here.”
Tamsin straightened away from Darrogh. “My father can be stubborn, but once I’ve explained what happened at the farm, he’ll understand the need for bodyguards.”
“I hope he takes it better than you did.” Savis’s voice was dry.
“I think my father is beyond the age of nightclubs.” Tamsin grinned.
Partlan frowned. “I do not understand.”
“Tamsin dragged us to a new nightclub every night.” Darrogh’s voice was gruff. “It was her way of protesting.”
Grace laughed. “I would have loved to have seen that.”
“The women were throwing themselves at them.” Tamsin shook her head as she remembered how ridiculous it had looked. “They kept trying to get them onto the dance floor.”
“What are these clubs?” Partlan asked.
“You do not want to know.” Darrogh groaned.
Just then the doorbell rang. Tamsin moved to get it, but Darrogh kept a hold on her. He nodded to Breanon who went to assess the situation. She heard her father’s voice and stood.
“Have you heard?” Sir Robert walked into the dining room.
“We just arrived back in London.” Tamsin guided her father to a chair. He had a grey tinge to his face. “What happened?”
“Winchester Nethercott was found murdered in his holding cell.”
Tamsin’s breath caught in her throat. Winchester might have done some horrible things, but he didn’t deserve to be killed. “Who did it?”
“The police don’t know.” Her father sat. “They said that their security cameras malfunctioned during the time the murder took place. I came here to be certain you didn’t have anything to do with it.”
“It is the Albireons.” Darrogh clenched his hands. “They are making certain no one speaks.”
“Where does that leave us?” Sir Robert asked.
“You need protection.” Darrogh’s voice was firm. “We were just discussing having a team stationed at your house.”
“Tamsin needs to be guarded, not me,” Sir Robert said.
“My men and I are watching her.” Darrogh gave her father an intense look. “The Albireons are willing to risk discovery in order to get their hands on your bank. You and Tamsin are the key to keeping Creighton’s out of Albirsion Corporation control.”
Her father leaned back and seemed to debate Darrogh’s words for a few seconds before nodding. “You’re probably right. If they can’t blackmail or threaten me into giving them the bank, then they’ll kill me.”
“Just like they did with Nethercott.” Tamsin’s voice was filled with sorrow.
“Sir Robert, meet Partlan and his team of Hunters. This is Ranon, and Gur. Maloc and Turlo are driving Tamsin’s car back from Yorkshire.” Darrogh turned to Grace. “This is Grace. She is a former FBI agent and Partlan’s mate. She will also be joining your security team.”
Sir Robert nodded at the men, but hesitated when he turned to Grace. “Does that mean you’re Partlan’s wife?”
Grace shook her head. “It’s more complicated than that. Ask Tamsin to explain it to you one day.”
Her father’s eyes widened. “What’s that supposed to mean?”
“Darrogh asked me to marry him, and I agreed.” Tamsin kept her voice steady. “That’s all you need to know right now.”
Her father’s mouth dropped open, and for a second she thought he was going to explode with anger. Instead, he looked at her and then at Darrogh, before nodding. “It’s about time you married.”
Tamsin exhaled the breath she’d been holding.
Her father’s blessing wasn’t necessary, but it made life easier.
Darrogh must have sensed how worried she was because she felt a wave of calm being sent her way. She walked over to Darrogh and let him pull her close. Everything was perfect. Being bonded with Darrogh was more than she had ever hoped for. Not only had she found a love that was true and honest, she had found a man that she connected to physically and spiritually. She was filled with happiness and joy.
Now, the only thing left was to meet the rest of Darrogh’s unit and their mates.
Chapter 27
Darrogh walked into the compound headquarters with a sense of trepidation.
In the past, he had never considered how his warrior lifestyle would affect anyone else. Now he had Tamsin to consider. Even though he had explained that their lives would be different from what she was used to, he still did not believe that she would remain with him. She came from a background of luxury. A life spent in hiding would be a hardship for her.
“I can accept anything as long as we are together.” Tamsin’s voice was soft with reassurance.
“You are reading my thoughts.”
“And your body language.” Tamsin reached up and kissed his cheek. “The only thing I care about is staying with you. You told me that the other Hunters understood that mates cannot be separated.”
“True.” Darrogh forced himself to relax. “I do not want you to suffer because you have chosen me for your mate.”
“We are a pair bond.” Tamsin’s voice was reasonable. “To deny the bond would be a physical pain to both of us. That would be misery.”
“You will have to sacrifice everything to be with me.”
“I can do that.” Tamsin stopped walking and forced him to turn and look at her. “Are you doubting my commitment?”
A surge of love sent from Tamsin, flowed through him.
He straightened his shoulders. “No. I wish I had more to offer.”
“You are all I need.”
Darrogh inhaled a quick breath as they continued to walk from the SUV to the compound. He trusted in Tamsin’s love and that was all that mattered. The details of their lives would work out the way they were meant to.
The
door was opened by Selena Duarte, Catal’s mate. “You must be Tamsin. Everyone has been anxious to meet you. I am Selena.”
Darrogh followed Tamsin inside. The main area was large and open, with a fireplace in the center, and couches and chairs scattered through the room. Beyond that, were two hallways and the kitchen and dining area. Waiting in the central space was Ardal, the leader of their unit. He looked exhausted, but happy.
Darrogh guided Tamsin into the room. “Ardal, this is Tamsin Creighton, my mate.”
“It is an honor to meet you.” Ardal gave a slight bow of his head. “To learn that Darrogh had found a pair bond was good news. Darrogh is a skilled and valiant warrior.”
Tamsin leaned close to Darrogh. “That doesn’t surprise me. Despite my foolishness, Darrogh found and rescued me. The only reason I’m alive today is because of him.”
“He has excellent instincts.”
Darrogh was uncomfortable receiving such commendations. A Hunter fought and followed orders because it was his duty. He did not expect rewards. Knowing that he lived and died with honor was praise enough.
“Your timing is perfect.” Ardal grinned. “Fiona just delivered our daughter this morning.”
“Are they okay?” Tamsin’s voice was filled with concern.
“Perfect. Kimi has experience with delivery and she also brought one of the midwives from her tribe to help.”
“Kimi is Niail’s mate,” Darrogh explained. “She is a member of the Blackfeet tribe.”
“Have you named the baby?”
“Oriana.” Ardal’s voice was filled with pride. “A golden child.”
“That’s beautiful.”
“Would you like to meet Fiona and the baby?” Selena asked.
“Can I?” Tamsin did not hide her eagerness.
“Fiona has been anxious to welcome a new woman into our group.” Selena led Tamsin out of the room and down one of the hallways.
Darrogh turned to Ardal. “You have heard about the Albireon attack.”
Ardal nodded. “It concerns me that they were so bold.”
“We need a plan to deal with them.” Darrogh was focused on military concerns now. “They have infiltrated this planet at every level. They are close to their goal of domination and then the destruction of Earth.”
“I have heard from Eogan.”
Eogan was a fellow Hunter who had been stranded on Earth and held in captivity for over thirty years. He had been instrumental in aiding Partlan and Grace to escape from the Albireons at the Pine Gap facility in Australia. Because of the interference from the underground military base, Eogan had been unable to mind connect with the other Hunters.
“He has escaped?”
“Yes.” Ardal’s tone was serious. “He is in Turkey. That is a complicated and dangerous region.”
“We need to go to him immediately.” Darrogh did not hesitate. “Eogan is a brother and needs our help.”
“Agreed.” Ardal’s voice was firm. “I have sent more Hunters to meet him. They will help in all ways possible.”
“What about me?” Darrogh frowned. “You will be here with Fiona and the baby. I am second in command. Should I not go also?”
“You are needed elsewhere.” Ardal clasped Darrogh on the shoulder. “I want you to return to London with your mate and live in plain sight of everyone. There will be no secret that you have mated with a human and the Albireons will do everything in their power to sabotage you.”
“What is your plan?”
“Tamsin is a wealthy woman and has access to many influential people.” Ardal lowered his voice. “Make your presence felt.”
“We are to act as bait?”
Ardal shook his head. “You are a distraction. Savis thinks that he will be able to destroy the Albireon computer systems very soon. He needs more time.”
Darrogh frowned. He was unused to the ways of the lifestyle that Tamsin lived, yet this would allow her to remain in her world. She would not have to sacrifice anything to be with him. It would be dangerous, though.
“Will you be able to do that?” Ardal’s voice was doubtful. “I know that I am asking you to put your mate at risk, but it is necessary in order to defeat the Albireons.”
At that moment, Tamsin came back into the room. “What kind of risk.”
“I have a plan that involves you,” Ardal said. “I intended to ask your permission before finalizing the arrangements.”
“No problem. What are we supposed to do?”
“I want you to live your life as normal in London. Be very public about your connection with Darrogh. Let the Albireons know where you are.”
“So you want us to taunt them? To rub it in that they didn’t succeed in taking over my father’s bank?”
“I want them to focus their energies on following you.” Ardal leaned back against a table. “It is a great risk and one that I am certain Darrogh will not want you to take.”
Tamsin shrugged. “I’m assuming you have activities elsewhere that you don’t want them to know about.”
“Yes.”
“Darrogh will be with me?”
“As will Kerm, Firbin, Jehon, Breanon and Savis.”
“A full team.” Darrogh nodded. “I will be able to protect Tamsin better that way.”
“I would not ask if it were not important for us to gain access to their other facilities. Savis needs more time.” Ardal stood. “I understand if you need time to discuss this.”
“It sounds perfect to me. I’d be delighted to help out.” Tamsin’s voice rose with excitement. “Just think, we can have a huge society wedding. I bet even the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge will come.”
Ardal left the two of them alone.
Tamsin grabbed Darrogh’s hand. “My father will be happy to know that I’m finally going to take an interest in the bank too.”
“Is that wise?” Darrogh’s tone was doubtful.
“We will be hiding where all of the world can see us. As long as we stay in the public eye, it will be too risky to attack us.” Tamsin grinned. “It’s wonderful.”
“I will have to be with you at all times.” Darrogh did not share Tamsin’s enthusiasm. He could not deny that it would be harder for the Albireons to kill them if the whole world was watching.
Tamsin leaned closer. “That’s what makes it so wonderful. Just think of all the bonding we can do.”
Darrogh almost missed a step. He caught himself just in time and pulled Tamsin into his arms. “You are teasing me.”
She nodded. “I’m ecstatic to think that we’ll be living in London. I have a house big enough for several children and now that I know that Hunters can have children I’m going to want as many as possible.”
Tamsin put her arm around his waist and looked up at him with a smile. “Just think, I might be pregnant now.”
Panic rose in his chest.
Tamsin stood on her tiptoes and kissed his cheek. “Don’t worry. I’ll wait until you can handle it. A warrior such as yourself should be ready in a couple of years I would imagine.”
“I do not know anything about children.”
“Now’s your chance to learn.” Tamsin walked with him to Fiona’s room. “You have to see how adorable Oriana is.”
Darrogh was not certain about adorable. The baby’s face looked wrinkled and red. He could not deny that Fiona was beaming. Ardal was standing at her side, looking down at the two of them with adoration and pride. Change had never been good for Darrogh. He would have to trust in Tamsin and his fellow Hunters. So far this planet had given them many gifts. Having children was one of them.
Darrogh cleared his throat.
Fiona and Ardal both looked at him.
“I must apologize for my behavior when you were first bonded.” Darrogh lifted his chin. “I thought the only way to survive on this planet was to keep things as they had been in the past. I was wrong.”
“You are one of the greatest warriors to have ever lived. No Hunter has ever been decorated as often as you
or survived as many battles.” Ardal looked at him. “I have always respected your opinion and trusted you to do what is best.”
“Thank you.” Darrogh was humbled by his leader’s words of praise.
“I think you did remarkably well considering that you had never been with women until you crashed on my farm.” Fiona kissed the baby’s forehead. “I wasn’t easy to deal with either. I feared men, and all of a sudden, I was surrounded by a unit of Hunters. I didn’t react well either.”
“You were to be obeyed.” Darrogh could not excuse his actions so easily. “I did not understand your connection with Ardal before.”
“It is difficult to appreciate it until you have pair bonded.” Ardal reached down and took the baby from Fiona’s arm. “Having Fiona, and now, Oriana, has taught me more about what being a Hunter is than all of the tenets of the Sacred Code.
It was true.
Until he had bonded with Tamsin, he was only following orders.
Now he had a purpose and peace.
In his years of fighting, he had never dreamed that such a thing was possible. All he had expected was to die an honorable death. Now, he wanted to stay alive so that he could protect Tamsin. She had shown him that there was more to life than just battle and survival. There was hope and love.
THE END
Thank You
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