The waiter arrived and took their order, returning with drinks before leaving them again. Charlotte found herself a little tongue-tied, which was unusual for her.
Where are you, lass?
She forced herself not to react to the voice. That’s all she needed on a date with a gorgeous man... the obligation to divulge this new and disconcerting tendency to hear voices.
“So, tell me, Charlotte Whitmore, what do you do for fun?” Alec asked.
“Fun? What is this fun thing you speak of?”
“Say it ain’t so.” He chuckled. “Are you an all-work-no-play kind of girl?”
“I guess that depends on your idea of fun. I must admit, I’m really low-key. I’d rather watch a movie at home than go to a theater or venture out to a club to dance. I dance better in my living room anyway.”
He smiled. “I wouldn’t call that boring.”
Charlotte took a minute to lay her napkin on her lap. “What about you?”
“I’m kind of an outdoor nut. Hiking, biking, fishing, that kind of thing.” He leaned back in his chair. “I have to stay fit and since I hate the gym, I have to be creative.”
“Thank God for at-home treadmills,” she said.
He tipped his water glass toward her. “Very true.”
“Is acting your full-time gig?”
“No. I do voiceover work, which actually pays the bills, and since I’m able to record my own audio, it cuts down on commute time and expense. Acting is something I’ve always done, but I never really expect to make it, you know? I’m not sure I’d want to, anyway.”
“Oh? How come?” she asked.
“Because where would I live? Hollywood?” He frowned. “No thanks.”
“I just moved back from L.A. I was there six years, and I agree. The weather alone was enough for me.”
He chuckled. “Yeah, sunshine everyday’s a bit much. What did you do in L.A.? Act?”
“Sort of. I worked for Disneyland. I was actually in their customer service department, but had started off as a princess, so would get roped back in on occasion. All in all, it was a great job, but I really needed to be home.”
“Born and raised here?”
“Yep. Vancouver. You?”
“Salem. I moved to Portland a year ago,” he said. “So, is this your first audition? I haven’t seen you on the circuit, so to speak.”
Charlotte nodded. “Yeah. I wanted to ease back in, but my agent seems to be a go-getter as they say, so I didn’t get much of a break.”
Alec chuckled. “Did you do much work in L.A.?”
“Not really. I did a couple of commercials, but I’m one of a million blondes trying to make it, and nothing really happened.”
The server arrived with their meal, pausing their conversation.
Once he left, Alec asked, “Is acting your full-time gig?”
“No, but not on purpose,” she admitted. “Like you, I’m not sure I want it to be, but I’ve had the worst time finding a job. Even waitressing,” she said with a shudder, “which is my absolute last resort option. No one’s hiring.”
He gave her a sympathetic nod. “I may know someone who’s hiring. Customer service type stuff. All day on the phone kind of a thing.”
“Really? That would be perfect. I’ll take just about anything right now. I had to move home with my mom, and I’d really like to get back on my own.”
“I would too.” He grinned and waved his fork toward her. “Maybe we should wait out the audition, huh? You may not need a job for a while.”
Charlotte wrinkled her nose. “So you’re one of those.”
“Those?”
“Optimists.”
He grinned. “Definitely.”
She rolled her eyes. “You know, optimists ruin everything.”
“They do?” He laughed. “Do tell.”
“They expect everything to go perfectly, and their whole world’s shattered when it inevitably goes to crap.”
“I take it you’re a pessimist.”
“I am.” She grinned. “And because of that, I am never disappointed.”
Alec laughed again. “I believe I could learn a lot from you, Charlotte Whitmore.”
“You absolutely could, Alec Donovan.”
The rest of lunch was filled with comfortable conversation, although deep and meaningful subjects were avoided. Overall, Charlotte really liked Alec, but there was something not clicking for her. She couldn’t put her finger on it and chose to ignore it for a while in an effort to get to know him better. He was the first guy to come along in a long while who’d interested her, and she was going to take advantage of that fact.
Alec walked her back to her car and took down her phone number. They’d made a date for Saturday night for dinner, and Charlotte was really looking forward to it. Climbing into her Toyota and heading back towards home, she groaned as the sexy voice of Niall MacMillan floated through the car... a song that had been released as a B-side and one of only three he sang on. She flipped over to the radio. “I don’t need you in my head right now, thank you very much. You are a fantasy.”
Her phone rang and she hit the hands free. “Hello?”
“Hey, it’s Donnie.”
“Hey, stranger! How are you? I wish you were here right now. I just auditioned for a part in a movie, and you would have been perfect for the guy who plays the husband.”
Don chuckled. “Especially if I got to kiss you.”
“Well, you would have.”
“Damn it,” he joked.
“So, how are you? I thought you might be mad at me.”
He sighed. “Sorry, Charlie. No. I’m not mad. Actually, I met someone.”
“You did? That’s awesome. Is it serious?”
“No, not yet. We’re in the ‘let’s impress each other’ stage right now, so until we have our first kiss and then our fight, I don’t think we’ll know if it’s serious.”
Charlotte laughed. “You are so very practical, Donald Leavitt.”
“I know I am. What about you? Tell me about this audition.”
Charlotte filled Don in on the audition and lunch with Alec as she made her way home. She ended the call just as she pulled into her driveway and then headed to her sister’s room in an attempt to help her solve the world’s problems. She had a feeling it was going to take a very long time to do so.
Edinburgh, Scotland
NIALL MACMILLAN WALKED into his house and slammed the door, dragging his hands down his face in an effort to keep himself from picking up the table in the foyer and smashing it to pieces. His phone buzzed in his pocket... again. He ignored it... again. He knew who it was. It hadn’t been long since he’d discovered the truth about his sister’s death, something that had been kept from him, and because of that, he had no desire to speak to his bastard of a brother.
He made his way to the dining room and poured himself a whisky. Something he rarely did, but tonight, he was in the mood to drink, perhaps even to the point of oblivion. His phone buzzed again and he yanked it from his jeans pocket and smashed it against the wall.
Well, that was a waste of an expensive phone.
The voice came unbidden, and Niall froze. What?
Your phone. You just smashed it against the wall.
American. His mate was American. He knew it. Having felt her emotions, he’d tried to “speak” to her several times over the past few weeks, but this was the first time she’d answered.
I can’t believe I’m dreaming about Niall MacMillan... this is all I freakin’ need.
Niall set his glass carefully on the buffet and closed his eyes. You know who I am?
Of course I know who you are. Anyone with a radio, television, or Internet connection knows who you are.
What about you, lass? Who are you?
You can’t see me? But I can see you.
I’m picking up on that. He smiled. But, no, I can’t see you.
Ooh, this has possibilities.
He closed his eyes. It might if you tell me your name.
>
His doorbell pealed and he scowled.
I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to offend you.
Niall raised an eyebrow. What do you mean?
You’re frowning.
Sorry, lass. That wasn’t directed at you. Someone’s ringing my doorbell.
Shouldn’t you get it?
The doorbell pealed again, but he ignored it.
No. He smiled and closed his eyes again. I’m all yours.
Oh, I wish!
Niall chuckled. If you tell me your name and where you are, I’ll find you.
“Niall MacMillan!”
Niall swore as the connection was broken and Payton Gunnach came storming into the room. “Where the bloody hell have you been?” she snapped.
The petite redhead had been his best friend since Brodie Gunnach had asked Niall to watch over her while he was in the Royal Air Force. Payton was fourteen at the time, and she and Niall had had an instant connection, even if it had been nothing more than friendship. She was Brodie’s mate and would have never been available to anyone other than him. Now that they were bound and expecting their first child, Brodie watched her even closer.
“Payton, lass. Lovely to see you,” Niall said. “Does Brodie know you’re here?”
Payton frowned and crossed her arms. “Niall,” she said in warning.
“How did you get into my house?”
She waved a house key in the air. “You gave me a spare.”
“For emergencies.”
“Niall, I have been trying to ring you for two days. You’ve no’ answered my calls! That’s the verra definition of an emergency.” Payton laid her hand over her expanding belly and closed her eyes.
“Does Brodie know you’re here?” Niall crossed his arms. “Payton?”
“What?” she said distractedly.
“Does Brodie know you’re here?” he repeated.
“He does now.”
“Who drove you?”
“I can drive a car, Nye.”
“You drove yourself?”
“Aye,” she snapped. “What’s yer point?”
“Pay,” Niall said with a groan. “You’re not supposed to be driving.”
“Oh, no, you’ll no’ give me the lecture about how I’m only a woman and I should nae drive meself. I’ll no’ take that chauvinistic crap from you as well.”
“I’d never say that and you know it,” Niall argued. “You’re trying to deflect because you know how Brodie feels about you going out alone. Especially being pregnant and dealing with fainting spells.”
“How did you know about the fainting?” She raised her hands before he could respond. “No, don’t tell me. You seem to forget you’re supposed to be my friend, no’ his.”
Niall smiled. “I’m both of your friends, lass.”
She wrinkled her nose. “It doesn’t matter. I haven’t fainted in over a week, and Gillian has given me the all clear.”
Niall relaxed a bit. “I’m glad your sister isn’t concerned, but that doesn’t mean Brodie won’t be.”
Payton waved her hand. “He’ll be fine. He knows where I am.”
Niall glanced at his watch. “Which means we have about ten minutes before he barges through that door.”
“You’ll no’ distract me from my questions, Niall,” she warned. “Now, tell me. What’s the matter?”
“Whatever do you mean, dear friend?”
“Nice try. You never drink whisky”—she pointed to the buffet—“unless something’s wrong, and since I happen to know about your fight with Max, I can only assume nothing has been resolved. Is that your phone?”
“Aye, ’tis.” She moved to pick up the shards of technology, but Niall stopped her. “Don’t, Payton. I’ll take care of it.”
“Well, that mess explains why you haven’t answered my calls.”
“That just happened, Payton, so it’s no’ the reason.”
“Okay.” She crossed her arms. “Well, then fill me in, please.”
He pinched the bridge of his nose. “Pay, it’s not something I want to get into right now. Can I ring you later in the week?”
“No.”
“Payton.”
“No, Nye. You’ll no’ brush me off like someone who doesn’t give a flying—”
“Language,” Niall warned, interrupting her.
She narrowed her eyes. “Ye’ll tell me what’s going on with you, Niall MacMillan, and I’m no’ leaving until ye do.”
“Fine. Come and sit down, lass. I’ll not have your mate accusing me of not taking care of you.” Niall led her into the parlor and motioned to the sofa. “Can I get you something?”
“Answers,” Payton said as she sat down.
“Tea?”
“Niall!” she snapped, and burst into tears.
“Oh, Payton. I’m sorry, lass.” Niall knelt in front of her and took her hands. “I didn’t mean to make you sad.”
“It’s hormones,” she grumbled. “I’m no’ sad, you bampot.”
He raised an eyebrow.
“What?” she snapped. “I’m no’!”
“You never cry, Pay, so if you’re no’ sad, what are ye?”
“I’m mad that you’re shutting me out.” She sniffed back more tears. “You never shut me out.”
Niall sighed and handed her his handkerchief. “It’s bloody complicated, lass, and I don’t want you mixed up in it.”
She rose to her feet. “Fine. I’ll go.” She dropped his house key on the coffee table. “Apparently, we’re no’ as close as I thought. I apologize for giving a shite.”
Niall shook his head and stood. “Payton.”
“’Bye,” she said, and started toward the door. “Have a nice life.”
“Bloody hell, woman, get back here.”
She faced him and crossed her arms. “Tell me what the devil happened with your brother.”
He waved toward the sofa and she gave him a triumphant smile as she took her seat.
“Manipulation and guilt trips are new for you.”
“Are they?” she asked. “Hmmm, well, perhaps I need to use them more, since they seem to be quite effective. Now, best friend in all the world, tell me what’s going on with Max.”
Niall sat in one of the chairs facing her and sighed. “He lied.”
“Does this have anything to do with Abbott Martin?”
“What?” Niall bellowed as he stood. “Is secret keeping a new one for you as well?”
“Nye,” Payton crooned as she raised her hands and shook her head.
“No, Payton! Did you know about this too?”
“No, I don’t think so. Wait, Nye. Sit down, love. Brodie told me that Abbott was with everyone the night Moira was killed and that Max and Connall had a conversation a while back. That’s all Brodie knows.”
Niall swore again as he lowered himself back onto the chair.
Payton leaned forward, narrowing her eyes. “Tell me what’s going on.”
Niall squeezed his eyes shut and shook his head. “Abbott confessed to Max.”
“He confessed what?”
“That he did it,” Niall said.
Payton groaned in frustration. “Did what? Killed Moira?”
“Aye,” Niall said, and scowled. “He had her ear.”
“What do you mean?” She waved her hand. “I need more information, Nye.”
He stared at her for several tense seconds, unsure how much he should tell her. “The killer cut off her ear, but we never found it. We know why now. Abbott cut off her ear and kept it.”
Payton gasped, her hand covering her mouth. “Oh, Nye. I’m so sorry.”
Payton was one of the few Niall had confided in about the death of his sister, but he had never given her particulars about the gruesome scene.
“No, lass, I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have told you,” he said when he saw her face pale. “Are you going to be sick?”
She shook her head, but kept her fingers over her lips. “Brodie’s helping.”
“Why d
idn’t you tell me about Abbott?” Niall asked when she looked a bit better.
“Nye! If I’d known you didn’t have that part of the puzzle, I would have,” Payton said. “I was certain you knew. I would have never knowingly kept something like that from you. You do know that, right?”
“Aye, lass, I do,” he admitted, and grimaced. “I’m sorry.”
The slamming of the front door sounded, followed by the deep bellow of Brodie. “Payton Gunnach!”
“In here, love,” she called sweetly.
Niall shook his head. “I need a better security system, apparently.”
Brodie strode furiously into the room. “Don’t ever do that again, Payton. I’ve been worried sick! You left the office without telling anyone where you were going or what you were up to.”
“I told Karl where I was going, and you and I have been “speaking” all day.”
“I should fire him.”
“No,” she argued. “You bloody well should not. I told him after I was already here.”
“You’re supposed to be resting.”
“Like hell I am,” she countered. “Gillian said I was past the iffy point.”
“I want you to rest.” Brodie sat down beside her and laid his hand on her belly. “How are you feeling?”
“Fine, love,” she assured him. “I can’t stop living my life, Brodie, just because I’m pregnant.”
Brodie sighed. “You’re sure you feel well?”
“Aye.”
“The nausea?”
“Is gone.” She stroked his cheek. “Now, stop trying to distract me. I’m not finished grilling our friend.”
Brodie raised an eyebrow and shrugged. “Sorry, Nye. I tried to divert the conversation.”
Niall nodded. Once Payton sunk her jaws into something... or someone, it was virtually impossible to pry her loose.
Are you being bitten?
Close, he replied.
“Nye?” Payton said.
“Hmm?” Niall focused back on his best friend. “Sorry.”
“Are you...?”
Niall nodded.
“You’re talking to her right now?” Payton pressed.
He put a finger to his lips. “Yes, shush.”
Payton shifted in her seat. “Who is it?”
“No idea. All I know is she’s American.”
Are you talking about me?
Aye, lass, I am.
Bound by Dreams (Cauld Ane Series, #5) Page 4