Bound by Fire Page 22

  “I don’t know.” Pepper gasped. “I’m not some kind of reptile, am I?” She could see Connall trying not to laugh and she scowled at him. “Don’t laugh at me!”

  “Sorry, sweetheart,” Con said. “Just to be clear, fire didn’t come from your mouth. You simply happened to be yelling when you made a run for him.”

  Pepper felt her face heat with embarrassment. “Oh.”

  “You manufactured it with your mind and it connected with the hairspray,” he explained. “I don’t think we’re going to need to practice, because your aim was perfect.”

  Thank you for laughing and making me feel like an idiot, she snapped.

  That wasn’t my intention.

  Well, you managed it anyway.

  He raised an eyebrow. We’ll discuss this later.

  “We might have a problem if Kinnon saw her,” Brodie pointed out.

  “We’ll just tell him she had a lighter,” Kade said. “That’s easily explained away, particularly since she was holding the hairspray. I’m not sure this is the best place for you, Con.”

  Pepper glanced at Connall, but before he could say anything, Sam cleared her throat. “Why not, honey?”

  Kade’s gaze swept the space. “It’s not secure.”

  Sam shrugged. “Oh, I don’t know about that. Couldn’t they install a security system? Then it would be perfect.”

  He raised an eyebrow at his mate but didn’t comment. Pepper figured it was rare for anyone to argue with Kade.

  “Pack your things, Pepper,” Connall said.

  “What? Why?” Pepper said.

  “I’m taking you home. Kade’s right. It’s not safe here.”

  “You just wanted an excuse not to be here,” she accused.

  “That’s not true, sweetheart.”

  “Yes it is.”

  I’m not arguing with you in front of my brothers, Pepper.

  “Why not? Don’t want to reveal your ability to be an ass?” she snapped out loud. “Your brothers must know you by now.”

  Brodie sniggered and Kade turned away from her, but she could see his shoulders shake and knew he was laughing.

  Connall’s tone dropped low and he gave her a look of warning. “Go pack, Pepper.”

  “Do you want some help?” Sam asked, once again the peacemaker.

  Is she allowed to help me?

  Pepper.

  Yes, dear? Oh, sorry, oh big and strong master of the universe. Is it okay if my best friend helps me pack my bags?

  He shook his head. Go and pack. We’ll talk about it later.

  Can’t wait.

  He closed the distance between them and leaned in for a kiss, but she leaned away from him and shook her head.

  He sighed. “Be good.”

  “Be nice,” she countered, and led Sam up the stairs and into the bedroom.

  “You okay?” Sam asked.

  “Outside of the fact my mate is playing the role of Neanderthal?”

  “Or, we could go with the role of concerned husband,” Sam countered.

  “I know.” Pepper flopped onto the bed. “I’m scared to live in that house. It’s so stupid. I thought all this was over.”

  Sam sighed and sat next to her. “I know, hon. But you must realize on some level that the main house is safer than here, right? It has a kick-ass security system, not to mention several very large men close by who don’t mess around.”

  Pepper shrugged. “He didn’t mention any large men, but yes, I suppose the monster house is safer.”

  Sam giggled. “If you call it a monster house, you’ll never get over this, you know.”

  “It’s so big, Sam.”

  “That’s what she said.”

  “Hey, five years ago called…they want their joke back.”

  Sam rolled her eyes. “Hey, the nineties called…they want their ‘they want their joke back’ back.”

  Pepper couldn’t stop her laugh. “Oh, quit. You are the worst.”

  “Look. All of this is an adjustment and not just for you.”

  “I know, Sam,” she snapped. “He’s perfect and he’s given me everything my heart desires. He’s made all these changes for me. I should be grate—”

  Sam held her hand up. “I was going to say it was an adjustment for me too, but sure, let’s make it all about you.”

  “Oh, please. What kind of adjustment did you have to make, Sam? You’re used to money.”

  “Not this much money! Jeez, do you even know me anymore? You act like you’re the only one who’s had to struggle with finances!” Sam threw her hands up. “My parents are the ones with money, not me. It’s not like I sat on my butt all day eating bon-bons and paying off teachers for good grades. I had to work hard to get to medical school, and even though my parents paid for quite a bit of college, I still had to work and I also had to pay them back.”

  “I know.” Pepper dropped her face in her hands. “I’m sorry, Sam.”

  “Forgiven. Come on. Let’s get you packed. We were going to invite you up to the house for dinner tonight, which will be a great distraction, I think. Then maybe you can stay overnight in the dungeon just for kicks.”

  Pepper snorted. “Being married to Kade killed off your humor, huh?”

  “What? I’m hilarious!”

  Pepper stood and pulled a bag from the closet. “It’s terrible that your self-esteem is so low.”

  “I know. We’re working on it.” Sam giggled. “You know, if you come to dinner, you’ll get to meet Cole.”

  “What? Really?”

  Sam nodded and started putting Pepper’s clothes into the suitcase. “Yep. Kade wants him to work for him.”

  “What about Dalton?”

  “They’re figuring it out. Cole’s not quite ready to quit, and he won’t leave Dalton in the lurch, so it’s going to be an ongoing conversation, I think.”

  “I’m surprised Kade would want Cole anywhere near you.”

  Colton Drake was an American FBI agent Dalton had hired who had assisted the Gunnachs with discovering who had threatened them.

  “Nah, he’s fine. Kade knows everything I’m thinking, so there’s no jealousy anymore. Now that we’re bound, especially. We had to work through Cole kissing me and all, but I think that’s resolved now.”

  Pepper stepped into the bathroom to pack her makeup, gasping as she caught sight of herself in the mirror.

  “What’s wrong?” Sam asked.

  “My hair. It’s dark again.”

  Sam joined Pepper in the bathroom. “What do you mean ‘again?’”

  “It was blonde when I woke up.”

  “Really? Maybe it has something to do with the fire thing.”

  Pepper studied her hair. “Well, that’s just frickin’ great.”

  “That is so cool!” Sam exclaimed.

  “No. It’s weird.”

  “But weird cool.”

  Pepper snorted.

  “How’s Jonesy?”

  “Distracting me with talk of Jonesy won’t work.”

  “Oh?” Sam raised an eyebrow. “But he’s your baby.”

  “Yes. He is. And he’s great. Con said I might be able to ride him Monday or Tuesday.” Pepper zipped up her vanity bag and sighed. “Honestly, I can’t wait.”

  “Hey.” Sam squeezed her arm. “You’re going to be fine, you know that, right?”

  “I know.”

  Connall peeked into the bathroom and smiled carefully. “Can I come in?”

  Pepper rolled her eyes. “I don’t know. Can you?”

  “I’ll leave you to talk,” Sam said, and slipped out of the room.

  Pepper walked past Connall and tossed her makeup bag into the open suitcase. He took her arm and turned her to face him. “You see the logic in moving back, right?”

  “Not really,” she said, and pulled away from him.

  “I can’t protect you here.”

  “You did a perfectly fine job today,” she argued. “Not that I really needed it. I did a pretty damn good job protectin
g you, if you remember. What I don’t get is why you’re being so stubborn about it.”

  “Me? You’re the one who’s being stubborn.”

  She gaped at him. “How do you figure?”

  “Because, in my opinion, this isn’t about you needing to live here.” He crossed his arms. “I happen to think this is more about the money issue than the fear issue.”

  “So I’m not really scared of living in a big house? Is that what you’re saying? It’s merely stubbornness? And this is all about me not wanting your money?”

  “Of course that’s what I’m saying, because I’m the master at minimizing your feelings,” he snapped.

  She shrugged and zipped her suitcase closed. “Whatever.”

  Staring down at the bag, she flicked the zipper pull and tried to come up with some argument that would counteract his logic.

  “Damn it, Pepper. Don’t shut me out.”

  She glared at him. “I don’t want to live in a house that requires an army of servants to run it! You can’t possibly understand that, considering you’ve had people at your beck and call all your life. I want to feel like I’m contributing, not just moving into my rich boyfriend’s mega house.”

  Connall sucked air in between his teeth. “Boyfriend?” he bellowed.

  “Mate. Whatever!”

  “We’re married, Pepper. Whether you choose to recognize that fact or not.”

  “Like anyone would know…I can’t even buy you a stupid ring!”

  He took a deep breath. “We can go shopping anytime you like.”

  “I am not buying your wedding ring with your money.”

  “It’s your bloody money as well, Pepper.” He gripped the iron footboard. “And we are not having this argument again. Even if you had the ability to leave me, I’d give you everything I own on your way out the door, so there’s no point in pretending you can escape it.”

  “I don’t know how to do this.”

  “You sure as hell won’t if you don’t at least try!”

  “I don’t even know how to try, Con,” she admitted forcing the tears away.

  “I know, baby.” He released his death grip on the bed. “Will you let me help you?”

  She shrugged.

  He sighed. “You’re trying to kill me, aren’t you? Admit it.”

  “What? And be forced to inherit all your money? Highly doubtful.”

  He held his arm out. “Come here.”

  She made her way to him, dropped her head onto his chest, and wrapped her arms around his waist. “I’m sorry. I really don’t want to seem ungrateful.”

  “I know.” He lifted her chin. “What do you think about spending a few days in town?”

  “Why?”

  “Since Jonesy can’t be ridden until next week, I thought I could show you Edinburgh and take care of some of the paperwork while we’re there.”

  “Paperwork?”

  “Adding you to accounts, updating your passport with your new name and such.”

  She frowned. “You expect me to change my name too?”

  “You don’t want to change your name?” he asked quietly.

  She snorted and tried not to grin.

  “Just kill me now,” he complained. “Make it quick. This slow torture isn’t fair.”

  “I’ll wait until after the ink’s dried,” Pepper joked. “I need to ensure my inheritance. You might not believe me, but I can’t wait to be Persephone Ester Gunnach.”

  “I’m looking forward to it too,” he said. “We’ve been invited to the castle for dinner, so we can drive into town with Kade and Sam tomorrow, if you like, and we can start at the consulate.”

  She nodded. “Are we staying at Sam’s old apartment?”

  “Yes, unless, you want to stay at a hotel.”

  “No. But can we do some things together? Just the four of us?”

  Connall grinned. “Seriously? Do you and Sam share a brain?”

  Pepper shrugged. “Not sure…she hasn’t done research on that yet.”

  “Yes, we can do things together. Kade’s already organized his calendar.” He laughed and then kissed her. “I’m sorry if I made you feel stupid, sweetheart.”

  “I might have overreacted. It was kind of silly to think I might be a dragon.”

  “But adorable,” he said. “Come on, let’s finish getting you packed up and we’ll head on over to the castle.”

  CHAPTER TWENTY

  PEPPER’S EMOTIONS SEEMED to calm in stages as they spent some time with Jonesy and then showered and packed for their impromptu trip to Edinburgh. By the time they climbed into the car to head to the castle, she felt ridiculous for overreacting to Connall’s wish to move back to his home, and relieved that her hair was back to blonde.

  “Ready?” Connall asked.

  “Definitely.”

  As they continued deeper into Gunnach land, Connall drove up a slight hill and a large stone wall appeared with water surrounding it. Pepper could see a tower peeking above the wall, but not much else. Connall dialed his phone and a deep voice came on the line. “Eymundur.”

  “Eymundur, it’s Con. Lower the bridge, please.”

  “Aye sir.”

  “Shut up,” Pepper exclaimed as the drawbridge lowered. She clapped her hands and grinned. “I bet Sam lost her mind when she saw this.”

  “Why do you say that?”

  “She has a minor fascination with castles. She tried to convince her mother to dye her hair blonde when we were eight so she could pretend to be Rapunzel.” Pepper grinned. “She had to settle for a really bad wig.”

  Connall chuckled and guided the car over the bridge.

  Pulling into a large courtyard, he turned off the engine and made his way to her side of the car, opening her door and holding his hand out to her. She climbed out and glanced down at her jeans and T-shirt. “Should we have dressed a little better?”

  “Nah, it’s just family.”

  Connall knocked on the door and an elderly gentleman answered and bowed. “Your highness, sir, welcome.”

  “Mr. Winston, it’s wonderful to see you. How was your holiday?” Connall asked.

  “It was lovely, sir. Thank you for asking.”

  “May I present my mate,” Connall said as he pulled Pepper in front of him.

  “Your highness.” The butler bowed again and Pepper wanted the floor to swallow her.

  “Please call me Pepper,” she said, and reached out her hand.

  He gave her a nervous smile, but shook her hand and then closed the door. “The family is in the hall. If you’ll follow me.”

  He’s not going to call me Pepper, is he?

  Connall’s chuckle sounded in her mind. Probably not.

  Pepper followed Mr. Winston through the foyer and into what he’d referred to as the hall. She did her best not to exclaim her awe out loud. The room was three stories high with balconies peering down from the top floors, and the ceiling came to a large arch with a wooden beam running the length of the room, holding six chandeliers.

  “Hey guys. Welcome,” Sam said, and rose from her chair near the fireplace.

  Kade stood as well, along with the rest of the family and a man Pepper recognized from pictures as Cole Drake. Cole was ruggedly handsome with his dark hair cropped short and light skin. He wore dark jeans and a black button-up shirt rolled up to his elbows, a leather cuff on his right wrist, and a chunky watch on his left. Sam had once described him as dressing more like a rock star than an FBI agent, and Pepper had to agree.

  “Pepper, this is Cole,” Sam said as she hugged Pepper.

  “It’s nice to meet you.” Pepper shook his hand and then hugged Fiona and Payton. She was excited to see Payton, who’d been absent for a few days. Pepper took in the rest of the space as Sam led her to the sitting area in front of the fire.

  The fireplace was at least six feet tall and wide enough to fit a small army. It was lit, but it barely made a dent in the warmth of the room, which was set up in sections. A large table was off to
the left, set for a dinner party and surrounded by tall chairs.

  The sitting area consisted of three sofas and two overstuffed chairs surrounding a modern coffee table that looked rather out of place in the historical home. The third section housed a piano, with folding chairs propped against the wall.

  Connall pulled Pepper down next to him on one of the sofas.

  “I have something for you,” Payton said, and handed Pepper a cell phone.

  “What’s this?” Pepper glanced at the iPhone.

  “It’s your new phone. You can use it anywhere in the world, and it’s linked to Con’s account.”

  “Thanks for doing that, Pay,” Connall said, grinning.

  “Why do I need a new phone?” Pepper asked.

  Sam snorted. “Maybe because yours was made when dinosaurs ruled the earth…or was it dragons?”

  “Oh, you’re funny.”

  Connall started to choke with laughter, but Pepper cut him off by squeezing his knee as hard as she could.

  Sam laughed. “Admit it, that was golden…and your phone’s a piece of crap.”

  “Hey, no point in replacing something that works perfectly fine,” Pepper retorted.

  Managing to compose himself, Connall slid his arm behind her. “The new one works everywhere, love. I have a feeling if you tried to make a phone call with yours, it’d cost you a ridiculous amount, if it even worked.”

  Pepper sighed. “You’re probably right.”

  He raised an eyebrow. No arguments?

  Pepper giggled. Hey, when you’re right, you’re right.

  I’m always right.

  Ha! Go with that, buddy.

  Connall grinned as Pepper leaned against him. The rest of the evening was spent in animated conversation, eating delicious food, and drinking even better wine. Pepper couldn’t remember a better night and fell into bed energized and unable to fall asleep.

  Lucky for her, Connall was feeling the same way and provided a much-needed distraction from her sleeplessness.

  * * *

  The next day they woke early in order to catch their flight into the city. Pepper had to admit that taking Kade’s private jet to Edinburgh beat driving the four or five hours it would have taken by car. She was excited to explore the city, especially because she got to do it with her two favorite people.

  “It’s a good thing I never got overly attached to the apartment,” Sam said as they disembarked and waited for the men to take care of the luggage. “It was easy to move everything to Kade’s place, because I never fully unpacked.”