“Okay. It’ll be okay.”
“You want me to get the door?” Shane was already out of the office when his brother’s soft consent reached his ears. Really, Leo wasn’t made for this sort of fight. He was a wheeler, dealer and dreamer, running Fantasy Inc., a high-end party planning business used by corporations and politicians nationwide. Shane wasn’t much better off, his artistic endeavors leaving little time to learn to fight. But he and Leo had the Blackthorns, Robin Goodfellow and Akane on their side.
They’d be just fine.
Shane opened Leo’s front door to find Constance, Cecelia and Henri Malmayne on the other side. Cecelia was once again hanging all over Henri, while Constance had a coldly blank look on her face. “Hey, Leo!” He bellowed at the top of his lungs, making sure he sounded as rube as he could. “You’ve got Malmaynes at your door!”
“Let them in, Shane.”
“Butlering for your brother now, Shane?” Cecelia sneered and sauntered past him. “Careful with my coat. It’s Dior.”
Shane took their coats, nodding back at Henri, who gave him a semi-civil nod and ignoring Constance the way she ignored him. “Leo’s in the office, third door on the right.”
The Malmaynes went past like a cold breeze. Shane scrunched their coats up into a ball and dropped them on the closet floor before joining his brother in the office.
The women had taken seats around Leo’s desk, Henri standing behind Cecelia with one hand on her shoulder. Ruby was at Leo’s right hand, the wedding ring she wore flashing as they clasped hands. Shane went to stand on his brother’s left and let his visions flow over him.
He couldn’t see what was about to happen; it was too close. This was where Akane’s talent was most useful, and he wished his dragoness were here by his side. He did his best, but the visions he was getting were about things that were coming.
And both Malmayne sisters were at the heart of it.
He listened with half an ear as Leo explained, yet again, that he and Ruby did not wish for a third in their marriage. The visions surrounding Cecelia Malmayne were…disturbing. Some were of what looked like torture. Others showed her having a relatively happy life with the man at her side. But in both cases a black pall hung over everything she did.
Constance, on the other hand, looked like she was sleeping with the devil. Who the hell was that in the vision? The man had horns and fangs, but Shane couldn’t quite get a glimpse of his face. There was something familiar about him, about the way he moved, but no matter how hard Shane concentrated he couldn’t get anything on him. If the man had been in the room Shane might have gotten a better read on him.
Should he warn her of the devil, or leave her to her fate?
“I’m telling you, Leo and I are fine the way things are. We don’t want you here! The contract has been fulfilled. We know why you want a Child of Dunne and we’re sick of dealing with this shit!” Ruby’s rarely roused temper flared as she squared off with the Malmaynes, effectively dragging Shane back into the present. The vision of the devil man faded, and Shane decided to remain silent. Whatever Constance Malmayne was courting he had no doubt she deserved it. The aura surrounding her actions in his visions was black as pitch.
Constance stood. “There are ways to bear a child that don’t involve sex, Ruby. If we could get Leo to donate his seed–”
“Fuck. You.” Ruby pointed toward the door. “Out.”
Leo stood. “We’ve given you the meeting you requested. You’ve heard my wife’s response. The final answer is no. Have a nice life.”
The Malmaynes stood. “You’re going to regret this,” Cecelia hissed on her way out. She ignored the way Henri tried to soothe her, clinging to her anger like a fiery cloak.
Constance shook her head. “We’re sorry, Leo.”
Shane’s brows drew together. Oh, this sounded ominous. “Sorry for what?”
She just shook her head and left the office, closing the door quietly behind her.
“Shane.”
“On it.” Shane followed the Malmaynes out the door, just in time to hear Cecelia’s outraged squawk. He grinned back at his brother. “I see they found their coats.”
He watched them drive off and returned to his brother. “So. Thoughts?”
“They’re fucking nuts.”
“And dangerous.” Ruby went to the chaise and lay down on it. “I swear, if it weren’t for Duncan I’d vote the whole clan off the island.”
Leo snorted and joined his wife on the chaise. Shane was amused to note it was built for one person, but Leo got around that by placing his small bondmate on top of him. “It never ends, Shane. Shit.”
Shane shuddered. “It’s almost over, Leo.”
Leo frowned. “How do you know?”
He grimaced. “I know.” He shivered and threw off the vision. “Listen, I have to get back. Akane’s going to be there soon and she can’t know I left the farm without back-up.”
“Got it. Thanks, Shane.”
“Anytime, bro.”
Shane waved good-bye and managed to get back to the farm before Akane arrived. He was in his workshop when she came in, the cold air flowing in behind her in an arctic blast. “Hey, Akane.”
“Can you read my mind?”
His hands paused on the metal he’d been slowly bending. “Pardon?”
“Can. You. Read. My. Mind?”
Shane stared at Akane and tried to ignore the slow way she’d drawled that, like he was unable to comprehend single-syllable words. His lips quirked as he realized why she was probably worried about something so trivial. “You want to know if I can read your mind.”
Akane glared at him. “Don’t make fun of me.”
“I wouldn’t dream of it.” He tilted his head. “I’m not sure that’s something I’m capable of.” The relief on her face was grating. “But I’m willing to try if you are.”
“Oh no. That’s okay. I like my thoughts to stay in my own head.”
He damn near chuckled at her badly hidden panic. “Still, it might come in handy if you’re on an assignment and want to tell me you’ll be late for dinner.”
“Oh yeah. About that.” Akane began backing toward the door of his studio. Her black trench coat was still on.
“Do I want to know where you’re going?” Shane grabbed hold of the tie of her coat and pulled her in close, dropping a kiss on her nose.
“Probably not.”
“Will Etienne be with you?” He resisted the urge to wrinkle his nose. The Sidhe Blade had been, at best, cool toward him. He didn’t understand why, but if Etienne had plans concerning Shane’s mate he’d better think twice. Unlike his sister, Shane wasn’t into sharing.
“Nope. Robin reassigned him. I’m working with Jaden again.”
Shane picked her up and tossed her over his shoulder. He ignored her struggles and carted her back to the bedroom attached to his studio. “You know, if you’re not careful I might drop you on your head. These floors are concrete.”
“So?”
“So I hate repairing concrete.” He tossed her on the bed. “Where are you going and how long do you think you’ll be?”
“Why were you okay with this before I mentioned Jaden?”
“Because I’ve heard horror stories from Moira about how he operates. Spill.”
She rolled her eyes. “We’re breaking into the Malmayne estate and stealing Tristan’s underwear.”
“Oh, a fairy panty raid.” He dropped on top of her, caging her in his arms. “I want you to
She held up her hand. “I promise.”
“Is Henri home?” He had no idea where the new head of the Malmayne clan had gone after the meeting with
