Page 30 of Lion's Little Scamp

“I came to check on you, and if you were unhappy, offer to take you away from this place,” the other man answered honestly. “I knew you weren’t my mate, but you tugged at my heart. I was worried when I saw the police carry you away from the camp. But Harrigan here says you’ve found yourself a mate and a good home here.”

Harrigan’s heart squeezed for a different reason when Irish’s arms tightened around his middle, and she dropped her head to rest against his chest.

“I have. A good man and a home. But how did you find out where I was?”

Sailor smirked and touched the side of his nose with his index finger. “You know I have my ways to find out anything I need to know.”

Before Irish could comment further, Sailor’s stomach gave a rumble that had her giggling and him looking a little uncomfortable. “You need to eat,” she said.

“Sounds like a good idea,” Harrigan agreed. “After lunch we’ll get you set up with a room in the dormitory and you can talk to Lonergan about staying in Bratburg.”

“Can he do that, Daidi? I thought only the only men that were allowed to live here were shifters,” Irish said as the two men grabbed trays and began to work their way through the serving line.

“They are. But since Sailor is a shifter, I think he’ll be welcome,” Harrigan said, keeping an eye on the other man.

Irish turned to look her friend and asked, “You are? Why didn’t I know that?”

“Because, little one, it’s not something you just tell the world. I didn’t tell anyone at the camp. Or anywhere else, unless I had to. Your man is too perceptive for my good,” Sailor said as he loaded his tray with enough food for two people.

“I could tell you were a shifter, but not exactly what kind, other than it’s one I’ve never crossed paths with before,” Harrigan said.

“Gorilla,” Sailor answered gruffly. “I’m a gorilla shifter. There aren’t many of us, and we keep ourselves hidden as much as possible, because we don’t want to end up in a zoo somewhere.”

Harrigan nodded, then followed the man to an empty table along the wall. As Sailor dug into his lunch like a man who had not eaten in a while, Harrigan turned to his mate.

“You need to head over to the barn and get your afternoon chores out of the way. As soon as I introduce Sailor to Lonergan, I’ll be along to talk to Sullivan and deal with your punishment.”

Though she looked like she wanted to argue, Irish took a deep breath and nodded instead. “Yes, Daidi.”

She leaned in and brushed a kiss on his cheek before patting Sailor on the shoulder. “I’ll see you later?”

Sailor nodded as he swallowed what was in his mouth. “I’m sure you will. Someone has to keep you out of trouble and I’m not sure this one is up to the challenge,” he said, pointing to Harrigan.

“I’m not the one who gets into trouble,” she threw over her shoulder as she walked away.

“Oh, and Scamp?” Harrigan’s call stopped her, forcing her to turn around.

“Yes, Daidi?”

“Tell Sullivan I’ll be there soon to discuss your punishment with him.”

“Yes, Daidi.”

Her shoulders slumped as she left, but he had no doubt she would do as he requested. Despite yesterday’s naughtiness, his mate really was a good Little girl.

Chapter Eighteen

Irish took her time walking to the barn. She just hoped that Master Sullivan was not too upset with her for leaving early the previous afternoon.

Walking through the barn, she heard a strange hiss-crack sound coming from behind the building. After sticking her head in his office and not finding him, Irish walked to the open back doors.

“Master Sullivan?” she called softly, not sure if she wanted to find the barn manager or not.

“Stay where you are,” Sullivan ordered sharply.

Irish froze just as a black whip flew in front of her to shred a piece of paper hanging on the laundry line just outside the back door. That was where they hung the towels they used for washing the animals so they could dry.

The whip then fell to the ground before Master Sullivan slowly pulled it toward him as he wound it into a circle.

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