Page 40 of Eternally Bound

Ispent the entire day in meetings and obtaining information on my uncle. When Ainslee came into my home office, I received information that my uncle and Callen had talked. Callen approached Hector. That fucking idiot would wind up dead if he kept messing around with my uncle. Callen was no match for him. I even went as far as sending my men after him to ensure nothing happened to him. Nobody could find him nor get in touch with him. I didn’t have a good feeling about it at all.

Furthermore, I have been completely unsuccessful in finding out what those two spoke about, and it infuriated me. I called all my contacts, all my spies to get any rumors on what my uncle was up to, and it irritated me that it went nowhere. My fists clenched so tightly that my bones ached. Fucking nothing. Not a goddamn thing. And that was pissing me off.

My gut feeling was telling me that my uncle had a plan, involving Ainslee. I just couldn’t see it. The question was why? Did my cousin tell him about her, or was it something else? The old bastard didn’t like that our men supported me more than him, but he seemed to go along with it for the past few years. Eventually, he’d be gone, and they’d fall under me anyhow.

Unless he had someone else in mind to take over. I shook my head. It didn’t seem likely, though you never knew with the old man. He might have an illegitimate kid somewhere. It was more likely that he found out that I killed his son. The question would be how. There are only three people that knew what happened - Arthur, the Meatlocker, and myself. I’d lay my life for Arthur and he’d do the same for me. The Meatlocker has been trustworthy for years, to my father and me. He had never had allegiance to my uncle. So I couldn’t see him betraying me.

Fuck!I needed a clear head to ensure Ainslee and her family were safe. I’d find whoever was helping my uncle and bury them all.

As I shut down my laptop and headed out, there was nobody else left around. This establishment, a large business building in the heart of the city, was the legal side of my business, set up under a company that shielded the true owner. Only a select few individuals that I trusted explicitly knew about this business and the building in Edinburgh. While we were in Scotland, it was where I intended to conduct my business. It was deliberate when I bought this building and started the business. Deep down I always hoped it would somehow bring me closer to Ainslee. She was the only thing in the whole of Scotland that I wanted. I just never thought I’d have her again. But now, despite the odds, she was in my life, and I intended to keep her in it.

I had checked on her via Arthur several times throughout the day. Ainslee was all I could think about all day. She was finally in my home, with me, under my protection. Once I eliminated this danger, I’d start dating her properly. The way she deserved. Or maybe I’d skip dating and swoop her straight to the altar.

It was almost ten at night when I left my office in Edinburgh. It was a busy day, but I also tried to keep away from Ainslee. It was hard being around her and giving her space. I kept telling myself to take it slow, but like a damn puppy, eager for his master, I lost the fight. I knew what I wanted, and it was her - no matter what. It was early night, and I couldn’t take it anymore. I couldn’t stay away. I climbed into my car and sped through Edinburgh, breaking every traffic law and not giving a fuck.

I just left the city when my phone rang, and it was Arthur.

“Yes,” I answered immediately, alarmed that he was calling me. The man never called unless it was an absolute emergency.

“Shit has happened,” Arthur spoke in a rushed tone. “Callen is dead. A video was sent to your woman’s phone. We are in the library.”

I pressed on the gas and sped down the highway and the backroads of Scotland. The snow covered the ground and speeding in these weather conditions wasn’t smart, but I didn’t give a shit. Ainslee needed me, and I wasn’t there.

I got to my castle in record time, still alive. I ran through the house and straight to the library.

Ainslee sat on a sofa, her feet folded underneath and her tear stained face paler than snow. A quick glance at Arthur and he left the room. He knew what needed to be done to ensure the parameters were secured.

My feet led me forward, and I came up behind her. She still hadn’t noticed me. I looked over her shoulder, replaying the video.

“Don’t watch it,” I said and wrapped her into my arms. She buried her head into my chest, her body shaking with sobs. It tore at me to see her so shaken up. This should be between my uncle and me, not using innocents like Ainslee. Even that idiot bastard Callen. His only offense was being stupid and a gambler.

“He’s dead,” she said, voice wracked with pain. Her hands clutched my shirt and a painful sob ripped from her throat, tearing my heart out. The anger simmered inside me, but I kept a tight lid on it. She didn’t need my rage now, she needed my compassion. I’d unleash my fury on all those that were part of this later.

“I’m sorry,” I murmured against her hair. “I’ll make him pay. I promise.”

Chapter Fifteen

Ainslee

Istared at the screen for the hundredth time. It made bile rise in my throat, but I couldn’t stop. I couldn’t tear my gaze away. It was a video of Callen. No sound, just footage of Callen’s body bloodied and beaten.

I covered my mouth with my hand, trying to keep my sobs silent. I didn’t know why I kept punishing myself, watching it. I watched Callen being beaten, his blonde hair soaked in blood. A man dressed in a black suit came forward with a sword. A fucking sword! He forced him to bend his head, then pressed the blade against his neck and took a swing. Callen’s head rolled down onto the concrete floor like a fucking ball. There was so much blood and my stomach churned.

A whimper left my mouth at seeing Callen’s headless body slump over onto the dirty ground. My breathing was shallow, and my ears buzzed with panic. My whole body felt weak and shivered. I would have collapsed onto the floor if Daniel wouldn’t have held me.

“Don’t watch it,” he said it against my cheek, taking the phone out of my hands. My eyes searched out his gaze, and in his darkness, I saw light. Despite everything, I felt relief flood me at seeing him here, and I buried my head into his shoulder.

“He’s dead.” It was hard to comprehend that Callen was dead. I just spoke to him earlier today, and now he was gone. He didn’t deserve to die like that. Nobody did.

Sobs shook my body while Daniel held me, promising to make it right and murmuring soft words I couldn’t comprehend.

“What if they come for Bram?” I rasped, my pupils blown in fear.

He took my face between his hands and brought it close to his. His grip was firm and his jaw pressed tight. I drowned in his dark gaze, pulling strength from him.

“Nobody is getting anywhere near Bram, you, or any of your family,” he growled. “Fucking ever.”

I exhaled in relief. All this was too much. I wasn’t cut out for it. The thought of Callen dying in such a brutal way just sent me over the edge.

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