Page 94 of Bound By Blood

Kaitlyn gave her mother’s hand a squeeze. “I know a way. Shh, they’re coming.” She looked up, smiling as Zack and her father entered the room.

“You’re up early,” Elena said, smiling at her husband.

“I wanted to spend as much time with you as I could,” Drake said, kissing his wife’s cheek. “What have you two been up to?”

“Talking about the wedding, of course.” Kaitlyn moved to the other sofa so her parents could sit together. She smiled at Zack as he took a place beside her.

“In a hurry to tie the knot?” Zack took her hand in his and raised it to his lips.

The touch of his mouth sent a shiver of longing straight to the center of her being. “Of course.”

He grinned at her, a wicked gleam in his eyes. He knew exactly the effect he had on her.

“Zack, I have a favor to ask of you,” Drake said.

“Sure, anything.”

“I am going to meet Lucien at the Fortress tomorrow night. I would appreciate it if you would stay here with Elena and Kaitlyn.”

“Are you sure you don’t want me to go along to watch your back?”

“My brothers will be there. I need someone I can trust to stay here.”

“Whatever you want.”

“If anything happens to me …”

Elena quickly put her hand over her husband’s mouth. “Don’t say it! Don’t even think it!”

Drake stood and pulled Elena to her feet. “If you two will excuse us, I want to spend the rest of this night with my wife.”

Kaitlyn nodded. After her parents left the room, she turned toward Zack. “Let’s go outside.”

“I don’t think your father would approve.”

“Just out into the backyard.”

“It’s raining.”

She shrugged. “Afraid you’ll shrink?”

Laughing, he followed Kaitlyn into the kitchen and through a small door that led into a large garden surrounded by a high stone wall. He glanced around. He imagined the garden had once been beautiful, but no one had cared for it while Drake and Elena had been at the Fortress. The flowerbeds that lined the footpaths were filled with weeds. A small round fountain bubbled cheerfully in the middle of the yard; an ancient wrought-iron bench was located under a towering oak.

He followed Kaitlyn to the bench, which was surprisingly dry, and sat down beside her. “You’re worried about your father.”

“If anything happens to my dad …” She loosed a deep, shuddering sigh. “I don’t know what my mom would do without him.”

“I fought beside your dad,” Zack reminded her. “I wouldn’t worry about him.”

“I wouldn’t worry, either, if I thought Lucien would fight fair. But my mom’s worried that if Dad wins the fight, Nadiya will make certain he never leaves the Fortress alive.”

Zack grunted softly. It was a legitimate concern. Elena wasn’t the only one to think of it. “What do you want me to do?”

“Go with him.”

“No way. I’m not leaving you and your mother here alone.”

“I’m not afraid.”

---