Page 5 of Promises to Keep

“No, not at… I stood right here.” I leaned down and put my hand on it. “It’s dry, what do you think it was?”

Quentin said, “Blood. Look, it goes around there, drippings.”

“Oh,” I withdrew my hand.

“I was here earlier, and dinna notice it.” He followed the trail around to the back of the desk where he switched on a lamp. “Och nae, someone has been bleedin’ all the way up tae the door of the safe. Tis verra worrisome.”

He knelt to feel the carpet, then climbed up and sat in the chair at the desk, with his head in his hands. “Tae get it straight: I received a request for help from Lady Mairead. I spoke tae Fraoch and Hayley about it, because it involves Fraoch’s mother—”

Fraoch said, “Call her Agnie. I daena like talking about m’ties tae her, she has never been m’mother in the truest sense of the word.”

“Aye, Agnie MacLeod — nae relation worth mentionin’ tae Fraoch — she has done somethin’ tae Lady Mairead.” He pulled the letter from his pocket and placed it on the desk and spread it flat. “I found the letter, discussed the letter, and now after the letter, there is blood.”

Quentin crossed to the desk to read it. “And you got it from this safe?”

“Aye, but there was nae blood when I found it.”

Quentin tossed the letter back on the desk. “Shit, we need to mount a rescue.”

Magnus said, “Aye, we need to rescue Lady Mairead, but we hae nae idea how…” He shook his head, wearily. “But, tis the middle of the night and sleep is necessary. We will discuss it in the morn.”

Quentin said, “Good idea, sleep on it, everyone, any good ideas, bring ‘em to breakfast.”

Magnus switched off the desk lamp.

I checked in with the kids, got them settled, and then we returned to our room and our bed.

Magnus said, “I ken one thing, that blood spot winna there when I went tae the office yesterday.”

I climbed in under the covers. “Are you worried? Whose blood is that?”

“I daena ken, but it daena bode well that we hae a plea for help and a bloody carpet and the one is afore the other. It seems as if something desperate has happened tae Lady Mairead.”

CHAPTER 4 - KAITLYN

Iwoke up to the sounds of kids squealing down the halls, the thump thump thump of the dog as he barreled along behind them, and slower, Mookie, grunting and snuffling as he walked by, headed the same way. I squiggled over through the bedclothes to where Magnus lay, and kissed his shoulder. “The army is up.”

“Aye, from the sound of it, they are battling outside our walls.” Then he chuckled. “My army is up as well.”

I laughed. “I see what you did there.” I climbed off the bed, crossed the room, closed the door, and locked it. I padded back and climbed into the bed, pulling the covers over us both and wrapping the whole glorious length of his cock—

Bang bang bang on the door. Isla’s voice, “Mommy! Zach want go get breakfast.”

I said, “Good, we’re hungry.”

Under the door, we could see the shadows of her feet. I looked up at Magnus and he looked down at me, waiting, the feet were still there, then she said, “Zach say no to donuts.”

Magnus called to the hallway, “Isla, tell Chef Zach we will be happy with whatever he wants tae serve.”

There was a long pause, then finally she said, “ButIwant donuts, Dada.”

He sighed. “Ye hae tae listen tae Chef Zach on it, Isla—”

She was quiet then her tiny voice said, “But youlovedonuts, Dada, I want to get you a present.”

He chuckled.

I watched his face. “Whatcha going to do, highlander? Your daughter knows you so well.”

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