Page 40 of Sadie's Highlander (Highland Protector 1)

“What do you want me to do?” Sadie asked. The only way to get rid of her sister was to find out what Delia wanted, then sort through it for hidden traps later. Sadie glanced back over at her laptop, checking the time. “I’m due over at the park in less than an hour. Out with it so I can get changed and go.”

Delia snapped open a designer bag that probably cost more than Sadie’s college education and pulled out a folded manila envelope. Her expression was unreadable as she held it out to Sadie. “I need you to get the entire MacDara clan, Dwyn included, up to Wilmington for a few days. Here’s the itinerary. Food, lodging, and transportation all taken care of courtesy of Realm Spinners Productions.”

“Why?” Sadie gingerly slid the envelope out from between Delia’s long, thin fingers as though it could explode at any minute.

Flipping a hand with a dismissive shrug, Delia tucked her bag back tight against her too narrow waist and attempted a smile. “Publicity, of course. I’ve spoken to the museum there and they’re very interested in helping the MacDaras set up several rooms to depict the Scottish influence here in North Carolina. Your Highlander should love it. Scots are totally besotted with sharing their history.” Delia turned, her spike heels shining with a malicious gleam in the late afternoon sun streaming in through the French doors. “It’ll spur more talk about the park and the filming. Talk about the filming equals chatter about the movie. Delightfully cheap promo compared to a standard campaign through God knows how many cities.” Delia rolled her eyes and groaned. “Involving actors and directors in meet-and-greets and red-carpet nights nearly bankrupted my last project. The alcohol and escorts alone cost me more than you do.”

Sadie didn’t doubt that. Most of Delia’s promotional events ended up as drunken orgies aimed at luring in investors so Delia didn’t have to risk any more of her own capital. She slid her thumb under the flap of the envelope and peered inside. Everything seemed in order for a group trip to Wilmington. Absolutely innocent and just as Delia had said—a totally legit itinerary with contact names and phone numbers. Sadie resealed the envelope, a hollow sense of impending doom growing. “It’s a little early for promo about the movie, don’t you think?”

“It’s never too early for promo. Have you listened to nothing I’ve taught you?” Delia tossed her hair in a perfect cascade of bleached blondness over one shoulder. “You know the ‘Rule of Seven.’ Potential moviegoers have a lot of noise to sort through. I want to make sure they hear us loud and clear, repetitively, and often.”

Sadie nervously tapped the envelope against the palm of one hand. There had to be an angle. This was too strategically by the book and on the level. Delia never did anything without a hidden agenda. “I’ll bring this up to Alec, but I’ll have to let you know when they’d be willing to go. I’m not sure about everyone’s schedule. I know for certain they won’t want Esme missing any school and they won’t leave her here alone.”

Delia paused with her fingers on the door, holding it partially open. “The limo bus will be here at eight a.m. All reservations start tomorrow—nontransferable through this weekend. I already checked with the park’s activity director for any scheduling conflicts. The girl doesn’t have school on Monday. Some sort of teacher’s in-service day or something.” Her strained smile disappeared as she pointed a long, manicured nail at the envelope. “You’ll see this gets done, Sadie. Don’t get difficult just because you think I’m afraid of your alpha Highlander.” Delia walked out the door, then stuck her head back in the room and gifted Sadie with a blood-chilling smile. “It takes more than a smashed laptop and an incompetent gnome of a lawyer to scare me.”

Bile burned in the back of Sadie’s throat as Delia closed the door with a threatening bang.What the hell are you up to, Delia?

Chapter 21

He didna like leaving the park for an entire weekend, but Esme was beside herself about spending a few days in Wilmington. “Shopping!” she’d said, clapping her hands and hoppin’ about as though the fine town of Brady had no stores that offered her any shiny beebaws and baubles.

Alec hooked an elbow over the banister and felt for the first step with the toe of his boot. He couldna see a feckin’ thing over all the infernal bags his sister had loaded into his arms. The top bag slid a bit to one side, threatening to abandon ship and dive over the railing. He caught the handle between his teeth and bit down hard.Damn it all t’hell and back. What the devil did she need t’buy in Wilmington? The girl was takin’ half of MacDara keep with her.

His mother hadna helped his cause either. The woman had quickly sided with Esme, her eyes sparkling a wee bit too brightly when she’d assured him that she and his father would rather enjoy a rare few days alone without their rowdy brood clamorin’ about the keep.

Alec huffed out an irritated grunt and dumped the armload of bags into the growing pile of luggage at the bottom of the steps. Ye’d think they were going away for three months rather than just three days.

Grant leaned against the open front door, watching for the rental. He leaned farther out the doorway and scowled up at the sun. “I thought ye said eight a.m.? ’Tis nearly ten.”

“With any luck, they’ll no’ show up at all and we willna have to go.” Alec glanced back up the staircase, shaking his head in disbelief as Esme dumped four more suitcases at the top of the stairs and headed back to her room for more. “What the hell is she packin’? The entire second floor?”

Ross brushed past Alec, meeting Ramsay at the top of the stairs, and took two of Esme’s bags. “If we dinna go, I’ll no’ be the one to break the news to Esme. She’ll set up a howl for sure.”

“Damn right,” Ramsay chimed in. “ ’Twill be yer duty to break our wee sister’s heart. Yer the one who doesna wish t’go.”

“Esme!” Alec shouted up the stairs. “Ye’ve brought enough. Now get yerself down here.”

Esme appeared at the railing and leaned out over the balcony. “Is the limo here yet?”

Alec looked back over his shoulder at Grant.

Grant shook his head.

“Not yet,” Alec said. “But it’s sure to be here any time.”

Esme held up a finger as she backed away. “I just thought of a few more things I might need. If it gets here, tell them I’m almost ready. I’ll be down in just a minute.”

“God a’mighty,” Alec muttered under his breath. He clenched his fists so tight all his knuckles popped.

“You’re gonna stroke out. Calm down. She’s a teenager. It’s what they do.” Sadie patted his arm, then held out her bag. “Here’s mine.”

“Just the one?” Alec said with an exaggerated wave of both hands. “Ye dinna feel the need to take along the entire contents of yer suite?” He was in a foul mood. Something was amiss. He felt it in his bones as surely as he felt the beating of his heart.

“Don’t be pissy.” Sadie stretched and pressed her lips close to his ear and whispered, “I called ahead and found out our room has a private Jacuzzi and heated pool. Pissy people don’t get to swim naked, then have certain parts of their body rubbed with the special flavored oils I got in the mail yesterday.”

Alec got rock hard, his mood improving considerably. Perhaps the weekend would no’ be such a chore after all. He hugged her close, pressing the results of her whispered promises against her enticing softness. “Now how am I to ride in comfort with what ye’ve done to me?”

Sadie smiled and wiggled a brow. “We can sit in the back. By ourselves.” She subtly gyrated against him, her face wreathed in innocence with every grind of her hips. “And put the bumps in the road to good use.”

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