Page 21 of Edinburgh Escape (Brotherhood Protectors International #5)

“Any help would be appreciated,” Ewan said. “In the meantime, we need to stay close to the manor.” He turned to Fiona. “That means keeping Bryce inside unless accompanied by me, Gregory or...” He turned to Callum.

Callum nodded. “You can count on me.”

“And Alastair, our chauffeur,” Fiona said. “He takes Bryce to the stables to ride his horse.”

“And Alastair,” Ewan said with a nod.

“I’ll contact my friend and see what he can do to help,” Callum said.

“Good.” Ewan glanced toward the table. “Shall we finish our meal?”

Maggie shook her head. “If it’s all the same to you, I've had enough, and I’m tired and want to sleep.”

“I understand,” Ewan said. “Please, treat the manor as your home. In fact, it’s as much your home as mine.”

“Ewan, I didn’t come all the way to Scotland to take your inheritance,” Maggie insisted. “I’m more interested in getting to know you and now Bryce. I never had siblings growing up. I can’t tell you how thrilled I am to know I’m not alone.”

Ewan gave her a soft smile. “You won’t be alone as long as we’re here.”

Maggie’s brow twisted. “Let’s hope we all live long enough to get to know each other.”

“I’ll do my best to ensure the safety of my family and the employees of the estate,” Ewan said.

“As will I,” Callum promised.

“Thank you,” Ewan glanced around the room. “If we’re all finished, I’ll call it a night. I want to go through more of my father’s accounts.”

“Let me know if we can help in any way,” Callum said. “Otherwise, we’ll retire for the night.”

“I’ll let you know.” Ewan offered his arm to Fiona. “Would you like to join me for a glass of port in the sitting room before you retire for the night?”

Fiona shook her head, her face pale and pinched. “I want to check on Bryce and turn in. I’ve had enough excitement for the night.”

“Fiona, do you mind if I go with you to check on Bryce?” Maggie asked softly. “He’s such a sweet little boy.”

Fiona’s brow dipped. For a long moment, she didn’t respond.

“If you don’t want me to, I’ll understand,” Maggie said.

Finally, the older woman’s frown faded. “I guess it will be okay as long as you don’t disturb his sleep.”

“I won’t,” Maggie said.

Ewan and Fiona led the way out of the dining room and up the staircase to the second floor. They turned in the opposite direction from Maggie and Callum’s room and walked down a long hallway, stopping at a door on the right.

Fiona turned the knob and peeked inside. “Bryce, my darling boy, why are you still awake?”

“I couldn’t sleep,” a small voice sounded from inside the room.

“Some people want to say goodnight to you.” Fiona held the door open for Maggie, Callum and Ewan to enter.

The boy scooted up in his bed, leaning against a stack of fluffy pillows behind him. He grinned when his gaze landed on the small group of adults entering his room. “Did you come to read me a story?”

Fiona shook her head. “Not tonight. They aren’t staying long. You should already be asleep.”

The boy’s pale face sank.

“I’d be happy to read to you tomorrow,” Maggie said. “I love reading books. Do you?”

Bryce’s face brightened. “I do so love books. And I’m learning to read all by myself.”

Maggie crossed the room to the boy and ruffled his hair. “Then we’ll read together. Good night, little man.”

He frowned up at her. “Aren’t you going to kiss me goodnight?”

Maggie chuckled.

The sound made Callum’s heart skip several beats.

“I’d love to kiss you goodnight, if it’s all right with your mother.” Maggie glanced over her shoulder at Fiona.

Fiona gave a slight nod.

Maggie bent over the boy and pressed her lips to Bryce’s forehead. “Goodnight, sweet prince.”

Callum’s heart pinched hard in his chest. This woman was so kind and caring toward a child she barely knew but wanted to so badly. She’d come all this way with a heart full of hope for finding family.

“I’m not a prince,” Bryce corrected. “I’m just a lord.”

Callum chuckled as he joined Maggie beside Bryce’s bed. “Goodnight, Lord Bryce.” He ruffled the child’s hair. “We hope you’ll show us your pony tomorrow.”

The boy’s eyes brightened. “He’s not a pony. He’s a real horse. His name is Montana.”

Maggie’s gaze met Callum’s.

“Did you name your horse?” Callum asked.

Bryce shook his head. “No. It was his name when my father gave him to me for my birthday.”

Though Maggie smiled at the boy, her jaw appeared tight, the smile not quite reaching her eyes. “Sweet dreams, Bryce. We’ll visit Montana tomorrow.”

The adults backed out of the room. Fiona was last out after dropping a kiss on her son’s brow.

“I’ll bid you goodnight,” Fiona said and left them.

“I have some work to do in my office,” Ewan said. “If you need anything, I’ll be awake for at least another hour.”

“I don’t need anything but a good night’s sleep,” Maggie said. “Thank you for inviting us to stay.”

“It’s my pleasure,” Ewan said. “Although I wasn’t responsible for my father’s transgressions, and I can’t make up for what he did, I’m happy to meet the result of one.” He grinned. “Bryce and I have a sister. That’s all that matters. Have a good night.”

Ewan went one direction, Callum and Maggie the opposite.

As they neared the door to their room, Maggie slowed.

Callum paused with his hand on the doorknob. “If you’re worried about sharing a room with me,” Callum whispered, “I can sleep on the floor.”

“No. No,” she said, her voice tight, her hands smoothing over her dress nervously. “I’m not worried.” She gave him a smile he could swear was forced.

Callum opened the door and waved her through it.

Maggie entered, slipped out of her shoes and walked across to the French doors that opened onto the balcony. She opened the doors and stepped out.

“I’m going to call my people and let them know what’s going on,” he said and turned away from the sight of Maggie bathed in starlight.

As the cool night air wafted into the room, Callum placed the call to Ace, his immediate supervisor, and filled him in on the altercation with Rory and the subsequent news that the threat to Rory included all of Rory’s family.

“I’ll have Dmytro look into what organized mobs might be in that area. In the meantime, I’ll send Atkins your way. He could be there as early as tomorrow morning. Sounds like you could be in deep trouble if they don’t get what they want out of Ewan’s cousin Rory.”

“That’s what I’m afraid of.” Callum ran a hand through his hair. “I think the attacks on Maggie could have been an attempt to kidnap her and use her for ransom. When they sent the one on the train, I don’t think they expected any resistance.”

“But you were there, thank goodness.”

Callum nodded, though Ace couldn’t see his head bob. “On the second attack, they sent four men.”

“Right. They meant business,” Ace said. “Thankfully, they didn’t find you two.”

“We’re all on alert for any breaches to the security here, not that there’s much, other than a few cameras.”

“We’ll get people in place as soon as possible.”

“Thank you,” Callum said.

“Out here.”

Callum ended the call and turned back to Maggie, admiring the view of her silhouetted in the moonlight, the emerald-green dress molded to her body like a second skin.

Her hair piled high on her head, left her long, graceful neck exposed.

Callum closed the distance, stopping at the threshold.

Close enough he could smell her scent. Close enough that if he reached out, he could pull her into his arms.

“Do you think my father did it on purpose?” she asked softly.

Instinctively, he knew what she was talking about. “Aye,” Callum said. “What other reason would he think to name a horse Montana?”

“He knew where my mother settled. He had to have known of my existence,” she said.

And he never bothered to contact her or get to know her.

Maggie didn’t have to say the words for Callum to know what she was thinking. “Ewan said your father wasn’t a nice man. Your mother might’ve known that and didn’t want you to have any contact with him. You were better off without him.”

Maggie nodded. “I had such a close relationship with my mother, I find it hard to think someone wouldn’t want to know their own child.” She glanced over her shoulder. “Yet, he named a horse after the place his unwanted child lived.”

Callum gave in to his need, curled his fingers around her arms and gently pulled her back against him.

When she didn’t resist, he wrapped his arms around her waist and bent to kiss the soft skin at the juncture of her neck and shoulder.

Maggie tilted her head to the side, allowing him even better access to kiss her and moaned softly.

“Tell me to stop and I will,” he murmured into her neck. He gave her the option but prayed she wouldn’t take it.