Page 275 of The Defiant Curse

It was one hell of a one, too.

It was crazy to her that Michael didn’t try to stop the woman from that embrace. In fact, she bearhugged her so hard, she lifted Elizabeth off the ground.

Holy.

Shit.

That was a greeting.

And she wasn’t hating it.

Elizabeth loved a hug.

“Lass! It’s a pleasure,” she said, setting her free. “You are nothing but bones! I hope Graham is feeding ya!”

Michael laughed at the look on Elizabeth’s face.

Yeah, this place was wild, and Finn’s family was even wilder. If Elizabeth was going to be here for a few weeks, she’d need to get accustomed to it. The Scottish were a warm, kind people who loved nothing more than a compliment and a hug.

Or so he was learning.

“They are huggers,” he admitted. “Get accustomed to it,” he offered.

Oh, she was a hugger, too, but it had been a long time since a stranger had managed to get into her personal space.

Granted, she didn’t mind.

Catherine seemed like a warm, caring person.

Jesus.

Another Catherine.

Their world was filthy with them.

When she hugged Ethan next, Elizabeth laughed after she asked him one question.

“What’s it like being Jackson James’ brother?”

Blackhawk found that amusing.

How did he answer that?

“Well, it’s always an adventure being related to Callen, and it has been since we were kids,” he admitted.

Oh, she bet it was.

When the door opened, and in came Finn, he was still in his work attire. His tie was on, and his badge was on his hip. He also immediately chastised his sister.

“Catherine! Are you annoying the guests?” he asked.

She snorted.

“Yer lucky I didn’t bring Fiona to this meet and greet,” she admitted, winking at Elizabeth. “Or Maisie. She’s still talking about having dinner with Jackson James and him signing all of her books.”

Yeah, Callen was also still talking about that, too. He’d met Fiona, and the woman, apparently, was a force to reckon with. She’d made Callen come back to their home, and she fed him until he’d been so full he waddled.

Or so he said.