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My eyes widened. Unless…she was counting on that. Knowing that it would put me beyond the reach of our grandmother’s political schemes forever.
It would be just like Kayleigh to be one part protective like our Spellbinder mother and one part manipulative like our Radiant grandmother.
Dammit, Kayleigh. Why the hell didn’t you evenhintthat you suspected someone was trying to stir up another War of Succession?
As her Understudy, that vital information should havedefinitelyfallen within my paygrade. The fact she hadn’t shared it with me didn’t sit well in my stomach.
I fought to control my emotions as I banished the Radiant Seal. Frustration had me run an angry hand through my hair as I glanced impatiently at my smartwatch. Where was that damnable airplane and those even more damnable Shadow Wolves? Only after they arrived could I begin trying to make sense of this mess. And Kayleigh wasinsaneif she thought I would just stay away from the reception I’d helped plan when her life was in mortal danger.
My eyes were drawn to Sorsha as she let out an excited shriek when she won the latest round ofI Spy.Rory sighed in disappointment, but then she pointed at something outside the window and both girls broke into even louder squeals.
They channeled their innate twin connection to sing out in unison, “Uncle Shea! Uncle Finn! Uncle Connor!”
My body stiffened and I glanced out the window to see three Adonises with sun-bronzed skin waving at their honorary nieces, wolfish smiles spread ear-to-ear making it obvious they were just as excited to see the girls as vice versa. Which was the single reason I managed to shove down the negative emotions urging me to lock the limo doors and leave their asses stranded at the airport.
Well, that and the fact Kayleigh had spellbound me so that I physicallycouldn’tabandon their asses.
That thought had concern for my sister flooding my veins. I forced myself to take a deep breath and watch the chauffeur help the Big Bad Wolves load their luggage into the trunk. He then opened the door a few feet away from where I sat. My pulse thundered in my ears as I glanced at the seat that had seemed ridiculously long when I first sank down upon it but now seemedmuchtoo small for my own good…
My throat went dry when I met the glittering emerald eyes of the first brother to lower his long, muscular form onto the seat and slide over until his delicious thigh pressed against my own.
No! They’re not delicious. Bad brain!
Shea Donnelly, eldest brother and the one who loved pushing my buttons the hardest ineverydamned way, looked me up and down as if he’d heard my traitorous thoughts. As if he’d enjoy playing Big Bad Wolf to my Little Red Riding Hood…in the X-rated version. I couldn’t stop my gaze from metaphorically devouring him in turn. When standing, he towered over my 5’8” frame by at least ten inches, the tallest Donnelly.
All three of Maddox’s cousins spent considerable time training for battle in both human and wolf form, something advertised by every inch of their chiseled physiques, steely strength, and deadly grace. Other than their great size and strength, however, they couldn’t look more different.
Overachieving eldest brother Shea, the green-eyed brunette who sported a constant five-o’clock shadow that somehow always felt whisper soft. Middle brother (andstillon my shit list no matter how sexy he was) Finn, with cinnamon eyes and shaggy auburn mane and beard that paired perfectly with his many tattoos and penchant for black leather. Creative youngest brother Connor, whose lustrous blonde hair gave mine a run for its money in length and bounce, topped off with soulful blue eyes that saw far too much.
So different in looks and personalities, but damn. They each knew how to touch a lover inallthe right places.
My eyes settled momentarily on Shea’s large, calloused hands, and images swept through my brain. Those hands feathering gentle caresses across the planes and curves of my bare skin, becoming increasingly more aggressive as I begged him to touch me harder, faster,deeper. His brothers echoed with alternating soft and frenzied touches of their own as they played my body as expertly as any musician. They moved in tandem at the instructions of some invisible conductor only they could hear and oh! How it had made me burn.
Heat cascaded through my body, and I felt my cheeks grow red. My fingers itched to fan myself, but I fought back that urge. I wouldnotshow the slightest sign of weakness. Not to them.
Yeah. Look where that got me last time!
“Well, well, well, if it isn’t our favorite cousin-in-law here to fetch us from the airport herself. I’m surprised you deigned to get so close to us after…” His voice trailed off as his gaze flashed onto the twins before moving back to me. “After thatlastwild party you threw.”
Rory and Sorsha briefly caught my attention by flinging themselves onto the laps of his two brothers as they settled on the other side of Shea. I was fortunately spared the combined killer chemistry of all three Shadow Wolves since Finn and Connor had no choice but to contend with their honorary nieces. Hell, I’d have my hands full enough talking to justoneof them.
And I’d throw myself into the fires of Hell before admitting that out loud.
It was a relief to avoid directly facing Finn in front of my impressionable nieces. That blistering accusation he’d thrown at me after our one-night-stand that I must be a spy for Grandmother had fuckinghurt.I didn’t trust myself not to verbally eviscerate him just yet.
I arched a sardonic brow and twisted my lips, unflinchingly meeting Shea’s gaze. “I seem to recall it wasyouwho invitedmeto that private party.”
A grin flashed across Shea’s generous, pouty lips that had me inwardly salivating when I focused on them. “Touché, Blondie.”
I kept my expression serene, knowing he only called me that because it annoyed me.
Shea’s smile faded and he leaned in closer, sending goosebumps dancing across my skin. “I assume you also received a mysterious message to avoid our own damned party?”
I hesitated before nodding and gesturing meaningfully toward the girls. “Best to have this conversation away from little ears.”
His expression grew fiercely protective as he glanced at Rory and Sorsha. Something that tugged at my heartstrings—and nether regions—far too much for my comfort. He lowered his voice even further. “Tell meexactlyhow Kayleigh worded her order to you.”
Excitement thrummed through my veins. I ignored the fact he’d made that more a command than a request. He’d only be interested in that info if he and his brothers had no intentions of leaving their cousin and my sister to fend for themselves. A thought with which I was very much now struggling. While I of course wanted to keep my nieces safe, Kayleigh deserved the same consideration. She was my baby sister, not to mention the Beacon to whom I had sworn loyalty.
