Midnight's Captive (Dark Warriors) by Donna Grant Page B

him mad.
    He should be thinking about the meeting or Wallace or why the drough blood affected him so, but all that filled his mind was Laura. Her sweet, clean smell, her smile, her kissable lips.
    When they came to a doorway, Laura turned toward him and looked up at him as she walked through. There was no denying the desire he saw reflected in her pale green depths. It made his balls tighten.
    He glanced down at her mouth to find her lips parted. He dragged his gaze back to her eyes and bit back a moan when his arm brushed her breast as they passed through the door together.
    She turned away just before he gave in to the temptation and kissed her. Cassie was talking, but Charon heard none of it. He ground his teeth and made himself focus. Selling Dreagan whisky was his goal. He’d not mess it up because he couldn’t keep his cock from standing at attention.
    They followed Cassie around the area, looking at the distillery and meeting workers. Charon was impressed with how smoothly everything ran. But it was the beauty of the place that tugged at his heart.
    It reminded him of the Scotland he remembered as a lad. Untamed. Wild.
    Savage.
    He longed to run through the mountains, to forget what he was and the world he now lived in. It made him yearn to take out his kilt and live on the land as he had done so many centuries ago.
    To look up at the night sky, the stars winking good night as he fell asleep. To dive into the dark waters of a loch and bathe.
    To walk for days and never encounter another soul.
    “Few people understand why Dreagan is situated the way it is, or why we don’t open ourselves to a constant flow of visitors. But I think you do,” Cassie said softly from beside him.
    Charon nodded. “Oh, aye. I do.”
    He knew much too well.

 
    CHAPTER SEVEN
     
    The more Charon stayed at Dreagan, the more he knew there was something about the place that wasn’t normal.
    It looked normal. Its people appeared normal.
    But there was much more to it.
    Charon couldn’t place his finger on what it was. There was no trace of magic that he could detect, yet at odd times he would feel something that seemed almost like magic.
    It disappeared as quickly as it came.
    Everywhere they went he spotted men watching, studying him. He’d know the kind of men they were anywhere from their stance and the way they held themselves.
    They were warriors, fighters.
    For who, was the question.
    “I’ll take you into the main building where Con’s office is,” Cassie said as she looked over her shoulder at him. “Con has done a lot of research on your pub, Mr. Bruce. He’s impressed with what you’ve acquired in Ferness.”
    “It’s more than just property,” Charon said as he thought of his men. And Laura.
    She really couldn’t be included, but he wouldn’t be standing at Dreagan today without her. Oh, he’d have eventually made his way in, but Laura had done it with finesse.
    Cassie nodded as her gaze shifted to Laura. “Yes, he knows of the dedication of Ms. Black. You’re lucky to have such people surrounding you.”
    The slight stain of pink that tinged Laura’s cheeks amused him. She was always so surprised when she was given praise. He didn’t understand it, but he liked to see the pleased look in her eyes.
    Charon ushered Laura in front of him as Cassie took them on a narrow path. Cassie and Laura walked beneath the wooden arch of flowers, and just as he was about to follow, his gaze was caught by three men.
    They had their backs to him, walking away and at an angle, but they stopped him cold in his tracks. Or one man did.
    There was something familiar about him, as if Charon should know him, but he couldn’t place who it might be. He needed a closer look.
    He took a step toward them when Laura touched his arm. His head snapped to her.
    “Charon? What is it?”
    “Who are those men?”
    Cassie was instantly by his side. “Employees. Is there a problem?”
    “Nay. One just looked familiar is all.”
    Cassie’s