Brynna: A Stone Society Novella Page 9

  So much for it being too soon.

  Chapter Eight

  Travis’s declaration of love lifted Brynna’s spirits even higher than the pep talk he’d given her. After they climbed out of the tub, he made love to her. Travis was the best mix of sweet and dominant. Outside the bedroom, they were partners in every sense of the word, but when they were in bed? He took control, always giving her exactly what she needed, how she needed it. As she lay awake in his arms that night, Brynna realized he was right; she had led a charmed life, and now she had her perfect mate.

  As good as their nights were, their days were filled with more issues like someone sabotaging Travis’s computer, the water being shut off, and random feelings of being watched. Banyan called the water company, and like with the electricity, someone had gone into the system and issued a cutoff order. Julian couldn’t figure out who was responsible. He continued to work on finding out who was hacking into Travis’s computer, stating he would bet his Corvette it was the same one responsible for their utility stoppage.

  Julian was eventually able to ascertain it was the same person doing both from some type of algorithm they set up, but he couldn’t pinpoint who they were or where they were working from. The only good thing, if it could be called that, was the person responsible wasn’t targeting Stone, Incorporated as a whole, only Travis. Travis managed to save his work to a flash drive every few minutes, removing it from the laptop and inserting a new one so he never lost his work, but it was taking a toll on him. Brynna and her beast did their best to comfort him, but it wasn’t always easy. For whatever reason, her work on the hotel wasn’t touched. When she noticed that, she asked Julian to install the architectural program on her computer. Once he did, Travis was able to complete the first set of drawings.

  Banyan and Uri continued going to the armory, but never together. They didn’t want to leave Brynna and Travis alone at the manor in case of an attack. The cloak-and-dagger bullshit was taking a toll on all of them. Banyan requested Julian ship one of his security systems to them, and he and Uri installed it with Julian walking them through the process. The system was set up so it alerted not only each of their phones but Julian’s computer as well. Brynna’s phone was never out of her sight, just in case. She hated being paranoid, but someone was out to get them for whatever reason.

  Since Travis had finished the first set of drawings, he began helping Brynna with getting the manor zoned for commercial property. They filled out the necessary paperwork and submitted it, but after the third time of the documents being lost in the system, Brynna had enough. She insisted on taking the forms to the Building Authority, and Uri offered to go with her while Banyan and Travis met with the contractors for the house. A set of Gargoyle twins had formed a construction company almost a hundred years prior, and they continued the work because they enjoyed it.

  “After we drop off the paperwork, how about a manicure?” Urijah asked a few minutes after leaving the manor.

  “Yeah, sure.” Brynna had done her best to shape her nails after sparring with Banyan, and Travis had helped her paint them. A professional job wasn’t necessary, but she appreciated Uri trying to do something nice for her.

  “Don’t sound so excited,” Uri teased as he wound his way toward the larger city where the Building Authority was located. The drive was almost two hours from Åsmundnes, and normally Brynna loved seeing her country from a vehicle on the back roads, but her heart wasn’t in it.

  “I just don’t get why someone is attacking us, especially Travis.”

  “It doesn’t surprise me, honestly. Not one of the Clan has been able to claim their mate easily. First Alistair and now Drago have made it their mission to make our lives miserable. Would it make you feel better if we all went back to the States where we have more backup? Because B and I will gladly put the house on hold until we figure out who’s after us and why.”

  “Is that fair to your Clan? If we go back, they can all be targeted. If we remain here, it’s just the four of us. Well, six, counting Marcie and Lawrence, because let’s face it – they aren’t going to tuck tail and run.”

  “They’re your Clan too. And it’s not about being fair. It’s about keeping us all safe. If you decide to remain in Norway, I’m calling my brothers. Last I heard, Latham has taken Runa on a month-long vacation to Australia, but I know Dacey and Tamas will gladly help watch over the manor.”

  “Do you think that’s necessary? I mean, we have the new security system.”

  “We do, but it never hurts to have more bodies. No offense, but Travis isn’t a fighter. Neither are Marcie and Lawrence. I’d hate for you, B, and I to have to go up against more than three other Goyles while trying to keep the humans safe.”

  “You’re right. I guess let’s wait and see what Julian comes up with. Most of what’s being done is just pesky shit. No one has threatened us or made their presence known. If you want to call Tamas and Dacey, I won’t stop you, but I also don’t want their mates left unguarded either. Damnit, this sucks.”

  “It does. I hate dealing with the unknown. If we knew who was after us, it would help figure out why. It would make sense if it is Drago, since he’s the one leading the Unholy, but I also can’t see him targeting us secretly. He’s been more of an in-your-face threat. Look at what he did to Matthew.”

  “I don’t understand why Rafael doesn’t take the fight to Drago. You’ve already proven the Unholy are no match for Gargoyles, so even if his numbers are greater, an army of Goyles would kick their asses.”

  “It’s about keeping the humans safe.”

  Brynna brushed her hands over her dress. “I get that, but if the Greeks continue creating Unholy, won’t it be harder to fight them later?”

  “It will. I can only assume Rafael plans to find Drago first, take him and his Greeks out, then deal with the Unholy the same way he has been – a few at a time.”

  “This is why I’m not King,” Brynna muttered.

  “Other than all the crazy shit, are things going well with Travis?”

  Brynna had to smile. For the rest of the ride, she gushed about her mate, and they talked about happier topics. After the paperwork had been hand-delivered to the appropriate clerk, Uri drove them to a busy shopping area. “Since my hands still look fabulous, I’m going to walk around while you get yours done.” Uri huffed his breath over his nails, then buffed them against his shirt.

  Brynna laughed at her brother’s mate, glad he was in her life. “Okay. Let’s meet back here in say, an hour?”

  “You got it.”

  Urijah took off walking toward a pub while Brynna went into the salon. It took more than the appointed hour, so when she walked out the door, she was surprised that Uri wasn’t waiting on her. She called his phone, and after ringing several times, it went to voicemail. She left a message telling him she was finished, and Brynna walked to where he had parked, but Uri wasn’t sitting in the car. Since she didn’t have a key, all she could do was wait. Just as she turned to go in the same direction Uri had earlier, her phone rang. She answered without looking.

  “Uri?”

  “No, it’s me. Urijah has been arrested.” Banyan’s ire came through loud and clear.

  “Arrested? For what?”

  “He doesn’t know. He is sitting in an interrogation room where he’s been since they took him in. If it wasn’t for our ability to speak with our minds, I wouldn’t know that. I’m on my way to the station now.”

  “I’ll call for a ride since I don’t have the keys to his car.”

  “No. I want you to go inside somewhere crowded and wait. Travis is on his way with Dacey to pick you up. Uri told me where the salon is.”

  “B, what the hell is going on?”

  “I don’t know, but I’m going to find the fuck out. This shit is getting on my last nerve.”

  “Calm down, B. I don’t need you in jail with your mate. I’ll call Travis and let him know I’ll be waiting in Johan’s.”

  “Okay. I’ll call you as soon
as I know something. Watch your surroundings, Brynna. I don’t like any of this.”

  “I will. Love you, B.”

  “Love you too.” Banyan disconnected, and Brynna dialed Travis’s number while she walked to the pub. She needed a drink or five.

  Travis knew something was wrong by the way Banyan froze in mid-conversation with the contractors. Dag and Dustin Andersen were twin Gargoyles. The only way Travis could tell them apart was by the length of their hair. Dag’s was longer. Other than that? They were identical in every way including the sound of their voices and the way they smiled. It was almost eerie. The twins waited while Banyan concentrated on what Travis figured to be Urijah’s voice in his head.

  “Godsdamnit!” Banyan stood so quickly his chair tipped over backward. “I’m going to have to cut this meeting short, I’m afraid. My mate has been arrested. The police won’t tell him what for. He’s just sitting in an interrogation room and has been for almost an hour. Travis, Brynna needs you, but with all that’s going on, I don’t feel safe sending you alone. I’m going to call one of Uri’s brothers to go with you.”

  “Where is she?”

  “Getting her nails done. Uri walked down to a pub to wait, but he was detained before he could tell her what was going on or give her the keys to the car. I need to go, so please wait here. I’ll call you when I know which brother is available.”

  “We can wait here with Travis,” Dustin offered.

  “I appreciate that. We’ll reschedule as soon as I get my mate home.”

  “Don’t worry about that. We both know mates come first. Now, go get your male.”

  Urijah’s brother Dacey was the one who showed up at the manor. After promising Marcie he’d have Brynna call when they were on their way home, Travis and the male headed out. Before Travis could call Brynna, his phone rang.

  “Bryn? Are you okay?”

  “I’m fine. Just worried about Uri.” Brynna gave him the name and address of where she was waiting, and he promised they’d be there as soon as possible.

  “I love you, Princess. Please stay safe.”

  “I love you too, Trav.”

  “Does Brynna make you call her Princess?” Dacey asked once Travis hung up.

  “No. Even if she weren’t royalty, that’s what I’d call her, because to me, she’s everything a princess should be. Tough, smart, funny, fearless.”

  “Not stunningly beautiful?”

  “She is that, but that doesn’t define her. Brynna is so much more than her looks.”

  Dacey smiled, and their conversation turned to all that had been happening since Travis and the others arrived in Norway. When Travis mentioned Uri being arrested, Dacey’s fangs dropped, and Travis was afraid the male was going to wreck.

  “Banyan neglected to tell me that bit of information. All he said was he needed to go get Uri. I knew the Greeks were hellbent on revenge, but this is worse than coming out swinging with a sword.”

  “It is. And this feels different to me. I’ve been around the Clan long enough to hear all their stories. If this is Drago, he has someone helping him, because most of what’s been done to us has been electronically with the exception of Banyan and Brynna feeling like someone is watching them.”

  “Why didn’t Uri call us before now? He knows we’ll all have his back.”

  “He probably didn’t want to put you in danger. I know I would do everything within my power to protect Trevor. Before this, the threat wasn’t serious. It was mostly annoying. The worst they did was try to sabotage the building plans on my computer. We figured they were targeting me since I’m the newest mate, not that they knew that. Up until recently, she and I were nothing more than friends.”

  “Unless they did. There are some powerful hackers in the world. All they need is a camera on your computer to be able to catch a glimpse into your world.”

  “That’s…” Travis was mortified thinking someone could have watched or heard them having sex in the office.

  “That’s a crime is what it is.”

  Travis was thinking it was sick, but Dacey was right. It was a crime. A sick one if they had been watched. “But now that they’ve gone after Uri, I can’t help but think the hacking into my computer was related to him as well. It is his house I was designing.”

  “Yes, but why Uri, and why now? He didn’t have a hand in Alistair’s demise any more than the rest of the Clan. What if they’re really after Banyan’s crown and are using Uri to get to the King? That would make more sense, and you are living with him, mated to Brynna or not.”

  “I guess we won’t know until Julian finds out who’s behind the computer.”

  “What the hell?” Dacey muttered. Travis looked over to see Dacey watching his rearview mirror. Before he could ask what was going on, Dacey growled, “Hold on!” The male mashed the accelerator, and Travis braced his hand on the door handle while glancing at the side mirror. A large SUV was gaining on them. Dacey maneuvered his sports car like a pro, but the larger vehicle wasn’t letting up. “What the fuck is under their hood?” Uri’s brother sped up even more, not gaining any lead. Travis turned to look out the back just as the SUV swerved into the opposite lane, then tagged the back end of Dacey’s car, sending them fishtailing into the loose gravel on the shoulder.

  Travis braced his hands on the dash, his heart thumping wildly. Dacey would be okay if they wrecked. Travis? Not so much. The Gargoyle got his car under control only to be rammed in the side by the larger vehicle. Dacey turned the steering wheel toward the other vehicle, but his sports car was no match for the larger SUV. They slid off the road, and as the car edged over the shoulder, there was nothing to do but pray as it flipped. The seatbelt cut into Travis’s chest and neck, and his head hit the door’s window at least twice. He prayed to a god he’d given up on months before. He didn’t want to die. Not now. Not when he’d finally found his happiness with Brynna. As he began to lose consciousness, he called out to his mate in his head. Princess, I love you.

  Brynna was on her fifth drink when her beast roared inside her head. She was sitting at the corner of the U-shaped bar when she felt a presence at her back. Before she could turn to see who was crowding her, something sharp stabbed her in the side. Brynna grabbed the bar to keep from falling off her stool. Pain radiated from just below her ribs, but she still turned around to see who had cut her. All the customers were sitting down. Except for one. A large man heading toward the door.

  “Stop him!” Brynna yelled as she took off after him, ignoring the pain. The other patrons simply stared like she was crazy. Brynna flung the door to the pub open, stumbling out onto the crowded sidewalk. She looked both ways, but he had disappeared. Brynna slumped against the front of the pub, taking slow breaths. She needed to go back inside for her purse and to take care of her tab. She would. In a minute.

  “You’re bleeding,” a woman said, pointing to Brynna’s side.

  “No shit. That’s what happens when you get stabbed.” Brynna touched the wound, and her fingers came back coated in blood. “Fuck,” she hissed as dizziness threatened.

  “Here, let me help you.” The same woman wrapped her arm around Brynna’s waist, leading her away from the bar.

  “No, I can’t leave. I have to wait for my ma… man. And my purse—"

  “Here. I saw what happened, and I grabbed your purse for you so someone didn’t take off with it. You need a hospital.”

  She really did.

  Don’t listen to her. You need to stay here.

  I know that, but I also don’t want to bleed out on the sidewalk.

  “I need to call the police. Let me go back inside and talk to the manager.” Brynna leaned against the woman who was stronger than she looked.

  “Uh, min broren politi. I will call him and have him meet us at the hospital. You can tell him what happened there.”

  Brynna’s knees threatened to give out as she hissed through the pain. The woman didn’t have a Norwegian accent, and she’d mutilated the language. Or maybe Bryn had
heard her wrong considering she was getting weaker. So much for being a Gargoyle. If she’d been a male, this shit wouldn’t be happening.

  Princess, I love you.

  Okay. Yep. She definitely needed help since she was hearing her mate in her head. The woman led her to a nondescript vehicle and helped her into the passenger seat. Brynna didn’t have the strength to put on her seatbelt. She barely had the wherewithal to ask for her purse once the woman was in the car. The woman started the engine and pulled out of the parking lot. Brynna leaned against the door as she dug in her purse for her phone. Before she could pull up Travis’s number, the phone was snatched from her hand and tossed out the window. “What are you—?”

  “No phone calls for you.” The woman jabbed a needle in Brynna’s arm. “Now, be a good little princess and pass out.”

  Chapter Nine

  Banyan’s beast was clawing to be let loose. If he didn’t get to see Uri soon, he was going to let it out. He had been waiting for over an hour, and no one would tell him anything. Thank Odin he and his mate could mind-speak, or he would have already torn the place apart. According to the cop who had finally come in to speak with Urijah, he was being detained because he was a person of interest in a homicide. After arguing with the man, stating they had the wrong person, Uri finally lawyered up. He knew that made him look guilty, but he was tired and wanted out of there. Banyan wanted Uri out of there, but until one of Uri’s nephews came to his aid, they both were stuck.

  The air in the room changed when a tall, blond male came striding into the station, commanding attention. Calder “Cal” Aldobrand had his uncle’s same striking looks. Where Uri preferred to dress down, Cal wore a bespoke grey suit with a royal blue tie that matched his eyes. Banyan stood to meet the male with his hand outstretched.

  “Cal, thank you for coming.”

  “My King,” Cal responded, only loud enough for Banyan to hear. “What do you know?”