Fire Maidens Scotland (Billionaires & Bodyguards #6) - Anna Lowe Page 0,70
full truth, even if she knew Terence by another name and remained ignorant of my relation to him — and to you.
Much as my heart cries for what might have been, I am glad destiny gifted your mother with the rarest thing: a second chance, and a good man. A wonderful father for Terence’s child. In so many ways, destiny gave me what I never thought I would have — a new family. A new chance to live and love.
That is what you have given me as well. A shining light in the darkness that had taken over my soul. My only wish is that Ava could have met you too, dear girl. Her own granddaughter. How proud she would have been!
Holly’s hand tightened around Lachlan’s. The tears on her cheeks glowed gold with the last rays of sunlight.
I will not ask you to do us proud, or to pursue the dreams we once had. Only to do yourself proud in the dreams of your own choosing. I know you will.
Yours truly,
Trevor
Lachlan let out a long breath. What was the expression Holly sometimes used?
Oh yes. Holy shit.
She stared at the letter, then at him, and finally, the sunset. A moment later, she dropped her face to her hands and wept.
“He never told me…”
Lachlan held her tightly, equally stunned. In the back of his mind, he knew Trevor’s revelations had ramifications that went beyond Holly. But for once in his life, he pushed the rational part of his brain away and tuned in to the emotion instead. Holly’s and his. The shock. The grief, and the hope. The sense of so much falling into place.
The sun’s lower edge dipped below the horizon, lighting the sky with streaks of fiery orange, yellow, and red. Slowly, it sank out of sight, sending out brilliant rays. Then the colors paled, gradually giving way to the indigo of night.
Holly wiped her tears and stared into the distance. Mungo stood and gave himself a shake as if to remind them it was time to go. Still, they lingered, watching the not-quite-full moon glitter over the water.
“Oh,” Holly whispered, pointing. “I see the first star. Stars, actually.”
Lachlan squinted into the distance. Why did those stars make the hairs on the back of his neck stand?
Not stars, his dragon muttered, suddenly alarmed.
That was the moonlight catching on dragon wings. Wings beating stealthily toward the island. Were those backup forces coming from the mainland?
His body tensed as his dragon hissed. Backup forces, yes. But not ours. The enemy’s.
He pulled Holly to her feet. “Quick. We have to go. Now.”
Chapter Eighteen
Holly gulped as Lachlan took off in a mighty whoosh of air, leaving her alone with Mungo after the briefest exchange.
Enemy forces approaching. You warn the guards at the villa. I’ve got to alert those in the barracks.
She watched his blackish-brown wings beat the air, making the bronze highlights at the tips flash.
Then she gave herself a shake and looked around. Part of her was still frozen in fear, but she knew she had to jump into action.
With trembling hands, she unclipped Mungo’s leash. “Listen, Mungo. Go home. You got that? Go home.” She pointed to the house by the bay.
Mungo wagged his tail, waiting.
Clearly, the dog didn’t get it. She glanced up in desperation, but there was no time to waste.
“Go home, Mungo. Please.” Her voice cracked as she backed away. “I’ll be there soon.”
God, she hoped that proved true. More importantly, she hoped Mungo would be all right. But she couldn’t hesitate another second when there were lives on the line.
“Go home,” she ordered in mid-shift. She held her arms wide, closed her eyes, and…
“Go home,” she roared a moment later in her gritty dragon voice.
Mungo backed up and fled, making her heart ache. Still, she launched into the air and raced toward the prison end of the island.
Her heart thumped wildly as she looked over her shoulder, praying Lachlan could rouse the guards in the barracks before the attack began. Hastily, she formed a plan. First, she would alert the guards at the private villa on the edge of the golf course. Then she would speed over and help Lachlan. After that…
She slowed down in midair, staring at the golf course. “Oh shit.”
A heartbeat earlier, the area had been dark and quiet. Now, roars and squeaks sounded, and lights flicked on all over the property. That side of the island was under attack too. She spotted Henry sprinting for the water, then diving in. He came up