Fire Maidens Scotland (Billionaires & Bodyguards #6) - Anna Lowe Page 0,82

later. Up to that point, he’d had a constant motor running in the back of his mind, bombarding him with a thousand thoughts and responsibilities. But afterward… There was only peace. Peace like he’d never felt before, because finally, he had his mate.

And not just any mate, his dragon pointed out. The most amazing woman in the world. A perfect match in every way.

Well, he thought so, though he knew there would be some who didn’t agree. One man in particular.

Then he remembered. That man was dead. Angus MacGregor — Penelope’s uncle, who’d committed suicide.

Lachlan had decided on a black suit, but he couldn’t muster a mood of mourning. Not for the man who had tried to have Holly killed.

Yes, a unicorn. A Guardian. A man trusted to lead Scotland’s shifter clans. Lachlan still couldn’t believe it.

“Ready?” He hooked his arm around Holly’s.

She forced a smile. “As ready as I’ll ever be.” Then she looked him up and down and grinned. “Wow. Don’t we look sharp?”

He laughed. He was just his usual self, but Holly looked stunning.

She’s always stunning, his dragon pointed out.

He decided to respectfully disagree. Most of the time, Holly was irresistibly pretty in her unique, cowgirl-meets-gypsy-princess way, and he wouldn’t want her to change. But that morning, she’d put some work into taming her natural curls, traded her rainbow clothes for a dark dress, and slipped on a pair of formal shoes. So, yes — stunning. He would be happy to have “normal” Holly back soon, but he would enjoy her current look while he could.

“If we look sharp, it’s all you,” he murmured, kissing her hand.

Her smile lit up his soul, but it faded when she faced the entrance. “Yikes. Okay.” She took a deep breath. “Here we go.”

A doorman let them in, but they didn’t get far. Not when Penelope came rushing down from the second floor, trailing a delicate silk scarf in her carelessly stylish way. Her eyes were red, and she clutched a packet of tissues.

“Good gracious. I still can’t believe it,” she sobbed, hugging Holly.

You would have thought Penelope was the one who’d faced a bitter enemy, survived multiple attempts on her life, and had her world turned upside down. But that was Holly, who’d kept a level head through it all.

Holly looked up from patting Penelope on the back and mouthed, Wow. Is she always this emotional?

Lachlan sighed. All unicorns were emotional, but Penelope topped the list. Still, her heart was in the right place.

“I’m sorry. So, so sorry. Please believe me,” Penelope begged.

“It’s not your fault,” Holly assured her.

Penelope extricated herself, and for a moment, it looked as if she might pull herself together. Then she teared up again and threw herself at Lachlan. “You could have been killed. To think, my own uncle… And worse, my letter…”

He nodded grimly. Before the trip to Gleninnis, he’d been careful to search the car and Holly’s luggage for any tracking devices. But he hadn’t checked the letter Penelope had given him to deliver to Duncan. It was only on the drive back to Edinburgh than the Highland bull had called him, reporting what he’d discovered.

Lachlan’s hands shook with the last vestiges of anger. Angus had tracked them the whole time, and worse — he’d also sent a group of mercenaries to kill Holly. Luckily, the mercenaries had failed every time.

Amateurs, his dragon sniffed.

Lachlan made a face. Yes, but they’d come awfully close.

Gently, he nudged Penelope back, holding her shoulders until she steadied out.

“Oh.” Holly pulled out an envelope. “This is for you. From Duncan.”

Penelope’s eyes filled with joy, and more tears spilled out as she clutched the letter to her chest. Then she pressed Holly into another hug. “Thank you. Thank you so much. Are you sure he’ll be all right?”

Holly reassured her as Lachlan looked on, bewildered. With all that Penelope had going on in her family, why all the concern for one bull shifter who was already on the mend?

Holly whispered in his mind. They’re in love, dummy.

When Lachlan frowned, Holly rolled her eyes. Boy, you’re really not as smart as you look.

He furrowed his brow. That doesn’t make sense.

Love doesn’t have to make sense.

He supposed she had a point. Still… Steady-as-a-rock, lumbering Duncan and delicate, emotional Penelope?

Holly chuckled. A match made in heaven.

“He’s doing much better,” Holly assured Penelope. “I’m sure he’d love to see you, though.”

Penelope blushed. Then steps sounded behind her, and she stuck the letter up her sleeve.

See? Holly pointed out. Forbidden love. I think my