Page 6 of My Pleasure

Meryn shrugged. “Couple days ago. It wouldn’t surprise me if she gets here today.”

Hunter stood. “Sir, permission to stalk my mate’s house?”

“Permission granted. But no kidnapping. That means her or the kids,” Aiden said, concentrating on his balloon.

Hunter dropped a kiss on the top of Meryn’s head, taking advantage of Aiden’s distracted state, and jogged to the foyer. If luck was on his side, he’d be meeting his mate today.

*****

Kiera exhaled a long sigh of relief. She had been traveling for days. When she found out the portal to Storm Keep was closed, she was concerned. When she realized that meant she’d have to fly back, she was irritated. Knowing she’d have to call for a ride in, pissed her off. Why were the darn portals closed? She shook her head and grabbed her backpack. “Thanks. How much do I owe ya?”

“Flat fifty,” her driver replied.

She pulled out the cash and handed it over. “I bet business is booming with the portal down.”

He laughed. “You’re not wrong.”

“How far out do you go for pick up?”

“Anywhere within thirty miles of the city.”

“Not bad.”

“I’ll take as much business as I can get before the portals come back online. The money I’m making now helps offset parking costs for the year,” he explained.

“Smart.” She pulled on the handle and opened the door.

They both got out and went to the back of the car. He opened his trunk and pulled out her rolling suitcase. “You sure you want to come back now? Things are getting dicey with the Witches’ Council and the warriors.”

“How so?”

He shut the trunk and leaned against his car. “Public opinion is split. The Witches’ Council detained Caiden Ironwood’s mate for questioning without telling him.”

“Gods above what’d he do?” she asked, adjusting her backpack.

The man chuckled lowly. “He and his brothers chucked their enforcers at the castle.”

“What! Wait, what enforcers?”

His eyebrows raised. “How long you been gone?”

“About five years off and on. I’d come back here and there for weekends to visit, but you know how hard it is to get a good contract.”

“You’re telling me,” he said, pointing to his car and current form of employment. “Couple months ago, the Witches’ Council started using enforcers to patrol the streets and bring people in for questioning.”

“Questioning for what? That sounds sketchy as hell.”

He bobbed his head. “Too many ferals about, and dark portals started showing up in Éire Danu of all places. They are trying to keep things safe.”

“What happened after they threw the enforcers?” she asked.

“From what I heard from my cousin, who was two streets over when everything went down, all of the Founding and Noble family members from the formation of the city are taking back their ancestral homes. I believe the phrase, ‘We’re done playing nice.’ Was used.”

“Holy shit.”

“Yeah, so as I said, not the best time to be visiting.”

“I just left behind the worst excuse of a boyfriend, and I need to get home to check on my brother and sister,” she explained.