Shoulder the Skye (Skye Druids #2)(9)
Author: Donna Grant

 

Elias frowned as he realized the thin man had leaned over Bronwyn, looming. But she hadn’t backed away. She had held eye contact, everything in her bearing daring the arse to do something.

 

“That chick has some balls,” Sabryn continued. “She never let him see how terrified she was. That’s someone who has been through some shit and come out the other side. She has scars you’ll never see—and maybe some you can.”

 

He glanced at Sabryn, wondering if she compared herself to Bronwyn. Because Sabryn also had a complicated past.

 

She caught his gaze. “She needed to do that on her own. She could’ve run. She didn’t. She stayed and faced him because she had to.”

 

“You saw all that by watching her for only a few seconds?”

 

“Don’t sound so shocked. You have your gifts. I have mine. And, yes, to answer your question, I did. Not so much by her walk but her attitude when she saw the prick.” Sabryn smoothed her hand over the front of her cream angora sweater. “I’d advise you to keep your head on finding the murderer and clearing your name, but I recognize that look on your face. I only have one request.”

 

He raised his brows, waiting.

 

“Doona let the lass take up too much of your time,” Sabryn said with a perfect Scottish accent.

 

He chuckled. She had a knack for accents and picked them up quickly. “Heard.”

 

“Good.” Her deep blue gaze swung back to the cars around him. “I and the boys are going to do a little checking around while you’re with your family.”

 

“Be careful.”

 

She rolled her eyes as she clicked her tongue. “Do you know me at all? Careful is my middle name.”

 

“That’s shite, and you know it,” he called as she climbed out of his vehicle.

 

Sabryn bent to look at him. “Tallyho.”

 

“Verra funny.”

 

She waved her fingers at him and shut the door. Elias started the engine as she walked away. She was out of sight within moments. He backed out and started the drive to Edie’s. He was supposed to have lunch with his sisters. It wouldn’t be the first time they had eaten together since his return to Skye, but that didn’t mean things weren’t still a little awkward. He had been away for nearly two decades, rarely speaking to Edie and having almost no contact with Elodie. They were strangers for all intents and purposes. Memories of their childhood and their blood bond could only take them so far.

 

But he wanted to mend the rift he had caused by leaving. At least Elodie knew the truth of things. That made things easier.

 

When he arrived, Elodie met him at the door. He embraced his youngest sister. Her bright smile and vibrant face eased some of his worries that she wouldn’t be able to carry the weight of the past, but she was stronger than he gave her credit for. It helped that she wasn’t dealing with this alone. Scott’s love and support helped.

 

“You’re late,” Elodie said as she led him into the house.

 

“That’s a single man for you,” Edie called from the kitchen.

 

Elias chuckled as he inhaled the delightful aromas. “I promised wine,” he said and held up the bottle, entering the ultra-modern room. “I had to stop and get some.”

 

“Then you’re forgiven.” Elodie took the white and set about opening it.

 

Elias rubbed his hands together as he walked to the island. “What do you need me to do?”

 

“It’s all done. Just finishing up the sauce,” Edie said.

 

Elodie shot him a playful look. “And that’s why he’s tardy.”

 

“No’ fair,” he shot back, enjoying the banter. It made things feel almost as if they were teenagers again.

 

Edie motioned to the wine Elodie had poured. “Seriously, take your drinks and have a seat. The food is ready.”

 

Elias did as his sister requested. When he turned to the table, he only saw three place settings. “Is Trevor no’ joining us?”

 

“He had a work lunch he couldn’t get out of,” Edie replied as she concentrated on the food almost a little too hard.

 

Elias looked at Elodie, who shrugged and wrinkled her nose, telling him she had no answer to his silent question. He opted not to discuss it further. Mostly because Elias knew very little about his sister’s marriage, other than they seemed happy. He didn’t want to stir up problems where there were none. From everything he’d seen, they had a great life.

 

Edie was a terrific cook, and the meal of baked salmon and asparagus was delicious. They talked about the past, reminiscing on their antics and the things they had gotten into as children—though Elodie was careful not to speak of their father. Elias followed suit, but Edie, not knowing the truth of the horrible man their da had been, had no such qualms. She brought him up several times.

 

With the bottle of wine empty and only a little left in their glasses, Elias waited for a lull in the conversation before pulling the small cameras from his back pocket and laying them on the table in front of Edie, who sat across from him.

 

She eyed them. “What’s that?”

 

“Your cameras,” he replied.

 

She took a drink of her wine before shaking her head, confusion in her eyes. “What cameras?”

 

“The ones in the cottage I’m renting.”

 

“We don’t install monitoring equipment inside our rentals. The tenants have a right to their privacy. We do install some outside, though.”

 

Elias noted the way Edie’s lips tightened and her voice rose, indicating she was upset. “I’m sorry to say, but these were inside.”

 

“Maybe Trevor forgot to tell you, Edie,” Elodie offered.

 

Their sister grabbed the small cameras and rose from the table to put them on the island. “I’m sure that’s it. I’m sorry, Elias.”

 

“Doona be. I’m sure it was an oversight.” It was a lie, but he felt compelled to ease the tension he saw in Edie.

 

It was obvious she hadn’t known about the cameras, which meant that Trevor was responsible for placing them. And any landlord who installed hidden surveillance throughout a residence wasn’t anyone Elias wanted to know.

 

Elodie cleared her throat nervously and caught his gaze. “How is the house?”

 

“It’s great.” He glanced at the island to see Edie staring at the devices as if she could make them speak. “I love the location.”