Page 83 of Pulled By the Tail
“Take her to the library. I will bring Quil,” Talen said. He planted a reassuring kiss on the top of her head before vanishing.
“Fiona—”
“Where’s my honey bear?” Fiona untied the scarf under her chin and removed the hat.
“We weren’t expecting you.” To come back after you ran off with their money. Ever. Georgia kept the second half of the sentence unspoken.
“You sound like you’re not happy to see me.”
“You have no idea.”
Fiona gave Georgia’s outfit a scrutinizing look. “You got fat.”
“I’m pregnant.” Christ on a cracker. This bitch right here. “I know where we can find Quil. Follow me.” She turned down the corridor to the library.
“Actually, there’s something outside I need to show you.” Fiona tossed a glance toward the open door to the ballroom. Music and laughter spilled out.
“Outside?”
“It’s important, okay? It’s why I came back.” She grabbed Georgia’s hand and tugged. “I’m not stupid. I know everyone thought I ran off with the family jewels or whatever, but this is important, so will you please stop being a stubborn bitch and follow me?”
Georgia glanced down the empty corridor. If Talen didn’t find her in the library, he’d go searching for them. It shouldn’t take him too long. “Okay. Let’s go to the workshop.”
“Perfect.”
They exited through the kitchen. Dare gave her a curious look as she opened the door to the garden, pointing in the direction of the converted stables. There. Talen would find them quick enough.
She pushed open the door to the workshop, the scent of varnish and wood dust heavy in the air. A Tal male stood leaned against the far wall. His head was down, superficially conveying casualness, but the tension in his body confessed that nothing escaped his attention. He looked familiar but Georgia had met so many people new people in the last few months, she couldn’t place him.
“What’s going on?” Georgia asked, turning to Fiona. She realized her mistake a heartbeat later, but it was too late to help her.
Talen
Secrets always find a way to claw their way into the light.
-Persistence and the Secrets of the Shadowed Hill
The females were notin the library.
“I do not believe we have time to discuss literature. Your mate is very insistent that we be available to serve the whims of our clients,” Quil said, tail swaying with delight.
“You’d think that as much as you enjoy spending money, you might be interested in earning it,” Talen replied.
“Why did you bring me here?”
“Fiona returned.” He could not bring himself to honor that thieving female as his brother’s mate.
Quil’s ears moved forward with interest. “What does she want?”
“I did not ask. Money, no doubt,” he said, nearly growling with frustration. Despite the carefree facade Quil fronted, Fiona’s departure wounded him. Talen heard a few frantic voice messages that Quil left, asking for a reason, for some justification for him to bring her home.
Talen sighed. No matter what Fiona said, Quil would welcome her back, if she were here to stay. He couldn’t imagine why. She had already robbed them of their most valuable possession.
“Fiona would not wait in this room. She would want to be the center of attention,” Quil said.
They found no sign of Fiona in the ballroom or mingling with the guests. Dare, in the kitchen, sent them outside, claiming to have seen them head toward the old stables.
The situation felt off. Fiona had no reason to drag his mate to the stable. That female craved an audience.
