She wasn’t feminine enough for him, as he’d reminded her often enough during their time together in the British Army.
Fueled by angry memories, Faye picked up her pace. It was time to get a job, and she was going to do whatever it took to make Grant give it to her.
~~~
Grant McFarland sat across from Iris Mahajan, the best tracker out of all of Lochguard’s Protectors, and frowned. “Are you sure you lost the trail? I injured him pretty badly late last year and given his age, I imagine it didn’t heal clean.”
Iris raised her black brows. “I understand your frustration, but questioning my abilities isn’t going to help anything. We’ll find your uncle eventually.”
Grant sighed. “I know, but Finn wants the traitors contained or captured before the birth of his triplets.”
Last year, a dec
ent portion of Lochguard had left rather than accept Finlay Stewart as clan leader, including about half of Grant’s family. Grant and the other loyal Protectors had even fought the traitors near a hospital in Elgin last autumn. Even though he’d injured his uncle during that battle, no one had seen or heard of Roderick McFarland ever since.
And given that Grant had learned many of his skills and tactics as a youth from his uncle, finding Roderick wasn’t going to be easy.
Iris shrugged. “Fergus is still working his contacts, and I’ll continue to sneak off when no one is looking to try to find your uncle and the others with him.”
Fergus MacKenzie gathered intelligence for Clan Lochguard.
Grant stood and moved to a map of Scotland. Just as he pointed to a section to the east of Elgin, Faye MacKenzie burst into his office. “We need to talk, Grant.”
“Faye, I’m busy. Come back later.”
She crossed her arms over her chest. “No. This can’t wait.”
He took a step toward her. “Is everything okay? Is someone hurt?”
“Yes. No. In that order.”
The one-word answers sent a rush of anger through his body. “Then what the bloody hell is so important?”
Faye looked to Iris. “I think you should leave.”
Grant spoke before Iris could move. “Stay.”
“I really think you don’t want her here for this, McFarland.”
His dragon chimed in. It’s never good when she uses our surname.
Iris stood. “I was done for now, anyway. I’ll check back in later, Grant.”
After Iris gave Faye a quizzical look, she shut the door. The instant it clicked closed, Faye rushed up to him and poked his chest. “Why have you been avoiding me?”
“That’s why you barged in here? Faye, I haven’t been avoiding you.”
His dragon spoke up. Liar.
“Oh, aye? Then why did your pupils flash just now?”
He leaned down. “Inner dragons talk, Faye. Don’t be daft.”
“I’m not. I want to know why one minute you were including me on top secret projects and even helping with my physical therapy and the next you disappear and I can’t even schedule a meeting with you weeks in advance.”
“In case you’ve forgotten, we’re still rebuilding after the attack in January.”
“Bullshit. The change is recent, and if anything, things have slowed down and you should have more free time.”