Hurstgrove sent Bram a snarling glare. He muttered a four-letter word that made her wince. "This isn't your decision."
"When Mathias comes knocking again, it will be too late. Think about that."
Moments later, Lucan sidled up to them. He approached Felicia only long enough to hand her a fruit-filled pastry and coffee in a paper cup. And stare at her with a haunted blue gaze.
"We're done here," Bram said. "Get to Ice's caves quickly. Lucan will ride with you."
"Absolutely not," Hurstgrove objected.
"Your exalted title leads you to believe you get to make the orders. You knew who was in charge when you joined us."
His Grace looked ready to tear someone's head off. "This isn't wise."
"She needs all the protection possible. I had a dream last night of Felicia. With Mathias. Very unpleasant."
Bram told the truth, and Felicia shivered. He'd dreamt something frightening about her and the man who wanted to kill her? If Mathias had destroyed a five-hundred-year-old chapel in a matter of moments, he'd have no trouble destroying her.
Hurstgrove blanched as if he'd seen a ghost. If he'd been concerned before, now he was downright paranoid, his gaze dissecting every part of their surroundings, looking for hidden shadows.
"Do your dreams ever come true?" she asked Bram.
Bram met her stare directly. "Always."
Another unpleasant truth. Damn.
"Then you have my cooperation." Fear clutching her insides, Felicia grabbed Hurstgrove's arm in one hand and Lucan's in the other. "Let's go."
By midday, Hurstgrove parked the car near the side of a hill. Just over the rise, the sounds of the crashing ocean carried on the wind. The brisk scent of salt and the winter chill stung Felicia's nose.
As she reached for the door handle, her stomach jumped. Maybe it was the exhaustion, the remote location, or Hurstgrove's taciturn mood, but foreboding washed over Felicia. She suspected her life was about to change forever.
Hurstgrove yanked the keys from the ignition but didn't open the door. Instead, he clenched his jaw and jabbed her with a furious stare. "I don't want this for you."
"Mathias isn't going to rest until he's found me, yes?"
"He's relentless."
"The sooner we deal with this, the sooner I'll have my life back."
Hurstgrove shook his head. "What we're about to tell you will shock you, and I wish I could spare you--"
"But you can't." She resisted the urge to curl her fingers around his hard shoulders and absolve him of guilt. "I can handle it."
"You're strong," Lucan said from the cramped backseat. "Excellent. You'll need it."
Together, they left the car, Hurstgrove standing close, his gaze raking the landscape around them with a watchfulness that made her tense. Lucan crowded her other side, doing the same.
Moments later, a group oozing testosterone emerged to the blustery day from the mouth of the cave, Bram at the front. How had he beaten them here? That mental transportation he'd alluded to at her wedding? Why hadn't they used it with her?
She also recognized Ice from her wedding, along with sword-wielding Marrok.
With them were three other men she'd never seen: one with Lucan's blue eyes but an easier mien; a big, dark-haired bloke with gray eyes like a storm cloud; and a smiling fellow with striking green eyes.
"Who are they?" she whispered.
"Let's get inside where it's safer, and I'll explain." Hurstgrove didn't sound happy.
Felicia approached the small crowd, and Ice led the group into the caves.
Hurstgrove followed closely behind, ruffling her hair with his hot breath.
The door shut behind them, and warmth enclosed her. The caves, while sparse, were surprisingly homey.
"Some of us, you know. The others ..." Bram pointed to the blue-eyed man beside him. "This is Caden MacTavish, Lucan's younger brother. Tynan O'Shea." He gestured to the stormy one, who stared stoically. "And half of the trouble twins, Ronan Wolvesey."
Mr. Green Eyes nodded. "Raiden, the other half, is out taking care of an urgent matter."
"Hello," Felicia said to the small cluster of men, then turned to Bram. "Now, tell me everything I need to know."
Before he could say a word, four women filed in. A classically beautiful brunette with stunning indigo eyes introduced herself as Olivia. Next, Felicia met Sydney, a plucky redhead who exuded intelligence. Then Kari, who swung long, pale curls over her shoulder as the diamond in her navel twinkled in the lamplight. Finally, Ice approached another blonde, this one so dazzlingly gorgeous, Felicia's jaw dropped.
The woman threw herself into Ice's arms, and he enclosed her in an embrace. His kiss was so gentle, Felicia could hardly believe it had come from such a fierce male.
When he lifted his head, Ice smiled. "My princess."
This must be Sabelle. Feeling as if she'd just witnessed something intimate, Felicia looked away.
Until Sabelle approached Duke and hugged him. "Thank goodness you're safe."
Hurstgrove kissed her on the forehead, his touch brotherly. "Thank you for your concern."
He wasn't moved by the woman's beauty at all? Felicia frowned. Of the two of them, Sabelle was by far the more stunning. Hurstgrove didn't seem to notice.
Sydney crossed the room and gave him a mock sigh. "Still can't get rid of you, I see."
Hurstgrove smiled wryly. "You're stuck with me."
"A pest to the end. Why am I not surprised?"
Their camaraderie shafted Felicia with a bolt of envy. Hurstgrove liked these women, respected them. The fact she'd never once exchanged an easy word with him chafed her. He wanted her but didn't like her? Or only wanted her because Mason did?
She shoved the ugly thought aside.
A moment later, Caden approached the sassy redhead and tilted her face to his for a lingering kiss.
"You're a flirt," he accused softly, brushing a kiss over her lips.
"Mmm. If flirting gets me treatment like this, I'll do it more often."
"Perhaps I need to take you over my knee, firecracker," he whispered.
Felicia doubted anyone else in the room could hear them. But standing right beside them, she couldn't miss their by-play.
The brunette made her way over to Marrok and looked at him as if he was her moon, sun, and stars all in one. He returned the silent sentiment--along with a good dose of heat. They whispered to each other. Felicia couldn't hear, but their devotion was obvious. In fact, it was all around her. She'd never spent time with couples actually in love. Alexei hadn't loved Deirdre. Her adoptive parents hadn't been in love, either.
Part of Felicia envied their closeness, which made no sense. She didn't want love, didn't want to lose herself as her sister had ... and yet, there was something so compelling about the obvious commitment these couples shared.
Hurstgrove settled his hand on her waist, above her hip. She jumped at his touch, and swung her gaze over her shoulder. Desire glowed in his eyes.
Sabelle approached her cautiously, then shot a stunned glance to Hurstgrove.
"Wow. I can't believe you actually found--"