The Illegitimate Claim (7 page)

that Meah remain safe.

“Have you started your search?” Andru finally turned his gaze back to Beel. He

released Ana and walked slowly over toward the bedroom door.

“I sent out a message to all Runner clans asking for them to report anyone who has

visited their clan site over the past six cycles.” Ana straightened and clasped her hands

behind her back. “I stated I wanted an immediate response…and…I sent it on Mama’s

transmission.”

Ana jumped when Andru slammed his fist into her bedroom wall. She turned wide

eyes to Gilroy but he didn’t look at her. He watched Andru, every inch of him ready for

whatever his lord’s next move might be. Her brother turned around slowly and simply

looked at her. Her face wrinkled into defiance when she sensed his thoughts.

“You break laws all the time if it suits your need,” she shot at him. “I’m not going to

get caught. By morning, I should be able to delete the initial transmission and collect all

responses. With the celebration going on in town tonight, not many people are going to

be searching for questionable transmissions.”

“If I were the Lord of Gothman,” Andru said quietly, “on a night when the town is

in complete uproar, I would pay special attention to any possible unauthorized

transmissions. My lady, you will get caught, and you will be punished. I can’t always

protect you.”

Ana pursed her lips and scowled at her brother, but said nothing. Nothing

infuriated her more than when her brother made it sound like he had to take care of her.

And it was worse even yet that he would speak to her like this in front of Gilroy and

Beel.

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Lorie O’Clare

Andru turned his attention to Beel. “And how do you plan to apply your special

talents to this situation?”

Beel gave his half-brother the notorious Bryon crooked grin. “I’ve contacted some

acquaintances I know to keep a lookout for a woman matching her description. A friend

of mine helped me send out a coded transmission. My acquaintances will discover it

and unscramble the transmission. I included what pictures I could find of her,

obviously all of them are over five winters old. My instructions are that if she is located,

to notify me immediately, not to alert her but simply tail her, to ensure that she runs

into no danger…and to assume her Runner warrior skills are superb.” Beel paused only

for a moment to give Ana a triumphant smile. “And I made Papa aware that the

transmission was being sent so that he wouldn’t suspect anything if he discovered it. Of

course, the lord does believe the message is worded a bit differently.”

“I don’t know that Meah will be visiting many brothels for your acquaintances to be

able to notice her,” Ana muttered, since she knew her decision to do something behind

her mama’s back was being mocked.

Andru held his hand up. “Enough. This is not how I pictured my homecoming

would be.” He walked over to his sister and stroked her hair, not able to be in her

presence for long periods of time without touching her. “Beel, I’m sure they’re

searching for us as we speak.”

“I’m surprised they haven’t come here looking for us yet.” Gilroy came up behind

Ana, and placed his hands on her shoulders.

“Go to Papa and when he asks you about us, which I daresay he’ll do immediately,

tell him you saw us celebrating with friends at this end of town. We’ll appear shortly

behind you.”

Beel reached for the doorknob then looked at the three of them. “Regardless of what

I say to our papa, he’ll suspect you know of Gowsky’s offer. Papa doesn’t

underestimate your abilities or your loyal subjects.”

“You’re right.” Andru’s expression didn’t change.

“A distraction of some kind…possibly something certain to anger him, will allow

you more time.”

“We think alike, my brother.” Andru smiled slowly. “I’ve already conceived a

plan.”

“I shall follow your lead, my lord.” Beel turned and strolled out the door.

“What is this plan?” Ana asked.

“Us, the three of us.” Andru grinned at her. “It is the perfect issue that will

completely annoy our papa.”

“Think of another plan.” Ana shook her head quickly and took a step back from her

brother…and into Gilroy’s iron chest.

“We’ll need Gothman wine. We must appear intoxicated,” Gilroy suggested.

“Perfect.” Andru nodded.

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The Illegitimate Claim

“And I suggest the scene begin behind your house. The soldiers will be gathered

and we can mingle among them,” Gilroy said.

“It will work, one of them will discreetly notify Papa. I daresay, I don’t

underestimate his abilities, or his loyal subjects either.”

Ana looked up at the two men, one in front of her, one behind her…both talking to

each other over her head as if she weren’t in the room—or a major component to their

deceitful scheme.

Andru wrapped several fingers through Ana’s loose hair and sauntered toward the

door as he spoke. Gilroy fell into stride—or more like a slow, contemplative stroll. He

rested one large, rather hot hand on the small of Ana’s back, and guided her out of the

bedroom and down the wide hallway.

“Are there servants in the house?” Andru spoke barely above a whisper.

“Several,” Ana whispered back, and realized her brother wanted the servants to see

the three of them leave the bedroom together. “Andru, I would think drunken behavior

would be ample enough distraction.”

“Ah, but definitely not as much fun, my lady,” Andru said, and turned to place a

kiss on her forehead before she could respond. “We’ll teach Papa not to mess with our

lives without retaliation.”

As he kissed her, Gilroy lowered his hand and squeezed her rear end. In spite of

herself, she squealed, literally jumped free of them, and ran down the stairs in front of

them. The two men followed, laughing loudly at what one might think was a good joke.

Ana realized, as she entered the kitchen and interrupted the evening nanny and

Poli chatting over cups of coffee, that she’d made the servants more aware of their

presence by her slight outburst. The two men strolled in behind her, and Gilroy draped

his arm around Ana’s shoulder and yanked her into his broad chest. Andru simply

brushed his fingers across hers as she held her hand out to balance herself.

“Wine, Poli,” Andru said jovially. “We need more Gothman wine.”

“Of course, m’lord.” Poli nodded her head respectfully as she backed toward the

pantry. “Welcome home, m’lord.”

The men chatted nonsense as they left the house, escorting Ana between them. They

continued their charade until they were well out of earshot. Once again, Ana pulled free

and hurried to her glider.

“Drink.” Gilroy held the large jug of wine up to Ana’s lips and she looked up at

him in protest.

“Gilroy, I can’t drink that stuff very well.” Ana shook her head.

“And everyone knows that. Now drink.” He lifted the jug to her lips, until she was

forced to take it into her own hands so he wouldn’t pour the blood-red liquid down her

sleeveless black shirt.

“I think we would be best off to surround ourselves with several more reliable

accomplices.” Gilroy’s voice suddenly grew quite serious.

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Andru’s jovial look disappeared as well, and he returned the serious stare. “Who do

you have in mind?”

“I was thinking of Syra, my lord.” Gilroy took the jug from Ana, easily downed

several large swallows and then passed it to Andru.

“Good call. She’s already aware of the circumstances.” Andru drank from the jug

and then wiped his lips with the back of his hand.

“And, like Beel, she has no rank, other than Lord Torgo’s claim. She can come and

go easily if need be.” Gilroy climbed onto Ana’s glider behind her, as Andru held the

jug up to her lips.

“What is your call on Torgo?” Andru’s voice showed all the seriousness of their

conversation.

Ana glanced his way, allowing more of the rich liquid to slide down her throat. She

didn’t miss the lust in his eyes as he looked back at her.

“His loyalty to his brother is strong. I say we consult with Syra on the matter.”

Gilroy’s breath tickled Ana’s ear.

Andru nodded then squeezed Ana’s leg. He strolled over to his glider, and hollered

to them that he’d meet them at the house. Gilroy took off quickly and Ana fell back into

him as he accelerated. His arm went around her in a death grip and instantly his hand

slid under her shirt to fondle her breast.

“I’ve missed you terribly, my lady,” he whispered, and his voice suddenly sounded

rough.

She leaned her head back, and kissed his chin, as he teased her nipple in between

his finger and thumb. “This isn’t the type of homecoming I planned for you.”

“I’ll see to it that you have the opportunity to show me the type of homecoming

you did have planned.” His voice was no more than a growl.

She chuckled softly, feeling rather warm from the wine she’d drank, and turned

herself around in front of Gilroy so she could cuddle into him. He groaned and brushed

her hair with his lips as his hand moved from one breast to the other.

Gilroy drove slowly, and Andru was already out by the garage with a large mug in

his hand, laughing loudly with some of his soldiers, when they arrived. Ana didn’t

have to pretend to stagger as they walked across the yard. She tripped in the darkness

several times. Gilroy always managed to catch her, and keep her upright. He also

continued to offer her sips from the jug, which she now took easier.

“Is this any way to treat your lady, my lord?” Beel strolled up to the two of them as

they entered into the light flowing out of the large garage. He took the large jug from

Ana’s hands, and poured some of the blood-red fluid into a wide mug with a large

handle. He poured wine into several other men’s mugs as Gilroy held Ana to him

protectively.

Andru sauntered up and focused his gaze on Ana’s before he reached her. It was as

if his hands were on her too, the way he looked at her. She couldn’t help but wonder if