Free Hot Blooded by Donna Grant Page A

Rhi said and pulled her gaze from Iona to Sammi. “I stopped here first.”
    â€œHere?” Laith said and managed to pull his hand from Rhi’s. “Why?”
    She shrugged and waved at Glen who immediately brought her a glass of whisky. She smiled brightly, causing Glen to blush to the roots of his red hair. He tripped over a nearby chair on his way back to the bar.
    â€œRhi,” Laith mumbled.
    â€œIt’s not my fault,” she said with a smile.
    And for the first time Laith grasped that her smile didn’t reach her eyes. She was trying, but failing miserably. The concern he’d had earlier returned tenfold.
    As if sensing his scrutiny, Rhi’s smile faded altogether as she tossed back the whisky and slammed the glass facedown on the table.
    Laith had to take the attention off Rhi. He jerked his chin to Iona and told Rhi, “Iona is here for a wee bit settling her father’s estate.”
    â€œCampbell you say?” Rhi asked and looked closely at Iona.
    Iona lifted a brow and asked saucily, “Is there something on my face?”
    â€œDo you have any family?” Rhi asked.
    Iona frowned as she looked to Sammi and then back at Rhi. “Just my mum, why?”
    â€œNo other Campbells?”
    â€œNo,” Iona stated tightly.
    Laith knew Rhi had seen what others had—that Iona looked a lot like Hayden Campbell. He opened his mouth to stop whatever Rhi was going to say, but it was too late.
    â€œI know a Campbell,” Rhi said.
    Iona chuckled softly. “There are many Campbells in Scotland.”
    â€œTrue enough,” Rhi said before she turned on her heel and walked away.
    Laith looked to Sammi to find her brow furrowed deeply as she stared after Rhi. After a glance at Iona, Laith hurried after Rhi. He managed to catch her outside the pub before she could vanish, as the Fae were wont to do.
    â€œRhi,” he called.
    She stopped, sighing loudly as she slapped her hands on her thighs and looked dramatically at the stars. “Go back inside and flirt with Iona, Laith. There’s nothing for you out here.”
    He halted beside her and waited for Rhi to look at him. “You have no idea how worried everyone has been. Phelan and Aisley have been beside themselves.”
    â€œPhelan is a Warrior and half-Fae, and Aisley is a Phoenix. They’re married and can find many ways to occupy themselves other than to worry about me.”
    â€œYou really don’t have any idea how much you mean to them, do you?” Laith asked.
    Rhi hurriedly looked away and crossed her arms over her chest. “I needed time.”
    â€œAnyone would. We doona hold that against you, but we thought you were dead. After Con told us Ulrik took you, we thought the worst.”
    She stood silently for so long that Laith didn’t think she was going to say more. Then she spoke in such a low whisper that the wind couldn’t even find her words. “I’m not the same.”
    â€œYou freed yourself, Rhi. You broke the Chains of Mordare. Do you know how strong you have to be mentally to do that?”
    She snorted and jerked her head around to him. “Strong? You think I’m strong?” she all but yelled, her eyes bright. “I’m broken!”
    As soon as the last word left her lips, she was gone.
    Laith put his hands on his hips and dropped his chin to his chest. He hadn’t handled that well. All he could do was hope that Rhi went to see Phelan soon. The Warrior and Aisley considered Rhi family. What was more, Rhi knew that. Perhaps that’s why she hadn’t gone to see them.
    Not because she didn’t care, but because she cared too much.
    Was that why she hadn’t been to Dreagan yet? At first glance, he assumed she had managed to get past whatever happened to her, but it was apparent she was far from that. Going to Dreagan would put her too close to her past and the love she’d lost.
    And might very well send her over