Prologue
ARRO
SIX YEARS AND FOUR MONTHS AGO
Ardnoch Castle, Sutherland
Scottish Highlands
* * *
It was strange to see my family home filled to the brim with glamorous people, famous faces, glittering evening gowns, kilts, and tuxedos. Servers in traditional uniforms—coattails, cravats, and white gloves—moved among the crowd, carrying trays of canapés and flutes of champagne. Growing up in our grand castle of a home, it had been a daily overwhelming pile of never-ending repairs. We’d stuck to living in only a few rooms. The rest, along with the hallways, were damp, cold, and grim. During the winter, the castle had been freezing.
But my eldest brother, Lachlan Adair, took some of the megabucks he’d made as a Hollywood action star and convinced a few of his very wealthy friends to take some of theirs, and they invested back in our family’s estate. To turn it into this. A private club for the film and television industry’s elite.
I won’t lie. Part of me hated it. I was territorial and concerned they’d disrespect our home, our history. Yet I knew deep down they wouldn’t because Lachlan wouldn’t allow it. And I knew that without this club, Ardnoch Castle and Estate would have been taken from the Adairs forever. Lachlan would’ve had to sell it. This way, at least, it stayed in the family.
“Why do you look so miserable over here on your own?” Thane, my second-eldest brother, sauntered toward me, his wife, Francine, at his side.
I shrugged, giving him a forlorn smile. “You don’t think it’s strange?”
He glanced around. “Aye, very. But it’s a grand building, Arro. This is what it was meant for.”
I knew he was right and lifted my glass in acknowledgment.
“At least you look the part.” Francine wrapped her arm around my shoulders and gave me a squeeze. “You look stunning and fit right in with all these Hollywood people. I look like a whale.”
“You do not,” I scoffed. “You’re glowing and gorgeous.” Fran was five months pregnant with her and Thane’s second child, and since I loved being an aunt to my nephew, Lewis, I was extremely excited to welcome a new addition to the family.
Fran patted her dark curls at the same time she smoothed a hand down her rounded stomach. “Thank you, but I don’t feel it.”
“You’re beautiful,” Thane countered gruffly, but I noticed he didn’t reach for her. My brother and his wife were usually so publicly affectionate, it would send me running in the opposite direction. One, because I didn’t want to watch my brother in a lip-lock, and two, because of the envy I felt. I was so happy for Thane, but sometimes I wanted a love like my brother had. Problem was, the likelihood of ever finding it was slim, considering I was already in love with someone, and he didn’t love me back, and I was terrified I’d never be able to move on from him.
Still, I wasn’t so self-involved that I hadn’t noticed things seemed a little strained between Thane and Fran. Or that my brother had been distant with everyone lately. I didn’t realize I was staring so intently at him, but as if sensing where my thoughts lay, he took hold of Fran’s hand, and she seemed to melt with relief into his side.
“Where’re Brodan and Arran?” he asked.
I shrugged, looking around for our brothers. “They’re here somewhere. Probably finding someone to kiss at midnight.”
“Have you found someone, Arro?” Fran grinned at me.
Yes, yes, I have. I shook my head. Because although I’d found someone I wanted to kiss for all my midnights to come, it was doubtful he’d kiss me back.
Speaking of, “Where’s Mac? I haven’t seen him all night. He’s not working, is he?”
Fran shrugged. “He is head of security.”
“No.” Thane shook his head. “Lachlan gave him the night off so he could enjoy the New Year with us. One of his team has taken lead for the evening.”
“So where is he?”
Fran snorted. “Probably hiding from the many women desperate to get him into bed.”
Inwardly, I flinched, while Thane winked at me and said to his wife, “Sweetheart, men don’t hide from that.”
“Och, you.” She turned to berate him, but he caught her in a kiss.
I was so happy to see them acting normally around one another, but I did not want to stand there and watch. “Enjoy!” I called over the music before I left to make my way out of the great hall.