Chase's warm hand squeezed hers again. "Or what, lass?"
She met Chase's gaze once more. "Or he could be giving them to the exiled dragon-shifters."
Chase's brown eyes turned impassive. "As far as I know, Logan didn't have any family or friends desert him when the exiles left rather than stand with Finn."
Unlike Chase, whose own father and uncle had done so.
In that instant, Layla understood why his eyes had turned blank at the mention of the exiles. He was trying to contain his own emotions. Even if Michael McFarland was the bastard who'd abandoned his family, he was still Chase's father. And him leaving had hurt the male next to her.
The teasing male had his own pain, and Layla had been selfishly forgetting that. She knew better than many that a smile could hide a lot.
And it was time for Layla to stop being selfish, trying to make her surgery and staff seem perfect and problem-free. Logan's actions could affect a lot of people in the long run.
Squeezing the hand in hers, she said gently, "Regardless if Logan didn't have any friends or family leave, there's always a possibility that a potential true mate did. All of this is becoming more than I can handle, even with your help. So let's go to your brother, Chase. Grant will know what to do."
Nodding, he stood up, taking Layla with him. "Aye, Grant will think of the next steps. And I don't care what he's doing right now. He's going to see us."
Before she knew it, they'd both put on coats and were walking briskly toward Grant and Faye's cottage.
Layla kept waiting for an overwhelming sense of failure to fall over her. However, something about Chase's presence at her side and his hand in hers made her hopeful. Maybe things would work out okay in the end.
Her former boss's departure had been rather sudden, meaning Layla had never had time to ask Gregor all the questions she'd had. True, he always said she could call anytime.
And yet, she'd wanted to prove herself.
However, Layla began to think that the key to being a successful head doctor was being able to rely on others. And she'd never forget that she had Chase to thank for making her realize that insight.
Without thinking, she held his hand even tighter, almost afraid he'd run and leave her alone again. Alone to fight her battles, run her surgery, and to keep her true self hidden from the clan.
Even though it'd only been a short while, that thought scared her. Somehow Chase McFarland had made an impact on her life already.
What she'd said a few nights ago, about breaking in the end if the relationship didn't work out, was more true than ever.
Glancing at Chase's profile, she only hoped his determination turned out to be strong enough. Because aye, she wanted him. And more than for one night, too.
Chapter Seven
Chase rarely asked his brother for help. Not because he didn't trust Grant, or know his older brother would do anything to keep him safe, but rather because Grant had spent most of their childhood doing exactly that.
Their father had been working all the time when they were kids, and he'd often been away for weeks at a time on some job or another. Grant had been the one to grow up quickly and try to help take care of Chase and their mum. It was only when he was older that Chase had learned of the lengths Grant and their mother had gone to raise him and keep him happy.
Namely, by keeping his father's shite behavior secret for as long as possible.
Ever since learning that fact, Chase had done his bloody best to take care of problems on his own and not burden his brother as an adult.
However, Chase wasn't stupid enough to let his pride get in the way regarding the whole situation with Logan. His brother's entire life focused on two things—protecting his family and his clan. Grant had all the skills Chase lacked to find out what Logan was doing, and it would be idiotic to not call on them.
The thought of his friend stealing didn't sit right. Chase and Logan had been friends their whole lives. Aye, they'd gotten into trouble when they'd been younger, like most dra
gon-shifters. However, nothing to suggest he'd sell drugs for money or help those who had hurt the clan. Layla had suggested his potential true mate might've been made to flee with her family. However, Chase wasn't so sure about that given how his friend dated and charmed females on a regular basis.
His dragon spoke up. There's no point speculating about why he's doing it. I'm sure Grant will have the answers within a day or two.
I hope so. Chase stole a glance at Layla, noting how pale her face was. Layla will probably blame herself for this, and I don't like her in distress.
Aye, maybe she should've said something to Finn or Grant or Faye. However, she can't control everything that happens. Maybe she's learned that.
Even so, I think she believes she could have solved it all herself, if only she'd tried harder.