Once Faye and Grant filled him in on Yasmin and Phillip's elopement, life on the run, and even their soon-to-be-born child, Grant asked, "What do you want to do, Finn?"
He spoke to his dragon, one of the few who ever heard him truly complain. I thought life was supposed to get easier the longer I'm in charge?
They need our help. That's all we need to know.
Of course his dragon was correct.
Finn glanced at the time and then back to Faye and Grant. "Aye, of course they'll stay here under our protection. Keep me apprised of everything that goes on, no matter how minor. I have a call with Bram in a matter of minutes, and I'll ask for his help just in case a group of angry dragon-shifters shows up on our doorstep soon."
Faye took a step forward. "Once that's done, maybe you can visit Yasmin and Phillip? They left under the old leader and I think meeting you will help to allay their fears."
"Considering the old bastard allowed the MacFies to all but sell off their daughter, I don't blame them." Finn studied Faye's face. "How's Layla handling it?"
He and Layla were close in age and had known each other their whole lives. However, he'd never heard her talk about her sister's disappearance, not even once. The dragonwoman took privacy to a whole new level.
Grant replied, "Shaken, but okay."
The male hesitated, but before Finn could ask him why, Faye jumped in. "Chase has been helping Layla and taking care of her. I think that helps heaps."
So, the young lad had finally made the doctor notice him.
His dragon spoke up. I told you they were true mates.
Aye, maybe. But I'm not going to press the issue to find out if that's the truth right now. The fact Layla is leaning on anyone is a bloody miracle. Hell, she never even let us help her unless we're basically under attack or some such shite.
Finn replied to the pair, "Good. Make sure Chase can be by her side for as long as needed. Talk to his boss if required and get him some time off, aye?"
The two had barely nodded before Finn's computer beeped with an incoming video call. "That will be Bram. I'll visit you when I'm done, and we can talk more about the possible threat from the Iranian clan. I trust you two to smooth things over with Yasmin and Phillip, and notify their respective families as well."
The pair nodded and left. Once he was alone, Finn clicked Receive, and Bram's dark hair and blue eyes filled the screen. Bram instantly frowned. "Why do I get the feeling this won't be a nice call where we chat about our children?"
"Someday we'll get there. For the next wee while, I may need your help…"
Chapter Ten
The next twenty-four hours passed in a blur. Layla stabilized her sister, treated Phillip for dehydration and mild malnutrition, and did everything in her power to get the pair and their child out of any sort of health-related danger.
The Seahaven doctor had come as previously scheduled, and without too much direction from Layla, Dr. Daniel Keith had methodically done the rounds and seen most of the other patients for the day. When things slowed down in the evening, Layla was alone for the first time with the doctor in her office.
She was so exhausted that she merely motioned for him to give her his notes. But rather than follow her order, Dr. Keith grunted and shook his head. "No. You need to go home and rest, MacFie."
"This is my surgery, Dr. Keith. I know how to run it."
He tossed his files on her desk. "Aye, of course you do. But these are unusual circumstances. Get some rest and I'll cover until morning."
Deep down, she wanted to say okay and go home. "I can't. My sister might need me."
"Look, I get that you care about your sister. But what use are you if you're exhausted and make a mistake? And no, I'm not singling you out. We've all made them at some point." He searched her gaze. "Be reasonable and think—what would you advise a junior doctor to do in this situation?"
Layla knew she'd tell them to rest and come back later. And yet, for her to admit she needed a break would almost seem like defeat, as if she were letting her sister down once again.
Her dragon growled. Stop it. Even Finn relies on help from the other clan leaders. If he can do it, why can't we do the same?
After five years, I don't want to abandon my sister again.
It's not abandoning her. Dr. Keith seems more than capable of taking care of her.
You've made that decision after one day? I want to believe he's a good doctor, but it's too early to do so.