Gina blinked. “What?”
Finn asked, “Are you having second thoughts, lass? Because it’s now or never.”
Fergus muttered, “Gina deserves more.”
Finn raised his brows. “You can do a romantic, pull-all-the-stops ceremony later. I know you’ve been planning one since you were in your early twenties, cousin. We’ll let you have your dream later.”
Before Gina could reply to Finn’s revelation, Fergus growled out, “Fine. But you’re going to pay for that later, Finn.”
Finn shrugged. “I can handle that.” The dragonman motioned toward them. “Hurry up and state your claims. The sooner it’s done, the sooner we can see if the DDA will help flush out the traitors and Yanks near Lochguard.”
Fergus turned her body fully toward him. “Are you ready, Gina?”
Placing a hand over her belly, she nodded. It was time to embrace her choice and chance at a future. “As you Scots say, aye, I am.”
Chapter Fifteen
Both man and beast were still reeling from Gina’s answer. In a few short sentences, Gina would be their mate.
His dragon growled. Then hurry up and say the words. The human has no idea what to do.
Fergus took Gina’s hands. “I, Fergus MacKenzie, wish to take you as my mate, Gina MacDonald. You’re stubborn, clever, and are always out to push my buttons. You’ll make a fantastic mother and addition to the clan. With you by my side, I will be a happy dragonman. The only question is—will you accept my claim?”
Gina smiled. “I suppose so.” Fergus growled and Gina laughed. “Okay, I do. We don’t want to rile up your dragon.”
Fergus opened his mouth to reply when Finn interjected, “Do the same, Gina. And quickly. I need this done.”
To his human’s credit, she merely nodded. He loved the fact she could focus on what was important, even if it meant taking an order.
Squeezing his hands, Gina stated, “I wish to take you as my mate, Fergus. Sure, you’re hot and muscled, but you’re so much more than the outer package. You’re really smart, loyal, and kinder than most anyone I’ve met. To be honest, I sometimes wonder if you can read my mind because you understand what I need so well. I also think you need someone like me to help you relax and force you to take a break once in a while.” Fraser snorted to his side, but a quick glare shut up his brother. Gina continued, “Together we fit and I guess all I need to know is if you accept my claim on you?”
Fergus tugged Gina gently against him. “Of course I do, bloody woman.”
She grinned up at him and Fergus leaned down to kiss her. He’d barely nibbled her lip and slipped his tongue into her mouth when Finn’s voice boomed again. “Right, it’s done and witnessed.” Fergus broke the kiss. He and Gina turned toward the screen. “Bram and I will see what we can do here. In the meantime, stay in the bunker. I don’t know what they have planned and Grant is only starting to put together the pieces.”
Fergus spoke up. “Let me help, Finn. If I reach out via mobile phone to some of my contacts in the area, they may have extra information.”
Finn nodded. “Aye, do that. But stay in the bunker and protect your mate. Speaking of mates, where’s Arabella?”
Fraser answered, “She’s resting in one of the back rooms with Holly, Mum, and Ross standing guard. Ara’s thrown up twice today and is exhausted.”
Concern flashed in Finn’s eyes. “I want you two to help Holly look after her.”
Fergus replied, “Of course.”
Finn clapped his hands together. “Brilliant. Then hang tight until—“
Faye burst into the room, her face flushed from running. She noticed Finn on the screen. “Hello, cousin.”
Bram finally spoke up. “Finn,
are you finished with the family business? Evie is going to need our help if we’re to secure the human’s future on Lochguard.”
Fergus spoke up. “Wait, there’s something you need to hear, Finn.”
Finn pierced him with a stare, but Fergus didn’t so much as bat an eye. “Then say it, Fergus. There’s much to do and not much time to do it. ”
Gina squeezed his hand in encouragement and he explained about Travis’s bet and what the bastard had done with Gina and the other nine females.