Braeden cocked an eyebrow in question. “What of Sean?” He’d seen them together with his own two eyes and thought them to be in love.

  Kelly giggled. “I’m just teasing you. Don’t worry.”

  “Do ye do this teasing often?”

  “Yes, I do. And I can tell it’s going to be fun teasing you,” she giggled.

  They continued talking and laughing until the door to John’s office flew open and Tessa stormed out. She stopped dead in her tracks, obviously noting the playful teasing that was going on between Braeden and Kelly.

  “Are you okay?” Kelly asked.

  “Fine. Braeden, my father wants to see you.” Tessa stormed over to the reception area sofa and angrily plopped herself down onto it.

  Braeden exchanged a questioning glance with Kelly, who merely shrugged her shoulders. With one last glance at Tessa, Braeden entered John’s office, closing the door behind him.

  “Braeden, it’s good to see you lad.” He waved Braeden over to take a seat in front of his desk. “How was your evening with Tessa and Danny?”

  Braeden opened his mouth to answer, but before he could get a word out, John spoke again.

  “I know this is going to be awkward for everyone concerned and I’m sure you noticed that Tessa was quite unhappy when she left my office, but I have this uncomfortable feeling that Danny is somehow mixed up with Niall Campbell. I know Niall is up to something, and if he’s enlisted Danny to help him, then we’re going to have big problems to deal with.”

  “I see why you’re concerned for Tessa’s safety. I didnae care for this Danny. He doesnae behave like a man in love, or a man who’s to be married.” Braeden stood and walked to the windows. The view took his breath away, though nothing about it was familiar to him. In Scotland he was surrounded by beauty of a different kind—green trees, lochs, the bluest of blue skies. This place. This Las Vegas was all hard stone buildings, no trees or rivers or lochs that he could see. Kelly had called it the desert. He’d never seen one in his entire life. The surrounding area was ruggedly beautiful. It was all in varying shades of brown, tan, red and gray, filled with rocks and low growing brush. There were craggy mountains rising in the distance. It was also hotter than he’d ever imagined it could be. These were all things he would have to get used to. He was a very observant man and because he was, Braeden knew that within a matter of days he’d be able to fit right in with those who lived in this time and place. He turned away from the window to address John. “I should like to meet this Niall Campbell.”

  “You will. I’m sure he’ll be coming by often to see how business is going. I don’t know if he’s hoping I’ll fail or if he’s hoping to make me fail.” John stood and joined Braeden by the window where they both looked out on the city of Las Vegas. “I’m sure this is all too fantastic for you at the moment. I’m here to help you with any questions or concerns you might have.” He placed a hand on Braeden’s shoulder and patted it. “Everything will work out fine.”

  Braeden wasn’t sure if John was saying that for his benefit or his own. “I’m sure ’twill be, sir.”

  “None of this ‘sir’ stuff. Call me John. I’m happy you’re here to help.”

  “I’d like to understand more of how I can be of service to ye. What is it ye need of me aside from guarding Tessa?” Braeden turned away from the window and faced John.

  “More than I can explain to you as we stand here. It will all become clearer the longer you are here and the more you get to know about Niall, Danny and The Las Vegas Magicians and Sorcerers. Now, tell me everything that happened last night.”

  Tessa sat pouting on the sofa in the waiting room. Despite the fact that she was now very aware of being under Danny’s spell, she still couldn’t believe the things that were coming out of her mouth and she certainly didn’t seem able to stop them. “I can’t believe my father. He doesn’t like Danny and he’s determined to prevent me from marrying him.”

  “Did he say that?” Kelly asked.

  “Not in so many words, but how does he expect me to have a relationship with Danny if I have to drag Braeden along with me wherever I go.”

  “I’m sure he’s just concerned for your safety.” Kelly filed some papers in her desk drawer and then stood.

  “What does he think Danny’s going to do to me? I wouldn’t be engaged to him if I thought he was plotting and planning to do something terrible to me or my father.”

  “I don’t know, Tessa, but I do know your father. I know him better than Danny. He would never do anything to stand in the way of your happiness. He loves you.” She cast a warm smile in Tessa’s direction.

  “I know he loves me, which is what makes this all so perplexing.” She sat silently for a few moments. She was having those confusing mixed emotions that she’d experienced a lot lately, taking her from one extreme to the other concerning Danny. “Danny was being pretty weird last night. I chalked that up to Braeden being there.”

  “Weird in what way,” Kelly leaned back on the edge of the desk.

  “I don’t know. He wasn’t as attentive as he usually is. He seemed distracted and was even downright rude at times. He didn’t seem like he wanted to be with me.” Tessa wore a sad, confused expression on her face.

  “Maybe he had a bad night. Maybe things didn’t go well in his show,” Kelly suggested.

  “He said his show was great, as usual.” Tessa examined her fingernails as she spoke, her eyes wandering to the diamond Danny had given her. She wondered yet again why she couldn’t seem to get a grip on what was going on in her head. Ever since she’d put that engagement ring on her finger her thinking about Danny had become clouded. “I guess no one is perfect all the time. I just hope this doesn’t become a habit.”

  “I’m sure it won’t,” Kelly assured her.The door to John McTavish’s office opened and both John and Braeden came out with huge smiles on their faces. As soon as Braeden saw Kelly and Tessa his smile vanished and he’d put his game face, as Tessa liked to call it, back on. He was strikingly handsome, smile or no smile, but the dark, penetrating way he looked at her made her feel all fluttery in the belly. She refused to think of the fact that Danny didn’t have that effect on her. She mentally shook herself as she perused him from head to toe. She found herself doing that every time she saw him. She was developing a bad habit and it was one that she’d better shake or she was going to ruin her engagement to Danny. But isn’t that what she wanted. Those thoughts began creeping back into her mind again. Hadn’t she planned to break it off with Danny? Seeing Braeden brought it all back to her. Whatever spell Danny had woven had begun taking effect even when he wasn’t with her, but somehow when she looked at Braeden, it weakened.

  “Tessa, why don’t you show Braeden around The Strip? I think it would be good for him to familiarize himself with the area.”

  Tessa still wasn’t happy with her father, but she’d humor him. “Okay.”

  John came over to Tessa and pulled her into a bear hug, kissing the top of her head. “I love you very much, my darling daughter. As I’ve told you before, if anything ever happened to you, my life would be over.”

  “Dad, nothing’s going to happen to me. You need to stop worrying so much.” She pulled away so she could gaze into his eyes as she spoke.

  “Well, I know I can stop worrying now that Braeden is here. He’ll protect you with his life and I’m grateful to him for that.”

  Tessa rolled her eyes and shook her head. Where on earth was her father getting these crazy ideas? She’d humor him for a little while longer, but then she was going to have a serious conversation with him, because she simply couldn’t live her life with Braeden MacDonald following her everywhere. “Braeden, let’s go before my father decides to lock me away in a tower where no one can get to me.”

  John laughed out loud and turned back into his office.

  “He’s going to drive me crazy.” Tessa stalked down the hallway away from her father’s offices. “Come on. I’ll get dad’s limo to take us down to the south end of The Strip and we’ll work our way back up. We probably won’t be able to see everything today, but at least you’ll be a little more familiar with everything.”

  Braeden grabbed Tessa’s arm, effectively bringing her to a halt. “Tessa, remember yer under Danny’s spell. Some things may nae make sense to ye, but remember that yer Da and I are the one’s to be trusted. Remember our conversation last night as we danced?” He stared into her eyes waiting for her answer.

  Memories of the previous evening crept back into her head. She was so confused. Her brain felt as if it had been cleaved in half. One side in love with Danny and the other believing what Braeden said was true. She couldn’t think clearly, but on some level she understood exactly what Braeden was trying to tell her. She took a deep breath and did her best to relax. “I remember.” Still, she felt an irrational anger rising within her, but she did her best to tamp it down.

  Braeden didn’t say a word as they continued walking. He was obviously the strong, silent type, but Tessa was determined to find out more about him. “Are you okay, Braeden? I’ve been so wrapped up in my own troubles, that I’d forgotten how overwhelming this all must be for you. I really want to know. Is everything okay?”

  “Aye.” Braeden eyed her curiously. She imagined he was having a hard time knowing which Tessa he was speaking with at any given moment and she knew exactly what he was feeling, because she felt the same way. She didn’t seem to have any control over what came out of her mouth and it was frustrating her, but she had other things to take care of today, one of which was giving Braeden that tour.

  “Would you like to visit the King Arthur castle down the street?”

  Braeden stopped dead in his tracks. “Aye. I’d like that verra much, lass.” He had a scary glint in his eye. Maybe it wasn’t such a good idea after all.

  “Or maybe you’d like to see one of the other casinos. There are so many beautiful ones.”

  “Nay. The castle. ’Tis the one I want to see first.”

  What had she done? This could turn out to be a very bad idea. What if he hurt someone? Braeden could end up in jail, or worse. “Braeden, I know you have this vendetta against the English, but they aren’t here. I promise you. Please don’t do anything we’ll regret.”

  “I willnae do anything to embarrass ye, Tessa. I promise.” Tessa watched as the muscle in his jaw twitched and belied the words that had just come from his mouth. “Shall we go then?” Braeden took her by the arm and escorted her out into the casino area.

  The hotel was buzzing with customers and the casino itself was very busy for a Monday morning. Braeden continued leading her through the crowd and Tessa stopped short.

  “We’re going the wrong way. And you don’t need to drag me along. I said I’d take you and I will. Now follow me.” Tessa fixed her dress and, casting a glaring look over her shoulder at Braeden, she headed for the valet.

  Braeden realized he’d somehow irritated the lovely Tessa. The angry glare she’d just given him put him in his place and he followed along behind her, scanning the casino for would-be troublemakers. She may not care for it, but he was going to protect her and not just because her father had asked him to. He didnae wish to see any harm come to Tessa and he’d do whatever was necessary to protect her.

  They made their way to the valet area where a car was waiting for them. Braeden waited while Tessa entered and then he joined her. These carriages were quite large and teaming with many things he’d never seen before. They were nothing like the kind he was used to, but filled with things Kelly had told him were called electronics. There was a flat screen TV and a bar, along with many other modern conveniences.

  “We’ll head down to the King Arthur, Sam,” Tessa called to the driver.

  “Yes, ma’am.” Sam pulled the car out onto the busy road and they slowly made their way ever closer to the huge castle in the distance.

  The King Arthur had seemed so close when Braeden had glimpsed it the other day, but now that they were traveling towards it he could see that it was actually much further away and even larger than he’d originally thought.

  Tessa called out the names of the other hotels as they passed them. “That’s Caesar’s Palace, the Bellagio, the Cosmopolitan, New York, New York.”

  “All these people we see are staying in these hotels?” He tried to contain his amazement, but knew he probably wasn’t doing a very good job.

  “Yes. These and the others along The Strip and some off The Strip. I was reading the other day that something like forty two million people visited Las Vegas last year. I know it’s always crowded with visitors, but I can’t even begin to fathom that number.”

  “Forty two million!”

  “I know. I can’t imagine there were more than a million in all of Scotland in your time.”

  He shook his head in disbelief. As he continued gazing out the windows of the limousine, he whispered to himself, “So many people.”

  They arrived at the hotel entrance and Sam opened the door for them, Braeden exited and reached a hand out to help Tessa depart the confines of their limo. A cold, clammy feeling overcame him as he stood observing his surroundings. This was unlike any castle he’d seen in his own time. In fact, this one wasnae a castle at all. It just resembled one. He breathed a sigh of relief. Perhaps they were not the enemy after all. Perhaps it was just a hotel as John had told him. They entered the building and Braeden was immediately assailed by the sights and sounds he had come to realize were all a part of this place called Las Vegas. Tessa guided him around the casino floor, where they passed people who wore clothes that resembled medieval attire. They continued walking until at last they came to a set of double doors. Tessa opened one and Braeden was quickly at her side to take it from her, allowing her to pass through. They were in some sort of arena and, much to Braeden’s delight, there were men on horseback at the center. Despite his initial thrill at seeing them, he quickly became concerned as it appeared that these men meant to behead each other as they fought with swords and dirks. There were even those participating in a joust. They stood watching for a while longer and upon further examination, Braeden realized they were only practicing. They meant each other no harm. Tessa walked him down closer to the action and to another set of doors that allowed them access to the practice field. They waited patiently for a break in the activity before opening the doors and entering.

  “Tessa!” Sean called. This was Kelly’s man and seeing him in the light of day, Braeden observed that he was easily of a similar height, strong and muscular with long blond hair cascading past his shoulders. He made his way toward Tessa and leaned in to kiss her cheek. “What are you doing here? I wasn’t expecting a visit so soon.”

  “It’s good to see you too, Sean,” she teased. “You mentioned last night that Braeden should come by and so I thought today was as good a time as any for him to see what you all do here. I hope that’s okay.”

  “Of course it is. Welcome to The Royal Tournament, Braeden. It’s good to see you. How’s my Kelly doing today?”

  “Missing you, I’m sure,” Braeden answered. He didn’t want there to be any awkwardness between them simply because he’d been thrown together with Kelly last night.

  “I don’t mind hearing that at all.” Sean smiled warmly at them as the others took a break and joined them. “Let me introduce you to these guys.”

  Sean introduced Braeden to the others and explained that they put on a nightly show here at the King Arthur. “Maybe you’d like to join us some time. I’m sure the ladies would love to see an authentic Highlander, kilt and all.”

  Braeden wasn’t sure how to respond to that, but apparently Tessa was. “He’d love to. Wouldn’t you, Braeden?”

  Braeden had always been his own man. He’d always made his own decisions. Having a woman, even one as lovely as Tessa, speaking for him rankled. He hoped she wouldn’t make a habit of it. Not sure how to get himself out to this mess and not wanting to embarrass Tessa by declining, he simply responded, “Aye. It would be a pleasure.”

  Chapter 9

  Tessa and Sean were old friends, having previously dated for a while, but discovering they were much better friends, they left it at that, and now it seemed that Sean had found the woman he was meant to be with in Kelly.

  “Sean, maybe you could show Braeden what you all do.” Tessa had been watching Braeden as he went over to the horses and ran his hands down their sleek coats.

  “Sure. Would you care to join us, Braeden? Maybe get in some swordplay?”

  “Aye. I’d like that verra much.” One of the others brought him a horse and he vaulted onto its bare back with ease.

  Tessa couldn’t take her eyes off of him. He seemed so powerful as he sat atop the black stallion they’d given him. He stroked the horse’s neck and Tessa found herself imagining what it would be like to have him stroke her skin. She closed her eyes, picturing it in her mind, sending waves of desire to her heated core.

  “He’s a natural up there, isn’t he,” Sean observed, breaking her reverie.

  She couldn’t help her breathy response. “Yes. He is.”

  One of the others, who’d introduced himself as Rowan, rode up to him and handed him one of their practice swords. “Shall we?” he asked, positioning his horse next to Braeden who nodded. They turned their horses and circled in opposite directions. Braeden cantered all the way down to the other end of the arena before charging back to meet Rowan in the center. They parried back and forth, but it was obvious from the start that Braeden was a superior swordsman and horseman. He rode as one with the horse, using his legs to gently guide the huge animal without the use of reins. Tessa was mesmerized by it all. She felt like she had been transported back in time and was watching an actual battle taking place right in front of her. Of course, that was the idea of the show. It wasn’t long before Braeden had knocked Rowan from atop his horse and then he quickly dismounted and they fought on foot. Rowan was obviously tiring and panting for breath, he backed away from Braeden with his hands in the air.