Chapter 16
Clare tore over the drawbridge and hooked a sharp turn over the bumpy country road, scattering a flock of sheep. The Ashton handled superbly, and its full-throated engine growled deep and strong, vibrating every cell of her body with exhilaration and excitement.
Beside her, Griffin wore a huge grin as he held onto his wool flat cap. “Don’t take the curves too fast.”
“Why not?” she shouted. “I love curves. The faster I take them, the faster we’ll get to Bronagh Abbey.”
She whooped as she hit the asphalt highway and accelerated around a bend in the road, leaving the castle in her rearview mirror.
Whenever the road straightened, she pickedup speed, passing other cars and trucks. She’d already navigated the route to the abbey on her phone, but instead of going the most direct way, she randomly took turns and rerouted to throw off anyone tailing them.
“Do you like the scenic route?” Griffin asked as they circumnavigated a large inland lake. “I thought we’re trying to get there before nightfall.”
“You’re not spooked,are you?” She frowned as she peered into the rearview mirror. A black car seemed to be following them. Although it hung back and she was able to lose it when taking an unexpected turn, it always caught up to her once she was back on the main road.
“Me? Spooked? Not a chance,” he said, looking at his phone. “According to my navigation, we’re getting close.”
She looked back and realizedher mistake. If the black car knew their destination, then it didn’t matter if she made erratic turns. The driver simply fell back and stayed on route, and eventually, she’d have to turn toward the abbey.
Without warning, she braked hard, jerked the steering wheel, and fishtailed a U-turn at a crossroads. Gunning the engine, she zoomed back the way they’d come.
Gotcha!
Shecaught a glimpse of two men in a black Ferrari F40.
“What are you doing?” Griffin asked. “You’re going the wrong way.”
She turned the wheel, causing him to lurch against her.
“Watch it.” She shoved the hand holding his mobile phone. It sailed up and out of the convertible.
“Hey, my phone.” He jerked his head around. “Stop the car.”
“It’s probably broken anyway.”She accelerated before taking a turn at the junction to a motorway, a faster road toward Dublin.
“Everything I was reviewing is on that phone,” he cried. “My notes, everything.”
“We’ll get you a new one,” she said. “No time to go back. We were being followed.”
He stayed silent, not responding, and Clare knew she’d been right to knock his phone from the car.
GriffinGallagher didn’t trust her. Not that she blamed him when all she’d been doing was lying to him after stealing his gemstone.
Nope. She hadn’t done him any good.
That was about to change.
“I’m warning you,” Griffin said after many looks over his shoulder. “I won’t be responsible for what I do to you if you’re double-crossing me.”
“You won’t even remember this life,” Claresaid. “You said so yourself. Sit back and enjoy the ride.”
“You’re not going to get away with this.” He picked up his duffle bag from the small gap in back of the seats. “I’m going to take my medicine right now and never let you out of my sight. Mark my words, I’m going to remember this.”
“Good, I hope you will,” she said, glancing over at him. “I was getting worried back there whenyou said you wanted to die and wake up in the twelfth century.”
“That will happen, too,” he said, popping a pill into his mouth. “But you’re not going to get away, little Miss Changeling.”
“I’m not trying to,” she said, driving at the speed limit so she wouldn’t draw attention. The kilometers went by, and he turned silent. The next time she glanced at him, he’d fallen asleep.
