“You know why,” I sigh, “Juan Alonso shows up at our wedding celebration demanding ownership of her? Of course, she’s freaked out.”
He fanned himself, “Yeah, but that man was hot.”
“He’s also the heir to the biggest fentanyl cartel in South America,” I hiss, “his father is an evil, psychotic fuck and I can’t imagine Juan’s any better.”
“Okay, there is that,” Marcus agrees. He tilts his head, watching me closely. “You okay honey?”
“These last two weeks have been…” I shake my head. “I thought losing our parents was the worst thing that could ever happen to us, but it feels like the King Syndicate is imploding. We’re under attack, we have no idea what the hell Uncle Bastard’s been doing behind our backs, and now I’m not sure who to trust. Who did he get to? How many people in the organization are working against us?”
“I’m getting you a big-ass glass of wine and we’re going to talk about dumb shit for the rest of the flight,” Marcus says sternly. “You’ve gone through the report - probably twenty-seven times and taken copious notes, knowing you - and there’s nothing else you can do right now. Take a deep breath, all right?”
“All right,” I say, putting my head on his shoulder. “Thanks.”
***
After two overflowing glasses of wine - thanks, Marcus - I do end up falling asleep. I’m having the best dream, where Lachlan has me laid out on one of those platforms on Level Six and he’s cuffing me to the table, kissing me as a distraction, and…
“Leannan, darling, you need to wake up.”
I open my eyes to discover the kissing part of my dream is accurate, at least. His lips are warm and firm on mine and a tiny moan escapes me before I can stop it.
“Unless you’re ready for me to take you back to the bedroom and fuck you until you scream, no more of those sweet little noises,” he warns.
“Please don’t talk anymore,” I moan. Marcus has his iPad up to his face, shoulders shaking. Zed looks appalled and Elana mumbles something about the bathroom and makes her escape.
“Sorry,” Lachlan says insincerely.
“No, you’re not!”
He shrugs. “Not really, no.”
Camille, the flight attendant enters the cabin, smiling warmly at Lachlan. “We’re fifteen minutes from landing, Mr. MacTavish.”
His gaze doesn’t leave mine, but he nods. “Thank you.” She pauses for a moment, clearing her throat pointedly. “That’ll be all, Camille.”
As she sullenly leaves, I realize in the short time we’ve been together, I’ve never seen him eye another woman with anything other than polite disinterest. If only a couple of my ex-boyfriends had been that loyal…
“You didn’t have to do this.” I’m feeling so much gratitude to him for taking everything over and getting us back home in record time.
“I did,” Lachlan says, kissing me. “Where you go, I go.”
“Lachlan?”
“Aye?”
“What…” I lower my voice. “What do levels eight and nine look like in the Inferno?”
His black eyes gleam. “You’ll have to experience them to find out, baby.”
I’m not sure if that shudder passing through me is from fear or anticipation.
Chapter Twenty
In which we are introduced to Halifax Harbor, UFO’s and so many pubs.
Lachlan…
The water in Halifax Harbor is glistening, the rare sunlight burning away the fog as my jet circles, heading for the private airfield.
