“I took pictures of their ink,” Jack says, “they’re already uploaded to the database, I’m hoping we get a quick match. As for the guns, no serial numbers or clue of origin, like ya would expect. Did your girl really take out three of ‘em while you’re rappelling your arse down that cliff?”
I smile, despite the seriousness of the moment. “She did. Whilst strapped to me.”
“That’s a worthy lass,” Jack approves, “too bad ya lost her-ow!What the feck, Michael?”
“It’s either me or him,” Michael nods at me, “and I’m thinking Ethan will gut you like a salmon.”
“No more jokes,” I say, “Sloan’s in a feck tonne of danger and we have to find her before these new arseholes do.”
Sloan…
Flora is currently my favorite person in the universe because she not only hid me until she was sure Ethan was gone, she also let me borrow her phone to call Carmella.
“Can you come here?” Carmella’s relief to hear from me is obvious.
“I can’t,” I say, “it’s too risky. I know there’s two groups tracking me and I am not leading them to you and Nate. No way in hell. Did you get the funds transfer from Milan?”
“We did,” she says warmly, “I’m sure there’s a story there but I doubt you’ll be telling me about it right now. Is that one of the reasons you’re in trouble now?”
“It’s… indirectly responsible,” I admit, “but the only important thing is that Nate is covered. If you can send me enough to buy a phone and some falsified ID, I’ll be moving on.”
“Please be cautious,” Carmella says quietly, “don’t risk your safety again. I can’t wait for the day I can see you and Nate together again.”
Swallowing the stupid lump in my throat, I whisper, “I do, too.”
When I timidly asked Flora if I could sleep in the shop’s kitchen that night, she scoffed. “Dinna be ridiculous! Ya can spend the night at my place.” She looks at my gigantic borrowed pants and sweater, still crusted with dirt from our little mountain adventure. “I’ve got some of my girl’s old things, she’s at Uni but I know she’d want you to have them.”
My eyes water. “You’ve been so kind to me, Flora. I don’t know what to say.”
She eyes me shrewdly, “Ya dinna have to say anything. Ya pass it on, aye?”
Nodding my head rapidly, I sniffle a bit. “Aye.”
Flora’s place was about a mile from the sandwich shop, and she made me lie down in the backseat of her little Kia Sportage.
“You’re so good at this,” I tease as I watch the buildings and trees from my vantage point. “Have you saved someone before?”
“Let’s just say I know what it’s like to have to escape someone ya thought ya could trust,” she says grimly.
“I’m sorry,” I instantly feel terrible, “I shouldn’t joke about a thing like that.”
“It’s fine,” she assures me, “ya look like you’ve been through it.”
This is not reassuring, since it makes it clear I look as bad as I feel. My broken ribs are throbbing ominously and they did not appreciate my sprint through downtown Glasgow.
“I- I can pay you,” I blurt. “Tomorrow? My friend is sending money.”
She waves an impatient hand. “Keep it. Ya never know what it’s gonna cost to get where you’re going.”
I don’t know where I’m going,I think, heart sinking,only that it’s as far away from Nate and Carmella as possible.
Once Flora pulls behind a semi-detached house, she looks around before opening my door. “Let’s get ya inside, aye?”
“Thank you,” I whisper, hurrying after her.
“Stop sayin’ thank ya,” she says, a bit of humor in her voice.
“Sorry.”
