“We had to let him know why ye disappeared.” I point out.
Rubbing the bridge of her nose, she sighs. “And what did ye tell him?”
“Not the truth, obviously. I had one of the detectives on our payroll call Scott and explain you’d witnessed a robbery and the men panicked and took ye. He was very concerned about your safety and I assured him ye were fine and you’d call him once everything was settled. Then Detective Christie showed up and stirred the goddamn pot. It’s settled now.”
“What the hell does that mean?” She’s gripping her mug like she’s about to throw it at my head.
“What do ye think it means?”
“Because I’ve seen ye ‘settle’ things, Logan. Settle them in a way most people would classify as ‘murder.’”
“I dinnae go around killing law enforcement, woman! I had her supervisor meet with her and explain that your assault case was out of her hands.”
“I canna see that going well,” she says doubtfully.
Grinning, I remember the supervisor’s exhaustion. “It did not. Ah, and I sent in your temporary resignation.”
“Yewhat!”Now my bride is up and charging at me. “What do ye mean, ye sent in my resignation! How could ye?”
“Bella… love…” Hauling her onto my lap, I pin her between my arms and legs until she settles, panting furiously. “Through no fault of your own, mind, your students were into a dangerous situation when ye were kidnapped, aye? Are ye willing to put them at risk until we can finish off Anselm’s business partners?”
Sagging against me, she says bitterly, “Ye had no right. That wasmyresponsibility. Do ye know how hard it is to get substitute teachers with the right qualifications for these kids? We’re going into final term exams and…” Pushing me away, she gets up, stalking to the other side of the deck. “I hate you- this. I hate all of this.”
“A pity.” I say coldly. “I must leave. You’ll stay here today. I’ve assigned Hamish as your personal bodyguard. He’s my best.” She follows me through the bedroom and down the stairs as I shrug on my suit jacket.
“I have things I have to do! People to call. Ye canna just lock me up in here while you’re off doing meetings or murders or whatever it is ye do.”
Furious, I’m feckingfurious.I understand why she’s angry. She’s also an ungrateful little Bessie who dinnae seem to understand that I’m trying to keep her alive. Hamish is waiting at the front door in his standard black suit, a single brow raised at my thunderous countenance.
Turning my head so she can see my lips move, I say, “My wife stays here today. Do ye have her phone?”
“Aye, Boss.” He holds up the iPhone box and nods politely as I stalk out the door. “Your uncle has some information to discuss at your earliest convenience.”
“Thank ye. Keep a close eye on Mrs. MacTavish.”
I know Arabella’s still standing in the hall, but I dinnae look back.
Arabella…
Well, that could have gone better.
Hamish clears his throat. “Mrs. MacTavish, I’m Hamish MacDougall, I will be responsible for your personal safety.” He hands me a white box. “Here’s your new phone. The boss wanted ye to have one right away.”
Looking down at the phone, I try to compose myself. “I see. How does this bodyguarding business work, Mr. MacDougall?”
“Please call me Hamish, ma’am.”
“Then call me Arabella, please.”
He looks like I just punched his ticket for a first-class trip to hell. “That would be inappropriate, Mrs. MacTavish. I canna do that.”
“Okay, Mr. MacDougall,” I sigh, “how does this work?”
“Today, I fear the boss has requested ye stay here. Security conditions are unstable with too many unknown variables. I anticipate this should be corrected soon.”
“Do ye know, Mr. MacDougall, that when ye get anxious ye sound like a British butler?”
“Ma’am.”
