London glanced unhappily down at her finger. “He proposed last night.”
Shouldn’t she be the happiest woman in the world then? “You lookmiserable.”
She flinched. “What are you doing here without warning?”
I gaped in shock at her sharp tone. “What am I doing here? Do you mean what am I doing here after being stabbed?”
She flinched again. “Silver …”
“Where have you been?” My anger made me push even as a voice in the back of my head told me to stop. “I got stabbed. I got dumped by a man I’m pretty sure I’m in love with, even though I also kind of hate him. I’m juggling two legal battles against the man who stabbed me and the man who ordered my murder after murdering my parents. What am I doing here? Where the fuck have you been? Why didn’t you tell me you got engaged?”
Tears filled London’s eyes as she stumbled back from me.
And I cursed myself.
Whatever Nick was doing to her … the last thing she needed was one more person emotionally wailing on her.
“I’m sorry.” I hurried to apologize. “I’m so worried about you, Spoon. Laurent said you quit two months ago! He said that you’ve been cagey, that you dropped all your friends, that you came into work a few times covering up bruises and injuries. Now you’re standing before me not looking like you at all and there are definite bruises on your arms.” I took a step toward her. “Did he do this to you?”
Fear seemed to swallow London’s entire face. “I … you should probably go. I’ll come to you. Just let me know where you’re staying, and I’ll come see you.” She gently shoved me toward the elevator.
“Spoon.” I took her hand. “Please.”
“I wanted to quit my job.” London was breathless now. “I’m taking time to figure out what I want to do, okay? And I d-don’t l-look like myself because you took off for Scotland and left me behind.” She none too gently shoved me onto the elevator. “You don’t get to come here and judge me whenyouleftmebehind. Nick didn’t leave. He’s the only person who hasn’t left me and he won’t.”
Oh God. “Spoon”—I reached out to stop the doors from closing—“that’s not true. I know you better than anyone. Remember that. No matter how much physical distance is between us, I will never truly leave you. I got on a fucking plane as soon as I could after the attack to make sure you’re okay.”
Her lips trembled as she tried to fight back tears and I saw her. I saw her buried behind the fear in her eyes.
“I won’t leave you alone in whatever this is,” I vowed. “I’m not leaving New York until I know you’re okay. I’ll be back. And if you need me, I’m staying at the Winton. Room 201.” I let go of the door. “I love you, Spoon.”
The doors closed between us, but I caught London’s sob before I was shut out from her.
I swiped angrily at my own tears, vowing to get her out of whatever mess this was with Nick.
Whatever it cost me.
39.Ramsay
Istepped back from the built-in closets in one of the guest bedrooms. Greig, Andrew, and Mikey, our decorators, were making their way through all the rooms, painting walls and paneling and hanging the wallpaper Silver and Cammie had chosen. As they finished up, I went in at the back of them to add the final staining to the built-ins and custom shelving.
Turning, I took in the space. It didn’t have any furniture in it yet and the curtains needed to be hung, but it was coming together nicely. Silver would have a business to be proud of once it was finished.
I moved out of the room, past crew who were buzzing around the place doing all the finishing work. The wide, Victorian staircase had been given a new lease on life, the rails sanded down and repainted, the carpet ripped up, the stairs themselves painted, and a new carpet runner fitted down the center. Quinn had floor protectors everywhere. I watched my step as I took the stairs down into the large reception hall and turned, heading toward the back of the house and the dining room that had been opened into the morning room by removing that wall Silver had busted out.
It was the first completed room and Quinn was trying to keep everyone out of it. He had floor coverings down, though. I strolled in, thinking about how Silver hadn’t seen it in real life yet.
Because she’d taken off for fucking New York.
A flare of panic cut through me. Gritting my teeth, I walked through the dining and morning room to push open the large bifold doors that led out into the back garden. Sure enough, Akiva was enjoying the winter sun, a rarity on the island. She lifted her head in greeting as I crossed the grass to pet her.
It was too late in the year to do much with the gardens, so the landscaping was on pause until spring. Lowering to my haunches, I scratched behind Akiva’s ear and stared out at the view.
All I saw was the coastline to the mainland.
Where Silver had gone, traveling to Glasgow to jump on a plane to New York.
A week ago.
