Callum smiled. “I’ll be happy to show you just how tough I am any time you’d like, mate.”
“Both of you, stop it right now,” Isla hissed. “This is neither the time nor the place for a pissing contest, so put your willies away and start acting like civilized men.”
“It would need to be an act for this savage,” Callum muttered.
“Cal. Enough,” Isla shouted, loud enough to garner looks throughout the room. “Thank you for your concern. That will be all.”
“But you—”
“That will be all, dear brother. If Mr. Mann so much as tells a crass joke, I’ll be sure to call for assistance.”
Callum backed away but kept eye contact with me until the last possible moment.
“Is your brother always such a—”
Isla thrust a finger in my face. “I’d think twice before you say a single cross word about my brother.”
I made the motion of zipping my lips and tossing away the key.
“That’s the smartest thing I’ve seen you do so far,” she said, and I couldn’t help but notice how beautiful she was even as she was chewing me out. “Now, let’s see if we can continue this little winning streak and tell me once and for all. Why are you here?”
“I told you earlier. Your uncle invited me,” I said.
“I mean why are you here in Scotland? And don’t say for the games. It can’t be a coincidence thatyou of all peoplejust so happened to show up at Cauld Ane headquarters.”
“Me? What the fuck is so special about me?”
“Your vocabulary is as charming as it is diverse,” Isla said.
“Isla, I think you’re the only one who can help me. I don’t understand why the hell you hate me so much.”
“Oh, maybe because you tried to kill my father?”
I dragged my hands down my face. “Swear to Christ, I wasn’t in my right mind, but even so, I’m sorry for scaring you. I would never have hurt him.”
She studied me, but I could see her body lose its tension as she gave me a slight nod.
“I will find a time to apologize to him as well.”
“I would appreciate that,” she said.
“Would you introduce me to everyone, please?” I asked, presenting my arm to her.
“Are you going to freak out if I touch you?”
“I’ll do my best to keep my freaking to a minimum.”
She rolled her eyes but slid her hand into the crook of my elbow. “I’m watching you.”
I chuckled. “I’m highly aware of that fact.”
“Not like that.”
“Sucks for me, then.”
“Behave.”
I slid my free hand over hers and squeezed. “I’m trying, baby, you just make it difficult.”
