“Let me finish,love.”
I wrinkled mynose but gave him a curt nod.
“If you use yourbank card, your father could and probablywilltrack you. Right now, wehave the advantage because he doesn’t know if you’re alive or dead and thatmeans, you’re safe.”
I let out agroan. “I hate it when you’re right.”
“Well, youbetter get used to it, because I’m right a lot.”
I sighed.“Whatever.”
“So, will youlet me spoil you for the moment? We can talk about equality and contributionswhen we know what your father’s up to and all this shite with the Hand of theCross is settled.”
“Okay, honey, Ican perhaps let you do that.” I squeezed his chin. “For themoment.”
“Thank you.” Hekissed me gently and gave my bottom a pat.
Now was now, andit was time to get back to the real world.
“Sit with me,Lennie,” Billie demanded as we all filed onto the plane.
“Ah, no,” Phincountered, taking my hand, and guiding me to a seat across the aisle from hers.“My mate will be sitting with me, little sister. Nice try, though.”
I gave her anapologetic smile and took my seat next to Phin.
If you giveher an inch, she’ll take a mile, and I’ll never see you.
I squeezed histhigh, leaning against him.I happen to like the feeling of being wanted,honey. It’s a nice change.
He frowned.Ifucking hate your father.
I’m beginningto dislike him myself, I admitted.
Phin wrapped anarm around me, kissing my temple and then we were distracted as the cabin crewhanded out champagne while the pilots readied the plane for takeoff.
Once in the air,we were fed one of the best meals I’d ever had in my life, which we finishedjust as we were about to land, and then it was time to head to my new home.
The historicalbuilding Phineas and his family lived in when in Edinburgh was across fromEdinburgh University and it was seven floors tall with apartments on the topfive floors. Kade and Samantha had renovated the top floor ten years ago forthemselves, Liam had the floor below, Billie below him, then Phin and I belowher. Apparently, Liam and Phin had wanted Billie between them as an extra layerof ‘protection’ for their baby sister, which I found sweet. Of course, shefound it a little overkill, but sisters often found protection from theirbrothers’ overkill… it was in our DNA to do so.
The second floorhad three apartments and was used for visiting family and friends, and theground floor was commercial space housing a restaurant, clothing store, andjeweler.
Phin led me offthe elevator and into our ‘flat.’ I couldn’t stop a gasp as I was drawn to thefloor-to-ceiling windows facing the university. I saw a jogging path with a fewfolks already out enjoying the sunny day, and as I turned to take in the space,I was surprised how tastefully decorated the space was as old met new in thelarge great room.
“Wow,” Ibreathed out.
“We can changeanything you don’t like,” Phin said, joining me at the window.
“Honey, it’sbeautiful.”
There were threebedrooms and two bathrooms, an office, and a ‘library,’ complete withwall-to-wall bookshelves and a woodburning fireplace. “I could live in here,” Irasped.
Phin chuckled.“Feel free to hole up in here anytime you want.”
“Does thefireplace work?”
He nodded. “Wejust have to be mindful of the heat. Always open the window a crack to keep thetemperature down.”
“I wondered whythe little cabin windows were open while the fire was lit.”
