At this precise moment, our relationship isn’t affecting my ability to do my job.
Would Ryan and Sasha see it that way? Probably not. But I’m trying not to dwell on it. The Irish Sea between us is particularly helpful in that respect. If they knew how much I cared about her, how serious I am about her, maybe they could be persuaded our union isn’t the worst thing in the world. Maybe.
It’s essential we’re careful how we act around each other in public because of the ever-present paparazzi, though lately things have calmed down simply because she’s not out partying as much. It seems she’s found a superior form of entertainment at home.
Harrison is avoiding both of us at the hospital. He wore a surgical mask for the entire week after our encounter, but even that failed to hide the purple bruising beneath his eyes.
Doctor Dickhead continues to be a little overfamiliar for my taste, but after the prisoner incident, I keep my eye on him at all times. A fact he’s only too aware of.
Victoria breezes into the living room where I’m lighting a fire, her hair still damp from the shower. ‘I’m cooking for you tonight.’
‘Is it my birthday?’ The kindling bursts into orange flames, along with my insides, every time she’s near.
What we have is the real deal. It is for me, anyway.
‘Yeah, your fiftieth, isn’t it?’ Two firm fingers pinch my bum as I load another log onto the pile.
‘Very funny. I’ll have you know that’s next year,’ I joke.
Seriously, I’m thirty-four. Most of my friends, the ones I didn’t accidentally lead to their death on my final tour, are married, or settled at least.
I never gave my own future much thought, but the idea of actually having one that involves settling down is beginning to crop up more regularly.
Which is ludicrous, because apart from the fact we’ve only been sleeping together for a couple of weeks, Victoria is at a totally different stage of her life entirely.
I suck in a deep, smoky breath.
One day at a time.
My phone rings in my pocket. I silently will it not to be Ryan. He checks in once a week, and Victoria speaks to her sisters almost daily. None of them suspects there’s anything going on between us, as far as I’m aware.
We haven’t lied, but we’re not being honest, and that’s not something I’m comfortable with. Right now, though, my own selfish desires outweigh anything else, and thankfully Victoria appears to feel the same.
Pierce’s name pops up on the screen.
Ryan’s senior security guy has been with the family even longer than me. Big, broad and as bald as a coot, he bagged himself a wife last year, marrying the manager of Huxley Castle, Sasha’s childhood friend, Meghan.
I press my finger over my lips to silence Victoria, who pretends to zip her mouth closed.
‘Pierce, how’s it going, man?’
‘It’s going great, thanks. How are things in bonnie Scotland?’ His American drawl seems more obvious over the phone than in person.
‘Oh, you have no idea. I have my work cut out with Victoria Sexton.’ My shins receive a short, sharp kick, wiping the smirk straight from my face.
‘I heard she’s a wild one, alright. You’d want to be in the best of health to keep up with her,’ he sniggers.
‘You can say that again. Still, there have been no more nightclub shootings, so I guess that’s one plus.’
‘Look, I know you weren’t keen on taking the job in Edinburgh in the first place, so I wanted to give you a heads up. Ryan’s employed three new security staff. They came highly recommended by Jayden. If you want to come home, it would be the perfect time to voice it.’
A frown flickers across Victoria’s face for a split second before she collects herself.
‘Thanks for thinking of me.’ I hesitate, acutely aware Victoria is listening to every word.
‘I know it’s a bit awkward with Victoria being Sasha’s little sister. Do you want me to say something to Ryan?’ he offers.
Victoria swallows hard, eyes trained on the floor.
