Collin’s lips twisted into a smile at Quinn’s attempted Scottish accent.
“That she did, luv.”
“Scotland is just like flowers. They both want me to die.”
“That wasnae Scotland, Quinn. That was Ramsey and Abigail. You cannae condemn a whole country for the actions of two crazy psychopaths. I bet you attract them everywhere you go.”
“Don’t forget the ghosts.” She pointed to the empty corner of the room.
“Which ghosts came to visit?” Collin asked around his smile.
“All of them,” she said, pointing again. “Redbeard, Ian’s white-haired relative, Gwinnie.” She paused and looked at Collin. “Who, by the way, was the one responsible for giving your emerald away to Clarence’s ascendants. She was trying to help the poor.” Quinn turned her gaze back to the corner. “Clarence, go sing your opera to someone else.”
“Do you want me to call your pilot and delay your flight home?”
“Nooooo.” Her eyes widened as she lifted her swaying head. “I have to goooo.” She held out her hand and let it drop over the edge of the bed. “Collin, get me out of here.”
“I cannae do that, Quinn, until the doctor releases you,” Collin said, moving closer to her. He stroked her hair. “I’ll get you to the airport. Just try and get some rest.”
She nodded, and her eyes fell shut.
Collin spent the next hour in her room, sending away every bouquet that they attempted to deliver. He called Angus and had him inform the pilot what was going on in an attempt to explain to her family. The constable, also a friend of Collin’s, had stopped by to take hisstatement about the fire and Abigail. He told Collin they’d found a storage unit that Ramsey was using to hide the stolen belongings.
The hospital released Quinn a few hours later, after she’d created a fuss and the drugs had left her system. Getting her home was somewhat of a challenge with her trying to sit. She ended up laying her head in Collin’s lap while Angus drove.
His room and hers were filled with smoke from the fire and were being aired out, so they both stayed in one of the guestrooms on the first floor after she insisted on somewhere with an easier escape.
The morning would come early for both of them, so he held her in his arms all night long, unable to sleep. He listened to the sound of her breaths and stared at the ceiling. This wasn’t how he’d envisioned their last night together.
“You’re thinking too loud,” she mumbled and lifted her head to look into his eyes.
“Sorry.” He kissed her lips. “I was just thinking. Do you really have to go back?”
“Collin, we both know I do.”
“Why? What is so pressing that you need to return? It’s no’ like we donae have ghosts in Scotland. You could stay here. Work from here, or hell, donae work at all. None of it matters except you and mebeing together. I love you, Quinn, and you love me too. That should mean something.”
“It did. It does. I have to go back. I could never walk out on my family; I’m a partner for cripes sake; just like I could never ask you to abandon your home. Face it, Collin. We’re from two very different worlds.”
“Quinn, we can make it work. We’ve survived everything that was thrown at us. We can survive the small issue of distance.”
“I have to go home.” She rested her head against his chest.
“Will you come back?” Collin was almost afraid to ask, not wanting to hear her say no.
“I’ll try.”
Chapter Twenty-Two
Quinn grimacedwhile staring into the airport bathroom mirror and swiped one more time to rid the smudged mascara from her red, swollen eyes and the tears started to pool again. How was it, after the long flight, that she had any tears left to shed? Saying goodbye to Collin had been hard. Seeing the disappointment on his face had made her feel like pond scum. She had to return, didn’t she? Quinn knew the minute the plane took flight that she’d left her heart behind, and if her family didn’t agree, they’d get over it.
Taking a deep breath, she stepped out of the bathroom and greeted Cara’s and Becca’s worried stares. Quinn headed directly into the line of fire, knowing their questions wouldn’t wait. “I stopped a thief, scaled two walls, and got shot in the ass.”
Their eyes widened in surprise, but she’d saved the best shocker for last.
“And I fell head over ass in love with a Highlander.”
She loved that she could shock them into silence. She’d perfected it over the years. Quinn clapped her hands to get their brains functioning again. “Gird up, girls, and call our sisters back home. We have work to do. Linked Inc. is going international. Which one of you knows a good international attorney?”
