“Is she alive? Will I ever see her again?”
His smile falls. “That I cannot answer for I dinnae ken.”
Disappointment fills me and I drop my head. I thought he would be able to answer more. Especially concerning Mum.
“Oh, okay. Do ya mind if I go for a walk?”
“Not at all, love. I’ll send for ye if I hear anything from my nephew.”
“Thanks.”
I stand and move to give him a hug. I don’t want to break down in tears, so I pull away quickly and turn to leave. I head down to the lower level to the pool.
For some reason, it feels like I’m more connected to Cole while I’m down here. I smile when I see they didn’t change the place from our date. Nothing is lit, but it’s all still in place.
I go over to the satin padding and pillows and sit down cross-legged to stare at the sparkling water. My mind goes to the night of that date. Things were so much simpler then.
My only worry had been whether or not I could trust Cole. Now I have men coming to kill me. I get so angry every time I think of it.
It was my first time in real-life combat. If I’m not mistaken, it was for Blair and Callum too. I wish I’d had time to tell them both how proud I was of them.
All I got the chance to do was pack a few things at the cottage and run. I didn’t want to stay at Gran’s longer than I needed to in case more men were coming. I’ve been calling to check in on Gran to make sure she’s okay.
It sounds like Uncle Duncan is there with her. I don’t think she has the strength to head to the castle with him. I’m so frustrated. This isn’t how I wanted to leave.
It feels like I’m being forced from my home once again. My head is spinning and I’m getting tired. Taking out my phone, I start some music through Bluetooth.
That seems to settle my nerves a bit. I should probably go back upstairs and finish tending to this hair. I got it washed, oiled, and in Bantu knots, but that’s as far as I got.
It’s dry, but I’ll need to straighten it. With plans to go flat-iron it, I release the knots as I get lost in thought. Once I have all my hair down, I can barely keep my eyes open.
I lie down on the pillows with the thought that I only plan to close my eyes for a few minutes. However, moments later, I can hear myself snoring over the music, but I can’t wake myself up.
Brooklyn
“Och,it’s good to see ye, nephew,” Uncle Finlay says as he pulls me into a tight hug as I enter the castle.
“It’s good to see ya too.”
I couldn’t come straight here after handling Oland. I had to get shit in order. I didn’t much care if the oul bastard was buried, but repairs needed to be done to the manor, and I needed everyone to know who is now in charge.
“How are ye holding up? Ye look tired.”
“Never better,” I snort.
“Och, are ye sure? He was yer granda.”
“And?”
He releases a chuckle and slaps my cheek. I haven’t lost any sleep over what I’ve done. Anyone waiting for that will be waiting a long time.
“Don’t get me wrong. I know he needed to die. I’ve wanted to do it myself for years, but ye understand what ye have done, don’t ye?”
“Aye, I know exactly what I’ve done. The Kaseys and O’Donalds have tried me already. I shut that shit down hard and fast,” I grumble.
“Och, I’m not surprised. The Kaseys have been vying for power since yer uncle married Cass. Joe marrying the lass and killing off the heads of their family after they targeted Cass and the kids, placed them at the bottom of the barrel.”
“Well, after fucking with me, they’re now under the barrel,” I scoff.
