Ian turned off the floodlights aimed at her bed. Now that he was more informedof her terrors, he could help her. He lay down in the bed, this time remaining fully clothed.
Ian woke when Becca started,restlessly tossing her head back and forth. He pulled her closer into the warmth of his body, hoping that his presence would help ease her fears. It didn’t.
Becca dug her nails into his stomach. Her words came out jumbled.
“You’re safe,” Ian whispered as he smoothed her hair. “He willnae hurt you.”
“Not me, the redhead,” she whispered into the silent room.
“What redhead?” Ian asked, glancing down at Becca’s face. Her eyes were tightly shut, her eyes moving frantically behind her eyelids.
“The redhead that lives at the green door is where…,” she answered. Her words trailed off.
Becca continued to talk in her sleep. It was odd and unnerving, but she seemed to be somewhat….coherent while in her dream world.
“What street is the green door on?”
“Briar Street,” Becca whispered. “He’s watching from across the street.”
Becca let out a long, relaxed sigh.
“Can you see him, lass? What does he look like?”
“I don’t know.” Her words became a bit panicked. “I can never see his face.”
“It’s okay,” Ian soothed. “We’ll find him and stop him.”
Becca snuggled closer into Ian’s side and quit talking. The tension in her body eased, as if her dream might have shifted to something else. He hoped it did. Becca may have drifted off into a better dream place, but Ian was now wide awake. He glanced at the bedside clock. Three a.m. He slid out from Becca’s hold and grabbed his phone, easing the door closed behind him. He’d deal with the green door and the redhead after he checked in to the only other woman that knew how to push his buttons. He dialed the familiar number as he rubbed the sleep from his eyes.
“Hello,” Margarete answered.
“Hey, sis. I was just calling to check on Ma.”
“You wouldnae have to if you were here. Are you done playing with those Americans and ready to come back and handle your responsibilities?”
“Not yet, but I’ll be back soon. I have not convinced her yet.”
Margarete’s laugh grated on Ian’s nerve. “You mean to tell me you’re having trouble with Quinn’s sister? I’m no’ surprised. That woman was horrendous.”
“You’re just sour she landed Collin before you. Lady Menzie would kick your ass if she thought for a minute you were talking foul about her family.”
“Yes, well….” Margaret’s voice turned snippy. “Finish up whatever you’re working on and come home, or I’ll pick your wife. Ma is stable, but she willnae be for long, Ian. You need to work your magic on that American and then get your arse back here.”
“Give Ma a kiss and tell her I’ll be back soon.”
“Donae make a liar out of me, Ian.”
Ian didn’t bother to respond. His sister knew exactly what buttons to push when they talked. She was one of the only women in the world that he’d ever take that type of lip from. Well, their mother and her.
Ian walked into the kitchen and grabbed a bottled water from the fridge before placing his next call. Becca was going to kick his arse when she found out what he had planned, but her sisters would agree.
Harper’s husband, Ryker, answered on the first ring. Thank God they weren’t scheduled to leave for their honeymoon for another week. “What?”
“Sorry to bother you, lad, but this is Ian. I’m going to need your help with Harper’s sister.”
Ryker cleared his throat. “Give me a minute.”
Ian could hear the phone being shifted and Harper’s sleepy voice asking who he was talking to. That type of relationship was the exact one he wanted with Becca.
