The term of endearment got Noah’s mouth to twitch, and Finn snickered.
William squeezed me back. “I’m not putting you in danger.”
“I’m already in danger, and we both know Angus won’t stop. I’ll be safe with Noah. Look at him. You think that guy ever breaks a promise?”
Noah looked at William with a challenging glare.
William turned toward him. “If we do this. And that’s a big ‘if,’ Noah, I’m not fucking around on this. If anything happens to her, I’ll kill everyone in my path, including you.”
Noah gave a single nod. “You have my word.”
They stayed for another couple of hours going over logistics and laying out a plan before the guys departed.
William and I finally retired to bed, where we lay facing each other, our bodies a tangle of limbs.
I snuggled into his chest. “My meeting with Limitless Co. is next week.”
“I’ll have you back by then.”
“I know but . . .”
“I’m going to drive you there myself, and we’llspend the next few weeks exploring Edinburgh. We’ll do the ghost tour like you wanted.”
I smiled at the thought of a tour guide trying to spook William. “I want to see the Highlands too.”
“Of course. We should have done that as soon as you got here, but we’ll have plenty of time after you’re done with your next mural.”
***
A few days had passed since our meeting with William’s friends. The plan was already set in motion, so I bided my time sketching a few ideas for Limitless Co.’s next mural in Edinburgh. I wanted to lean into a mythical theme since the nation’s animal was, in fact, a unicorn. I was still working out my aunt’s painting on the side too, but once this mural was done, I could dedicate my full attention to it. William set up the spare bedroom as my workspace, and I enjoyed looking out at the view between sketching. I could actually see a life here. It was hard not to fall in love with the idyllic city, cobblestone streets, and friendly faces.
My parents checked in every day, and it was becoming harder and harder to promise them I’d be back soon. I didn’t know when I’d be back. William and I planned to visit my mural in Venice once it was done, but I was finally living the life I’d always envisioned. The life that Aunt Lilit lived, free of restrictions and judgment. Lilit was loving all my updates and pictures of the Scottish countryside. She was planning to come visit us soon too.
I desperately needed some advice from Elspeth on how to handle the life-threatening situation that Angus now posed.
“Well, despite all that, you sound really happythere,” she said as she opened and closed drawers.
I cleaned up my brushes and riffled through my kit. “I am. I didn’t know being this happy was even possible. I’m a walking Tampax commercial. Deliriously happy.”
Elspeth laughed. “So, how’s Will handling this business with Angus?”
I cringed at what I was going to say next. “We all decided that the best course of action is to use me as bait.”
I heard glass crash onto the floor on the other end of the line. “What?!”
“Calm down. It’s going to be okay.”
“Angus is a fucking depraved, and Shannon made his intentions clear at the pub. I can’t believe William would agree to this!”
“He didn’t at first, but the team really thinks this is the best option.”
“Let me guess, Finn is part of this master plan?”
I was surprised to hear her mention him. “As a matter of fact, yes, and how come you never told me about him? He said you guys would hang out when you would visit Scotland in the winter.”
Elspeth huffed. “Don’t try to change the subject, missy. Finn has always been a wild card, he can’t be trusted.”
“Sounds like there’s some history there.”
