“Your contact in Paris? Contacted William. Not only are they ready, they want you to fucking get theretonight,or the deal’s off.”
“What?” My pulse spikes, my heartbeat quickening. “What the hell are you talking about?” I get the attention of a few people standing nearby. I walk even further away, ignoring the way Bryn watches me.
“Tonight. I want you to go. The lass doesn’t go with you. While you’re there, you’ll have to make a decision, Mac.”
I can tell by the way his voice drops that he isn't happy about what he has to tell me next. There's a reluctance in his tone that I very rarely hear. It fills me with dread, knowing that we reached the end of the line. Knowing that we have to make some decisions. At least… I do. And now.
“Aye,” I say with a sigh. “I know it.”
Leith hesitates before he answers me. “Mac, you're my brother. If we have to find another way?—”
“No. I’m going to make him pay for what he’s done, Leith. I want him to fear us. I want him knowing that he isn’t safe if he threatensanyof us.”
“Aye, I understand,” he says. “Do you know if what we heard last night is true? Does she have an ulterior motive with you?”
“I don’t know. I truly can’t tell. I hate the thought of it, but I won’t lie and tell you it isn’t a distinct possibility.”
“Aye. I want you to tell me the truth, brother.” I’m vividly aware of her eyes on me from across the room, guilt plaguing me about even this fucking conversation we’re having.
I sigh. “Of course. What is it?”
“Do you care for the girl?”
I look across the room at her, and she meets my eyes. She gives me a little wave and smiles, and she’s so stunningly beautiful, it makes my heart ache with what has to be done.
“Aye,” I tell him reluctantly. “Of course. I didn’t mean for it to happen. But it doesn’t matter now, does it, Leith? I told you you can count on me, and I won’t let you down.”
He sighs, and I can almost feel the weight of everything he carries just listening to his voice. “You don’t need to explain to me. I know. I know how hard it is to do what you're supposed to when someone you love is on the line. But I have a plan. I have an idea about something that very well could work… for all of us.” He sighs. “But you may have to break her heart first.”
I feel as if someone’s dashed me with ice water as I listen to his plan. It’s as if I’m out of my body, like another person’s standing here listening to what he has to say. But if his plan works…
“Aye,” I tell him when he’s through. “We walk at the edge of a blade with this, but it might work.”
“It will, Mac. Now do what you have to. I’ll be sure your things are ready.”
I hang up the phone and stare across the room. Bryn’s sitting at the table, sipping a flute of champagne. I’m glad she isn’t looking my way, because I don’t know if I could hide the pain in my eyes, the fear of what has to happen next.
If it goes the way we plan… even if it all works perfectly… I don’t know if we can survive what has to happen.
CHAPTER SIXTEEN
Bryn
I lookup across the room to find Mac, but he isn't there anymore. I look around me, trying to find him. I’m not sure why I need to see him right now, but I know in my heart that something isn't right.
I know my father is giving me no choice. I know that I'm going to have to do something drastic. But there has to be another way.
“Is this seat taken?”
I look up to see Mac with a drink in each hand, giving me that winsome look that makes me go all tingly. God, but he’s a charmer, that man. Sexy as fuck. His voice alone sends a shiver down my spine.
“So sorry,” I say. “But that’s my boyfriend’s seat.”
He leans down and slides a drink toward me. “Your boyfriend doesn’t need to know.”
I grin, loving the way my skin goes all heated with his breath at my ear. I give him a mock affronted look. “Are you trying to seduce me?”
“Is it working?”
