I bite my lip and shove the chair back from the table and jerk my chin at him. “Go on, then. Have a seat.”
He sits next to me, then leans over, placing his finger under my chin. I’m dazzled with the intensity of his gaze, and I feel a bit trembly.
“You’re fuckin’ gorgeous,” he whispers. “Your boyfriend’s a lucky bloke.”
I smile bashfully.
I sip my drink, and he slides his hand over mine.
“Listen, Bryn,” he says in a low voice, no longer flirting but growing serious. “There’s something you need to know.”
“Oh?”
He nods. “I have to take an impromptu trip to Paris tonight. And you can’t come with me.”
My heart skips a beat, and I grip my chair for support.
It’s starting.
“Why Paris?” I ask, doing my level best to keep my voice calm.
He sighs and rubs a hand across his brow. “Fuckin’ deal I have to make. It wasn’t supposed to happen so quickly, but it can't be helped.”
This is what my father meant. He set this in motion. Mac has to go tonight, because of whatever bullshit my father did.
I wish I could tell him the truth. I wish I could tell him everything. But I’m afraid if I do, my father will do something terrible to his entire Clan.
So I do the only thing I can.
“When do you go?”
“Straight away.”
“Mac, please can’t I go? I promise I won’t get in your way. I hate being apart from you.”
He shakes his head. “No, lass, not this time. I’m sorry.”
How can I find a way to go with him?
We leave the wedding a little early. Islan and Paisley have strict orders to return home with their bodyguards. I feel a little bad for them. I know what it’s like to have a damn bodyguard watching every move you make.
“I’ve already got staff packing up for my trip.”
“Why can’t I go with you to Paris?”
“It isn’t safe.”
“Please?”
I feel like a child, but I can see he’s caving.
He sighs. “Let me think about it.”
My nerves are an absolute wreck. I feel so nervous, I don't even know what to do with myself. I've never done anything like this before, and it feels as if so much is on the line.
If I told Mac the truth, would he still care about me?
Could he forgive me?
