They give each other a look, and Flora scowls. “If you don’t leave here immediately, I’ll call Mr. Cowen and you can explain your disobedience to him.”
They still don’t leave, so she pulls out her mobile. “Fine, then, I’m sure Leith will love that I’m waking him up.”
“No, ma’am, we’ll go on, just need to make sure it’s alright with Mac is all.”
She rolls her eyes and starts to dial. “Mac’s on his way to the airport.”
“No, ma’am, we’ll take our leave, then,” one of them says.
They leave, and Islan gives her an approving look. “Oh, Mum, love it when you play hardball,” she says with a grin.
“Aye, so do I,” Paisley says.
Flora smiles and looks my way. “Now, Bryn, come over here and tell us what’s the matter.”
I have to trust them. I have to.
I don’t know what to say. I don’t know how to say it. In one rushed breath I blurt out, “You need to help me get to Paris.”
CHAPTER NINETEEN
Mac
I arrivein Paris late at night, as they’re only an hour ahead of us.
It’s been a long fucking day, and I feel like absolute crap.
There has to be another way than breaking up with Bryn. There has to be.
I text Leith when the plane lands.
Mac: Any word about what she’s done?
A moment later, I get a reply.
Leith: Nothing. No move from her father, none from the Aitkens crew.
Did he make me break up with her for nothing? If no good comes of this…God.
I stare at my phone for long minutes, thinking about how I want to handle this. I want to reach out to her, to tell her it’s okay. I need to tell her that I love her.
I need to tell her I’ve made a mistake.
Leith: Give it time, brother. We can’t expect an immediate response, can we?
I shake my head, and mutter under my breath.
Mac: No.
Leith: Keep your head about you. You’re going to the rooftop bar, and you’re meeting a woman dressed all in black.
Mac: Aye.
Leith needs me to prove my allegiance to the clan. I believe breaking up with her did just that, but I've also proven to myself that I’m not worthy of a woman like Bryn. Not fucking worthy.
We begin taxiing to the gate, and the darkness around us nearly swallows me whole. I hate that I’m here without her. I hate that I left her alone.
I make up my mind. I’m going to finalize this fucking deal. I’m going to do what I came for. I’ll confirm that Bryn was never spying on us, because I know now that she never was,I know it.
