Happy sigh.
“Well, don’t let me dissuade you fromthat.” I sigh. “But honestly, Mac, you don’t need to grovel, because I’ve things to tell you as well.”
He waits, giving me a curious look.
“So I…” I sigh. “The day we met. You came into the shop.”
“Aye. And my plan was to seduce you.” He winces.
I blink in surprise. “That was no accident?”
He shakes his head. “No, and I’m so sorry, Bryn. I want to go back to the earlier me and kick my own fuckin’ arse.”
“Mac, what a bloody mess we made of everything,” I say. “That very same afternoon, my father gave me an ultimatum. He said I had to either agree to an arranged marriage, or… seduceyou. He wanted me to ruin you. Wanted me to… kill you.”
He nods. “Figured as much, after reading his texts. I hate that he used you like that.”
“You’re not angry with me?”
“Angry with you? How can I be? He coerced you, love. But hold the phone, I want to get you the meds you need. Is there anything else?”
I shake my head, thinking, really, I have everything I need right here. He places the call, and a moment later, he’s joining me on the bed. He’s already lost his suit coat, and his white shirt is stained with blood. He looks more tired than I’ve ever seen him, and I can tell that it’s more than just physical weariness. But there’s relief on his face as well. We both have made it through.
“Now, I want you to tell me everything.” He holds my hand. “It’s time.”
I nod, keeping my voice soft because my head still hurts. But I want to tell him the truth, because he’s right. It is time.
“I’m so sorry, Mac. God, I’m so relieved I can tell you now. I was dead sick over it. I wanted to tell you the truth, from the very beginning, I did.”
He nods. “Aye, love, I know you did.”
“Did you? How?”
“I could see it in your eyes. Hear it in your voice. You didn’t want to deceive me. Jesus, woman, you nearly took a fuckin’ bullet for me. You came all this way…” His voice trails off, and he gives me a curious look. “How on earth did you even get here?”
I blow out a breath. “Well…
I’m not really sure I want to tell him this part of the truth, because I don’t want his sisters to get in trouble. And it seems like they’re very good at doing that.
“Not one minuteago you said you’d tell me the truth, and you’re already hesitating. Why?”
I bite my lip before I answer, and finally in a rush of words tell him everything.
“Yes. I got away from the guard and went up to the main house. And there…” my voice trails off.
His eyes darken. “It was my sisters, wasn’t it? That’s why you don’t want to tell me. You don’t want them to get in trouble.”
Goddammit, he knows everything.
“You might as well tell me, because I’m going to find out anyway. And don’t worry about anyone getting in trouble. It’s time everyone knows the truth. And if they helped you get here, I want to thank them.”
I nod. “Everyone helped. Your sisters. Nan. Your mum.”
“What? My mum and Nan? What did you do, lass?”
I can’t help but laugh when I tell him. “Your mum’s got contacts all over the damn country, did you know that?”
“No, but I’m not surprised.”
