Her fingers fly on the keys again.I know, I’m so dangerous, you have to have guards at every door, right?
I growl, but she doesn’t bat an eyelash. The woman’s far too free with me.
I take out my own phone, as the next thing I have to say to her isn’t for my grandmother to hear.
You’re not here as a guest but a prisoner. You’ve spoken out of turn, and I won’t allow sass. When I get you alone we’ll discuss exactly what I expect of you.
I like watching the color of her cheeks turn pink, and the way her hand trembles ever so slightly when she replies.
I am sorry.
Why does that make me actually feel badly?
I escort Micah to the door, and watch as he gets his ride to the exit.
“Who the hell screened him?” I mutter.
“Tavish did,” she says softly. Well, if that doesn’t make me feel like an arse. Goddamn, everything makes me feel like an arse lately.
“Right, then, there’s a change of plans. Cairstina will stay with you while I meet with the others, and I’ll be back to pick her up this afternoon.”
“Och, aye,lovely,” Nan says, clapping her hands together. Her face falls. “I’m so sorry, I don’t know how to do bugger with the phone, Cairstina.”
Cairstina points at a little desk and piece of paper, then shrugs.
Nan grins. “Yes! You can write things down so we can chat.” She yawns widely. “I’m shattered, though. Mind if I take a bit of a kip, lass, after Leith goes?”
Cairstina smiles and shakes her head, turns to the bookshelf and pulls down a book, then sits comfortably on the sofa. She shoos me away. I kiss Nan on the cheek before I go and shoot Cairstina a text.
Thank you.
Of course. I promise I won’t cause too much trouble while you’re gone.
She wiggles her eyebrows at me but immediately sobers at the look I give her. She isn’t here for a pleasure ride, but as my prisoner, and she’ll bloody well remember that.
When the guard arrives, I leave the two of them sort of “chattering.” Nan is regaling Cairstina with tales of her youth, and to Cairstina’s credit, she’s eagerly listening. Occasionally Nan stops so Cairstina can write something on a slip of paper. They’re practically right good friends before I’ve left.Jesus.
“Nan, do you need something to eat?” I ask before I leave. Cairstina may be hungry as well.
“Och, this old lady has plenty here, son,” she says and Cairstina nods.
“Right, then, be back in an hour.” They don’t even respond, they’re that eager to “talk” to one another.
Something inside me says this isn’t good, that this is problematic, but I ignore it as I head back outside.
We assemble in the dining room, congregating around the large table as the staff serves lunch. I give a brief account of what happened the night before, explain why Cairstina is in my care, and ask if anyone has more news for me.
“I do, Leith,” Mac says, as he takes a large bite of his sandwich. I blow out an impatient breath, waiting for him to chew and swallow.
“I know I’ve seen that lass of yours somewhere before.”
One of the men to my left makes a comment under his breath to Clyde, whose cheeks turn ruddy with the effort of not laughing out loud.
“Something to say, William?”
He shakes his head. “No, sir.”
“You did just a moment ago, though, didn’t you?”
