He has to be lying. There's no bloody way he's telling the truth. No way. But I don't exactly trust my father right now, not after what he did to Cairstina today.
“So this will go easy for you, Leith. Give me your sister, and everyone goes home unharmed, see?”
I draw in a breath, remembering the pistol in my vest, ready to draw it, when Aitkens shakes his head. “But you know what? I’ll let you go on a warning. Give me this pretty little lass for my own, and we call this all off.”
“Not on your fucking life.” I grab Cairstina’s hand and drag her over to me. “She’s fuckingmine.”
“Well, then,” he continues with a sick grin. “Do I mean to take it that you won’t follow through with your father's plans, then?"
“You can bet your bloody arse on it.”
A car comes tearing down the street, and screeches to a halt in front of the church.
“Jimmy.” The man driving looks white as a sheet. “We have to go. It’s yer mum.” He looks from Jimmy to me and back to Jimmy. “You have to go.Now.”
Aitkens turns to me and points a finger in my direction. “This isn’t fucking over, Cowen.”
I stare at him, my hands on my hips. “You bet your arse it isn't." He hops in the passenger seat, gets in the car, and takes off.
Paisley shakes, shuddering.
"Paisley, get your sister on the phone immediately." And for the first time in her life, she does exactly what I say, without question, without backtalk. Cairstina stares at both of us.
“The bloody Aitkens have gone,” I mutter to Cairstina. I can see Tate and Mac moving in the shadows behind the rectory. They’re disposing of the body of Dougal Reilly, but she doesn’t need to see that. “But you have to come home with me, Cairstina.”
She wraps her arms around my neck.
Paisley pipes up. “Islan’s safe, she’s with Fiona and Lachlan. Leith, you know I think Aitkens would’ve ambushed you if not for her.” She nods to Cairstina.
Cairstina won’t look at either of us. She kneels and gathers Bailey to her chest, holding him as if she needs the comfort.
What does Paisley mean?
“She called your name, Leith. If she hadn’t called your name, Aitkens would’ve clocked you from behind.”
I stare at Cairstina in wonder. “You… called my name?”
Someone did. It was her?
She reaches her hand to her throat, opens her mouth, and tries to speak again but obviously can’t.
The poor lass looks shattered. I put my arm around her shoulders. “Come back with me.”
She nods as Mac and Tate join us.
Mac gives me a sardonic grin. "Sort of getting used to this," he says with a chuckle. “Might as well start drawing a salary from the fucking church."
I shake my head at both of them, relieved that the girls are safe. I’ve long since suspected the Aitkens had something to do with the death of Tavish. What more have they done? What has my father done?
It might make me a bullshit fucking captain, but I'm more concerned about the rift between me and Cairstina than anything else. What can I do to bridge it?
I turn to Cairstina. "How did you get here?"
She points a couple blocks down. I gave her a curious look, and she pulls out her phone sheepishly. A minute later another text comes in.
I took an old, dilapidated car that didn’t look like anyone was taking care of or wanted anymore, and drove it nearly to town. I couldn't take it all the way in, because something happened to it?
She looks sheepishly at me.
