He nips at my ear. “I wouldn’t dare. Now, let me get my girl some coffee.”
While Cormac is occupied, I take my phone out of my pocket and quickly put it on charge and lean against the counter, taking a moment to appreciate the silence.
That is, until my phone starts buzzing.
I quickly snatch it up, wondering if it’s Zoe, but when I glance at the screen, I freeze.
Cormac senses my change in mood. “Everything okay?”
“It’s Lorcan.”
Cormac stiffens before setting down the coffee pot. “I wasn’t expecting him to reach out so soon.”
“Me neither. What should I do?”
“Answer it, but make sure to keep your voice calm. We don’t want him getting suspicious.”
That’s easier said than done.
My hands are shaking so much that it takes me a few attempts to put the call on speaker.
“Hello?”
“What the fuck do you think you’re doing?” Lorcan snarls.
I flinch at the venom in his tone.
Cormac is at my side in an instant, wrapping an arm around my waist to hold me steady, though his free hand grips the edge of the counter.
One glance at his face tells me he’s seconds away from exploding.
“I-I’m doing exactly what you asked.” I try my best to sound calm, but my voice cracks. “Lorcan, you can’t just keep calling me like this. It will get suspicious?—”
“You don’t get to choose when I call you. I know what you’re doing, Fiona, and mark my words, you’re going to pay for it.”
“I’m not… I don’t understand. What are you talking about? I’m following your instructions exactly,” I say, feeling panicked.
I glance at Cormac again to see him frowning.
He must be thinking the same thing as me. What does Lorcan know?
There’s a pause, and then Lorcan speaks again, though his words are slower and more measured. “Then explain why Cormac is with you every time I try to speak to you. Did you really think I wouldn’t find out?”
I freeze, completely overcome by panic.
Cormac’s hold on me tightens as my knees threaten to buckle.
Is Lorcan watching us right now?
Is he outside the house?
Is he listening through some hidden device?
My eyes flick to Cormac, but he appears completely calm, his expression unreadable.
I don’t know whether to feel reassured, or terrified.
“I… I—” I stumble over my words. When I try to speak again, my throat is so dry that nothing comes out.
