Page 102 of Under Arthur’s Protection

I turned toward the wall and lowered my voice. Maybe I should have taken the rest of the conversation outside, where I could pace without Gwen’s attention on me. “I’m apologizing. For all the last-minute changes, the Malta redirect, all of it. This op has been a shitshow.”

“Arthur.” His voice flattened. He’d caught me stalling, and we both knew it. “What’s going on?”

Honestly, Lance, I have no idea. I slept with your ex, and now I’m committing to taking her and you into the lion’s den, all so I won’t be the one knocking her down this time.

And I don’t think Gwen’s right about me. I shouldn’t have started this company.

Because I’m making stupid decisions.

The Crécy article was right about me.

And so was Rick Younge.

“Nothing, Lance. I’ll have Merlin send you the details.”

He didn’t push it, which was unlike him. Which also meant he’d likely unload on me in person. “I’ll see you tonight.”

“Thanks, brother.” I hung up and pocketed the phone.

When I turned around, Gwen’s hands were in her lap. “Arthur⁠—”

“Not right now, Gwen.” I’d spotted a supply of garbage bags on the storage shelf, and the place needed to be spotless for its next emergency guest. “I need to work out the logistics.”

“I can help with⁠—”

“I need to plan the route to the cottage, timing, the car. Give me a bit to think it through, so I can call Merlin to implement.” I collected the used wipes and the gauze packaging, then repacked the first-aid kit.

“Are you sure? I can help figure things⁠—”

“Once I’ve worked it out, I’ll walk you through it.” I checked the bathroom for trash. Empty. “Right now I need to do it in my head.”

Chapter 31

Gwen

Arthur hadn’t spoken in over an hour. His hands sat at ten and two, and his eyes moved from the road to the mirrors and back. That was it. The sum total of Arthur Penn since he’d started cleaning the little concrete box where I’d thought everything had changed between us.

Turned out it had changed. Unfortunately, it had changed again for the worse.

I scrolled through my phone mindlessly, so I had something to look at that wasn’t him or the landscape.

Maybe Lance would have some advice.

I almost laughed. Text my ex-boyfriend to ask about the man I’d slept with last night, who also happened to be his best friend and business partner?

That’s the worst idea you’ve ever had, Gwen.

I opened my messages and typed before I talked myself out of it.

Gwen: Hey

Lance: Hey back

Gwen: Quick question. Does Arthur usually go quiet before a big job?

The message went blue. I stared at the screen, my stomach turning over a few times. Why had I sent him that?

Three dots appeared. Bounced. Stopped. Started again.