Total pages in book: 96
Estimated words: 91786 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 459(@200wpm)___ 367(@250wpm)___ 306(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 91786 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 459(@200wpm)___ 367(@250wpm)___ 306(@300wpm)
Cairstina watches as I step through the doorway, and I beckon her to come.
I clear my throat when I see Nan’s caretaker sprawled on the sofa with the television blaring, but he still doesn’t move. Cairstina’s eyes grow wide as I walk over to him and give him a brisk brush of the shoulder.
“Wake up.” Anger sails through me as he shrugs off my touch and rolls over on the couch. I’ve had enough.
I ignore Nan’s gasp and the way Cairstina’s hands go over her mouth in horror as I lift the bastard up bodily and give him a solid shake. His eyes fly open and his jaw drops.
“Mr. Cowen, sir! Is everything alright?”
I drop him to the couch.
“Now, Leith,” Nan begins, but I hold up my hand to stop her.
“No,” I tell him, furious. “It’s not bloody alright. I caught my grandmother down by the graveyard alone, wearing nothing but a housecoat. What do you have to say for yourself?”
“I’m sorry, sir!” he stammers. “I didn’t mean to—I shouldn’t have—”
I toss him to the couch. “Get your things. You’re fired.”
“Mr. Cowen, sir, please don’t sack me, I promise you, I—”
“You have ten minutes. I’ll get a ride to escort you home.”
He hangs his head and gathers his things. I turn to Nan, ignoring the look of reproach she gives me.
“Och, Leith, honestly.” She’s the mother-in-law of one of Scotland’s most wanted. She needs protection, not a lazy arse asleep on the bloody couch.
“I’ll have someone come to you before the day is through.”
My phone buzzes with a text, and when I look, I’m surprised to see it’s Cairstina.
I can help.
I give her a withering look and shake my head. “No.”
She scowls and sends another text.
She can’t be left alone, and I’m not allowed to leave, and what else am I supposed to do when you’re meeting with your men? Hmm?
Bugger, damn sass from a text.
I scowl at her. Last night she felt my palm across her arse, but bloody hell if she doesn’t end up with her knickers around her ankles before the day’s through. She reminded me of the meeting I damn near forgot myself. Has the lass bewitched me?
I shake my head when another text comes through.
Please? Pretty please? Followed by an angel emoji with those long eyelashes.
I roll my eyes.
“I’ll make an exception just this once, and on only one condition.”
She nods eagerly.
“I’ve a guard at the door and another at the back.”
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 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.