Total pages in book: 107
Estimated words: 102731 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 514(@200wpm)___ 411(@250wpm)___ 342(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 102731 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 514(@200wpm)___ 411(@250wpm)___ 342(@300wpm)
“I’m knackered.” I scrubbed a hand over my face. “I can’t imagine how Callie’s coping right now.”
“I’ve got my top guy coming to the house tomorrow to draw up a security system option, if that’s all right?”
“Sounds like a plan. Do I get the friend discount?” I cracked because I knew how bloody expensive Fyfe’s services were. While he specialized in cybersecurity, he had a whole team at his disposal who did the full shebang.
“Callie does.”
“Arsehole.”
“Aye, you’re welcome.”
The server brought us menus and we looked them over as I filled Fyfe in on exactly what happened.
His expression was tight with concern. “You think it’s her birth dad behind it? How? I thought he was in prison.”
“Aye, with connections inside who bankrolled an expensive lawyer and tried to get Callie to reconcile with him for his upcoming parole hearing. Callie refused, Sloane went before the parole board with a damning statement, and Nathan was denied parole for another fifteen years.”
“Revenge?” Fyfe asked grimly.
“Whoever did it bypassed diamonds, a TV, expensive kitchen equipment and handbags … and only took the laptop and iPad. The place was trashed. It was more like a warning and a lazy attempt to make it look like a burglary.”
“Fuck.”
“Aye. Walker’s looking into it, though. If it is Nathan, he’ll figure it out and we’ll put a stop to it.”
“Not really what Callie needs right now.”
Aye, worry had been gnawing at me all night and morning about that. “The stress on her. It can’t be good for either of them.”
“Aren’t you taking her away next weekend as a surprise? Maybe you should tell her now, so she’s got something to look forward to.”
“Not a bad idea, mate,” I agreed.
“Fyfe, Lewis!” Carianne suddenly appeared at our table. She made a shooing gesture toward me, and I slid along the booth to make room for her. Fyfe and I exchanged an awkward glance, and Carianne huffed as she slipped in beside me.
“Oh, please, don’t be weird. Callie and I are all good.” She nodded at me, wide-eyed. “I’m dating an older single dad from Inverness now.” Carianne pointed across the room where a guy with graying ginger hair watched us warily. “You’re long forgotten, Adair.” She patted my arm. “No offense.”
I raised an eyebrow. “None taken.”
“Anyway, I wanted to pop over quickly and ask if the rumors are true. I tried texting Callie, but she’s working. Did she really get broken into?”
“Aye.”
“Oh my God, is she okay?”
“She will be.”
Carianne sighed heavily. “Seriously, just when I thought things had quietened down around here for good. Anyway.” She slapped my knee and scooted out. “Tell Callie to text me back. Her bestie is worried about her!”
Before I could respond, she’d returned to her own table, leaning in to talk to her date.
Fyfe turned from watching her. “Are things really okay there?”
“Awkward but fine.” I shrugged. “Carianne means no harm. And as long as Callie’s cool with her, I’m cool with her. She’s moved on.”
My friend sighed. “Eilidh doesn’t trust her.”
“Eilidh is getting cynical in her old age. And since when do you talk to Eils?”
He started scouring the menu. “She reached out after that video call. We text now and then.”
I considered the way he wouldn’t meet my eyes. “All above board, aye?”
Now his gaze flew to mine. “For fuck’s sake, Lew, what kind of question is that? It’s Eilidh. I wouldn’t touch her if she was the last woman on earth.”
“Good to know.”
The familiar voice had me whipping my head up in surprise. Now Eilidh stood at our table, her arms crossed over her chest. She smirked at Fyfe but the smile didn’t quite reach her eyes. “And for the record, I’d rather have a love affair with my right hand than repopulate the world with you, Fyfe Moray.”
My friend gaped at her in shocked embarrassment, and I saved him from having to respond by sliding out of the booth to hug my wee sister. “What are you doing here?”
She melted into me, returning my embrace fiercely. “Weekend off. Thought I’d fly home to make sure you and Callie are okay.”
I pulled back. “You came all the way from Romania for a weekend?”
“I was worried, and my production team is great. They chartered a private flight for me in the early hours of the morning. Uncle Lachlan let us use the private airfield on the estate.” She rubbed my arm in comfort. “Are you okay?”
Grateful she’d made that effort, I smirked. “Weirdly wonderful and fucked at the same time.”
Eilidh chuckled. “I’ll bet. Mum knew I was coming and told me you’d be here, so I thought I’d stop in before I go home.” If I wasn’t mistaken, my sister was doing her best not to look at Fyfe. “I didn’t mean to interrupt.”
“Join us.” I gestured to the booth.
“No, I should check in with Mum, Dad, and Mor.” Ever since our talk about Morwenna, I knew Eilidh had been trying harder to be there for our sister. Even on the days Mor made it difficult.