Total pages in book: 103
Estimated words: 98697 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 493(@200wpm)___ 395(@250wpm)___ 329(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 98697 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 493(@200wpm)___ 395(@250wpm)___ 329(@300wpm)
“Is that fire coming from my home?”
“Aye, I have a few of your things in the boot. Everything else is gone.”
“What do you mean?”
“Ye won’t be coming back here. Ireland isn’t safe for ye.”
“Can ya tell me what’s going on?” I ask.
“There’s a bag under yer seat. Yer mum left ye something. It should explain it all for now.”
Tears prick my eyes. His words make everything seem so final. I can’t hold the tears back as I reach under the seat and pull out the bag I know to be my mum’s. For as long as I can remember, this bag has been in her office in our home.
My stomach drops with dread. This can’t be good. Tears stream down my face.
My home is on fire, and my mum has sent someone to collect me and take me away. That has been my home since I was a little girl. I feel like I have stones in my stomach, as I know yesterday was the last time I will see my home.
Somewhere in the back of my mind, I know yesterday morning could have been the last time I’ll see Mum or Da. I swipe at my tears and reach into the bag.
Inside, I find a recorder. I put the earbuds in my ears and press play as I inhale deeply and try to wrap my head around all of this. However, when I hear my mother’s voice, I lose it.
I sob as her words are spoken to me, and reality begins to take root. Devastated isn’t the word for what I’m feeling. I’m completely lost as I listen.
“Deja, if you’re hearing this, Finlay should be with you. If he’s not, I need you to be brave. The most important thing is for you to get to safety. I promise you, this will be made right, but I need you safe.
“From here on out, you trust no one. Your life depends on it. Do you understand?”
I nod as if she’s here and whisper, “Yes.”
Even though I don’t. As we race away from everything I know, I have no idea what’s going on. I remain silent as my mind fills with so many questions. What just happened?
“You need to get to your great-grandmother. You’ll be safe with her. Your uncle Ken will look out for you until things are settled.
“Orla and Ken are family. They’ve always treated us as such. I am positive the two of them will help you.
“There’s so much I want to say. I thought life with Angus would keep us out of this mess. Looks like I was wrong.
“I should have found a way to make everything right years ago. This is my fault,” she says.
There is an awkward pause before she inhales deeply and begins again. “You’re probably thinking you can trust the people I’m leaving you with. However, I meant what I said. Trust no one.
“If you’re with Finlay. He’s only going to get you to safety and then he has to part ways. He’s doing me a solid.
“You will allow your great-grandmother and uncle to help you, but trust is something you can’t afford to give your own shadow. I know you’ve always been close with Ken and Duncan. I don’t think either of them would ever harm you, but I’m not taking any chances while you’re without me.
“You know you don’t have to worry about your uncle Ewan, as he always keeps to himself.” She chuckles, causing me to laugh with her.
There’s something about Uncle Ewan I’ve never put my finger on. Nothing bad. He’s just odd in a soldier-in-waiting kind of way. I don’t know how to explain it.
“However, I get the feeling he’s going to be one of your greatest helps. I know you love your uncles, but you need to learn to follow your instincts. If something feels off, believe it.
“I won’t be around to cover you. I’ve done things that might come back for me in the form of targeting you. I’m counting on the fear people have of the McDougal clan.
“Ian Black isn’t here to protect you for me. So I’m going with my next option. You’re smart, Deja. Protect yourself. Make everyone earn your trust.
“If you don’t need them, don’t bother giving them a chance to prove a thing. Everything I do is to protect you, my baby. All I’ve done has been for you. Remember, if I can’t fix this and keep it away from you, I will be there when you need me most.”
The recording ends and I’m left breathless. I still have so many questions. I lean my head against the window and sob.
CHAPTER 10
New York
Logan
“No, you’re right. She’s safest with them,” I say to my uncle as he updates me with what’s happening in Ireland.
He arrived in time to collect Deja and get her to Scotland. With the McDougal clan is where she’s safest for now. They can protect her from my granda and Helen’s old enemies.