Total pages in book: 80
Estimated words: 76782 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 384(@200wpm)___ 307(@250wpm)___ 256(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 76782 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 384(@200wpm)___ 307(@250wpm)___ 256(@300wpm)
Niall stopped by a long, dark car. A driver grabbed my bags, stowing them in the back as Niall opened the door for me. “Because you mean something to Sully—therefore, you mean something to us.” He smiled, the action warming his stern face. “Family, Autumn. It’s all about family.”
I got into the car, too stunned and tired to argue. Whatever got me to Lynn fastest was a good thing.
As we pulled away from the curb, I looked around at the busy terminal and chaotic traffic. Edinburgh seemed so quiet compared to Toronto.
Niall was staring out the window, but I noticed the way his hand clasped his wife’s, his thumb stroking her skin gently. It reminded me of Sully and his affectionate ways. The thought of him made my heart clench a little, and I had to wait a moment before I spoke. I met Anna’s eyes and smiled.
“Really, I’m grateful. But if you would just drop me and my bags at the hospital, I’ll keep my reservation. I have no desire to trouble you.”
“You will stay at O’Reilly’s,” Niall said flatly.
I opened my mouth, but Anna spoke. “Niall,” she admonished him. “You are being rude.”
He gazed at her, his stern expression softening. He sighed and lifted her hand to his mouth and kissed it. “Yes, mo mhuirnín, you are right. I am.”
He met my gaze. “I apologize. Of course you can stay wherever you prefer, Autumn, but Sully is very concerned about your safety and comfort. I can assure you O’Reilly’s will be more than adequate for your needs. And I can keep my eye on you for him as I promised.” He smiled, his face changing completely to one of warmth and friendliness. “You wouldn’t want me to be breaking my promises to my cousin, now would ya?”
“I don’t want to cause any problems.”
“There now. You at the hotel makes everything that much easier. If you insist on the Staybridge, I’ll assign a man to you and a car there. But Sully will not be happy.”
I sat back with a sigh, too weary to argue. Anna patted my hand. “We want to help.”
I nodded, knowing I wasn’t going to win this argument. I reached into my purse, accidentally dislodging my little origami flower. It fell to the floor, and Niall bent and picked it up.
“I’ve seen these. Ora-something?” He mused. “Mum used to do them.” He placed it in my hand. “Pretty thing.” Then his eyes widened, and he grinned. “Oh, I remember—Sully liked those, and Mum taught him. The romantic bastard made it for you, right?” He chuckled. “Oh, I’ve got something on him now. Making flowers for his woman.”
Anna slapped his arm. “You will do nothing of the sort, Niall Black. I think it’s lovely and sweet.”
“I buy you real flowers,” he argued. “That’s paper.”
“That’s from his heart,” she replied, meeting my eyes, hers understanding and kind. I nodded slightly, knowing she got it.
“Mine are too,” Niall said with a pout, reminding me so much of Sully, I started to laugh.
“He was proud of his flower, and I love it,” I defended him. “And I think he’s bigger than you. If you tease him too much, he might squash you.”
Anna giggled, and Niall began to laugh. “Aye, that he is. I’ll leave it be, then.” He winked. “I like you defending the big flower-making bastard, though.”
“He sends beautiful flowers too.”
“Och, does he now? Such a sentimental old man, my cousin is.”
“Niall,” Anna warned. “Pot calling kettle…”
He laughed and lifted his hands in supplication. “Caught, I am. All right. You two win. We Blacks are soft for our women. I admit it.”
Then he looked at me. “Anything you need, you let me know. In fact, if you give me your phone, I’ll put our numbers in.”
I handed him my phone, and his fingers flew over the keys as he added phone numbers. “All of us,” he informed me. “Anna and me, Finn and Una. Your driver and escort, Davey.” He touched my phone to his watch, waiting a moment. “And our security team now has you added to our in-house GPS. We can find you if needed.”
I blinked, feeling as if I had stepped into a spy movie.
“Not sure that is needed.”
“Och aye, it is. We protect what is ours. Sully will have it as well. And I imagine he’ll want you to wear a tracker too, in case you get separated from your phone. But I’ll leave that to him.”
“A tracker?” I repeated, stunned.
Anna held out her arm, showing me a pretty bracelet. “This is mine. If I’m in trouble or scared. I press the toggle, and it sends Niall a signal I need help.” She frowned, her voice dropping. “It saved my life once.”
Niall pulled her close, pressing a kiss to her head. “Don’t think about that, mo mhuirnín. Never again.”