Total pages in book: 129
Estimated words: 121871 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 609(@200wpm)___ 487(@250wpm)___ 406(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 121871 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 609(@200wpm)___ 487(@250wpm)___ 406(@300wpm)
It was from Nick’s foot.
The fresh, tiny hairline fracture was enough to hurt like a motherfucker. The doctors informed me the pain was inflammation and put me on a course of anti-inflammatories.
Having to deal with all this while on my period was super fun.
When I told the girls on the train home what had really happened, I thought Nee was going to lose her shit.
“You have to calm down,” I’d demanded. “You’re pregnant.”
That had shut my best friend up. Or at least lowered her volume setting. “I can’t believe you didn’t tell us. We need to tell the police.”
“And say what?” My lips trembled as the situation dawned on me. Nick had managed to get to me after all. “That someone whose face I didn’t see pushed me down the stairs after telling me my ex sends his love? Yeah, that’ll go down well.”
Taran touched my arm tentatively, her concern deeply etched into her features. “London, somehow, he’s watching you. He knew when you were leaving the island, and he had someone in place to hurt you.”
“No one leaves her alone on this train.” Nee glanced around, staring at the other passengers in suspicion. “And I’m calling Ramsay right now.”
“Wait!” I reached across the table toward her and flinched as pain streaked up my right side. I slumped back with a frustrated groan.
Taran tsked. “Please take it easy.”
“Let’s wait.” I pleaded with Nee.
“No. Let’s not. I want an escort from the train station back to Leth Sholas.”
Realizing this wasn’t just about my protection, I reluctantly agreed. A few minutes later, Nee handed me her phone because Ramsay wanted to know exactly what had happened. After I told him, a moment of silence stretched between us.
His voice sounded rough, like sandpaper. “I’m sorry, London. I promised you he couldn’t get to you.”
“This isn’t your fault.” I met Nee’s gaze across the table and her eyes glistened with worry. “He only managed this because I left the island. Right?”
“Anyone would be a fool to cause mischief on the island with very little means of escape. Look at the arsehole who attacked you and Taran last year. But I don’t want to take any chances. Until I get a lock on Nick’s situation, you can’t go anywhere alone. I’m sorry.”
I sighed shakily but quietly agreed.
“Hopefully it won’t be for too long.”
“Right.”
I handed the cell back to Nee who asked her husband to meet us at the Oban train station. When they ended the call, I gestured to Nee’s phone. It felt wrong that Ramsay knew the truth of what happened and Murray didn’t. “Can I …?”
“Of course.”
I scrolled through Nee’s contacts until I found Murray. He answered on the second ring, like he’d been waiting for Nee’s call.
“Tierney, how is she?”
The sound of his familiar, beautiful voice filled me with a different ache. I squeezed my eyes closed and a little tear escaped. “It’s me,” I choked out.
Murray let out a ragged exhale. “God, it’s good to hear your voice. Are you okay? I’ve been worried sick.”
“I’m a little sore but nothing too serious.”
“Tierney said it happened because of the hotel’s dodgy fire alarm system.”
I didn’t know how he would react to the truth, so my voice shook with nerves as I explained, “It was partly that, but the truth is someone deliberately shoved me down the stairs.”
“What?” Murray barked in shocked outrage.
I winced, pulling the phone from my ear. “Loud.”
“Sorry.” He exhaled heavily, like he was trying to calm himself. “Tell me everything.”
I relayed the events of the early morning and then listened to his harsh breathing on the other end of the line as he processed this new information.
“I’ll kill him,” Murray finally stated with quiet menace. With sincerity.
It was so unlike him. Because of his own upbringing, I knew violence was the last resort for Murray.
“You’ll do no such thing,” I whispered. “He’s not worth it.”
“You’re worth it.” His words were ragged with emotion. “He tried to take you from me.”
Fresh tears trembled on my lids. “But he didn’t. I’m still here. And the best way to beat the bastard is to pretend like he doesn’t even factor in. Okay?”
I heard him take another shuddering exhale. “I just want you home.”
Home.
“I’m coming home to you,” I promised, hoping he heard more than what I said in those words.
A beeping in my ear made me sigh as I pulled back to check the phone battery. “Nee’s cell is dying, but I’ll see you tonight. Okay?”
“All right. London, I—” The phone suddenly cut out.
My heart raced, wondering what he’d been about to say. “Sorry.” I handed the cell back to Nee.
“No problem. Glad you got a chance to talk to him.”
The rest of our journey was quiet, a pall cast over our fun weekend by Nick’s harassment. “Sleekit antics,” as Cammie called them. We dozed off at one point, but when I opened my eyes, I found Cammie still awake.