Chapter 27
CHAPTER 27
CALLUM
My house was full of women who’d accepted my ill-advised call for help, and I had deep regrets. They’d come armed with curtains and artwork and even more furniture. Things I hadn’t given a single solitary thought to since I’d moved in and covered the basics. But I knew better than to voice a single protest because when I’d called, they’d come, and judging by the flurry of activity, they absolutely understood the assignment. God help me. So when I got told to move or hang a thing, I did as ordered.
“No, no. A little higher. Riiiiighhhht… there.”
Dutifully, I marked the height and position for the painting I’d been handed, while Charlotte Vasquez stood back, studying the overall grouping we’d started. Because my wall was suddenly full of art.
Charlotte ran the cottage rental business split between Ardinmuir and Lochmara. I’d only met her a handful of times, but the older Hispanic woman from Texas was an absolute powerhouse, and she sure as hell knew how to stage a place.
It hadn’t surprised me that she’d come with Isobel and Ciara. What had surprised me was the fact that the rest of the Ardinmuir Event Planning staff had shown up. Evidently, the prospect of getting their hands on a bachelor’s house, in order to impress the pretentious parents of his girlfriend, was too great a lure to resist. Sophie MacKean was arranging fresh flowers. Her sister-in-law, Kyla—Ciara and Ewan’s cousin—was rearranging my entire dining room to make room for a sideboard that they’d brought. Did they just have a truck full of furniture and accessories waiting on the estate for potential emergencies?
I didn’t have any idea how many of the furnishings they’d brought in were on loan and how much they’d simply purchased and planned to bill me for. But as the afternoon wore on and my house started to look like a warm and inviting home, rather than a dusty afterthought with room to hang my metaphorical hat, I couldn’t find it in me to complain. I could afford it, and anyway, Parker was worth it.
It was nearing six by the time Isobel dusted off her hands and looked around in satisfaction. “Yes. This will do nicely.”
I was no longer standing in my house. The space had been absolutely transformed. Pillows and artfully draped throws softened the lounge. The furniture had been shifted, so the sofa faced the fireplace instead of the TV. A pair of Bergères chairs—and wouldn’t my grandmother be proud that I’d remembered what those were?—had been added, flanking either end. The bookshelves on both sides of the fireplace now held decorative… things, along with my collection of books they’d unearthed from other rooms. All the windows were now framed with heavy curtains that softened the space and drew the eye. An eclectic assortment of art graced all the visible walls. The dining room had been turned into a proper place to eat, and a full tablescape had been laid out with dishes, utensils, and cloth napkins I absolutely didn’t own. Elegant bouquets of fresh flowers filled vases and bowls at multiple points all over the house. The kitchen had been classed up with some kind of pitcher holding cooking utensils and bowls displaying a pleasing assortment of fresh fruit. A series of covered dishes were lined up along the island, as Afton Colquhoun, Hamish’s wife, made last-minute notes about the proper warming and plating of the meal she’d catered. The women hadn’t just stopped at the public spaces either. There was a fresh bedspread and pillows on my bed, and new fluffy towels hung in both the bathrooms. Not a single room remained untouched, and I recognized almost nothing.
“I had no idea it could look like this.”
Ciara lightly punched me in the arm. “See? There’s nothing wrong with having actual stuff.”
“I owe the lot of you. But I need to kick you out now. They’ll be here in less than an hour.”
“Final instructions for the food are written on that notepad there,” Afton said. “You can just drop the dishes back off another day, or send them back to the castle with Ciara.”
“Thank you all. Truly.” I had no idea whether Parker’s parents would be impressed, but none of this would hurt.
“Good luck!” they chorused.
Then they stampeded out the door with as much haste as when they’d arrived a few hours before.
I didn’t stand around gawking, instead heading back to make myself presentable to go with the house. It was far too late to get a haircut, but I could shower and lose the scruff I habitually didn’t bother with. No reason to look any more like a pirate than I already did.
By the time I’d finished scraping off the partial beard, I stood in my closet, hips draped in a towel, wondering what the hell I should wear. Nothing casual. Parker’s parents clearly weren’t casual people, and given what my own intel had turned up about them, I knew I needed to present myself well. My kilts were at the back of the closet, shoved behind my dress uniform. I seldom had reason to wear any of them, but tonight seemed like as good an excuse as any to trot one of them out. Parker, at least, would probably enjoy it.
Bypassing the full highland dress, I chose a slightly less formal kilt and waistcoat. There was formal and then there was excessive. I’d be walking the line tonight, wanting to give the right impression of a man comfortable and in control of his world. The moment I slid it all on, I wanted to strip it off again. It wasn’t really the clothes. It was the persona that went with them. The whole thing felt like a too-tight skin. One I’d shed years ago. But I’d endure it for the night because, no matter how far I’d run from this world, I knew impressions mattered.
A knock sounded on the door. It was early yet, so I suspected it was Parker and Jade. She’d wanted to help with today’s mission, but we’d had too many clients who’d already been booked. Feeling unaccountably nervous, I wiped my hands on my kilt and went to answer the door.
Parker wore a dark green dress I hadn’t seen before. Something in good fabric with a tailored cut that was a subtle indication of the wealth she seldom showed. She’d done something to her face with makeup, again subtle, that elevated her usual beauty to elegance, though the look was somewhat undermined by the way her mouth dropped open in an “O” at her first sight of me.
“Wow. You have a kilt.” Her eyes dilated, and I knew that, for her at least, I’d made the right choice in attire.
My lips quirked. “I am a Scot. You look beautiful.” I stepped back to let her into the house and shifted my focus to Jade, who’d gone for a sedate pantsuit that was cut in lines that would allow her to move. “Welcome to my home.”
“Holy shit.” Parker stood just past the entryway, staring. “I can’t believe they did all this. Did you have all the elves from the North Pole helping today?”
“It certainly felt like it.”
Jade took in the house. “Nice digs. I gather it’s been duded up?”
“Almost completely overhauled,” I confirmed. “They definitely understood the assignment.”
“Seems like you did, too. You clean up pretty well, Quinn.”
“Thank you.” Abruptly, I realized Parker’s shadow wasn’t in attendance. “No Falkor?”
“Much to his disappointment, we decided it was wiser to leave him at home. We all know he’s helpful, but I suspect my parents will see him as one big reminder that I need help. Since the goal is for them to acknowledge I’m an independent, functional adult…”
“Fair point.” Checking my watch, I moved off toward the kitchen. “I need to baste the chops.”
Parker gaped again. “You cooked? ”
“God, no. Afton Colquhoun from Ardinmuir Event Planning catered. Cider-braised pork chops with herb-roasted new potatoes and baby carrots.”
“Oh, that sounds delicious.” Her gaze tracked me as I followed Afton’s instructions. She was still staring as I straightened from the oven, and it wasn’t with the faint and unmistakable shades of lust as when she’d first seen me.
“What?”
“You seem… different.”
I twitched my shoulders at that. “I suppose I’m putting on a very old hat for the night.”
Her big brown eyes searched my face. “I guess I’m not the only one who’s been keeping secrets.”
“No’ a secret. No’ deliberately, anyway.” I gave in to the urge to touch her, skimming a hand along her neck. “I promise I’ll tell you later.”
Her lips curved in a way that made me want to bend and taste them. “Holding you to that.”
Fresh knocking sounded on the door. Bracing myself, I turned on the high society charm I despised and went to answer.
My smile felt rusty with disuse as I greeted them. “Mr. and Mrs. Lawrence. Welcome to my home.”
“We’re so pleased to be here. Thank you for having us, Callum.” Parker’s mother glided inside at my invitation. Her father followed, his gaze already darting around the space, assessing. And it was absolutely worth all of this afternoon’s insanity to know that nothing would be found lacking.
“Can I offer you all a whisky? It would be a shame for you to come all this way and not sample some of the finest Scotland has to offer.”
Mr. Lawrence unbuttoned his suit jacket and slipped both hands into his pockets. “I wouldn’t say no.”
“I’ve also got wine, if you ladies would prefer that. Parker? A glass of the Cab you like?”
After only a beat of hesitation, she smiled. “Yes, please.”
Her mother also went for the wine, and Jade for the scotch. I moved to the sideboard, where the whisky I’d already had was now decanted into a cut glass bottle with matching lowball glasses.
“Perhaps we got off on the wrong foot this afternoon, Mr. Lawrence. I believe you know my grandfather. Alistair Brogan?” I arched a brow in question as I offered him the glass.
At the mention of my grandfather, I could see the instant he changed his assessment of me. I was no longer just Parker’s boss. I had actual connections.
Parker caught my eye as I turned, and I knew her list of questions was growing longer by the second.
“I’ve not spoken to Alistair in quite some time. How’s he doing?”
I moved back to pour the wine. “Well, I’ve not seen my family recently, but he was well when last we spoke.”
“Mmm. Caledonian Trust was working on expansions the last time I saw Alistair. How’s that going?” Mr. Lawrence asked.
I flashed a polite smile. “Oh, I couldn’t say. I’m no’ directly involved in the family business. I elected to pursue a career in military service instead.” I gestured toward the dining room. “If you’d all like to take a seat. Dinner’s ready.”
“Oh, I’ll help you serve.” Parker followed me to the kitchen.
I sent up a half dozen prayers of thanks as I plated up the meal Afton had prepared, not only because it was beautiful and elegant in a way I’d never have pulled off on my own, but because it gave me a few moments to compose myself. Parked pressed a hand to my back before picking up a pair of plates and carrying them into the dining room. I focused on the lingering warmth of her touch as I picked up the remaining plates and did the same.
We got through the meal. I somehow managed to talk golf and investments and generally did everything I could to channel my younger brother, who’d given a shite about all these things. With every minute that passed, I could feel Parker’s curiosity growing. But her parents seemed to relax as the evening wore on.
Not until I served the Cranachan for dessert did I broach the subject we’d all been carefully dancing around. “Now, I understand you have concerns about Parker having moved here. What can we do to put you more at ease with the situation?”
“Well, nice as this dinner has been, I don’t see that there’s anything you can do to change our minds. Our girl will be better off at home,” Mr. Lawrence said.
“I’m a grown woman, Daddy. And I’m gonna need more evidence than your opinion to change my mind. Why are you so set against this?”
“Parker,” her mother sighed. “Don’t be difficult.”
“I’m not a child. Stop treating me like one. If you have legitimate concerns, then lay them out, point by point, and let’s talk about them. But if this is just because you don’t like it, then I’m sorry, you’re doomed to disappointment.”
“Parker—” her father began.
“Tell her,” Jade snapped. She’d stayed virtually silent through most of the meal, but her eyes flashed bright with frustration and no little temper now. “If you want even a remote prayer of getting her to agree to go home, you have to tell her why. Stop treating her like a child who can’t handle the truth.”
Parker’s eyes went wide, and I gathered Jade seldom spoke out like this against her parents. “What are you talking about?”
Jade waited for a few moments to see if either of the elder Lawrences would speak. When they didn’t, she set her spoon down. “Look, I need everyone to understand what we’re dealing with here. For the past three years, Meridian Global has been dealing with increasing pressure from a consortium of Russian oligarchs and Chinese business interests who are trying to control shipping routes through the Arctic and the South China Sea. They started with ‘legitimate’ business pressure—heavy fees, restricted access. When that didn’t work, they escalated.”
She looked at Parker’s parents. “Which is why you increased my scope from basic security to full protective detail.” Her attention swung back to me. “They’ve successfully grabbed three executives’ family members in the past year,” Jade continued. “Two for ransom, one for leverage on trade agreements. And those are just the ones we know about.”
My hands curled into fists. These bawbags would get their hands on Parker over my dead body.
“That’s why she’ll be better off in Nashville,” Mr. Lawrence began.
“Nashville is the first place they’ll look,” Jade cut in. “They’ve had eyes on all your properties for months, which you know. Hell, that’s why you doubled security at the gates. But here?” She gestured around us. “Nobody knows Parker’s in Scotland. All the social media posting that’s been done on the trip is down south. They’d never expect her to be here. And even if they did figure it out and somehow manage to get through me, they’d have to get through him.” She jerked her chin toward me. “I’m good. He’s better. Former Royal Marine with special forces training who would literally tear apart anyone who tried to hurt Parker.”
Parker sucked in a breath, and Jade shifted her gaze back to me. “Tell me I’m wrong.”
Way to put me on the spot.
I’d been very careful not to touch Parker or do anything to imply we were something other than coworkers, given that was yet another thing we hadn’t discussed in terms of what she wanted her parents to know. But maybe they’d be more at ease if they knew protecting her wasn’t just a hypothetical for me.
“You’re no’ wrong. Parker’s safety is a very personal concern for me. There’s nothing I won’t do to protect her.”
Deliberately, Parker curled her hand over mine where it rested on the table. “That would be the other reason I’m not willing to just pick up and go home.”
Parker’s mother lifted a hand to her chest, either to clutch the pearls she wore or cover her heart. I wasn’t sure which. “You two are involved?”
“We are,” Parker confirmed.
Jade turned her attention back to Parker’s father. “Look, you’ve been sitting on all of this in some misguided form of protection, just patting her on the head as if she’s an idiot. She’s not. This may threaten my job, and honestly, at this point, I don’t give a damn. I’m here to protect and support Parker, no matter what, and I believe she’s safer here, under the protection of Callum and the rest of his team, who are all special forces, with experience in private security.”
“And you,” Parker added quietly.
“And me,” Jade agreed. “Ten years watching your back, and I’m not about to stop now. But trying to force her back to Nashville? That’s basically gift-wrapping her for them.”
A muscle jumped in the older man’s jaw, and I knew it was time to go back to being the Royal Marine. With no little relief, I let the thin crust of civility slip.
“Do you have the resources to research the prospective threat to Parker in a way that isn’t going to alert your enemies to her presence? Because I do. My team had one of the highest success rates in the nation when we retired. Dinna mistake the fact that we run a recreational business now for any of us having lost our edge. We haven’t, and we’ll do anything necessary to see that Parker is safe. No one’s getting to her through me.”
Her mother laid a hand over Anderson’s. “Honey, maybe this is the right thing. Her being here is certainly unexpected.”
He scrubbed a hand down his face. “I don’t like it, but you raise some valid points.” His gaze fell on me. “And I expect you’d defend her even against the likes of us. That’s what all this has been about, right?”
I inclined my head to acknowledge the point.
“All right. Then let’s talk about how all this will work.”