Chapter 10
CHAPTER TEN
SULLY
The day was busy, filled with meetings and paperwork—nothing out of the ordinary, aside from my concentration.
Usually, my mind was focused on the tasks at hand and nothing else.
It was no problem to move seamlessly from one client to another.
Intellectual property protection for one.
Finance and investments for another. Dealing with a merger for yet another group.
Acquisitions. Compliance. All of it was varied, interesting, and often complex.
Rarely was anything cut-and-dried. But I enjoyed the challenges.
Today, however, my mind kept drifting to a small hotel room. A beauty I regretfully left alone in a soft bed that smelled of her. Us.
There was a gentleness that surrounded Autumn.
A quiet kindness that emanated from her.
She was warm and gracious with people. Servers, store clerks, people on the street, even.
She smiled and projected her warmth everywhere we went.
And people responded to it. I certainly did.
Bonnie adored her and had talked about the lovely Canadian so often, I should have been more curious.
Except, in retrospect, Autumn was simply a shadowy figure and part of Bonnie’s life, not mine.
Until now, of course. It was surprising how quickly Autumn had become one of my main focal points.
A knock on my door brought me out of my musings, and I looked up to see Agatha Watson. I waved her in, and she sat across from me.
“I understand from your message you are interested in some information about immigration laws.”
“Yes,” I said eagerly. Agatha was well-versed in them since many of our corporate clients brought workers in from other countries.
“Personally or professionally?”
“Personally.”
“Ah.” She paused. “Are we losing you, Sully?” she asked with a frown, her Scottish accent thick. “Do I need to start a new immigration file for ye?”
I shook my head with a grin. “No. I have no plans to leave the UK. I’m good.” I swallowed. “I’ve recently met someone from Canada who wishes to move here permanently. We’re trying to figure out our options.”
“Ah. Are they employed?” she asked delicately.
I laughed. “Yes, she is. She’s here on a temporary assignment. She is looking to see if it could become permanent, but if not, I want to know our next step.”
“By chance, does she have Scottish relatives?”
“No, her generational background is no help. She can trace her ancestry back to Norway but nothing here.”
“Well, then, barring a Skilled Worker visa, she can apply and wait to be approved, or you can marry her.”
“Would she have to wait there, or can she stay here?”
“She can be here. But there are rules around all of this, Sully. A big one is no traveling once the paperwork is submitted. But there are other stipulations. Lots of paperwork.”
“I’m aware.”
“You shouldn’t rush into marriage. She can go home to Canada, then come back to visit for up to six months. You could test the waters, so to speak, and marry in that time frame.”
“But she couldn’t work.”
“No.”
“If I hired her, would that meet the terms of the Skilled Worker visa?”
“We don’t allow nepotism in the firm.”
“Privately. Like a housekeeper or personal assistant?”
“That’s stretching it. A real job offer is best.”
I stroked my chin.
“What is her field?”
“HR. Autumn writes and implements new structures, does training. I understand she is excellent at it. She’s over at Whitby’s, revamping the entire operation.”
“Autumn?” she questioned. “Pretty name. And she works with your cousin?”
“Yes.”
“How much longer is she here for?”
“Three weeks, maybe a month, unless it’s extended.”
“I heard Wallaby and Co. are looking to revamp their business. Bring it up-to-date.”
“Oh?” I sat up straighter. I knew a few people there.
Decent little financial office. Good reputation, although it might be a bit dull compared to what she did now, but it wouldn’t have to be forever.
“Whitby’s was bought out by a parent company,” I explained.
“Autumn’s working on their behalf. I know she’d like to stay on if possible, but Wallaby might be a good backup.
I’ll call John later and ask a few questions. Thanks, Agatha.”
“Sure. Anytime. She should get counsel. And there is a website with information and places to contact to make sure it’s done properly.”
“And I have you. Best counsel around.”
She rolled her eyes. “Flatterer.”
She left, and I pondered what she’d said. A Skilled Worker visa seemed the best option. Whereas I had zero problem marrying Autumn, I knew she was a little more cautious and wanted a marriage based simply on love, not the need to stay in the country.
We would have to discuss it later.
Later at home, I peered into the oven at the dinner I had picked up. I’d run late as usual, a client calling just as I was about to leave. I got him off the phone as quickly as I could, but it put me behind enough that, instead of cooking, I picked up dinner.
Thank God for Marks and Sparks.
I had wine chilling, and hopefully Autumn would be here soon. She had a late meeting but promised to be here by seven. I had twenty minutes before she arrived.
I looked around, pleased at what I saw. The housekeeper had been in, and everything was tidy.
The flat was spotless, I had the table set, including candles, and I had grabbed some pretty flowers for Autumn while at the shops.
The bed was freshly made and inviting, and I hoped she would stay and mess it up with me.
I had texted her early this morning, suggesting she pack enough clothes for a couple of nights, and I hoped she’d decided she liked that idea.
My computer pinged with a familiar tone, and I groaned. I didn’t have time right now, but I always answered those calls. I sat down, clicking on the app. Finn’s and Niall’s faces appeared, both of them smiling and relaxed.
“Hey,” I greeted them. “I’m pressed for time, but what’s up?”
Finn tilted his head, his dark red hair long and brushing his shoulder. “Busy night, cousin?”
“Aye.”
Niall chortled. “So we heard.”
I frowned in confusion, then groaned. Roisin hadn’t wasted any time telling them my news. This wasn’t a business call. This was personal.
“What of it?” I asked calmly.
“We heard you had an accident. Fell really hard,” Niall said with a grin. “Permanent damage.”
“Feck off,” I growled with a grin.
Finn laughed. “Tell us.”
I shook my head, knowing they wouldn’t let up until I did. They were like two gossiping old women, seeking the truth.
I gave them the quick version of how Autumn and I had met. What had occurred since. I finished with my honest thoughts. “I love her, and I want her here with me. The thought of her leaving does something to my chest. I find it hard to breathe when I think about it.”
They were quiet for a moment. Both of them understood, having fallen for their wives hard and fast as well.
“Good on ya,” Finn said. “That’s grand.”
“Mum was over herself,” Niall added. “She was almost bouncing.”
“I’ll take her to meet your mum soon. We need to figure out how to get her here permanently. She’ll have to go back to Canada for a bit. If only to get her things and settle her life there. She has an aunt she is concerned about leaving.” I frowned. “And there’s one other complication.”
“Which is?” Finn asked. “I mean, aside from the obvious of you being a possessive bastard and not wanting her to go.”
I laughed. “There’s the pot calling the kettle black.”
“Well, that is yer name,” he agreed with a smirk.
I became serious. “One of the reasons she came here was to get away from an arse. A stalker. The cops were no help. I’m worried if she goes back, he’ll find her. I’ll need you watching her if I can’t come with her.”
“What’s his name?”
“Alan Blane.” I recited the last known address Autumn had told me.
“I’ll see what we can find. We won’t let him near her. We’ll make sure she is protected.”
I blew out a sigh of relief. “Thanks, boys.”
“Family,” was all Finn said.
“You got a picture of your lady?” Niall asked.
I showed them one I had taken of Autumn sitting across from me. She was looking into the camera, her expression warm and sweet. The light behind her highlighted her pretty hair. It was one of my favorites.
Finn whistled. “Lovely. What the hell is a beauty like her doing with a shite like you?”
“Aye,” Niall agreed. “She could do so much better. Younger. Not so worn around the edges.”
I smirked. “Feck you. You both married above your stations. I plan to do the same.”
We all laughed.
“Don’t worry about your lady. We’ll take care of her.”
“She needs a place to stay. The bastard spooked her roommate, and she had to leave. She was staying in a hotel close to the office, but…” I paused. “I was hoping—”
Finn didn’t let me finish. “We’ll have a room for her here. A driver. A guard to go with her. This Alan shite won’t get near her. And we’ll check on her aunt.”
“Thanks.”
He smiled. “We do have some finance things to go over, but we’ll call you tomorrow. I can see from the way you keep looking at your phone, she is on the way and you can’t concentrate anyway.”
“Good. Brilliant. And you’re right. She is far prettier and more entertaining than your money worries.”
Finn winked. “As it should be. We’ll talk tomorrow.”
I exited the app with a small grimace. I would have to figure out how or if to tell Autumn of my dealings with the boys.
What I did for them. What they did. Part of me dreaded that conversation, and part of me thought I should simply stay quiet.
But I had promised her honesty, and keeping that from her seemed wrong.
I would discuss it with Finn and Niall tomorrow and then decide.
Just then, the buzzer went, announcing Autumn’s arrival. I pushed all other thoughts out of my head but her.
They could all wait.
AUTUMN