2. Chapter 2
Chapter 2
Malcolm
I know that the lass is riled up. It wouldn’t be right to put the moves on her now, even though she’s giving me all the signals to do so. If I were in her shoes, it wouldn't matter how beautiful she is, a woman coming on to me at a time like this would be a slap in the face. All the same, I can't help the pull I feel in my belly. I'm not sure what turns me on more about Steph, the fact that she is a ‘take the bull by the horns’ kind of a woman, or the fact that she's drop dead gorgeous. Her whole demeanor screams that she's a Scot, and that just makes her all that much more alluring to me.
However, I did manage to shoot myself in the foot earlier, by telling my cousin Declan about the potential relationship that we have started. Sure, it was presumptuous, but I do detect the slightest smirk on her face since it was mentioned. She's certainly not shying away from it, which tells me that perhaps my instincts were correct. But as much as I'd love to test that theory, now is not the time.
“What sort of evidence?” I ask her out right.
“It doesn't matter right now, Malcolm. My da didn't raise a fool.”
“Nor did mine, lass. But I'd like to help if I can, and I can tell you right now that withholding something...well...that may come back to bite you in the ass later.”
Her face changes. It becomes set like stone. “Tell me how much work the authorities have done to keep your family safe, Malcolm?” She asks me. “Because Moira has told me how many security guards and private investigators that your Uncle Dougall has in his employ, which would indicate that most of the work has been done by the family. And if I know my cousin Callum like I remember him, he will skulk his way out of every ounce of trouble that he's dug himself into. So, I retract the use of the word evidence, and instead replace it with the word insurance.”
“You do understand that if you've tampered with evidence at the scene, that you could be charged, right?” I ask her carefully, feeling the charge in the air change. I'm pissing her off. I'm questioning her moves. And given that Steph is an independent woman, she doesn't like to be questioned, even if it is to help her.
And it's like she reads my mind. “I don't need your help, Malcolm. In fact, I'm not sure if staying with you is the right choice.”
Now I've offended her. “Steph, please. If you believe that your cousin murdered your granny, there could potentially be a murderer after you. And I really don't think that your condominium has enough security to offer you.”
“I can take care of myself, Malcolm.” She says, not concealing the bite in her tone.
“Well, how about a compromise, then? How about I stay at your place.” I offer. “Callum came after me first last night. Therefore, he recognizes me. And if he does worm his way up to your apartment, he'll be much more hesitant to come after you with me camping out on your couch.”
Her voice is laced with ire. “I do not wish to fuck you, Malcolm. If I wanted to do that, I would have already done so.”
I lift my hands up in defense. “Same here, lass.” I argue, but with the knowledge that my declaration holds much less clout, seeing as I've already admitted to being smitten by her.
“Bullshit.” She states firmly, crossing her arms over her chest, in a stance that I'll take as trying to be tough. Although Steph is not physically imposing by any means, my thought is that you wouldn't want to fuck with her. She is a woman that can take care of herself. After all, for all intents and purposes, she's used to dealing with men daily. Businessmen, likely as difficult as my Uncle Dougall himself. There is no doubt in my mind that Steph could ward off any assailant that may come her way. I wouldn't even be shocked if she carried.
“You have a pistol?” I test her.
“I've lived alone all my adult life, Malcolm. What do you think?”
“If you want me to leave, lass, I will.” I tell her frankly. “But, just for the record. I never came here with the intention of sleeping with you. And I'm leaving because you've asked me to, not because I know full well that I will not be rewarded for staying the night.”
While my words are meant to level the playing field, I see that they've only served to annoy her further. “Fuck you, Malcolm. If you know what's good for you, you won't go back to your Uncle Dougall. This is none of his business, nor is it any of your business. The only reason why I ever agreed to this was because of Moira.”
This whole time that we've stood here and conversed, I can't help but notice that she has a firm grasp on her purse strap. “That and the evidence that you've stolen from the scene.”
Her teeth grate together. “Get out.”
I lift my hands in defense. “If you need me, if you change your mind, you know where to find me.”
“I won't tell you again.” She speaks through her gritted teeth, as she opens the front door, burning her gaze into mine and not in a good way, either.
On her request, I leave her. I figure, if she's man enough to kick someone of my size out of her house successfully, then she's man enough to deal with whatever comes her way, and let's face it, the man that could potentially be after her, is family. As much as he murdered his own granny, she was also an elderly woman, and not a stubborn, headstrong woman like Steph here.
I head back to Harris Investments, preparing myself to let them know that the mission has been aborted. As I make my way there, I think of ways to tell my cousins, without them bullying me for it. As it turns out, Uncle Dougall is in the boardroom with the boys, arms flailing in the air, spittle flying out of his mouth, threats and accusations firing from his lips. Of course, it's not uncommon to witness such a thing. In fact, it's rather uncommon to make it through a meeting unscathed with Uncle Dougall.
He sees me, and points at me, eyes blazing with fire. He shouts, while veins burst from his throat from exertion. “And you!” His tone is laced with accusation, as though my appearance could not have come at a better time.
I cast my eyes downward, knowing full well that when Uncle Dougall is angry, it's best to let him vent first before speaking. Scanning the room, I notice that all other eyes are anywhere else but pointed at Dougall.
“What is this? Are we running a business here, or a refuge for women? I do not know what it is with you boys, but every time you meet a lass, somehow, yet another team of security and investigative personnel is required.”
Caleb, brave Caleb, decides that now is the time to break his silence. “Da, we figured that after this goon came after us last night, that you would demand more security be put on this. If that's not what you want, that we can call the whole damn thing off.”
“You are the last person that should be speaking out of turn, lad. You yourself have brought on enough trouble for this family.”
Caleb, stupid Caleb, rises. “If I recall, da, we have you to thank for that. Given that you were the one that wished for me and Laney to marry, whether we wanted to or not.”
Uncle Dougall pauses, a smirk sits across his lips, the same smirk that he uses when he's about to explode. “Who was the fool that was donating money to a drug abusing whore?”
Caleb snickers, dragging a hand down his face, shaking his head. “Remember who that lass was, da. If it had not been for her, we would not have your beloved grandchild, Peg.”
Dougall quickly grasps his head peering around the room for his next victim. His gaze lands on Ethan. Ethan lifts a finger, glancing at his da. “You say a word against Freya, and I'll remind you how she saved said grandchild from her kidnappers.”
Growing frustrated, Dougall turns his gaze back to me. “You have more to say to me, lad? Did you get what you wanted out of her?”
I feel my fist balling up. This pleases him. When Uncle Dougall is out for blood, he doesn't rest until he gets it. That is, unless my Auntie enters the room. Her timing is more impeccable than mine, evidently. The moment Dougall sees his fair maiden wife, his face immediately softens.
Declan, likely feeling left out, takes a stab at me. “Based on that sour puss of yours, I'd say that Malcolm struck out. Did you even make it to your house, lad?” He taunts me.
Caleb jumps on this dogpile, too. “Aye. He fucked it up.”
My gaze darts to his. “You’ll keep your fucking mouth shut if you know what's good for you.”
My threat falls on deaf ears. “What did you do, huh. Did she shut you down when you put the moves on her, man?”
I decide that I’ve had enough fighting for today, and Uncle Dougall has grown bored of us, since he couldn’t draw blood, so he and Auntie have left the room. “Steph stole evidence from the scene.” I inform, changing the subject.
All eyes are on me. “What do you mean, evidence?” Declan asks. “He smothered her from what I understand.”
I shrug. “She wouldn’t say. That’s when she kicked me out. I knew that she was hiding something in her purse, but she wouldn’t tell me.”
“She’s stringing you along, Malcolm.” Caleb states.
“I don’t see why she’d have a reason to.” I state. “I’m the one that offered for her to stay with me. Hell, I even offered to stay with her instead, as an alternate.”
“And she didn’t want to?” Declan is confused. “Maybe she doesn’t really like you after all.”
Ethan waves. “Na, she likes the lad well enough. Did you see her face light up when she found out that he likes her?”
Declan’s neck cranes at his brother. “Do you know nothing about the lasses, brother? Flattery will get you everywhere, man. She was probably just feeling her chest puff out. Sure, she wasn’t put off by it, but maybe she really doesn’t like him.”
I’m growing irritated. “Will you stop talking about me like I’m not here!”
Caleb ignores me. “Well, if she kicked him out, what the fuck do you think that means, idiot.”
I exhale sharply. “It’s because I called her out. Before that, her eyes were telling me that she wanted me.”
Ethan chuckles. “Bullshit. If she wanted you, she’d have had you by now, cousin. No offense, but I’ve heard through the grapevine that Steph isn’t exactly shy with the mates.”
The way he says this isn’t to insult her. It’s more to corroborate his point, so I don’t take it offensively. And just as he says this, Steph and Colton Ford walk by. I raise a brow, lowering my voice. “What...the fuck? Why is she here?”
“She is an engineer.” Caleb states, rising, watching the two of them as they pass by the open boardroom door and pass it. He nods hello to both of them, but otherwise acts impassive.
“Yeah, but her granny just fucking died!” I hiss. “And what is Colton doing here?”
That’s when da approaches from the hub area. “I have a meeting with Colton Ford. That’s why he’s here.”
“And why is Steph here?” I ask under my breath, as though they’ll hear us, even though it sounds like they’ve gone into one of the other meeting rooms.
Da smiles, but his eyes are slit. “Don’t make me think that this changes my mind about the lass, Malcolm. I still think that she’s trouble. But if Colton Ford is going into business with her, then who am I to question him? I trust Colton more than most.”
I lift a hand. “Fine. Just...forget it. I’ll be in my office.”
I head to my office, wishing like hell that I was a fly on the wall during this meeting. Why the hell Uncle Dougall didn’t mention his meeting with Steph and Colton during his barrage is beyond me, but it can only mean one thing: that he didn’t know she was coming. And why Uncle Dougall is meeting with Colton, yet none of us knew this, makes my skin crawl. But that’s the way that the man works. He always keeps us on the edge of our seats and only tells us things strategically. The man is like a machine. His mind is always at work, thinking of his next move.
After checking some emails and getting prepared for a late meeting we have today, where I’m about to get hosed for a deal that I tried to make that went sour, my assistant buzzes me on my desk phone, telling me that I have a visitor. My guess proves right when I hear the tap at my door a few moments later. It’s Steph. “Come in.” I tell her. “Why are you working?” I ask, concern all over my face.
“When you have a meeting about a deal that can bring in two million dollars in one quarter, you go, whether or not your granny just died.” She says matter of factly.
“Aye. I see.” I nod. “Sit.” I gesture to the guest chair in front of me. Her face is unreadable.
“I won’t keep you.” She replies, evidently refusing to sit. “I just wanted you to know that I’m staying with Moira at Declan’s place for now. Moira insisted.”
“That’s a good idea, lass. Declan has excellent security, just as I do.”
“So, you don’t need to worry about me.” She says this like I called her fat earlier, and she’s denying it, like she just joined Weight Watchers, so don’t worry about her being fat or something.
I decide to take the low road here, since I know that I put my ass on the line in telling my cousin about my feelings for her, and in my opinion, she took advantage of that. “It was my Uncle Dougall that insisted.”
“That’s a lie.”
“Aye, actually, if any of my cousins have spoken with you, Uncle Dougall all but told me to keep my distance from you.” I swallow, feeling like shit for saying as much. “In fact, his words, if I recall correctly were, ‘are we running a business, or a refuge for women’.”
She lifts her brow and frowns. “Then I made a mistake coming here.”
“You came to see Colton, didn’t you?” I say as more of a statement than a question.
“Aye, but also Dougall. Colton was consulting with me on a project that he’s working on, which is like one of mine.”
“And he’s paying you for this.” I check.
“Aye. A large sum. One of my designs is what he’s after for their fleet. I’ve patented it but he’s willing to give me a generous amount for my troubles.”
“He’s buying your patent?”
She shakes her head no. “No. He just wants to ensure that he doesn’t get sued. He wants to replicate some of my concepts and alter them for his needs.”
“Aye. So, he didn’t mention this to Dougall, then.”
“No. But because of the large sum that he’s paying me, he figured it was best if I came to discuss this with your Uncle as well. And it was just as well, since I had to sign paperwork for it.” She licks her lips, and there’s something behind those eyes of hers, but I can’t place what it is. “I’m guessing that Dougall didn’t think you or your cousins were fit to deal with something so involved.”
Ah, she’s being a bitch. That’s what was behind her eyes.
“Dougall is the CEO of this company, along with his wife. He can see any client that he wishes to without our consent or association. He’s done this many times.”
“Aye, but this time, it’s rattled you, hasn’t it.” She says, playing with me. She wants to piss me off, just like I pissed her off earlier. I’ve never had a pissing match with a lass before, and I’m not sure that I like it. I can’t punch her in the face, for one.
I just smile.
“You love to be in control, don’t you, Malcolm.”
“As do you, lass.” I nod once for emphasis.
“That’s the difference between me and you, Malcolm. I’m a business owner and you’re just another hamster in the wheel.”
“I thought you were an engineer.” I point out.
“I’m the engineer that owns the business.”
My tone is impassive, just to irritate her. “Congratulations to you.” I lick my lips, while watching her eyes dance. She’s loving it way too much that she’s getting under my skin, and I don’t like it. “Is there anything else I can do for you, lass?”
Something in her eyes changes. She licks her lips. When she speaks, I detect the smallest crack in her voice. “No.”
She rises, as though I’ve asked her to leave, and I guess that in a way, I have. The way that she walks to the door is unsettling. I can’t put my finger on it, but something is off. I rise with her, but her back is to me. Her shoulders aren’t squared like they normally are. Her gait doesn’t have its usual air of confidence. I’ve knocked her down a peg. I should feel happy. But somehow, I don’t. As she walks into the ladies’ room, I see her hand reach up.
...and I swear that I see her wipe a tear from her eye.