Chapter 30
Thirty
LEWIS
Last night we’d been so exhausted by the break-in, then grabbing stuff for Callie from her parents’ house, that when we got to mine, I’d led her into the primary bedroom without discussing sleeping arrangements.
All I knew was that we were both tired, and I didn’t want her out of my sight now that there was a strong possibility the break-in wasn’t a random burglary.
Sloane had wanted Callie to take the next day off work, but she was determined not to let whatever was going on interfere with her day-to-day life.
It was a Saturday morning, so I didn’t have work, but there was no way in hell I was letting Callie travel anywhere alone.
She insisted I stay in bed, but I got up in the wee hours, both of us barely able to open our eyes from lack of sleep, and we got ready in silence.
The only words we spoke were when I relayed I’d received a text from Eilidh that she’d heard what happened.
She was upset she was out of the country with this going on.
I already knew from previous conversations that Eilidh was worried she was missing Callie’s pregnancy, and I’d had to remind her that Callie wasn’t even showing yet.
I dropped Callie at the bakery, reassured to see Sloane waiting for her at the back door.
After kissing her goodbye, I headed home to grab a quick nap and woke up to texts from friends and family who’d heard the news and were worried.
There was also a text from Fyfe asking to meet for brunch.
After replying with a request to meet me at the Gloaming, I tried to respond to everyone’s messages.
Mum asked me to come over for breakfast, but I told her I was headed into town to grab a late breakfast with Fyfe before I picked Callie up after her shift. I promised to check in with her later.
The village was heaving with tourists by the time I returned.
I ended up parking in Callie’s empty space behind the cottage before walking to the Gloaming to meet Fyfe.
The late morning was already warm, and the sea breeze that would cool those on the beach was blocked here by all the buildings in its path.
I passed strangers on the street, hearing accents that took me from America to China, and I had to wonder with how busy it was if we’d even get a table.
Thankfully, Fyfe had already secured one in the dining area of the pub and hotel, and I settled into the booth across from him.
“Sounds like you guys had a night,” Fyfe said without preamble.
“I’m knackered.” I scrubbed a hand over my face. “I can’t imagine how Callie’s coping right now.”
“I’ve got my top guy coming to the house tomorrow to draw up a security system option, if that’s all right?”
“Sounds like a plan. Do I get the friend discount?” I cracked because I knew how bloody expensive Fyfe’s services were. While he specialized in cybersecurity, he had a whole team at his disposal who did the full shebang.
“Callie does.”
“Arsehole.”
“Aye, you’re welcome.”
The server brought us menus and we looked them over as I filled Fyfe in on exactly what happened.
His expression was tight with concern. “You think it’s her birth dad behind it? How? I thought he was in prison.”
“Aye, with connections inside who bankrolled an expensive lawyer and tried to get Callie to reconcile with him for his upcoming parole hearing. Callie refused, Sloane went before the parole board with a damning statement, and Nathan was denied parole for another fifteen years.”
“Revenge?” Fyfe asked grimly.
“Whoever did it bypassed diamonds, a TV, expensive kitchen equipment and handbags … and only took the laptop and iPad. The place was trashed. It was more like a warning and a lazy attempt to make it look like a burglary.”
“Fuck.”
“Aye. Walker’s looking into it, though. If it is Nathan, he’ll figure it out and we’ll put a stop to it.”
“Not really what Callie needs right now.”
Aye, worry had been gnawing at me all night and morning about that. “The stress on her. It can’t be good for either of them.”
“Aren’t you taking her away next weekend as a surprise? Maybe you should tell her now, so she’s got something to look forward to.”
“Not a bad idea, mate,” I agreed.
“Fyfe, Lewis!” Carianne suddenly appeared at our table. She made a shooing gesture toward me, and I slid along the booth to make room for her. Fyfe and I exchanged an awkward glance, and Carianne huffed as she slipped in beside me.
“Oh, please, don’t be weird. Callie and I are all good.” She nodded at me, wide-eyed. “I’m dating an older single dad from Inverness now.” Carianne pointed across the room where a guy with graying ginger hair watched us warily. “You’re long forgotten, Adair.” She patted my arm. “No offense.”
I raised an eyebrow. “None taken.”
“Anyway, I wanted to pop over quickly and ask if the rumors are true. I tried texting Callie, but she’s working. Did she really get broken into?”
“Aye.”
“Oh my God, is she okay?”
“She will be.”
Carianne sighed heavily. “Seriously, just when I thought things had quietened down around here for good. Anyway.” She slapped my knee and scooted out. “Tell Callie to text me back. Her bestie is worried about her!”
Before I could respond, she’d returned to her own table, leaning in to talk to her date.
Fyfe turned from watching her. “Are things really okay there?”
“Awkward but fine.” I shrugged. “Carianne means no harm. And as long as Callie’s cool with her, I’m cool with her. She’s moved on.”
My friend sighed. “Eilidh doesn’t trust her.”
“Eilidh is getting cynical in her old age. And since when do you talk to Eils?”
He started scouring the menu. “She reached out after that video call. We text now and then.”
I considered the way he wouldn’t meet my eyes. “All above board, aye?”
Now his gaze flew to mine. “For fuck’s sake, Lew, what kind of question is that? It’s Eilidh. I wouldn’t touch her if she was the last woman on earth.”
“Good to know.”
The familiar voice had me whipping my head up in surprise.
Now Eilidh stood at our table, her arms crossed over her chest. She smirked at Fyfe but the smile didn’t quite reach her eyes.
“And for the record, I’d rather have a love affair with my right hand than repopulate the world with you, Fyfe Moray. ”
My friend gaped at her in shocked embarrassment, and I saved him from having to respond by sliding out of the booth to hug my wee sister. “What are you doing here?”
She melted into me, returning my embrace fiercely. “Weekend off. Thought I’d fly home to make sure you and Callie are okay.”
I pulled back. “You came all the way from Romania for a weekend?”
“I was worried, and my production team is great. They chartered a private flight for me in the early hours of the morning. Uncle Lachlan let us use the private airfield on the estate.” She rubbed my arm in comfort. “Are you okay?”
Grateful she’d made that effort, I smirked. “Weirdly wonderful and fucked at the same time.”
Eilidh chuckled. “I’ll bet. Mum knew I was coming and told me you’d be here, so I thought I’d stop in before I go home.” If I wasn’t mistaken, my sister was doing her best not to look at Fyfe. “I didn’t mean to interrupt.”
“Join us.” I gestured to the booth.
“No, I should check in with Mum, Dad, and Mor.” Ever since our talk about Morwenna, I knew Eilidh had been trying harder to be there for our sister. Even on the days Mor made it difficult.
“Are you sure?” Fyfe asked. “You’re more than welcome to stay.”
Eilidh flicked him a look but didn’t meet his eyes. “Nah, I’m good.” She leaned up to press a kiss to my cheek. “I’ll stop by tonight so I can see the new house in person and check on Callie. That okay?”
“Of course.”
A few seconds later she was striding out of the Gloaming, only offering Carianne a wave of acknowledgment before she was gone. Eyes followed my sister, people whispering to one another in excitement, a few of the tourists’ phones coming out to snap pics.
It was still so strange. I kept forgetting she was famous.
I sat back down across from Fyfe whose attention was on the door, looking lost in thought. He hadn’t seemed to notice the flurry of excitement Eilidh had caused.
“She’s fine,” I promised him.
My friend looked back, wincing. “I didn’t mean to insult her.”
“It’s Eilidh.” I gestured around the room at the people who were still buzzing that she’d been in their presence. “She’s got millions of people drooling over her on social media on a daily basis. She’s not bothered if you don’t fancy her.”
Fyfe snapped his menu up to his face, the action a bit aggressive. “Of course not.”