His eyebrows pulled together. “Then I’ll need to put a man on you.”
Brushing my hand down his arm in reassurance, I replied, “Lachlan, I can take care of myself.”
“I don’t want you out on a trail on your own right now.”
I glared at him.
Lucy called as she departed, “I’ll, uh … just meet you outside.”
“Robyn, don’t look at me like I’m being overbearing.”
“You are a little, though.”
His expression darkened.
“Hey.” I held up my hands defensively. “I’m not stupid. I know the danger is still out there. But I’ll mostly be in my car, tailing Lucy and her human shields who will be with us at Eredine’s.”
“Until you go off alone to take bloody photos.”
Realizing he had a point, as stifling as his point was, I said, “Okay, compromise—I will only go if Lucy and her human shields agree to accompany me. If she can’t, I won’t go.”
“Agreed. So you won’t need your car.”
“No, I still want to drive,” I argued as we walked out of the gym. “It makes me feel a little freer. I’m safe in my car. Don’t argue with me about it, please.”
He released another heavy sigh. “Fine.”
Back when I’d first met Eredine and interviewed her in the cabin not far from the studio on Loch Ardnoch, I’d thought the cabin was hers and she lived on-site. I’d soon learned, however, that Eredine’s small home was a fifteen-minute drive northwest of the estate via mostly single-track roads.
I’d followed Lucy and Eredine to Eredine’s lodge in the woods. It was exactly as I’d imagined. She was surrounded on three sides by trees, and the lodge was built on stilts with a wraparound porch, small but picturesque. She had a ton of colorful plant pots scattered here and there along the porch, though it looked like some were dying in her absence.
It felt utterly remote, and while I wasn’t surprised it was to Eredine’s taste to be out here alone, I was taken aback she’d want to be out here alone after what happened to Lucy and McHugh.
Yet, her whole face seemed to brighten as we escorted her into her small but chic home.
While we lounged on the sofa and Lucy on one of the armchairs in the open-plan living area, kitchen directly behind us, Lucy’s bodyguards stood vigil outside: one out front, one out back.
“Isn’t it weird taking them everywhere with you?” I asked, sipping at the coffee Eredine brewed.
Lucy shrugged. “They’re usually with me all the time. I’ve just never needed them to be with me all the time while I’m at the club. One of the many perks of being a member. So, no, it’s not weird, but it is annoying.”
Remorse filled me. “We will find him, Lucy. One of these days, he’s going to slip up.”
“Oh gorgeous, it’s not your fault, and you giving me big puppy eyes only makes me feel guilty.” She waved her hand, her gold bracelets jangling. “And anyway, I don’t need to be here. I could leave anytime, so staying is my decision.”
“Why are you staying?” Eredine asked.
Looking comfortable and at home here, Eredine was snuggled up on the opposite end of the couch. While I’d spent lots of time with the young woman, I was still no closer to knowing her. I had no doubt of her kindness, compassion, and sincerity, but I’d also never met anyone so secretive. There were ghosts in her eyes, and I sensed Lachlan had some inkling as to what haunted her. Despite our intimacy, he refused to divulge much about Eredine, and honestly, I admired him all the more for it.
He was a loyal friend.
Lucy answered Eredine’s question, “Because the people I care about the most are here, and I’d feel like I was abandoning them.”
My smile was soft, affectionate. “We wouldn’t think that. We’d be happy to see you safe.”
“Well, that’s how I feel about you. I can’t leave. Not until I know Lachlan and you all will be okay.”
“I think Lachlan is more than okay.” Eredine shot me a big, mischievous smile.
I felt my cheeks heat. “Please stop.”
“I can’t. I have been dying to get away from the estate so I could ask you what is going on. I’ve never seen him like this. He called you his girlfriend.”
I glanced from her to Lucy who looked just as curious.
“We’re …” I tried to sound more casual and less giddy than I actually felt. “We’re giving it a real shot.”
Eredine shook her head in amazement. “If I hadn’t seen it with my own eyes, I wouldn’t believe it?”
Laughing, I replied, “No need to sound so surprised.”
“It’s not a surprise he wants you,” she hurried to reassure me, glancing at Lucy for help, who was contemplating me with an unreadable expression. “But Lucy and I have known him awhile, and he has always been about the casual.”
“He has his reasons for that.”
“They are?” Lucy asked.
“His reasons,” I said gently but firmly, and she pressed her lips together, looking a little displeased by my refusal to share. “But we both agree there’s something more between us, so he said he wants to try.” I bit my lip to halt my smile.
“Oh my God.” Eredine looked happier than I’d ever seen her. “I wasn’t sure if he was kidding about the whole girlfriend thing so this is amazing news. Does that mean you’re staying in Ardnoch?”
“We’ll see. We don’t want to pressure each other.” My eyes moved to Lucy who still seemed to be processing what I’d relayed. Suspicion crept in. “You’re okay about this, right?”
She cocked her head, brows together, a soft smile on her lips. “Of course, I am. I’m … I am so thrilled Lachlan has pulled his head out of his ass …”
“But?”
Lucy grimaced. “I care deeply for you, Robyn. I’m just worried about you.”
Understanding, I nodded. “I know where I stand with him. And I know there are no guarantees. But … he’s worth the risk.”
She considered this and then shot me that charismatic grin. “Then I’m happy for you both. If you weren’t driving, I’d suggest a toast.”
“We can toast coffees,” Eredine said.
The three of us leaned in, holding up our mugs, and Lucy announced, “To Robyn and Lachlan. May our action hero be worthy of our real-life heroine.”
I chuckled while Eredine awwed and we clinked our mugs together.
Discussion spiraled from there into girl talk, and we shared stories about past relationships. I say “we,” but it was me and Lucy. As ever, Eredine was closemouthed about her past, and Lucy didn’t broach the subject. Following suit, I left well enough alone. It was the first time in a while I’d seen either woman so relaxed, and I wouldn’t ruin it by asking questions Eredine wasn’t comfortable answering.
“Oh shit!” Lucy exclaimed as her eyes caught the clock on Eredine’s kitchen wall. She shot to her feet. “I completely forgot I have a video meeting with a director in half an hour. Oh shit, shit, shit. Do you think they can get me back to the castle in time?”