Page 15 of Utterly Dauntless

"We should go together, don’t you think?"

He snorted. "He willnae believe ye're a witch, let alone what ye did. He'll reckon I put ye up to it."

"Maybe we should take another witch along, a real one. Make a believer out of him. What do you say?"

Carson reluctantly smiled, but he stopped short when he looked around the room at the sober mugs looking back. "I'd say I doubt I'll live 'til mornin'."

CHAPTER TWELVE

The sound of Aries' voice calling his name sent a jolt through Grey's veins. For two years, he'd only heard her in his dreams, in his memories, before the phone call in Brighton. Now, just days later, here she was, on the other side of that door. All he had to do was open it.

He pulled back the bolt lock, took a breath, and prayed she wouldn't disappear in a wisp of smoke—not that she could have done such a thing without Wickham's help.

With the door out of the way, his eyes locked on hers and time froze. She was hale and healthy, judging by the rest of her. She held a glass jar aloft and a can of spray, poised to defend herself. Grey couldn't help teasing. "Fixin' to cook for the man, are ye?"

When she smiled in return, his heart nearly stopped. He couldn't breathe, couldn't take the sweetness of the moment when he knew the bitter taste of what would inevitably follow after. So he stepped away and gestured to Wyn to take over.Thankfully, his friend didn't need any explanation and quickly traded places.

Grey moved to the far wall and stood guard beside the door, wishing he could blend in with the old burgundy wallpaper. Or better yet, wait outside for the police to be called.

But no. He had to listen to her and Campbell talk things out. Had to listen to the tragedy that had shaped her life, that she had fought so hard to put behind her. For years, she believed she'd wished them into oblivion, that she'd taken their lives. Only after Grey and she had met did she learn from Wickham that the lads had been returned home. If she hadn't run away, she would have known it.

If she hadn't run away.

She should have learned by now that running away only complicated matters. But she hadn't.

And when Campbell started raving at her for running away and ruining his life in the process, it cut too close to the bone. Grey had to leave the room or start bellowing like an angry mule.

But he hadn't gone far enough. Now he stood in the parlor listening to her planning to leave again, to go to Glasgow with the man who'd kidnapped her rather than stay in Inverness another day, as if leavin' him was as easy as putting on the kettle.

Grey clenched his fists, closed his eyes, and prayed for patience so he didn't beat down Campbell's walls. When he opened them again, Wyn stood in the kitchen doorway watching him.

"Aye?"

Wyn folded his arms and shrugged. "I dinnae reckon Aries wants us to fetch the police."

Grey let out his breath. "I reckon not."

"Then what's the plan?"

"I dinnae trust him with her. Someone will have to go along on this quest to Glasgow."

Wyn nodded. "All of us. Just to be wary."

“Fine. But we’ll draw straws. One of us must stay with Campbell the night, be certain he does nothin' foolish."

"Wallace already volunteered. I think he likes makin' the bastard nervous."

"I'll go let Peg know she'll have guests for the night, shall I?"

Wyn smirked. "Chookie."

Grey shrugged. "Chicken? Weel, ye’re nae wrong."

Seated on a kitchen chair,Aries braced herself. In a matter of seconds, she and Grey would be face to face again.

She heard a door shut and Wyndham came back into the kitchen alone.

"He's goin' to Peg's, to let her ken she'll have company tonight."

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