Page 26 of Utterly Dauntless

Shug stood front and center, arms crossed over his chest. "Grey's gone."

"I know."

"Just wanted to let ye ken thatweare not."

"I appreciate that. I thought I'd head back with you, spend some time with my gran, make sure she's all sorted."

"We want to know what's wrong," McHenish said. The others nodded.

"Nothing's wrong."

"Cut it." Shug pushed his way into the room. The rest followed. "Ye ken what we mean. Why do ye run? Why can ye not stay with Grey? It's clear the two of ye?—"

"Not anymore. It's over. He's...over me."

They all rolled their eyes, snorted and snuffed, and shook their heads as if they couldn't believe she could be so daft.

"He told me last night. It's over."

"Last night," Duncan drawled. "In his room? All night?"

"Nothing happened."

They didn't like hearing that, and she laughed at their expressions. "Look. He's moving on, going to find a new happily-ever-after. It's what I wanted all along."

None of them were listening.

Wyndham picked up her bags and nodded for Duncan to grab the sack with her teacup and doll, then he headed for the door. "Come on, lads. We'll wheedle it out of her on the plane. Maybe we can hang her out the windae by her heels until she fesses up." To Shug he said, "Bring her."

The big man came at her as if he intended to throw her over his shoulder like Grey had done at the pool.

She narrowed her eyes. "Don't you dare."

The train fled south.Each mile added distance between Grey and everything he'd ever loved. The Scottish countryside wasn't distracting enough to hold his attention, and the glass window was just something to rest his eyes on.

His phone buzzed again. Fourth time in an hour. He glanced at the screen. Shug. Again.

The first three times had been McHenish, Wyndham, and Duncan. He'd let them all go to voicemail, would text them his thanks later. He hated to look ungrateful, but he had to stick to the plan, even if it didn't work in the end.

He declined the call. Five minutes later, Shug tried again. Damn, but the man was persistent.

With a sigh, Grey answered. "Shug."

"Where the bloody hell are ye?"

"On a train."

"Headed where?"

Grey looked out the window again. "South."

"South? That's all ye've got to say? South?"

"I've got some ghosts that need puttin' to rest."

There was a long pause. "Are ye certain they're south?"

"They are."

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