Page 86 of Honour Bound
‘Is he now?’ I murmured.
‘He’s the Steward, Integrity,’ Byron said. ‘The Carnegies will listen to him. So will the other Clans.’
‘That’s what I’m afraid of,’ I said under my breath.
‘Pardon?’
‘Nothing.’ I felt like a sullen teenager. This was stupid.
‘I should go,’ Byron said. His eyes travelled down my body for the first time. ‘You’re obviously … busy.’
‘I’m only wearing this because I promised Bob. I really was dropped in the wrong place at the start. I probably wouldn’t have made it to the start line without his help.’
He gave me a long, considering look. ‘I’ll speak to Carnegie again. He really shouldn’t have let that…’
I held up my hand. ‘Don’t bother.’ The supercilious MC would only snigger behind Byron’s back at his naivety.
Hurt flashed in his eyes. ‘Suit yourself.’
‘I didn’t mean it like that.’
‘It’s fine, Integrity. Good luck with the final challenge. I’m told that the points accrued mean that either I, you or Tipsania is going to win.’ He stuck out his hand for me to shake. I took it and a shiver ran down my spine. He leaned closer. ‘I should probably go. Seeing you in that get-up makes it difficult not to pounce. Princess Leia has always been a bit of a fantasy of mine.’
And then, before I could respond, he turned and left.
Light flashed and Bob reappeared with a whoop. ‘I told you that bikini was a great idea!’ he crowed.
I tutted. ‘Were you listening?’
‘I was. And I can tell you that he might be a handsome bastard but he’s gone down in my estimation. Get rid of me! Honestly!’
I tried to smile.
‘Uh Integrity,’ Bob said, suddenly serious, ‘you need to tell him the truth about his father.’
‘And that I stole part of his Gift,’ I sighed. ‘Yeah, I know.’ I slumped onto the edge of the nearest bed.
‘What are you doing?’ he screeched. ‘Hair, girl! Hair! Come on! You still owe me!’
Shite.
Chapter Eighteen
Byron wasn’t the only person to come knocking. After managing to persuade Bob to allow me to change back to my regular clothing, and Lexie, Speck, Brochan and Taylor had returned from scoping out potential future targets for thievery, someone else appeared on the doorstep.
It was Speck who answered. He didn’t say anything, he simply stepped back and gestured her in. The stone-faced MacBain Chieftain strolled in, her back ramrod straight as it always seemed to be. She swept her gaze around the cabin and sniffed. ‘So this is what you’re putting the genie to use for? Soft furnishings.’
I bit back a sarcastic response and pasted on my best smile. ‘Chieftain MacBain. We are honoured by your visit.’
She sniffed again. I wondered if she had caught a cold. ‘I won’t stay long,’ she said. ‘I received the ring.’
‘Good. And, for the record, I didn’t steal your necklace.’
‘If you say so. I’m prepared to overlook the entire incident if you tell me where the Foinse is. It’s vital that we recover it.’
‘I don’t know where the damn Foinse is. How many times do I need to bloody well repeat myself?’
She gave me a long, cold stare. ‘Very well,’ she said finally. ‘In the absence of the source of all magic, I will request that you pass the genie to me once your three wishes are completed.’
