Page 87 of Honour Bound
Of everything I’d expected her to say, that wasn’t even close to the top of the list. ‘Er … what?’
She threw me a long-suffering look. ‘Do you need me to say that again?’
‘What on earth do you need Bob for?’ Lexie broke in. ‘You can’t trust the wishes, you know.’
She didn’t take her eyes from me. ‘What I do with him is my business. Do we have a deal?’
I frowned. My skin was still itching from the heavy gold material of the bikini and I was certain I was breaking out in a rash. ‘He’s not a thing to be passed around from person to person. He’s a being in his own right.’
‘Got that right,’ Brochan rumbled.
Chieftain MacBain gazed at me as if I were moon-touched. ‘He’s a genie,’ she said flatly. ‘His purpose is to serve.’
‘No,’ I answered. ‘It’s not. If he wants to go with you, he’s welcome to do so. It’s his decision though. He’s not my slave.’
Her face didn’t so much as twitch but I could feel the coldness emanating from her. ‘Very well. Convey to him my … request.’
‘Okay.’ I pointed to the door. ‘You can go now.’
She didn’t move. ‘There is one other thing.’ Her fingers plucked at her long gloves. ‘I have a lot of power. There are things I can do for you. Your friends might be useful but they don’t understand the Sidhe. I’m not a mad MacQuarrie, you know. I can help you.’
She’d certainly changed her tune but I had no idea where she was going with this. ‘Go on.’
She looked away. ‘Bring me my uncle’s remains.’ I didn’t say anything. ‘Matthew MacBain,’ she snapped. ‘If he’s beyond the Veil then I’m asking you to fetch his bones and bring them to me. I’ll pay you in return.’
I sensed desperation. She might come across as cold-hearted but I’d bet that he meant quite a lot to her. ‘I don’t need money,’ I said. Taylor sucked in a breath but managed to stay quiet.
‘I don’t think that’s true,’ she said. ‘Name your price.’ I made a show of considering and she sighed in irritation. ‘Spit it out, girl!’
I tilted my chin. ‘My name is Integrity Adair. And I passed girlhood some time ago.’
Angry turmoil spread across Chieftain MacBain’s face. ‘I apologise,’ she said stiffly. I didn’t think those were words that she said often. She must want Matthew MacBain’s body very badly. ‘What would it take for you to bring him to me?’
‘A favour,’ I said. ‘Of the manner and time of my choosing.’
Her jaw tightened. ‘You ask a lot. I’ll give you a hundred thousand pounds instead.’
Behind me, Taylor bounced from foot to foot; it was a miracle that he’d not already taken over negotiations. ‘No deal. One favour. It’s my final offer.’
She stared at me for a long moment. ‘Very well. Bring me my uncle’s bones and I will grant you a single favour.’
She was telling the truth. For all her imperious nature, perhaps Chieftain MacBain was one of the more honourable nobles. That was good to know.
We exchanged a stiff handshake and she departed.
Lexie whistled. ‘Things are looking up, Tegs. Keep this up and you’ll be the most popular girl – sorry, woman – on the block.’
‘Maybe she’d prefer lady,’ Taylor interjected, obviously miffed that I’d turned down the money.
‘Nah,’ Speck grinned. ‘Dame.’
‘Harridan.’ Lexie suggested.
Speck’s grin grew. ‘Hag.’
‘Witch,’ said Taylor.
They all glanced at Brochan. He shrugged. ‘Damsel.’
