Page 72 of Tell No One
“Is the house out in the middle of nowhere?”
“Not really.”
Delaney wasn’t in a chatty mood. But then was he ever? Although he’d said Tag wasn’t going to be bait, that didn’t mean shit. They couldn’t stay in Wales forever. Delaney had to have some sort of plan. Tag kept thinking of Rafiq and his prince. It was like a romance novel. He wanted to help them. It stood to sense that if Ahsan was in Scotland, then he was probably being held at the place where the…hunters would assemble. Delaney could tell his boss, who’d send people in with guns blazing and save the day. If Delaney was out there too with a rifle, he could…disable the men who were trying to shoot Tag. Right?
Tag knew there were a lot of assumptions in there. Ahsan might be anywhere in Scotland. He might not still be alive. The whole thing could be a trap to catch him and Delaney. If Delaney wasn’t there to protect him, Tag’s chances of survival plummeted. And if heandDelaney were running for their lives, Tag would be a hindrance.
They turned off onto a single-track road and after about a hundred metres, Delaney pulled up at a metal gate. In the time it took him to take off a padlock and get back in the vehicle, he was soaked. He somehow managed to look sexy even when he was wet through.
The gate closed behind them.
“You do magic too?” Tag asked. “Is there no end to your skills?”
“They’ll open and close on approach now I’ve switched the sensors back on, and a buzzer will go off in the house.”
The rain eased off as they made their way up the hill, the dark clouds rolled away and the sky lightened. Tag was expecting to see a stone-built cottage, but it looked like a farmhouse and barn. Security lights came on as they pulled up.
“Stay here while I sort things out.”
Tag watched as Delaney disappeared around the back of the building. Several minutes later, the front door opened. There was light behind Delaney but nothing shining through the windows. When he walked over to the vehicle and began to unload, Tag climbed out to help.
Inside, the place looked similar to the house in Kent. The kitchen had been knocked through to make one big area. There were blinds over all the windows and Tag guessed they stopped light completely. Yet again, there were no photographs, no items of personal significance. If anyone broke in, they’d discover nothing about Delaney other than what size clothes he wore.
Once everything was inside, Delaney moved the Land Rover to the barn, then came back to the house. He looked shattered and Tag moved to hug him, only for Delaney to step out of reach.
“Hey! Maybe it’s me that needs the hug,” Tag whispered.
“I’m wet.”
“I don’t care.”
Maybe Delaney saw something in his face that made him change his mind, because he wrapped his arms around him, and Tag sagged against him, clinging on and shaking. Delaney’s exhalations hit Tag’s cheek like ghost kisses when Tag really wanted the real thing. He was afraid of him moving away again.
“I am so close to freaking out,” Tag whispered.
“I know.”
“Where’s the swimming pool and the gym and the 60-inch TV?” He thought fast. “And the hot tub and the bull-riding machine? Ah, I’m an idiot, the bull-riding machine’s a constant attraction.”
He rocked his hips against Delaney and felt him chuckle.
“Any rules while we’re here?” Tag asked, still clutching him tight.Don’t let me go! Not yet. Not until my heart has calmed down.
“Are you going to follow any rules?”
“I’m crushed that you think I wouldn’t.”
“Hmm. I don’t want any lights to be seen so don’t interfere with the blinds. They need to be in place when it’s dark. One disadvantage of relative isolation is that occupied houses can be seen from a distance. Don’t use your phone unless it’s to speak to me.”
“But we’re safe here?”
“As much as we can be.” He took Tag’s wrists and pulled out his arms so he could get free. “Unpack. Once I’ve showered, I’ll make us something to eat.”
“Which bedroom should I have?”
“There’s only one.”
“Where are you going to sleep then?”
