Page 52 of The Winter Kissed Kings

I look up from the laptop and see three pairs of eyes on me. I forgot to tell them what I’ve found. I was too excited. “We have matches,” I say. Marie looks like she’s going to cry. Callie lets her head drop to her chest and Janet squeezes my shoulder, smiling. “We need irrefutable proof that Betty is the one sending them money. Without that, she can lie her way out of it.”

“The name I gave you can do all that. We need to give him everything and let him do his job,” Maries says confidently.

“Who is this guy?” Callie asks. I’d like to know too.

“He is someone I trust. We’ve been waiting for this for a long time. He knows what to do. I’m asking you to trust me.” Callie doesn’t look happy with the answer she’s given, but I see it in her eyes that she isn’t going to fight it.

“Fine.” Callie grabs another sandwich. I’m pretty sure she’s eating her feelings.

Using my encrypted memory stick, I add all the information from my vault, plus the book pieces and cracked account codes. I grip the stick hard. This is it. Once I hand it over, everything is out of our control. All we will be able to do is wait.

Marie takes the memory stick and stashes it in her pocket. Now what do we do? We drink, that’s what we do. It’s not a celebration, that won’t happen until Betty is in an orange jumpsuit. No, we are numbing all the difficult feelings that are surrounding us.

* * *

I wake up with a crushing headache. We all went overboard last night. I think at one point we were all crying. Jesus. Callie is snoring next to me. I roll over and get out of bed. I need fluids ASAP. The alarm clock on the bedside table tells me it’s almost eleven. I drink four glasses of water in the bathroom and then head downstairs. Callie doesn’t look like she’s going to wake up anytime soon.

The smell of coffee and bacon assaults my senses as I walk into the kitchen. Janet is cooking and Maries is sitting at the breakfast bar reading the paper. I wave at them when they spot me. Janet pushes a cup of coffee and a bacon sandwich in front of me. I want to reject it because I’m still being childish but my body needs sustenance.

“I’ve dropped off the information,” Marie says. I’m glad, I want this done with. God knows how long it’s going to take this man to act on the information we’ve given him.

“So we just wait now?” I ask.

“Yes. I don’t think we will be waiting long, though. He has teams of people working on it. I also had an update about your brother.”

“And?” I know he’s an idiot, but I don’t want him dead.

“From what I’ve been told, he’s safe. Yes, Betty is still holding him, but I’ve had my people create a bit of trouble that is taking her attention away from Daniel. If we attempt to get him before Betty is taken in, she’ll know something is going on.”

I get where she’s coming from, but she’s still playing with another person’s life. Betty could decide any day now that she’s tired of waiting for me to bring Callie in and kill Daniel.

“Can I go to my flat?” I would guess they have people watching and would know if any of Betty’s guys were hanging about.

“Yes, it’s safe for now, but I would still prefer you and Callie to remain here until it’s done.”

“I just want to check on things, grab some clothes.”

“Okay, I’ll have someone take you over.”

Our conversation is interrupted by a very sleepy and sexy looking Callie. Her mane of hair is all over the place. I just want to shove my fingers through it. “Morning” she clumsily signs. I lean up from my seat and kiss her gently. I could get used to this. Used to having Callie walk intoourkitchen, looking all adorable. I hope she wants that too. I hope she still wants that future.

“Morning, love,” Marie says. Callie freezes for a second and I realise she’s momentarily forgotten that her mum is alive. I see the shock wash over her as it did yesterday.

Scratching her head, Callie settles on the stool next to me. Janet slides her coffee and food. Callie wastes no time inhaling her bacon sandwich. I love that about her. No matter what is happening, the woman always enjoys her food.

“Do you want to visit my flat?” I ask her. I think we could both do with time alone.

“Hell yes, I do.” It’s the first time in a few days that I glimpse the excited carefree Callie that I know and love. I smile and kiss her again.

Breakfast is still awkward, but we all muddle through. I want to get out of the house sharpish. Marie organises a car to take us to my flat. I suddenly feel nervous. When we pull up, Callie jumps out of the car, pulling me along with her. I tug her arm, laughing. “You don’t know where you’re going, you prat.” She grins and I swoon.

My flat is in the centre of Edinburgh, just above a wool shop. I know the owner and we get on well. He has a daughter that runs the till in the shop and she’s nice. She’s also a lesbian and has asked me out several times. I hope we don’t run into her.

After successfully avoiding anyone else, I lead us up the exterior stairs and open my front door. It’s weird but I feel a bit emotional. My place isn’t massive, but it’s cosy. I can see that Penny has stopped by to water my plants and feed my fish. I’ll buy her a bottle of wine. She’s a good egg.

Callie takes her time wandering around the living room. She stops at the big ass map that is still hanging on the wall. I forgot all about my war room situation. Smiling, she turns around and looks at me. “This is impressive.”

“It is. You left quite a trail,” I joke. I hope she doesn’t think I’m being judgemental, because I’m not. It doesn’t thrill me to see all those little pins, but I’ll get over it. She’s with me now and that’s all that counts.

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