Page 33 of Forbidden Bond

If Niall wasn’t following business as usual, something was wrong at the top.

“What did Nicki say?”

“No one’s allowed to talk to Nicole McDade, are you crazy? She’s the enemy and on the top tier. Niall doesn’t want her to manipulate the guys.” Or seduce them. “Which works for her, she doesn’t associate with the help.”

Hmm, yeah, she should’ve guessed that.

“I should call if—”

“No calls in or out.”

“I’m Bluebell.”

He snickered and moseyed on by. “That’s not what I meant.”

“What?” She trailed along behind him to the kitchen. “You think I’m barred too?”

“I think you’re giving Nicki too much airtime. What do you think she’ll know?”

Good point. If Conn wasn’t chasing her down, he wouldn’t be racking up a phone bill with his cousin’s adulterous wife either.

“If he was okay, he’d be here by now.”

Strat opened and closed cabinets, looking for what he needed to put on coffee.

“Might not know you’re here.”

“He knows.” Going to the window, she gazed at the street below. “Where are you, Mo Grá?”

Somewhere out there. Dead or alive, her man was out there.

“What’s the plan today? Get supplies? You need to eat.” That was the last thing she cared about. “Where’s next on your hunt list?”

“This is it.” She spun around. “I go to our bedroom and wait.” Strat prickled, gaining mass with solemnity. “I exist beneath him. I don’t think. Don’t make decisions.”

“Is that his rule?”

“It’s my oath.” Happy to take ownership of it, the directive gave her strength. “I yield. Surrender.”

“And you’re so sure he’ll come through?”

“Yes,” she said. “You can go.”

“Not a chance I—”

“I want you to go. You have a whole life out there to get back to. Tell Lachlan I’m fine, don’t tell him where I am. Don’t tell anyone. This place is secret. No one can know.”

“If you’re gonna be holed up here—”

“Only until he comes back.”

“You don’t even know he’s alive.”

“Alive or not, he’ll have a plan. He takes care of me like no other man can.”

“Your brother will want to see you.”

“I can’t leave, wait in our bedroom, that’s the rule.” Not that she’d signed a contract or anything. “I’ll be fine.”

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