Page 22 of The Devil's Detail
He comes and stands behind me. His scent hits me first, his presence a balm.
“It’s an amazing place. You can do as little or as much as you like. If you want to sit, drink whiskey, and read, you can. If you want to walk or hike, we can do that too. Might be fun to go out fishing on the water. Kell loves it. He’ll take you fly fishing.” His arm is pointing out different points on the landscape. “If you fancy a bit of different company, there’s a village and a pub.”
I draw in a breath. “Won’t our cover be blown. We decoyed the plane to LA so we could get away. If I go out in public, someone will sell us out.”
He’s shaking his head. “Not up here. They’re used to Xander, Marcus, James and Bucky. Tarron is highland clan chief, what he says goes. And besides, it’s a sense of pride they have in the family, being part of it all. Nobody will be selling you out. It’s the most discreet place you’ll ever go.”
“More than Cornhill?” I’d been to Devon a few years ago and really enjoyed the anonymity of it all.
“The same. We look after people and the community, and they look after us. It’s a two-way street. You’ll be fine here, Carter. Just don’t let Tarron talk you into whiskey tasting at the distillery. You’ll not get up for a week.” He laughs as he steps back.
“Wow, honey, I’m sure glad you talked me into coming. I know I’m going to love it.”
I spin around to find he’s watching me. I think I see something beyond the security care in his eyes, but it’s fleeting, like the clouds.
“It’ll be good for you to take time out. You’ve had a lot going on. Chill, Carter, take time for you. Ash and I will help, whatever you want.”
And just like that, he’s back to the security guy. Ash and him equals security, welfare check-ins. But I smile, pushing positivity into my voice. “I’ll do it all, sugar. Let me at it. I’m ready for my Highland experience. Sun, sea, sand, and se—. Sorry, got a little carried away there. But you catch my drift.” I’ll take whatever contact I can get, professional or not.
I’m developing a penchant for brown. Not a colour I ever thought of as good to wear. Always thought it was too drab. Montone. But I’ve never seen so many variations as I have recently. Brown plaid on his shirts and trousers. Even his boots, hats, and coats carry myriad patterns in various shades. And Jackson’s eyes. That is the best use of the colour ever. They change from liquid chocolate, to light caramel, to nearly black. I’ve watched the seasons through them, and I think we’ve had all four since I arrived. Sometimes within one hour.
I know Ash knows, and I can see Evie watching me. She can probably tell I like her brother. Sometimes she’s too intuitive. But who the hell cares. I feel as insignificant as a pebble on that mountain.
Because as the days go by, other than to check in that I’m okay, and having a great time, he absolutely takes no notice of me.
“Carter,I’m walking to Xan’s workshop. Do you want to join me with Rio?” Evie’s engineered being on our own, using my love of Rio as bait.
“It’s so beautiful here,” she continues her narration, pulling my attention fully her way. “When I first came, I spent days in an old Land Rover, Xan showing me around, Tarron demanding I see this and that. But it’s the calm I love the most. The majesty of those hills and mountains.” She spreads her arms wide, and I take over pushing the pram around the lake path.
“Sugar, I feel it. Every morning it’s brand new. You never know what the day will bring. I love the surprise of it all. I went out on the water yesterday with Jackson.” Because I have to bring him into every conversation. “I had jeans and a sweater on, and by the time he rowed me out, it was a hundred degrees out there.” I start fanning myself dramatically.
“Are you sure it wasn’t the sight of Jackson rowing that got you hot and bothered? I never took my coat off yesterday.” She’s giggling gently at me, starting to do an impression of Jackson rowing.
“Honey, that man could turn opening a bottle into a hot event for me.” I’m throwing caution to the four winds now. She knows I like Jackson, I might as well embrace it.
She’s really giggling now. “Yep, I was getting that. You look at him every morning like he’s your favourite hot buffet.”
“Well, shit, is it that obvious?” She nods her head. “Do you think he’s offended or bothered by me? He’s being such a good sport.” I’m trying to fish for information, and she side-eyes me because she knows it.
“He hasn’t said it bothers him, and he would never be offended.” She looks at me through her lashes. “But he also hasn’t said that he’s interested either.” Oh, okay, she’s going there.
We walk on in silence. Only the birds in the trees and the sound of the waves on the loch filling the void in my ears.
Eventually, I blurt out, “Ahh, to be honest, I’m too scared to ask. I need him in my life. He makes things easier, and I feel safer with him around. I won’t jeopardise that.”
She nods. “I can see that. Take it easy, Carter. You never know.”
I stop and look at her. How can she say that? Does she know something? I decide to go for it.
“Do you think he’d be interested in a man?”
She says nothing, and we carry on walking at the side of the lake at a sedate pace. It’s ages before she speaks again.
“My brothers are very positive men. They’ve lived very interesting lives, and are far from judgemental.” She gives me a knowing look. “I would say, for all of them, it’s more about the person than the gender.”
I want to ask her more. I want to grill her on if he’s had full relationships with men. But I don’t. It would put her in an awkward position, and I value her friendship more than that.
“Jackson is an interesting character. On one hand, he’s so regimented. Calculated, cold and ruthless. And on the other, he’s the most likely to do anything. The wilder the better. He’s more bonkers than Jonno on occasion.”
