Total pages in book: 146
Estimated words: 136425 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 682(@200wpm)___ 546(@250wpm)___ 455(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 136425 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 682(@200wpm)___ 546(@250wpm)___ 455(@300wpm)
This was what Lacey did best. She could be in the middle of a Bulgarian wheat field and pull a hacker out of her ass. Or something like that. Lacey always knew how to get out of bad situations.
Maybe she had some advice on how to handle Devi. “Thanks. I am sorry for the trouble, but I couldn’t leave her.”
She sighed. “Well, I suppose it’s nice for you to find a woman to love. Not brilliant timing, though, since no matter what Erin Taggart thinks, you’re in a hell of a muddle, mate, and we haven’t even gotten to the bad part yet.”
He was. And his side hurt. He didn’t think he was bleeding out, but he might not notice.
The only thing that mattered was the woman in his arms.
He went silent as they approached the airfield, simply reveling in being able to hold her.
It was the quiet before the inevitable storm, and he wanted to enjoy it. But he still asked the question. “What’s the bad part?”
Lacey looked at him through the rearview mirror. “I didn’t find your mum. Not yet. But I did find someone else. Someone who could be way more dangerous to you.”
He didn’t want to know but he did. There was only one person in the world who could unsettle him more than his brilliant, troubled mother, and that was the man who troubled her. “What’s dear old Dad up to?”
“Well, I’m almost certain he’s working for Huisman now.”
And just like that all his peace was shattered.
His father was back, and his world was infinitely more dangerous.
Chapter Six
Devi woke to the feel of light on her face, warm and inviting. Not annoying, like she didn’t want to wake up and smell the coffee and get to work light. No, this light was soft, and she shifted in the bed, reaching out for…
Nope. She shot straight up, the events of the night before exploding in her brain.
“Hey, easy now,” a voice with a distinctly British accent said. “You slept way longer than I thought you would so you’re probably a little woozy. Don’t try standing up too soon.”
“Where the fuck am I?” She turned her head, catching sight of the woman sitting in a comfy lounger across the room. She looked roughly Devi’s age. Late twenties, with golden brown hair and dark eyes that looked slightly ethereal. She could be a fairy queen sitting there drinking her tea. Lovely and graceful, and now she remembered she’d been the one to drug her. “And take one step toward me and we’ll have a problem. Don’t think I’ve forgotten what you did.”
Those warm brown eyes rolled, and she set down her tea and the book she’d been reading. “Well, I’m terrified. You might pull my hair. You know for a Taggart you’re fairly easy to take down. In my world, you’re practically kings, but you must be one of the slow relations, if you know what I mean.”
And she was evil. “You drugged me. What did he call you? Where is Zach? What is this place?”
“Such a curious lass. All right. Yes, I drugged you since I had to smuggle you out of the country on short notice and quite frankly, I didn’t think you would cooperate. Second, he called me Lacey. My name is Lacey Rook, though I go by several aliases. It’s such a good way to avoid being arrested. As for Zach, he’s getting checked over by a friend of mine. Arthur came out to check on my hillycoos, but he can make sure Zach’s all right, too. I think antibiotics work on both animals and people. To answer your last question, you’re in Wales. Some people I know run this farm as a sanctuary, and members of my group take turns keeping it up and taking care of the animals. Lucky for all of us, it’s my turn, and I explained I wouldn’t need helpers. I was bringing my American cousins along. We’ve got six weeks here and then we’ll have to find someplace else.”
Wales? Her brain started making connections. Wales was bordered by England, and London was in England, and that was where Vivian McKay lived, and Sophy Weston, too. She knew people here. People who could help her escape.
“If you’re thinking about running, feel free.” Lacey stood and picked up her cup and book. She wore faded jeans and a soft-looking knit sweater. “The Irish Sea is to your east, and England to the west. I think the nearest bus stop is twenty-four kilometers away. Good luck.”
“Kilometers? Is that far?”
A brilliant laugh huffed from Lacey. “Oh, I love Americans. Look it up, darling.”
Her head was starting to hurt. “Do you have to be such a bitch?”
She seemed to think about that for a moment. “I suppose not, but it’s more fun this way.” She sobered. “Is your head hurting? You don’t have a concussion but that doesn’t mean you’re going to be comfortable. According to Zach, you were unconscious when he found you. Someone hit you.”