Equity (Balance Sheet #3) (9 page)

When I pulled away from the kiss, I caught Griff’s stunned glance at me.
Fuck
. Griff was in love with Keely, which was one of the reasons I steered clear from her. The other had been that I had always seen her as a little sister. That was, until last night.

Knowing Griff would understand my little display, I ignored his glare. I asked Keely, “Why are you still working here?” I waited for a response, fighting the urge to chase after Bailey.

Keely was saved from answering when Ennis, my mother’s boyfriend and the proprietor of the bar, called for her assistance. From the exchange and his pissed glance my way, I knew he was going after Bailey, probably to give her a ride so she didn’t walk back to my mother’s in the dark.

Griff caught my attention. “Are we done here?”

I nodded.

“Then let’s get out of here. Want to go to a club?”

Bits of dust plume rose from underneath my stamping feet. The sun was low in the sky, barely a glowing ember. It didn’t matter though. I just needed to get the hell out of there and away from that asshat.

It was a strange word that I hadn’t used before but fitting. I was in an extraordinary and beautiful place. I’d only been trying to fill my empty day by taking the asshat’s mother’s suggestion to make my way to the only pub in the area run by her boyfriend Ennis. We had gotten word that Turner wouldn’t arrive until tomorrow morning.

Ennis been the kindest man I’d ever met and understood immediately why Kalen’s mother swooned when she spoke about him. When he looked taken back by an early rush and I offered to help, he looked relieved.

Then Kalen had come in like a summer storm, all beautiful and deadly. It had taken all my gumption to ignore his turmoil and advances. He wanted me and didn’t at the same time. No girl wanted that. So I’d fled. What else was there to be done?

The faint hum of a motor came from the distance. I didn’t turn around. I feared Kalen had been forced after me. I balled my fist in preparation to tell him exactly where he could shove his ride when an open window pulled beside me.

Ennis. I stopped. His gentle smile was all the nonverbal words I needed.

On our way back to Moria’s he said, “Aye sweet lass, my son,” he began.

I glanced over at him with my brows knitted in confusion.

“He’s not my son by blood. But he’ll always be like a son to me, eh.” He waited a beat. I gave him a tiny smile, letting him know I understood. “That boyo, I’ve never seen him behave that way with any woman.”

Figuring I had nothing to lose because both his
parents
seemed to want to give me a pep talk, I said, “He hates me.”

His laugh was brusque. “Lass, that’s love causing all his confusion.”

“I don’t think so. I think he just doesn’t want me here.” My words were as final as they sounded. I wouldn’t believe anything else. “Besides, he and Keely are making up for lost time.”

“Keely,” he said, and it was with humor that made the name sound preposterous. “That lass has been following Kalen for the last decade. He puts up with her as a sister, nothing more.”

“It didn’t look that way,” I rebuked. We pulled up in the driveway. I turned in my seat, thinking I’d better do this before we got inside and I was talked out of it. “Is there an inn nearby?”

“Aye, lass,” he said, sounding weary. “Don’t leave. The lad will come to his senses.”

I gave him my biggest doe eyes. “I can’t stay here.”

Defeated, he sighed. It was a moment or two in hopes I suspected that I would change my mind before he said, “Let me make a call inside.”

When I opened the car door, Moria was already standing there. “Is everything okay?”

I just nodded and headed for the stairs. I could hear Ennis explaining before he switched to what Moria had told me was Gaelic. It didn’t take long for me to get my things together. I hadn’t unpacked because I planned to stay somewhere else with Turner anyway. Neither man deserved the uncomfortable tension that would surround us if we were all in the same place.

By the time I got downstairs, Moria seemed beside herself. However, she only asked me to stay once. After I gave her a definite no, Ennis said that there was one inn nearby. It was located near the private airport I’d flown into. The owner of the airport also owned the inn. His wife operated it. However, with no guest, she’d gone to stay with her sister for the night. Ennis would drop me by the airport. The owner was waiting for one more arrival before he shut down for the night. Then he would walk me over to the inn and get me settled.

I hugged Moria because she’d been nothing but nice. I hated to leave her hospitality. But I would have left by tomorrow with Turner anyway.

As much as I felt bad about taking Ennis away from his bar, I was grateful for the ride. On top of that, when we arrived at the small airport, he walked me inside the tiny building that must have been the brains of the operation. I barely remembered the place from arriving a day or so ago. My head had been so messed up, I’d barely paid any attention to my surroundings. The darkness that filled the spaces now didn’t help my memory.

Ennis held the door as I stepped inside. An older man with a wisp of brown hair was talking to another man with a crop of red hair on his head.

Both men turned in our direction when a jingle above the door alerted them to our presence.

“Ennis,” the man behind the counter began.

“Fergus, this is the young lass needing a room,” Ennis said.

Fergus nodded in my direction before switching into what I thought was more Gaelic. The other man gave me a smile before he was drawn into the conversation. I think they’d switched to English, but their brogue was so thick I still didn’t understand. I knew they were talking about me, when they all looked at me.

The conversation died and Ennis said, “I’ll be on my way.”

I thanked him for everything and sent more thanks to Moria before he left. When I turned back from the closing door, Fergus said, “I’ll only be a few more minutes.” 

I nodded and took in the stark interior of the building. The front of it was made of a wall of glass. All I could think before chuckling to myself was
the better to see you with my dear
. There were a couple of metal chairs in the corner opposite the side door we entered in otherwise it wasn’t very inviting.

“Are you headed back to Dublin, Angus?” Fergus asked. The other guy nodded. “Is this your last run of the week, or should I expect you back?”

My eyes found the guy behind the counter waiting for Angus to answer.

“No more runs this week. I’ll have to take Ennis up on his dinner offer another time.” They traded some more banter before he added, “Do you have my invoice for the month?”

“Aye. Let me go get it in the back.”

A plan began to form inside my head. I walked over to the counter.

“Angus,” I said, getting the guy’s attention.

“What can I help you with?” His accent was clearly Irish.

“Are you taking on any passengers back to Dublin?”

“No,” he answered hesitantly.

I gave him my best smile. I knew the moment I’d won. “Can I catch a ride with you?”

One of his fingers pointed at me as a grin spread over his face. “I usually don’t take on passengers I don’t know. I have a small plane…”

I appreciated his honesty. He probably didn’t want to feel weird or forced to make small take with a stranger he didn’t know. I was desperate.

“I’ll pay,” I said confidently. Unfortunately, I didn’t have any currency other than U.S. on me. But I had debit and credit cards. It might not have been wise for me to use them, but it was a price I was willing to pay.

He looked around, for what I didn’t know. There wasn’t much to see. “How do you know Ennis?”

There were complicated ways to explain that. I took the easy way. “I’m a friend of the family.” It was roughly the truth.

He nodded. “For Ennis, I’ll only charge you for the extra fuel I’ll have to use in order to take you.”

We shook on it. The innkeeper and private airpark owner walked back in with something in his hand. He looked between me and Angus before Angus strolled up to take the proffered invoice.

“I’m going to go get my plane ready for takeoff.”

I wasn’t sure who Angus was speaking to and didn’t try to find out.

“Can I bother you for a piece of paper?”

“Sure.” He grabbed a notebook from behind the counter where he stood.

Thinking ahead of me, he also offered me a pen. Gratefully, I took it. Hastily, I wrote a note. I tore the paper and folded it in thirds. Then I scribbled a name on the front.

I handed the notebook and pen back before handing the note. “Tomorrow, a plane is scheduled to arrive.”

Fergus nodded. “Mr. Brinner’s plane.”

“Yes,” I agreed. “A man named Turner is arriving on it. Can you give him this note?”

His brows furrowed. “You can’t give it to him?”

I shook my head. “No, I won’t be here.” There was an awkward pause that filled the room. “I thank you for offering to give me a room at the inn. But I’ve made other plans.”

My hand held out the note.

“Turner?”

“Yes,” I answered. “Please make sure he gets it.”

He nodded. And before he could ask me anymore questions, I darted out of the building.

The trip almost scared me to death. The plane was small with only had six seats. It wasn’t luxurious like Kalen’s plane. I was almost pleased that it was night. Angus, who’d seemed nervous before about awkward conversation, talked non-stop. He asked a lot of questions and I gave him answers that didn’t give too much information without being impolite. After we landed I had to show my passport to the customs official. Afterwards, I gave Angus the news that I needed to get to an ATM to get his payment.

He was kind enough to drop me off at a nearby major hotel chain. I used my card to pay for one night. Kalen and maybe the people who were after me would find me. But I figured no one would come tonight. And in the morning I would get lost in Ireland or head somewhere else. I closed my eyes, exhausted after not having slept the night before. I prayed for no nightmares and hoped I’d made the right decision.

Kalen would be furious I’d left. He would have found me at that inn. We couldn’t be alone together. No matter how angry he was at me, there was an undeniable attraction between us. He demonstrated that early. If he found me, we would act on our desires, which would only bring more heartache to me. Because Kalen had not forgiven me. That was one thing I knew for sure.

My jaw was set and even Griff hadn’t bothered to test me at the moment. Ennis stopped me from following after the lass. Keely avoided me like I stank of shite. And all I wanted to do was to throw something.

“So, you going to tell me then?” Griff asked cautiously.

“I thought maybe she was the one,” I answered cryptically because there was no way in hell I was going to say the L word.

“You love her,” he retorted, not giving me the easy way out.

“Loved,” I admitted.

A snort preceded his next words. “No, love. Boyo. I never thought a bonnie lass would ever get the best of you.” He chuckled, but it was more to himself.

I slapped down the mug I’d been holding and stared into it like more ale would appear. We hadn’t yet left the pub despite his earlier idea.

“Doesn’t matter. She chose another.” It was easier to get this part over. If he had to press it out of me, I’d never hear the end of it. Admitting it, he may show me some mercy.

Loud guffaws followed, adding to my humiliation. I suffered in silence, drowning my shame into too many fingers of scotch to count after I signaled for more.

Barely able to stop laughing to speak, Griff said, “Let’s go out, my friend.”

That was code for going out and giving some lucky women our time. I nodded and handed Griff my keys. He’d been drinking too. However, I was toast and knew I shouldn’t be behind the wheel.

Hours later when the sky began to change from nearly black to a midnight blue, we stumbled in the house I’d built for my mother.

“Kalen and Griffith,” my mother called from just inside the kitchen door. I was reminded of being thirteen and coming home after a night of debauchery.

“Ma,” I said, giving her my best grin as Griff and I tried to support each other.

“Don’t tell me either of you drove.”

I shrugged. She tsked with fisted hands on her hips.

“Off to bed with the both of you.”

We stumbled forward and half laughed, half walked to the top of the landing. Griff walked past my door and to the door where Bailey was sleeping.

“No,” I called out in a loud whisper, hoping not to wake her up. “The lass is in there.”

His grin split and he walked backward. He’d closed himself in the other room while I stood looking at the door. If we’d woken her, I wanted to be there if she peeked out her room. To see her sleep musk would be a treat I may never see again. But she didn’t come out, as if she knew I was there waiting. Could she be that disgusted with me?

My feet spun and I closed my own door. I fell on the bed and gave in to the sleep that called to me. I knew once my eyes closed I would dream of a lass made of fire and a sexiness I’d never experienced before. It hadn’t mattered what distractions I’d allowed myself; I couldn’t get her out of my head.

Not too long later, off in the distance, I heard my name. I closed my eyes trying to cling on to the dream where angels lived and one died by the sword. A lass a blaze of light stood reaching a hand out to me as if asking me to stay as well. Urgent calls of my name sucked me from the pleasant place where dreams did come true.

When I recognized the voice as that of my mothers, I regretted not staying at a hotel. What, was I five that I needed a wake-up call? My eyes blinked against the light that streamed through the uncovered window. The room I created in my mother’s house for myself was a master suite. It was large and had an attached bath. I wasn’t supposed to feel like a child here.

“Kalen.”

“Yes,” I called back in annoyance. My mother was no doubt on the other side of the door. “Your plane arrived.”

Shite, I muttered. I reached for my phone on the nightstand. It was dark and lifeless. Fergus or my pilot had probably called the house when they hadn’t reached me. I scrambled to my feet and snatched my pants I’d let drop on the floor before falling into bed.

“Is Bailey up?” I called out.

No answer. I moved to the door. When I opened it, I caught my mother’s pensive gaze. I narrowed my eyes. “What it is?” I asked tentatively.

There was something in her eye that said I wasn’t going to like the answer she was about to give.

“She isn’t here,” she answered cautiously.

Even though I held no anger for the woman before me, I felt my features tighten.

“What do you mean? Did she go meet the plane by herself?”

She shook her head.

“What?” I yelled and regretted it when she jumped. “I’m sorry. Just tell me.” The Gaelic language never felt so foreign to me as it did in our exchange. My heart beat erratically, waiting for her to tell me that Bailey had been taken again.

Her sad eyes met mine and I braced for what she was about to say. And how I would explain it to Turner.

“She left yesterday.”

I frowned. “Left,” I muttered because I was confused.

“She didn’t want to sleep here. Ennis took her to the inn next to the airpark.”

I didn’t know if I should be relieved or annoyed. I’d pushed her away with my erratic behavior. She didn’t feel safe under my roof. I closed my eyes and scrubbed a hand down my face.

When Griff lurched out of the room across from mine, I had a sudden thought. What if she got to Turner and convinced him to take her away? Pain lanced through my chest. Never seeing her again was a burden I didn’t want to harbor.

“Let’s go,” I commanded. I kissed my mother’s cheek hoping for forgiveness before I made my way down the stairs.

We made it to the private airpark in record time. Turner was inside the building with a bleary eyed lad.

“You made it,” I said to Turner. Then I turned my attention to the lad.

“Where’s Fergus?” I asked, reverting back to Gaelic.

In a squeaky voice that should have left the lad years ago, he answered, “Family emergency.”

I almost asked why the lad was afraid when I caught sight of Griff standing off to my other side. Including Turner, three of us towered over the boy and made an imposing presence. I tilted my head to the side to get Griff to give us some breathing room. Being used to nonverbal cues, he easily understood and gave us some space.

“Do you know how to take care of the paperwork?” I asked.

The lad nodded and I saw Turner’s passport on the counter before him. “Alright then, I’m going to talk to the pilot.”

I strolled passed Turner, not ready to speak with him until I had Bailey near. Outside, I found the pilot doing a flight check. We talked briefly before I pulled out my phone, having used a rapid car charger on the ride over. I looked up the number for the inn next door and got voicemail.

With purposeful strides, I walked back into the main building. I searched for the kid. He looked up when the bell jingled over the door. I said, “Who’s overseeing the inn?”

He shook his head like he hadn’t understood my question. I couldn’t remember if I’d spoken English or Gaelic, but the lad should have understood either if he was Fergus’s backup. “Who’s seeing to the inn,” I asked again.

“No one,” he stuttered. And I had to wonder about the expression on my face. I’d scared my mother this morning and I was doing it again with the boy who stood before me.

“Isn’t there a guest?”

He shook his head again and I had the urge to wrap my hand around the lad’s throat. I spun and strode out the door, trying to calm myself. My first call was to Ennis. He assured me he’d dropped Bailey off here last night. Fergus had been finishing up with Angus before he left. Angus ran a small plane operation shuttling people who could afford him between the isles. Fergus was going to walk Bailey over to the inn himself. My head began to spin an idea. I knew Angus and had used him before my father died and I got control of the plane.

I had a sinking thought I didn’t yet want to accept. I headed out the door and briefly looked over my shoulder when the door didn’t immediately close behind me. Griff came out. His expression said he smelled trouble.

“Where’s the lassie?” he asked in a low tone. Somehow he’d figured out that I didn’t want Turner to know. Maybe Turner had introduced himself to Griff or asked about Bailey.

“Can you check the inn for me?” Although I trusted the lad, I needed to make sure. He nodded and stalked off.

My next call was to my security team. I wanted them to start tracking her. I stepped into the building, continuing to ignore Turner. I wasn’t sure how much longer his patience would last. I walked up to the counter and hoped I’d smoothed out my frown lines.

“Do you have Angus’s number?”

“Sure,” the lad said. He pulled out a binder and flipped through it.

Turner walked over to me. I wasn’t ready for his question. “What’s going on? Where is Bailey?”

“Here it is,” the lad said, pointing to a number on a page of paper protected in plastic. The binder looked like a manual of sorts, or maybe somewhere all the important information was stored in hand’s reach.

I ignored Turner and began to dial. I walked back outside when the phone rang. I knew I didn’t have long. Turner would follow. He was showing more tolerance than I’d expected, but I was sure he’d run out of that.

“Angus here,” the voice on the line was answered.

“Angus, this is Kalen.”

“What can I do for you?” he spoke with the lilt of the Irish.

“Did you ferry a woman last night that you picked up from here?”

He cleared his throat before answering. “And why might you be needing to know?”

What had she said to gain his loyalty? Because I knew by his evasion, he had taken Bailey somewhere.

“Because she’s mine,” I gritted out. Angus was an acquaintance. I shouldn’t be burning bridges over a woman.

“Well now,” he began. “I did bring a young one back to Dublin with me. What did you do to scare her away?”

“Please just tell me where you dropped her off.”

We played cat and mouse for a few more minutes before he finally gave me the name of the hotel he’d left her at. I was in the middle of sending that information to my team when Turner stepped in my line of sight.

“Where is she?” he asked.