Amy looked at Briar, her gaze pleading. Briar closed her eyes and bit her lips together. It took her a moment to open them again and look at Amy. “It’s either this or the necklace. I can’t keep coming up with nothing.”
Amy shook her head. “Fine. What do we need to do to get you ready?”
“Wonderful,” said Rory. “Let’s tell them.” She turned toward us. “Cormac, we’re going to spend the week getting Briar ready to go to London with us, but if she is at all uncomfortable, she’ll just stay here, and we’ll help her when she comes on her own. Are you okay with that?”
“Of course, starlight. It seems to be a perfect solution.”
“Almost perfect,” ground out Amy. “I’m still not sure it is the best.”
Cormac toyed with the silver clasp of his cuff link, his fingers never truly adjusting it, just appreciating the detail, his smirk never faltering. “Well, Lorcan, I guess we can bid you farewell. Aurora and I will see Briar to London.”
I shook my head, my heart pounding—a sound I couldn’t hide. My fists clenched at my sides, my mind racing for a solution that didn’t involve letting her go with Cormac. I was playing right into what he wanted, but there was no way I could let her go with him. I looked at Amy. “Would it make you feel better if I escorted her?”
Briar’s face broke into a grin, and I heard her sharp intake of air. Amy crossed her arms, her brow furrowing as she scrutinized me. “Honestly? Not really, but with you going, there is no way I’ll stop her.” She took a small step back, her lips pressing into a thin line.
Amy looked away, muttering under her breath before glancing back with worry and frustration. She took Briar’s hands in hers. “Nothing I can say will change your mind?”
Briar shook her head.
Cormac’s grin was maddening, the kind that told me he’d already won a game I didn’t even know the rules for. Whatever his plan was, I’d have to deal with it later. Right then, I needed to ensure Briar and I weren’t caught in it.
Briar
Ihad never been on a private jet before. I could count the number of times I had been on any plane. So when I stepped inside and saw the plush brown leather seats and the cabinet stocked with crystal glasses, I froze for a breath. The faint scent of leather and citrus polish lingered in the air, a stark contrast to the earthy smells of my garden shop. My heart climbed into my throat as I realized I didn’t belong there.
Rory laid her hand on my arm, her touch soft and reassuring. “I was the same way when I first saw it. Keep going back and pick whichever seat you want.”
My heart calmed, my new friend’s presence comforting. During the past week, she had spent her days with me in the green house, potting, arranging, and stocking, while also talkingabout the plantation she ran in Savannah, Georgia. I loved listening to her Southern American accent as she enchanted me with her soft drawl and vivid tales. In the evenings, Amy joined us for dinner. On two nights, Lorcan and Cormac had joined us as well, but the tension between them was unbearable, and Rory had sent them away, telling them they were ruining everyone’s mood.
And now they stood outside the plane, arguing.
Lorcan had pulled me away from Rory several times during the week, begging me to reconsider but never telling me why, only some vague notion that he was afraid I would get hurt. I couldn’t help but ask Rory about it.
“Their parents have been off for years chasing some sort of enlightenment. We hardly ever hear from them,” she told me. “Ever since they left, the brothers have been at odds. Cormac wants to fix it, but Lorcan blames him for how bad things got with Aiden.”
I tilted my head. “What’s the story with Aiden?” I had heard the name enough to know he was the third brother.
“He’s the wild one who’s always chasing something—control, legacy, status. It gets tense, but that’s old family drama and has nothing to do with this situation. They’ll fix it.”
A blond woman in a sharp black suit pushed a luggage cart down the aisle. I spotted my bag on top and smiled at her.
She smiled back. “Do you need anything at the moment?”
I shook my head. “I don’t think so. I have my backpack.” I laid my hand on it. I could feel the rectangular box Amy had given me last night when she stopped by for dinner.
“Why are you giving me a gift?” I smiled as she handed it to me.
“You aren’t sure when you’re coming back, and I want to know you have your birthday gift.”
I narrowed my eyes. “But the solstice is still weeks away.”
She shrugged. “Just put it in your bag and take it with you. Make me happy knowing there is no possible way for me to miss your birthday.”
“Fine,” I said with a sigh.
“Let’s talk phone logistics because roaming is hellishly expensive.”
I jumped off my bed where I had been sitting, the clothing I was trying to pack strewn around me. “Rory got that covered for me.” I grabbed a cell phone off my dresser. “Going to text you now. No international costs to deal with. Here is this number if you need it…” I hit Send. “But of course we have the app. You can use my regular number and no obnoxious charges.”
