Total pages in book: 114
Estimated words: 109368 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 547(@200wpm)___ 437(@250wpm)___ 365(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 109368 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 547(@200wpm)___ 437(@250wpm)___ 365(@300wpm)
Last night I returned to Stòr, and Akiva and I grabbed a quick bite to eat before I lost myself in my research. Hours later, I hadn’t found a single thing that would account for the threats against Tierney Silver. It occurred to me it might be her ex, so I looked into Hugh, the man she’d blocked on her phone.
Hugh Inchcolm. Heir to a car manufacturing fortune. He and Silver had dated for around two years before rumors circulated about their breakup before she left for Scotland.
He didn’t fit the MO. Threats from ex-lovers and stalkers fit a certain pattern and this wasn’t it. Still, he was worth looking into, so I had a contact doing a deep dive on his background.
Quinn and everyone else (because, of course, one of the lads on-site told someone so the dove and worm stories had spread through Leth Sholas like wildfire) thought someone was pranking Silver. People were looking to anyone who had shown a dislike toward the American or been vocal in their opposition to her buying the guesthouse. There were only a few people on that list, and what Silver didn’t realize was that the community here wouldn’t put up with that kind of behavior.
Neighbor would turn on neighbor to get to the bottom of it.
She and I both knew this had nothing to do with our community.
Someone believed Silver was threatening the peace and that if she didn’t stop, they’d kill her. That was the message in those threats.
And she was afraid. She was alone and afraid.
My gut knotted.
I’d spoken to Aodhan who owned the flat Silver rented and asked him to beef up the locks on the outer and inner doors. He was dismayed I felt it necessary, but he’d agreed.
For now, I’d gotten permission to leave my boat in the harbor, pointing directly at Silver’s building. I’d mounted an onboard camera, so all I had to do was click onto the app on my phone to make sure all was okay outside her flat.
The app had remained open all night, and I kept shooting glances to make sure there was no movement on Main Street outside her door.
I didn’t know why I was suddenly so obsessed with Silver’s safety. I only knew that if something happened to her when I was around to prevent it, it would fuck with my head.
There were no answers online to my questions. She didn’t trust me to confide her secrets. Until she did, there was nothing any of us could do but be vigilant.
Tired from lack of sleep, I quickly returned to the house to pour more coffee into my flask. I grabbed everything I needed for myself and Akiva. “You’re going to help out today,” I told my dog as we jumped into my Defender. “You’re going to stay with Silver.”
My dog’s ears twitched and her tongue suddenly folded out in an excited pant, like she recognized Silver’s name. I chuckled as I drove out of the clearing in the woods. “Miss Plays It Cool doesn’t know how to with Tierney Silver, eh?”
Akiva cocked her head at me, ears twitching again at Silver’s name.
“Silver.”
She panted happily.
I groaned. “You keep acting like that, she’s going to know you like her.”
“Silver!” I called her name as soon as I jumped out of the Defender with Akiva. She was standing outside the B and B with Quinn. I was relieved to see an electrician installing security cameras on the outside of the building. The equipment arrived earlier than expected.
Silver turned at my call as Akiva bounded over to her. I watched as she crouched to greet my dog with just as much enthusiasm.
“Can you watch her today?” I asked without preamble.
Surprise rounded her eyes. “Akiva?”
“Aye. Annie can’t today.”
A quick glance at Quinn and the knowing smirk on his face told me my friend understood my motive. Akiva had never harmed a human being in her life, but that was mostly because she was trained. I knew without a doubt if someone attacked me, Akiva would jump into protect me.
She’d bonded to Silver and she’d protect this woman too.
“Oh. Well, of course.” Silver looked at Akiva. “Are we hanging out today, beautiful girl?”
Akiva swiped her tongue up Silver’s cheek and she laughed, tilting her head back out of the way. The sound was so fucking pure, I felt as ensnared by it as I did any time I looked into those big, hazel eyes.
Quinn cleared his throat, and I dragged my gaze off Silver and my dog.
My mate grinned at me in a way I knew I was in for it.
I glowered, silently threatening to maim him if he verbally suggested what his grin already hinted at.
“Thanks,” I told Silver gruffly as I handed over some dog poo bags and treats. “Just in case.”
She took them without meeting my gaze, keeping all her attention on Akiva.