So, I go through the motions. I say goodbye to my friends, and Aisling’s thrilled I’m joining her after all. We’re even rooming together, again, thanks to Keenan’s connections. He’s orchestrated all of it.
I busy myself with all that I have to do. It’s the only way I ignore the pang in my chest at saying goodbye to Megan, to my brother Sam, to Nolan. My only consolation is that Tiernan will be waiting for me at Logan airport when I get to Boston.
I wish that Lachlan would chase me a little, if I’m honest. But he doesn’t.
I haven’t seen Lachlan since the night I stormed off.
I can’t take it anymore. The day my plane is scheduled to leave, I text Megan.
Hey, so… have you seen Lachlan?
She responds right away.
Megan: Not in a few days, though Carson told me Nolan had an international job that was pressing?
I swallow the lump in my throat.
Do you know where?
Megan: No. I’m sorry, Fiona. I know it’s hard for you.
I don’t bother to deny it. It’s bloody fucking hard.
Nolan would know, but I can’t bring myself to ask him. There’s a reason why they’re evasive with what they do, so I don’t push it.
They have a dinner for me the night I leave, with all my favorite foods, but I hardly taste them. I scan the crowd for the one face I hope to see, knowing before I do he won’t be there.
“Best of luck, lass,” Keenan says, giving me a big brotherly hug. “It’s been a pleasure seeing you grow, how well you’ve done. You’ll take Boston by storm.”
I feel my cheeks flush a little. “Thank you,” I say bashfully. He’s Clan Chief, older than Nolan and Lachlan, and he’s stern but kind, with a decided paternal air about him.
“If you need anything at all, you just say the word. And you’ll always have a home here,” Keenan says. “I mean it, Fiona.”
I nod. “Thanks so much.” God, I love this family.
I’ve got a bank account and a debit card, and my belongings should be waiting for me on campus.
Sheena and Nolan drive me to the airport.
“I’ll miss you,” my little brother Sam says. His wide eyes look woeful, a shock of red hair falling across his forehead.
“I’ll call you all the time,” I promise. “And send you loads of things.”
He nods, but his tear-filled eyes make my own water.
I release a deep breath. I’m looking forward to a little freedom. A chance to spread my wings. My grief at what happened between me and Lachlan lingers, and will for some time, but right now, I’m trying to be hopeful.
“On the plane, your guard will be on your left and right,” Nolan says from the driver’s seat. And my mind comes to a screeching, stuttering halt.
“Excuse me?”
My guard?
He looks at me in the rearview mirror. “You know your guard will accompany you to Boston, don’t you?”
“Oh. Okay, and then leave me there, right?”
Sheena looks over her shoulder at me. “Of course not, Fiona. Are you out of your mind?”
“I’ll have a guard in Boston? Are you kidding me? Nolan, tell me it isn’t so!”
“Of course it is,” he says, half-glaring at me. “And why bloody not?”
I open my mouth, then slam it shut. I need to think before I speak. I sigh. “I just… didn’t know I wouldn’t have any freedom.”
“You’ll have freedom, lass,” Nolan says. “Promise. But you’ll also have protection. The McCarthy guard will bring you to school, and we’ve connections that will see to your guard at school.”
Of course I bloody will. I stifle a groan. Why didn’t I think of this?
“Alright, then,” I say. “Though I don’t know how that’ll work in my postage-stamp-sized bedroom.”
“We’ll make it work.”
I mumble under my breath but don’t respond. I don’t want to fight with him, not when he’s given so much.
When I board the plane, I recognize the suited guard, though thankfully they’re discreet. No one knows the man on my left and the man on my right bear McCarthy Clan ink and loaded weapons. I have no idea how they possibly got through security, but apparently, they have ways.
I can’t help it. I look around the plane for him, but he isn’t there.
Of course he isn’t. He’s away on international business.
Still, it feels as if someone’s watching me the entire flight to Boston. I tell myself it’s my guard, since they’re watching my every move, but it’s unsettling.
I’m exhausted when I get in, and I’m so thankful Tiernan’s waiting at the gate. I’ve missed him so. I run to him, and he gathers me to him in a big bear hug.
“Ah, look at you,” he says with older brother pride. “I’m so happy you’ve come here, Fiona. You’ll love Boston.”
It’s hard to love anything when you’re heartsick, but I’ll do my best. He takes my bags and leads me to the parking lot where a sleek black car awaits. Who’d have known this was where we’d end up? Two kids from Stone City, globe-trotting, their every need met.