“We’re all together. This family doesn’t keep secrets from one another. I’m going to put you on speaker and ask you to repeat what you just told me.”
The scariest part was that Bran had now grasped Pat’s hand until their bones looked close to breaking. Whatever was coming was nothing she wanted to hear. Dagr pulled her in front of him and wrapped his arms protectively across her front, keeping her back tight to his front.
Gray’s dad started speaking, and Bébhinn felt her legs turn to withering stocks, forcing her to lean more heavily against Dagr.
“You’ll all probably know Mirren was at the girls’ house today visiting.” Bébhinn had known and was excited to introduce her to Dagr. Thomas continued. “Mags asked her sister to try to findwhere Coll and I had placed the security cameras—because she’s a wee shit,” he grumbled, “and Mirren likes to outsmart me and her Uncle Coll every chance she gets. I’ll make this short. Mir said that Bébhinn had told her that she could borrow a purse or whatever. She still had her hidden camera detector on when she went into Bébhinn’s room.
“There was a strong reading the moment she walked into the bedroom. Mirren knew that we would never place a device in any of the girls’ personal spaces. She played it cool, retrieved the purse quickly, and shut the door behind her.
“Someone has placed a device in Bébhinn’s room and her room only. Mirren checked before calling me. Coll and I,” there was a hesitation when voices in the background were heard, “without Josephine and Catriona,” Thomas growled, “are driving to Inverness airport now, heading your way.
“I’ve called an inspector that I know well in the Dublin office to meet me as soon as we land. Someone has been videoing Bébhinn. I don’t know how they got the camera in there without MacGregor surveillance catching them. I called Ciar to gather up Blair, Gray, and Margaret and take them to his home until this is settled. I will call you when we land. No one is to go to the girls’ house until this issue is resolved.”
As Thomas gruffly said his goodbye, she looked at her family with the same horror as everyone else at the table. Someone had been watching her while she was in the sanctuary of her bedroom. It was shocking. Sickening. Bébhinn looked toward her mother, who was visibly shaking.
“Thomas,” her mom half shouted before he could hang up.
“I’m here, Rowan,” he answered.
Her mom hesitated for a moment, fighting the tears leaking down her cheeks. “Hugh would… He would be… I am…” She stuttered to a halt.
Gray’s dad simply said, “Hugh would burn down the world for you and his daughter, and I will too.”
In the silence that followed the sickening revelation, Dagr grasped Bébhinn’s arms and forced her to look into his eyes.
“Whatever this is, Bébhinn, you’ve always told me that Gray’s dad is the best. This will be resolved. If some sick freak has truly been watching you?—”
“Us,” she cut in. Bébhinn was sick and so scared. Someone had been in her home, in her room…watching her. The person had possibly seen her and Dagr together. The violation made bile rise in her throat.
“Us,” he agreed grimly. “That person will be found, and they will pay. I’m devastated, baby, that this is happening to you.”
Bébhinn was a snotty, hiccupping mess, but she simply leaned into his chest and nodded. She believed him. It was just the shock of it all.
“The moment Thomas and Coll can get near the camera, they’ll follow the IP address to the person responsible,” Bran assured.
Both of her brothers walked over and took turns kissing the top of her head and hugging her, whispering apologies and regrets.
Daniel cleared his throat, clearly as emotional as everyone else. “Jon and I are going to go home and stay with Ciar and the girls. If that’s okay with you, Bébhinn.”
She meant to say a simple “Yes, please,” but all she managed was an affirming nod, before pressing her face against Dagr’s chest again.
Her mom and aunts surrounded her next, murmuring love and encouragement, and all the while, she tried to understand how something like this could have happened.
She released her grip on Dagr and caught Daniel and Jonathan before they left. “Hey guys,” they immediately stoppedand turned, “I’ve been wracking my brain trying to think if there was ever a stranger at one of our get-togethers. They were always small, and we usually knew them. Did you ever notice a stranger?”
“We’ll think about it and have Ciar and the girls do the same, but off the top of my head, no,” Daniel answered thoughtfully.
Patrick shook his head negatively. “It had to be someone who was invited in, though. You girls never forget to set the alarm and lock the doors. Barr and MacGregor would know if you didn’t and lose their shit.”
Bébhinn nodded in agreement. “That’s what I was thinking too. Okay, you’d better go. Tell everyone I’ll see them soon.”
fifty-three
ROWAN
“MacGregor textedand wants all of us to stay home until he calls.” Patrick walked behind the bar as he spoke, taking glasses off one of the shelves and setting them on the bar. He looked at his wife as he passed and gave River a soft kiss. “We might as well have another round of drinks.”
Rowan felt a horrible spurt of jealousy watching her sisters and husbands touch one another and whisper words of encouragement. Hugh would have known exactly what to say to ease her worries—after he ranted and raved and pounded his fists in fury. Still, he would have been her comfort. He would have been their daughter’s comfort.
