AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Liam shook his head, gently putting the ice pack to her cheek once more and holding it there with his hand atop hers.
“‘My love,’” Effy translated, considering gaze on Liam. “‘I am sorry.’”
“If I wanted her t’ know,” Liam growled, “I could have told her myself.”
Effy winked at Kris, then returned to her table.
Silence settled between them. This only made the loud conversation, the tinkling of glasses, the music, which had started up again but now played a rousing, modern tune, seem to pulse all around, separating Kris and Liam from everyone else.
“Why didn’t you want me to know what you said?” Kris asked.
Liam shrugged and looked away. “We’ve just met. I shouldnae be callin’ you my love.”
Except Kris didn’t want him to stop.
And that was probably her most foolish thought of all in a day that had been full of them.
Couples jiggled on the dance floor. Liam took one glance at their gyrations, made a face, and clasped her hand. “I’ll walk ye home,” he said.
Considering everything, she’d let him.
As they made their way to the exit, Alan Mac’s large form sprouted from the crowd. Perhaps Johnnie had not been as nonchalant about the fight as he’d seemed. Perhaps instead of pulling out his gun or his bat, he’d pulled out his telephone and called the cops.
Several people spoke at once. Alan Mac frowned. When someone jabbed a finger in Liam and Kris’s direction, he followed it, and his eyes widened.
Liam sighed as the constable headed toward them. Kris prepared to tell Alan Mac just who was at fault in the altercation. She didn’t get a chance.
“What are you doing here?” Alan demanded.
Kris turned to Liam. “Why is that the first question everyone asks you?”
“I dinnae get out much.”
Alan Mac choked; then he started to cough.
Johnnie appeared at his side with a pint, which the big man chugged like water. When he lowered the empty glass and handed it to the bartender, his face had gone as scarlet as Dougal’s.
“What’s going on?” Kris handed the now-sopping dish towel to Johnnie as well. “Everyone acts like you’re a hermit. If they aren’t saying they never heard of you.” She narrowed her gaze on Alan Mac. “You told me he was a ghost.” She filled her palm with Liam’s ample biceps. “He doesna feel like a ghost t’ me,” she mocked.
“Ye were talking about him?” Alan Mac shoved a finger in Liam’s face. Liam appeared ready to bite it off.
Kris’s head began to ache. “Let me guess. You grew up together. It’s hard for you to think of him as anything other than Billy.”
“How’d ye know?” Liam murmured, his gaze holding Alan Mac’s.
The constable remained silent.
Johnnie brought Alan another pint, and he took it, breaking eye contact with Liam to down this one nearly as fast as the first.
“Should you be slamming those while on duty?” Kris asked.
“Not.” Alan Mac wiped his mouth with the back of his hand and shoved the glass at Johnnie. “On duty, that is. I’ll have another.” He rubbed at his eyes. “I need it.”
Liam straightened. “What happened?”
Alan Mac glanced around as if afraid they’d be overheard. Considering they were in the middle of nearly a hundred people, he had a legitimate concern. Except everyone had lost interest in them and returned to their drinking and dancing. Nevertheless, the constable lowered his voice: “Another body. This one caught in the lock at Dochgarroch.”
“Woman?” Liam asked, and Alan nodded. “Same as the others?”
