Page 43 of A Scottish Highland Hideaway

With his bright blue eyes growing in his face, Marcus let out a stream of horrified gasps. “Are you joking? Oh shit!”

“And not only that, he also told the editor that he’d heard I was living in this neck of the woods.”

Marcus shot out his hand and seized mine in his. “Jesus, A! What the hell’s been going on here? How did he find out? Did you let slip to anyone by accident?”

I blew out a cloud of worried air. “I haven’t said a word. I’ve tried to be careful.”

“So how much information did that rat Declan give this editor?”

“Not as much as he wanted to, by the sounds of it. He was moved on by the police for making a nuisance of himself.”

Marcus scratched at his chin. “Thank Christ for that.” He hesitated. “But this is still awful!”

I squeezed Marcus’s hand. “I didn’t want to involve you when you’ve got so much going on at the moment, but it’s a total nightmare.”

He shuffled closer. “So, what happens now?” His eyes grew bigger. “Is it that hottie who was in today who’s investigating you?”

My ears prickled with heat. Marcus noticed me squirming.

“Why have you gone so red again?”

“I haven’t gone red. It’s the light in here and the reflection from the duvet cover.”

Marcus looked at me like I was crazy.

“Zach’s editor has told him to investigate Declan’s ramblings and see if there’s any truth in his story. But there’s always the risk that Declan could call the magazine when he’s sober and then I really would be up to my neck in it.”

Fretful tears found their way to the corners of my eyes. “I like my new life here, Marcus. I’ve got Flower Power, my cosy little flat and I feel like I’m finally beginning to move on from Declan and everything that happened.”

We both fell quiet. Then Marcus spoke again. “You’re going to have to tell Mum and Dad.”

“What? No! I don’t want to worry them. It might not come to anything anyway.”

Marcus let out an incredulous laugh and waggled my hand. “Anastasia, Declan is a toerag and he can’t be trusted. Mum and Dad need to know.”

His voice vanished when he picked up on my shame-faced expression. I avoided his gaze and concentrated on the bare trees I could see through the window.

“It’s not fair to keep it from them. Imagine if they opened up a magazine and you’re all over it like you used to be.”

I blew out a cloud of embarrassed air. “I’m not stupid. I know that.”

“Well stop sodding well acting like you are!” His blue eyes blazed out of his handsome, open face. “Zach Stern’s a journalist and a bloody good one, by all accounts.”

“How do you know that?”

“Because I was curious and looked him up online. And even if that snitch Declan doesn’t remember much after his drunken stupor, there’s still a good chance Zach will find out about you anyway.”

“Zach might be accomplished, but he’s still working for a gossip mag.”

Marcus pulled in his lips. “What’s that got to do with anything?”

“He has prestigious journalistic awards as long as Loch Lomond and yet he’s working for a publication like that.” I squinted at my brother. “Don’t you think it’s a bit weird?”

Marcus gave a frustrated shrug. “That’s up to him. Maybe they offered him a telephone number salary? Right now, I’m far more concerned about you.”

I tried to dismiss his worries. “I’ll just have to try and stay one step ahead of Zach.”

Marcus shook his damp hair. “How on earth do you think you can do that?” He toyed with the belt of his dressing gown. “And when exactly do you intend to tell Mum and Dad about all this?”