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“Is it going to be a problem?” I asked, nervously.
Finally, he looked up, his expression apologetic. “Fuck, Vivian. I don’t know how to tell you this.”
Everything south of my head felt numb. “Tell me what?”
“A few months ago, Ossian started tampering with the formula. I knew he was experimenting with ways to make the effects of Bas more potent. I thought he was trialling different organic botanicals. We just found out he’s been adding opioids.”
“Opioids?” I replied, dumbly. “You mean like heroin?”
“A little. Heroin and the substance Ossian’s been using are both semi-synthetic but the dosage in Bas isn’t as high or as intense as heroin. It is, however, still addictive.”
I squeezed my eyes closed and shook my head before renewing my confused glare. “You’re saying Peggy’s addicted to an opioid? I don’t understand… She can’t be…”
“I didn’t know how much of the new formula had been distributed. The last time I checked, it was being trialled by existing customers who’d all signed a waiver. But then a story appeared in one of the broadsheets yesterday…” He rubbed a thumb over newly formed stubble. “There have been reports in the UK of police officers turning on each other, journalists checking out for days at a time, an increase in heroin use among corporate bankers. These are all clients of ours. It’s not a coincidence.”
“Why would people do those things?” I was aware of how naïve I sounded.
“I only know a bit about opioid use but the little I do know tells me it can be addictive to the point of an unhealthy reliance on the source. If the source becomes hard to get hold of, addicts will turn to the next best thing. Often, it’s heroin. Sometimes it’s methadone. There’ve also been reports of raids on pharmacies. Opioid-based painkillers are the only things being taken.”
I clamped my hands over my face. “I don’t believe it.”
“I’m so sorry, Vivian,” Rupert said, quietly. “I didn’t think Peggy was getting that version of Bas, and even so, had I known any of it had been laced with opioids, I’d have given my life to have stopped it getting into peoples’ hands.”
I whipped my hands apart and glared at him. “What now then, Rupert? What’s your plan? Are you finally going to put an end to all of this?”
Sensing my frustration, he reached out and held my hands. “Yes, Vivian.” His dark purple eyes bore into mine. “I’m ending it now.”
“You said you would kill any man who hurt me,” I hissed. “Ossian hurt me more than anyone in my life. That was three days ago Rupert, and he’s still alive.” My lips pursed with the accusation. “I love you and I’m not leaving you, but I’m not waiting any longer. If you don’t do it, I will.”
Rupert let out a low, menacing laugh. “You’re going to do more than kill him, my love.”
“What does that mean?”
He fed a large hand through my hair and pulled my mouth onto his, then he kissed me deeply. His lips glistened when he pulled back to study my face. “It means you’re going to be the one to end it all.”
“How?” I needed answers.
“In good time, baby.”
I pressed a hand to his chest. “No. I’m not waiting any longer and neither should you.”
His fingers curled around the palm kissing his skin. “I’m not waiting for anything. Preparations are being made as we speak. Destroying a forty acre, industrial strength, high security drug operation takes a little time, but the ball is rolling, Vivian.”
“What can I do?”
“Nothing yet. Just wait here and lay low until I come and get you.”
“And when will that be?”
“Twenty-four hours, that’s all. I promise.”
I reluctantly allowed him to lift my hand and kiss the tips of my fingers, eventually softening in his grip.
“And what about Elspeth?” I asked quietly.
“She’s left for our honeymoon.”
“On her own?” I almost shrieked.
