Page 78 of His Ruthless Queen

“Stopshakingyourleg,it’s making me nauseous,” Haley says. She huffs, then leans forward against the island countertop of Scotty’s apartment.

“It’s been two hours. Where are they?” I ask, my finger tapping on the countertop. I’ve been pacing the room, ignoring the way bile threatens to make its way to the surface, the way my palms are sweating, not liking that Scotty is in danger.

The first hour, I tried to plot my plan to get him into politics and out of the Southies. My brain is too focused on the life and death situation Scotty is about to face with my brothers, so I got nowhere fast on that idea.

Then I tried to work. I’ve been working on a pricing deal for an installation company for future projects. We had used hempcrete in the walls of the hotel, and even though we aren’t up and running yet, I’m pleased with the results of the eco-friendly material. It reduces carbon footprint, and the electricity bill has been lower than the comps of other hotels in the area. Now, I need to get an exclusive deal for the next build.

But when I called Harrison Astor, the CEO of the company, I couldn’t concentrate on our conversation. So, for the last forty minutes, I’ve been pacing the kitchen.

“It takes three hours to drive to Albany. They won’t be back until well after dinner,” Haley says, cutting through my thoughts.

“So why the fuck didn’t they fly, then?” I snap, my teeth grinding with irritation.

Finn crosses his arms, then goes limp, sliding off the couch like a melted snowman. “Jesus, Saoirse. Please stop asking the same questions over and over again.”

I shoot daggers at him with my glare. “I take back what I said before. You can’t speak to me like that.”

He glances at his gray sweatpants and white tee. “I’m not on duty, and you’re not in need of protection. So, I will speak to you as I would my cousin’s girlfriend. Because that’s what you are.” He twirls a finger in the air. “And you’re currently inmyhouse.”

“Wife,” I say. “I am his wife.”

“No, you’re not,” Haley chimes in. “That bullshit blood thing is unsanitary. You’re not married until you put on the dress and walk down the aisle.”

I huff. “I hate both of you.”

I glance at the clock above the stove, willing time to move forward. I just want him back with me. The crack in my chest gets bigger every time he’s away. But when I know he’s in danger? It’s like a freaking black hole, sucking me into a weak desperation.

I don’t like it. I turn to Haley, then back to Finn. My spine straightens as I think up a plan, and before I can help myself, I’m grabbing her by the elbow. “I’m starving. Let’s go to Fiore’s.”

There’s really no plan right now, but I’m not going to sit here in the apartment waiting for news. I’m not going to be three hours away if I get a call that tells me Scotty isn’t coming home.

A lump forms in my throat, that black hole in my chest turning so hot that it feels like my heart is on fire, disintegrating into ashes and taking my soul with it. No, his death isn’t a possibility. I refuse to let it be.

“Oh, I could eat,” Haley agrees.

“Let me get changed,” Finn says.

“No,” Haley and I say together.

Relief settles some of the nerves. She knows I’m lying, and she’s willing to play along. My sister, my now best friend. God, I could hug her. I will hug her, the second we’re on the tarmac and heading toward our men.

“Yes,” Finn says. “Callum will kill me if I let you walk out that door without a guard, and you sent Cillian home.”

“Fine,” I say, my tone clipped with agitation. “But I’m driving.”

“No.” His voice is stern, but it doesn’t scare me the way Scotty’s does.

I slip on the shoes by the door. “Yes,” I say, with just as much, if not more force.

Haley giggles beside me. “Finn, just listen to her. The woman wants a cupcake, and she wants to drive. Bend your strict rules just a little.”

“Fine. Wait here. Let me get some jeans,” he grumbles, then heads off down the hall.

The second he closes the bedroom door, Haley whips her head toward me. She draws a brow, crossing her arms over her chest. “What are you doing?” Skepticism drips from her accusation.

She knows I’m up to something, but doesn’t know what yet. If I tell her, she can come with me, or she can choose to rat me out to Finn. It’s a risk, but one I have to take.

“We’re flying to Albany,” I say.

Source: www.allfreenovel.com