Page 49 of Irish Fury
“Jonathan was going to pick me up here at nine.” At Mirren’s raised brows, Mags shook her head. Later.
“Text Jonathan to meet us at my place,” Eze stated. “I will message Abeo to make his way back here now. My flat is secure and can only be accessed via biometric authentication. We will figure the rest out once Mirren speaks to her father. This could be nothing, but it could be something. We’ll treat it like something.”
Mirren let out a deep, shaky breath and clasped Mags’ hand and squeezed in comfort, then turned to go to the back office to call her dad. Before Eze called Abeo and his family, she said,“Have them send Nasir. He’ll have just gotten home, but he’ll come back if you request it.”
Eze gave her his standard dark, steely glare, but he didn’t say no.
Mags walked over and sat on one of the padded chairs lining the wall.
Mags: Change of plans.
Jonathan: Please don’t tell me you’re cancelling.
Mags: I’m not. I want to see you, but you’ll have to meet me at Eze’s place. I’ll explain everything then. We’re leaving the exhibit early. Meet me when you can.
twenty-nine
JONATHAN
“That is,”Jonathan started slowly after Mags explained everything that her sister had told her.
“A lot. Yeah, I know. The woman should not have been let out. It’s a bit of a waiting game until Uncle Coll and Thomas see what they find. Honestly, I’m not worried. It’s just so weird.”
“What about that woman who spoke to your friend outside the gallery?”
“I agree that was suspect, but there might very well be a logical explanation, like what I initially thought, which was that it was some undiscovered artist trying to make an impression on Mir.
“Still, all we can do is go on with our lives and hope either MacGregor Security or the police find her.”
Before Eze retired to his room, he told Jonathan that Mags’ Uncle Coll had called. They were short on manpower at the moment, as many security detail teams were out of the country, and took Eze up on his offer for people.
Coll also asked that Mags stay with Eze in case she was considering moving back to the townhouse, which was exactlywhat Jonathan had wanted her to do. However, Coll and Mags were right, there was no reason to bring any unwanted attention to Blair, who still lived in the adjoining townhouse next to his and Daniel’s just in case the woman was following both her and her sister.
“I’m meeting the girls for lunch tomorrow at Murphy’s. What do you have going on?”
“For starters, I’ll be taking you to Murphy’s. You’re not to be on your own, or have you forgotten already?”
“Ugh, I haven’t forgotten. And what will you be doing while the girls and I gossip about you boys?” she asked, her eyes sparkling.
“All the work that I should have done today but couldn’t concentrate on because of some sassy little brunette.” She rolled her eyes, but she couldn’t hide that she was pleased.
“You look stunning in that dress, Mags, but why don’t you go change. Being in Eze’s flat wasn’t exactly what I had in mind for tonight, but we can still relax together. Watch a movie, maybe.” After all, they’d made out once on the very couch he was eyeing now.
Mags stood, and he did his best not to notice how the blue silky material of her dress touched her body. He stayed still, praying she didn’t notice that a certain part of him really appreciated the view.
“I have a counteroffer,” she said, and was it his imagination, or did her voice sound huskier than a moment ago? “How about you come with me to my room. I’ll change, and we can snuggle in bed, and you can tell me all about your new architectural design projects while we pick out a movie.”
“I thought architecture bored you. You used to walk off if I brought up anything to do with work.” Well, he managed to sound like a whining ass.
“I’ve always been interested in your work. I just couldn’t stand you knowing. It’s been ages since I’ve been included in your career, or rather, I believed you didn’t want to include me.” she added, moving closer to his legs.
“I’ve been a fool. Worse than that.” How he hated knowing how careless he’d been with Mags’ feelings.
She had come near enough now that the hem of her dress grazed his legs. “You do possess a few redeeming traits.”
There was no hiding the effect she had on him now—every part of his body keyed in, focused entirely on Mags. She had his full attention, his body’s full attention, effortless as ever.
He pushed to his feet, rising to his full height over her smaller frame, the shift in proximity charged with quiet intensity.
