Page 81 of Twilight Tides
“So, we don’t need to worry about him?”
“Not according to Ramsay. I’m sorry that he threatened you and Kelly.” Shame agitated my nerve endings, making my hands clench into fists.
“You have nothing to apologize for.” Murray sighed, shaking his head. “And anyway, Nick’s threat isn’t the one I’m worried about.” He shot a glance toward the door.
A sense of unease caused an unpleasant swoop in my belly. Hopping off the stool, I crossed the kitchen to look out into the hall. “She’s definitely out of earshot.” Returning to him, but this time to his side, I asked, “What’s going on?”
Grim-faced, entire body tense with what I’d soon realize was stress and anxiety, Murray confided about the Walsh brothers. It seemed impossible that he had been pulled into something this dark and that they’d gone so far as to infiltrate his ex-wife’s life. Then he relayed the police detectives’ entrapment plan.
“The police have assured me they’re just a small organization and this operation will take them out for good, but I didn’t want to keep this from you.”
“Murray.” I squeezed his arm in comfort. “I’m so sorry you’ve been carrying this on top of everything else.”
His expression twisted. “There’s more. I … I would do anything to protect my family, but I also need to protect the people who work for me.”
My heart thudded harder and I suddenly knew. “Oh God,you’regoing to do it. Aren’t you? You’re going on that boat.”
Murray shrugged helplessly, and I hated seeing him in turmoil. “I can’t ask one of my employees to take on this risk. I can’t. Fraser and I are trained fishermen. The Walshes will understand why we want to be on the boat, and they’ll believe the police officers are real crew.”
Fear chilled my blood. “And if something happens to you?”
He suddenly cupped my face in his big palm, his skin rough from years of physical labor. As he swiped his thumb across my cheekbone, my knees trembled.
Holy fuck.
There was nothing but him, his eyes, his touch as he bent his head to mine and vowed, “I will do everything in my power to stay safe. For Kelly. For you.”
What … what did that mean? The last part. What did that mean?
“Murray—”
“Dad!” Kelly’s yell broke us apart. She burst into the kitchen, waving her phone, voice vibrating with excitement. “Can I come?”
Discombobulated by the sudden interruption to what felt like amoment, I had no idea what she was referring to and clearly neither did Murray.
“Come to what?”
“Open mic night tomorrow.” She scowled. “You didn’t tell me you were playing.”
“I’m not.”
“Then why are you listed on the Lantern’s website?”
“Let me see.” I leaned in to look at her phone. Sure enough, Murray’s name was on a list of only three people performing at open mic tomorrow night. “You didn’t tell me you signed up.”
“I didn’t.” Murray took the phone to peer at it. Then realization dawned on his face. “Taran.”
Despite the seriousness of our previous conversation and the confusing mixed signals this man was sending my way, a giggle escaped my lips before I could stop it.
Kelly seemed confused. “What does Ms. Macbeth have to do with it?”
“I have a feeling she went behind your dad’s back and signed him up.”
“Oh. Well, you still have to do it, Dad.”
“M’eudail, you can’t come. It starts after 8 p.m.”
“Ugh, I wish Mr. Macduff would change that stupid rule.” Kelly crossed her arms over her chest, chin lifted defiantly. “Well, you still have to do it. And London, you need to record it so I feel like I’m there.”
