Gifted Thief (Highland Magic #1)(19)

Brochan didn’t crack a smile. ‘I know what it’s like. We all know what it’s like. We’re just as Clan-less as you. It might be a bit different for you because you’re Sidhe…’

‘It’s not different,’ I interrupted. ‘I’m not different just because I have Sidhe blood running through my veins.’

‘Every Sidhe has a place. Every Sidhe has a Clan. That can’t be said for the rest of us.’

‘There are mermen in the Clans.’

He nodded. ‘Sure. Just like there are pixies and warlocks. And all the rest. But they only work for the Clans. They’re not tied to them like the Sidhe are. And there are plenty of us who aren’t in the Clans either. You’re the only Sidhe in the country in that situation. You’re bound to feel the need to belong somewhere. It doesn’t mean you need to kill yourself because of it.’

‘Believe me,’ I snorted, ‘I have a very strong survival instinct.’

He spoke quietly. ‘Not strong enough. Pack up your stuff, Integrity. Get out of here and go to the mountains like you planned. Taylor will manage without you. He got himself into this situation. You said he’s owed money before and got himself back into the black again. He’ll cope.’

I thought of the hulking Wild Man in Taylor’s house who’d laid me out with one single swat. ‘No,’ I said, shaking my head. ‘There’s something about all this that’s different.’ I tilted my head up to the sky and felt the faint drizzle on my skin. ‘I can delay Oban for a few more days if I have to. Besides, this guy – the one who’s bought the loan – he’s given us seventy-two hours.’ I checked my watch. ‘My train leaves in seventy-five so I’ll probably still make it.’

‘You might not be in one piece, that’s all,’ Brochan muttered under his breath.

I laughed, trying to sound more confident than I felt. ‘If this moneylender guy wants a piece of me, then he’s got good taste.’

‘Let me speak to the others. I’m sure between the three of us we can scrape together enough money to sort things out.’

A part of me really wanted to say yes but it wasn’t fair. ‘If you don’t think I should be involved,’ I said firmly, ‘then you lot definitely shouldn’t be. Taylor and I will work something out. There’s still time.’

‘Integrity…’

I met his eyes. ‘I promise that if I can’t find an alternative solution then I’ll come and talk to you, alright? I’m sure it won’t come to that though.’ It definitely wouldn’t. I’d use Bob’s wishes before I involved the crew. The scarred man was dangerous, even if he’d laid me down on the sofa after knocking me out. I remained convinced that his boss wanted something more than money – and until we knew what that something was, it made sense to keep things between Taylor and me. ‘This isn’t your problem,’ I reiterated.

‘Why is it,’ he complained, ‘that you can say that to me and believe it, but I can’t say it to you?’

I smirked. ‘Sheer stubborn contrariness, of course.’

He gripped my fingers tightly, bare seconds before there was a squeal of tires and the sudden sharp howl of a siren. My stomach dropped. Oh shite. We were cornered and there was nowhere to run.

‘Iain Brochan! You’re under arrest for assault. You do not have to say anything but it may harm your defence if you do not mention when questioned something which you later rely on in court. Anything you do say may be given in evidence.’

I gaped. Assault? What the hell? A burly police officer jumped out of the car, snapped a pair of handcuffs round Brochan’s wrists and flung him into the back seat.

‘Wait!’ I shouted. ‘He’s not done anything! You can’t do this!’

The car door slammed shut. From the other side of the window, Brochan stared at me with wide eyes. ‘Get the others,’ he mouthed.

‘Stop!’ I shrieked again. It was pointless. The police officer didn’t give me so much as a glance; he simply clambered into the driver’s seat and the car took off, leaving me standing there frozen with shock. Dry leaves skittered across the road in the wake of the car’s departure.

With shaking fingers, I pulled out my phone. Before I could dial, however, it rang and Lexie’s name flashed up on the screen. Thank the stars.

‘Lexie,’ I said, urgently, ‘listen. Something’s happened. Brochan…’

‘It’s Speck,’ she broke in. ‘He’s been arrested. He sent me a text message just now. They broke in his door, Integrity.’