Page 62 of Edinburgh Escape

“I want to,” he said, his hand moving over the shelves, searching for the hidden doorway.

Finally, he felt a faint coolness he hadn’t felt anywhere else in the room. He grabbed the closest shelf unit and pulled. When it didn’t budge, he gripped the one next to it and leaned back with all his weight.

The shelf swung open like a door.

Maggie spilled out and flung herself into his arms, sobbing.

He held her close, his heartbeat hammering against his ribs. “It’s okay. I’ve got you. You’re okay.”

“I couldn’t get out,” she said, her lips pressed against his neck, her tears soaking his skin.

“But you’re out now. I’ve got you. I won’t let anything happen to you.” He leaned back and stared into her eyes. “How did you get stuck in there?”

She buried her face against his neck and wrapped her arms around his waist. “I was pushed.”

He leaned her back, frowning. “You were pushed?”

She nodded, her body trembling. “I was pushed.”

“Did you see who did it?”

“No.” Maggie moved her head side to side. “One minute I’m standing at the top of the stairs, the next, I’m falling into the darkness.” Her body shook violently.

“Are you hurt? Callum asked. “Do I need to take you to the hospital?”

“Just bruised,” she said.

“Did you hit your head?” He set her at arm’s length and stared into her eyes.

She shook her head. “No. I managed to break my fall going down.” Maggie pushed the sleeve up on her arm, exposing a red mark that would be black and blue in hours.

“Oh, baby,” he said and gently kissed the spot. “I’m so sorry.”

“Why?” she asked, frowning. “You didn’t push me, did you?”

He gave her a tight-lipped grimace and pulled her close again. “I should’ve been with you. Had I been here, no one would’ve pushed you down the stairs.”

“Who would’ve thought someone inside the manor would attack me. Does that mean the Russian mobsters have infiltrated Drummond Manor?” Her eyes rounded, and she tried to free herself from Callum’s embrace. “Bryce—has anyone checked on the boy?”

Callum slipped an arm around Maggie’s back. “No, but let’s do that now.”

Maggie hurried alongside Callum as they climbed the stairs and rushed to Bryce’s room.

Not wanting to wake the child, Callum twisted the knob and stuck his head inside the door.

Maggie pushed it wider and peered inside the darkened room.

Bryce’s small figure lay still in his little bed, the blanket pulled up beneath his chin.

A movement to the left made Callum tense and push Maggie behind him.

Maggie touched his arm and leaned up on her toes to whisper, “Fiona.”

Bryce’s mother sat in a wooden rocking chair, her head leaning back, her eyes closed, a foot pushing against the floor, causing her to rock back and forth in her sleep.

Maggie tugged on Callum’s arm, pulling him out of the room.

He closed the door gently and turned to pull Maggie into his arms.