Page 98 of Fall of a Kingdom

Chapter34

BARRETT

It was long past dawn,and I hadn’t seen Flynn for hours. After news of the bomb, security had immediately evacuated the entire hotel, including the casino, and then sealed off The Fifteenth Floor. The bomb squad had been called along with the local authorities. Once the bomb had been diffused and disposed of properly, we were allowed into the hotel. I was finally back in the penthouse suite, waiting for Flynn to return.

I sat on the couch, sipping cold espresso, contemplating a shower. I was in a bemused state of exhaustion and disbelief.

Who had done this to us? And why?

My phone flashed and vibrated across the coffee table. I almost didn’t want to answer it, suspecting Dr. Elmond was attempting to make contact again.

He’d left me three voicemails already. That didn’t bode well. But curiosity got the better of me and I picked up my cell. A wave of relief washed through me when I saw Ash’s name.

I pressed the answer button and put the phone to my ear. “Hey.”

“Hey? All I get ishey?” Ash asked.

I rubbed the bridge of my nose. “I’m guessing you heard about what happened.”

“Duncan is on the phone with Flynn right now and I’m packing up the children so we can leave Orkney. Duncan told me you’re in London…”

“I am. I came to surprise Flynn. You’re not coming here, are you?”

“No. Definitely not. I’m headed home with the kids. Duncan is going to London.”

“I’m sorry your time in Orkney was cut short. How are you guys?” I asked.

“Who cares about Orkney? That doesn’t matter. How areyou?”

“I’m okay. Still kind of in shock. Thank God no one was hurt.”

“Does Flynn have any idea who’s behind this?”

“No.” I rubbed my hand over my face.

“Tell me what I can do.”

“I don’t know yet.”

“Do you want the kids with me? They can stay here as long as you need.”

“That’s a big ask, Ash.”

“You didn’t ask. I offered.”

I let out a sigh of relief. “Yes. That would be—yes. I’ll text the nannies and tell them to stay with you. I’d never saddle you with all my children without help.”

“I appreciate that,” she said dryly.

“Seriously, Ash. Tell me about you guys. I need the distraction. Has anything been resolved?”

She paused for a moment and then said, “Let me go out to the balcony.” I heard the sliding of a door and a moment later it clicked shut. “There. Now I can speak sort of freely.”

“Is it bad?” I asked quietly.

“I don’t know. I mean, it’s not good. Not right now. There’s nothing reallywrong, Barrett. Duncan couldn’t even give me an answer for what was causing all of this. He says he loves me and our children and our life together, but something is missing.”

“Something is missing,” I repeated. “Like what?”