Page 64

64

T he next day as they were getting ready to go to the hospital to collect Indie the call came.

“Maggie?”

The familiar voice had relief flooding her. She sat on the sofa abruptly. “Uncle Willy?”

Her men turned to her, watching her intently. But she focused on her uncle.

“Yes, dear. Some woman gave me your new number. Are you all right?”

“I’m fine, Uncle Willy. Are you all right?”

“This is all utter bollocks. I’ve been out of it for a while and now I’m in some sort of institution.”

“I don’t think they call themselves an institution but I know what you mean. Have you had an assessment?”

“Yes, and they said I can leave if I have someone who will take responsibility for me. What sort of bollocks is that? And they said they’ll call Heather! I said if they did that, that I’d spend the rest of my days ensuring their lives were utter misery.”

“I’ll be there as soon as possible, Uncle Willy.”

“Why would they call Heather when you have power of attorney.”

“What? Me?”

“Of course, dear girl. Who else?”

“It’s probably because I was . . .” she trailed off.

“Because you were what?”

“Never mind, Uncle Willy. I’ll be there really soon. I’ve missed you.”

“I’ve missed you too. I told them I need to leave immediately. We have to get back to Escana. I don’t remember leaving.”

“Don’t worry about any of that, Uncle Willy. We’ll go back there soon.”

She ended the call. “Can you believe that? He can leave as long as I go pick him up. Well, that’s what he said. But I have to get Indie too.”

“We’ll go by the hospital first,” Ian said, taking charge. “Then we’ll go get him.”

Maggie walked into Indie’s room thirty minutes later and came to sudden stop as she saw Slade, Spencer, Quaid, and Rock there.

Slade had his arms around his sister and she was crying.

“What the heck? What’s going on?” she asked.

Indie drew back and wiped her cheeks. “Slade came to . . . to apologize.”

“All of us did,” Quaid told her.

“Right.” Indie nodded. “Um, I . . . can I have a minute with Maggie?”

All seven men looked at each other with frowns. But they shuffled out. Maggie moved to Indie, taking her hand.

“Are you all right?” Maggie asked her friend.

“Yeah. I just . . . it’s all slightly overwhelming. Maggie, I love you, and I appreciate everything you’ve done for me. All the sacrifices you made?—”

“Worth it.”

Indie gave her a watery smile. “I know you mean that too. But I . . . I don’t think I can move to Escana. I know it would likely be the smart move, but this is home. And Slade . . . he’s promised to make things up to me. Starting by moving me in with them. Are you . . . are you angry?”

“Angry? No. Of course not.” Maggie hugged her. “A bit sad. But I get it. I mean . . . would your decision also have anything to do with those three hunks of spunk?”

“Eww. No!”

But Indie didn’t look that disgusted. Maggie helped her pack up and then left the room. She walked up to Slade, pointing at him.

“Don’t fuck this up. Hurt her, and I’ll make sure that you are dead to her.”

Slade just smiled. As though she was cute. When she’d meant every word.

She turned to her men, falling into their arms. They surrounded her, making her feel safe.

“Now, do we get to kidnap you and take you home? I have plans for our Marjarsom. Big plans.” Jack wiggled his eyebrows up and down, making her giggle.

“Let’s go get Uncle Willy,” she said.

“Good plan,” Ian told her.

“And then let’s go home to Escana.” She smiled at them.

“Even better,” Jack said.

“Build our lives together,” she added.

“You don’t have to tell me twice,” Jameson said.

“And live our happy ever after.”