“Thane needs to know you’re here and what’s happening.”
Jamie’s right. I can’t keep this from him. “Aye. When you call, will you ask my mum to come to the hospital? I need to talk to her.” I need my mother for the first time in twenty years.
“Aye, I will.”
Jamie leaves and Bleu comes in to sit with me. Neither she nor Jamie mentions it but I know my status is declining rapidly. I recognize it in my inability to concentrate clearly. “I have things to say to you before I’m unable to string two thoughts together.”
She wraps her hand around mine and leans closer. “Okay.”
“If I don’t make it, you need to leave Edinburgh on the first plane out of Scotland and never look back.”
“No!” She sits up, back stiffening, and stares at me. “What are you talking about? You’re not going to die.”
I don’t want to use the last of my coherent time arguing. “Promise me you’ll get out as soon as possible if I meet death.”
She brings my hand to her lips and kisses it. “Yes. I will leave but you’re not dying on me.”
“Bonny, I’m nothing if not realistic. People die from sepsis all the time. I’ve seen it happen to brothers after gunshot wounds.”
“No.” She brings my hand to her face, rubbing against her cheek. “I just found happiness for the first time in my life. There’s no way I’m letting it go.”
“You never lifted the veil.”
“Then I guess you better stick around if you want to learn my secrets.”
“I want to know everything about Bonny Bleu.” She kisses my knuckles and closes her eyes tightly. A single tear slips down her cheek. “I’m not choosing to let go. I’m going to fight but it’s out of my hands.”
She opens her eyes as she laces her fingers through mine and squeezes. “Into me … you see,” she whispers.
I nod and bring our hands up so I can kiss hers. “Into me … you see.”
I hear the sound of someone clearing their voice and discover my parents standing in the doorway. “We can come back after you’re finished talking.”
“No. Please, come in.”
More tears spill from Bleu’s eyes. She cares for me. “I need a moment with my mum and father.”
She wipes the drops away. “Of course.” She stands and leans forward to kiss my forehead. “I’ll just be right outside if you need me.”
I grab the back of her neck and pull her in for a kiss—a real one—since it could be the last time. “I want you to come back in as soon as I’m finished talking.”
“Absolutely.”
My mum sits at my side while Dad stands. “James tells us ye aren’t doing well.” She’s always called him that.
“He’s the doctor,” I say, smiling weakly.
“He says you can make a full recovery,” my father says.
“Or I might die. Flip of a coin.”
“You’re a Breckenridge. You’ll survive this.” I don’t think sepsis cares what my surname is.
I cut straight to why I called them in. “Dad knows about my recent quarrel with Abram but I want you to know as well. He believes Bleu is an informant. He sent Malcolm into my house while I was away—supposedly to scare her into admitting who she’s working for.” I stop for a moment to catch my breath. “I’m not sure I believe that was his true intention but it turned deadly. I led him to believe I killed Malcolm by accident because it was dark and I didn’t recognize him. But that isn’t what happened.” I stop again because my head is dizzy. “He attacked Bleu and she defended herself. She’s the one who killed him.”
“This isn’t good.” Dad sighs. “But Abram doesn’t need to find out differently. It will only add fuel to the fire.”
“That poor lass,” my mum says. “She must’ve been petrified.” I somehow doubt that since she put Malcolm in a chokehold and strangled him.
“I don’t trust him with Bleu.”
“With good reason, it seems,” Mum says.
“Dad, I promised Bleu I would protect her and I can’t do that from this bed. You’re the only one who can if Abram decides to strike while I’m here.”
“I will take care of her for you, son.”
“Mum, I haven’t asked anything of you since I was a child but I am now because I need you. Dad can’t be with her at all times. Please take her into your care. He won’t touch her as long as she’s under your roof.”
“I too will ensure her safety.”
“Thank you.” I feel a burden lifted.
“You care for this lass.” It isn’t a question. “I see it happening before my eyes.”
I’m not sure I could admit the truth if I weren’t straddling life and death. “I do, very much.”
“I never thought I’d see you care for anyone.” I’m aware of the wretched person my mother believes I am.
“It’s unexpected.” I never saw myself caring for any woman.
“She told me it would be very easy to fall in love with ye. I believe she has.” Mum is all smiles. “Do ye love her?”
“Being loved by me will make her a huge target.” Abram won’t be her only threat. “I don’t want to—but I can’t help myself.”
My parents look at one another and then back at me. “We heard what you said to one another. You’ve claimed her?” my dad says.
“I have. And I don’t regret it. I would do it again.”
“Yer wise tae keep it secret. It won’t serve ye well if the brotherhood finds out.”
“I’ve already told her she has to leave immediately if I die. She’ll need you to help her get out safely.”
“Dinnae lie here worrying aboot her well-being. She’s in good hands. Rest and concentrate on recovering.”
It’s strange. I’ve connected with my mum for the first time in my adult life and it’s a direct result of Bleu’s presence in our lives. Another first because of her.
“Please ask Bleu to come back. I need to give her an explanation for why she’ll be staying with you.”
“Ye won’t warn her about Abram?” Mum asks.
“I don’t want to give her a reason to be paranoid around him. That will only make him more suspicious of her.”