Face in the Frame (23 page)

“I didn’t hear a thank you in that,” retorted Brodie.

“I was handling it and you had to charge in like Bruce Willis. I’m not a bloody damsel in distress, I can take care of myself.”

Brodie looked round at a sheepish Christian and Ross, aghast. “You hear that boys? We come here to help and this is the thanks we get.”

“I resent being treated like the helpless little woman. I was confronting him to get it over and done with and now you’ve only prolonged it.”

“Why did you bother? You’re trolling off down to London, remember?” When she didn’t reply he added, “you’re still going, aren’t you?”

“I’ve no sodding choice now.”

He stopped her just before she stepped outside. “Do you want to go?”

She hesitated before saying, “yes.”

Hope swelled inside him. “You don’t have to leave if you don’t want to.”

“I do now you’ve messed things up for me with Big Malc. I have to get away.”

“He would have killed you in there if I hadn’t stepped in.”

“No he wouldn’t. I would have got a pasting at worst and you wouldn’t have to see Toni.”

He was touched. “So that’s why you did it?”

“It was part of the reason. She’s pissed off enough with you as it is. This could tip the scales against you.”

“I appreciate that very much hen but you don’t put yourself at risk for me again.”

“I didn’t. I reckon I could take him.”

“Perhaps, but he’s an animal. If you’d lost he would have ended up torturing you and doing God knows what else to you. He’s a savage bastard. So…are you still going to London?”

“I suppose I have to,” she sighed.

Brodie looked to Christian and Ross. “Give us a minute lads. Wait in the car.”

“But it’s hot,” complained Ross. “We’ll wait in the car,” he added when Brodie glared at him.

Brodie waited until they’d gone before speaking. “Do you really love Lucas?” he asked her.

“Yes.”

The lack of hesitation wounded him but he ploughed on regardless. “Do you want to move to London with him?”

“I want to be with him but I don’t want to go to London.”

“Then don’t go.”

“I thought you wanted me to.”

“Of course I don’t.”

Cass’s smile was radiant. “Really?”

Brodie was on the verge of confessing how he truly felt but how could he when she’d just said she loved the Elf? She wasn’t interested in an old bastard like him, so he lost his bottle. “Of course not. Where would I find a second as good as you?”

Her smile dropped. “Yes you will. I’m sure you’ll have me replaced within the week.”

“Course I won’t. What’s got into you?”

“Nothing. I’ve got to go home and finish packing before someone breaks my door down.”

“Instead of running off to London why don’t you lay low for a few days until I’ve smoothed things over?”

“I daren’t in case I come back to find you’ve replaced me.”

“That won’t happen. You’re irreplaceable.”

Cass looked into the face of this man she had loved ever since she’d first clapped eyes on him in that bar three years ago and - except for the one night they’d slept together - he’d shown absolutely no interest in her and her stupid crush was becoming a burden. Maybe it was time to move on? “I’m going,” she replied, still not sure.

Brodie looked down at the ground, struggling to accept the fact that he was going to lose her and she’d never know how he felt. Perhaps that was for the best. If he told her he’d only make a tit of himself. “At least you’ll be out of the way of Malc and the McVays,” he said, desperately clinging onto that to give himself some solace.

They both swallowed hard and looked away.

Ross peered out of the car window curiously, watching Brodie and Cass talking on the pavement.

“Do you reckon they’ve shagged?” he asked Christian. They were sat in the back of Brodie’s car together, trying not to inhale the manky smell.

“I’ve no idea and if you’re smart you won’t ask.”

“Maybe they haven’t and they want to but they daren’t admit it?” continued Ross, ignoring his friend’s advice. “There’s loads of sexual tension between them.” He lapsed into thoughtful silence before adding, “do you think she’ll really go?”

“It’s looking like it. She’s really keen on Lucas.”

“Brodie thinks he’s a prick.”

“Brodie thinks everyone’s a prick.”

“Things won’t be the same if she goes. It’s always been the four of us. He’ll get someone new in and it’ll be different.”

“Things change, people move on.”

“Don’t sound so casual, I know you’ve got a thing for Cass.”

“It’s not a thing. She’s just been a good friend to me, as well as a buffer between us and Brodie. No one can handle him like she can. If she goes he’s going to be a nightmare.”

“Oh Christ, I didn’t think of that. We have to convince her to stay.”

“I don’t think it’ll work. She seems pretty set on going.”

“They’re coming back,” said Ross, sitting up straighter in his seat.

Brodie climbed into the driver’s seat and Cass into the front passenger seat, both in sullen silence.

“So, where to?” said Christian.

“Cass’s flat. She needs to finish packing,” said Brodie flatly, gritting his teeth when the car refused to start. He tried again then again, the others deciding it would be best not to make any witty comments as they all felt his anger build.

“Start you bastard,” he bellowed.

Finally the car spluttered into life and they all breathed a sigh of relief.

Brodie glanced in the rear-view mirror at Christian and Ross then whipped round in his seat. “Put your seatbelts on you silly sods, do you think I want to get a ticket? Do you?”

They both sighed and pulled on their belts.

CHAPTER 21

Brodie, Ross and Christian sat on the couch in Cass’s flat in silence as they waited for her to finish packing her bags.

“Is that it?” said Brodie, regarding the two holdalls and one suitcase.

“That’ll do for now,” she replied. “I’ll come back up in a few months to empty it out. I own the flat so it’s not a problem.”

Brodie just folded his arms across his chest and nodded, looking down at the floor.

“Where do you want us to take you?” said Christian.

“Lucas’s flat. The address is anonymous so Malc shouldn’t find me there.”

“Okay. Let’s go,” said Brodie tightly, getting to his feet and striding for the door, needing to get away before he dropped to his knees and begged her to stay.

“I’ll give you a hand with your bags,” said Christian, taking the suitcase for her.

“Thanks love,” she replied with a fond smile.

“Here we are,” said Brodie quietly when they pulled up outside Lucas’s apartment building.

Cass just sat there, staring up at it.

“Aren’t you going in?” said Brodie when she made no move to get out of the car.

“Sorry, I expect you’ve got a lot to do,” she said before climbing out, leaving Brodie to kick himself for making her think she wasn’t wanted. He leapt out of the car after her. “I didn’t mean to rush you.”

“You’re not, it’s fine,” she said, avoiding his eyes as she opened the boot.

“I’ll take that,” he said, removing the suitcase for her.

Christian and Ross took one of the holdalls each and the four of them made their way up to the front of the building, having to wait while Cass buzzed. Lucas was waiting to let them in so they didn’t have long to wait.

“You’re coming back to Glasgow, aren’t you?” said Christian as the four of them slowly made their way inside.

“This is supposed to be a permanent move,” she mumbled as she pressed the button for the lift.

“So you’re not?”

She glanced at Brodie, who was staring at the ground. “Probably not.”

“Things aren’t going to be the same,” said Christian, looking distraught.

She gave his arm a squeeze. “You can come and visit.”

“You’re on. Don’t think you can get out of it now you’ve made the offer.”

“I wouldn’t dream of it. I want you to visit.”

“We will, won’t we Ross?”

“Aye, course we will.”

Cass glanced at Brodie but he was still staring at the floor, seemingly lost in a world of his own and her heart sank. Still, she couldn’t be too hard on him, he had a lot on his plate what with the McVays, Big Malc and now finding a replacement for her.

The lift doors opened and they rode up to the penthouse in silence. Lucas was waiting for them when they stepped out of the lift. The sight of him lifted Cass’s spirits. Perhaps this sudden move wouldn’t be so bad after all.

When Lucas enveloped Cass in a hug Brodie’s heart tore in two. He saw the way her eyes shone with happiness. There was no way she was coming back. This was it.

“I’ve been so worried. What happened?” Lucas asked with concern. He saw the state of her knuckles and frowned. “Have you been fighting?”

“Let’s talk about it inside,” she replied, gesturing to the door of his penthouse, which was standing open.

“We’ll leave you to it,” said Brodie, just wanting to get the hell out of there.

“Oh,” she said, downcast. “So quickly?”

“You’ve got things to talk about, you don’t need us hanging around like spare pricks.”

Cass forced a smile. “I’m going to miss your sense of humour Bossman.”

Bossman
he thought with a sigh. “I’m sure you won’t for long.” The hurt that flashed in her eyes pained him. “Sorry, I didn’t mean it to sound like that. We’re all on edge here.”

“Why is everyone on edge?” frowned a confused Lucas.

“Cass will explain,” said Brodie. “Well, have a safe trip hen. It was great working with you,” he said, hoping he could get out before he punched the wall or burst into tears. He wasn’t sure which he was going for.

“You too,” she replied, hurt that was all the goodbye she was getting from him.

“I’m going to miss you,” said Christian, giving her a tight hug. “Remember what you said about us coming to visit.”

“I won’t forget,” she smiled up at him, tears shining in her eyes. She looked to Ross. “Come here you.”

He hugged her too and after she’d promised to send them her address when she was settled the three men made their way back to the lift, Cass’s eyes riveted to Brodie’s back, willing him to look back at her. But he didn’t.

“Let’s go inside,” said Lucas, leading her back into the apartment and closing the door.

The lift doors opened and just before Brodie got in he looked back but she’d already gone.

“Here, get this down you, you’re shaking,” said Lucas, sitting her down in the lounge and pouring her a whisky.

Cass didn’t really drink but she gulped it down, enjoying the warm honey taste sliding down her throat. Lucas assumed it was what had caused her injured knuckles that was upsetting her but actually it was Brodie’s casual dismissal of her. After everything they’d been through together, after watching each other’s back for years and working her arse off for his business, that was all she got. Not even a hug. The bastard. She wanted to be angry at him but instead she was hurt, aching inside.

Angrily she pushed thoughts of Brodie aside and focused on Lucas’s face and she calmed down. This was the man she loved, who her future was with. So why did she not want to go to London with him now it was happening? It was too soon, she hardly knew him but she’d been backed into a corner and now she had no way out. Her own stubbornness had got her into this mess.

“Could I have another please?” she said, holding the glass out to him.

“Of course.” He planted a kiss on her lips. “Soon it’ll just be the two of us. I can’t wait.”

“Me neither,” she replied, feeling hollow inside.

He beamed at her and rose to refill her glass. Her smile only fell when his back was turned.

He returned with her drink and gently took her hand. “What happened?” he said with concern.

She explained the whole sorry saga to him, omitting nothing. What was the point? If they were to have a future together she had to be honest with him.

“I’m glad you’re coming to London with me,” he said when she’d finished. “The life you lead here is so dangerous.”

Cass realised that was what she lived for, what she thrived on. The danger. She loved tackling violent gangsters, striking a blow for abused women, protecting the vulnerable. She wasn’t the type of woman to play it safe. If she became a kept woman or a housewife she would wither away.

“I can’t go to London with you Lucas,” she blurted out.

He blinked at her. “But you said you wanted to go.”

“I do, I mean I did, but I love my life here. I can’t give it up.”

His eyes flashed. “Not even for me?”

“I love you Lucas, I really do but I don’t want to live down there.”

His eyes narrowed. “I thought you were supposed to make sacrifices for the one you love?”

“And what sacrifices are you making? Absolutely none. I’m the one who has to give up everything and everyone she knows. Nothing will change for you. If it goes wrong what have you lost? Sod all but I will have lost everything. I can’t do it.”

“Cass,” he said, cupping her face in his hands and taking in a deep, shuddering breath. “I can’t let you go. I love you too much.”

“Then stay in Glasgow.”

“I can’t.”

“You say love is about sacrifice but you’re willing to sacrifice nothing for me.”

“That’s not it at all. I just want us to be together.”

“Then this isn’t the way.” Her eyes filled with tears. “I’m sorry, I can’t go with you.”

Lucas sucked in a breath and shot to his feet. “I can’t believe this is happening. Everything was so perfect.”

“We’ve known each other for two weeks. This is too fast. We can still see each other but it will have to be long distance.”

“That’s not enough,” he exclaimed. “I want to wake up with you beside me every morning, hold you, kiss you. I can’t do that over the phone.”

“Surely you see we can’t live together after knowing each other for such a short space of time?”

“All I know is we were meant for each other. That’s all that matters.”

“No it’s not.” She reached out to touch his face. “I’m so sorry.”

“Don’t say that. It sounds so final.”

“It might have to be,” she replied, voice breaking.

He pressed his forehead to hers. “No. I won’t let it.”

“Then stay in Glasgow.”

“I can’t, my businesses, my clients….”

“Then I don’t see what else we can do.”

She recoiled when his eyes suddenly flared. He released her and shot to his feet, pacing the room. “I don’t know why I’m surprised. This is typical. Everyone rejects me in the end.”

“I’m not rejecting you, we can still see each other.”

“Don’t be ridiculous Cass. We both know it would peter out. The gaps between seeing each other would be longer, excuses would be made until it trailed off altogether.” He stopped pacing to glare at her, those eyes she’d always found so hypnotic suddenly unnerving. “I thought you were different, that I’d finally found my future. With you.”

“And I thought the same about you but you’re being so stubborn.”

“Stubborn? I want it all with you Cass, marriage, children…”

“Then it’s lucky we didn’t move in together. I don’t want kids.”

He looked puzzled. “I thought every woman wanted children.”

She fought the urge to roll her eyes. “No they don’t. I don’t.”

“You’ve never mentioned this before.”

“Because it’s not the sort of conversation you have after two weeks together.”

“You don’t mean it, you’re just saying it to make me shut up and go away, to make this easier on you.”

“I’m not, it’s the truth. I don’t want children, never have.”

He stared at her, eyes boring into her before saying, “you really mean it, don’t you?”

“Yes. I’m sorry Lucas,” she said, a tear rolling down her cheek.

He sighed and hung his head. “So am I.” They remained in silence for another minute before he said, “I could use another drink. Would you like one?”

“Yes please,” she said, holding out her empty glass. She rarely got drunk but right then it was all she wanted to do. The first man she had ever loved and she was going to lose him. Correction, the second man. She would still get to be around the first man and that lifted her heart.

He returned with her glass and held it out to her. She accepted it and eagerly drank it down as he sank onto the couch beside her, wrapping one arm around her shoulders, reaching up into her hair to free it from its ponytail.

“Lucas…,” she began.

“Please Cass, we’re about to part forever. Allow me to see you in all your glory just one last time.”

She gave him a gentle smile. “Alright,” she said languidly, enjoying his touch. Her eyes started to grow heavy as she relaxed into him, thinking it such a shame she was going to have to give up these delights.

“I love you so much,” he said, kissing her hair.

“Love you too,” she murmured back.

“I want you to remember that.”

“I will.”

“Good. It’s because I love you that I’m going to make you immortal.”

“What do you mean?” she said, only half-listening as she felt herself drifting off contentedly in his arms.

His hand cupped her chin and tilted her face up to his. “You’ll be my greatest work yet, your beauty will live on.”

Something Brodie had once said came screaming back to her tired, lethargic mind and panic surged through her. “What do you mean?”

“I can’t let you go Cass. I need to see your face every day. If I can’t have all of you then I’m going to take that part of you with me.”

“No,” she exclaimed, her sudden lethargy making sense. “You drugged me.”

“You’ve left me no choice Cass. I can’t let you go, I really can’t,” he said, tears standing out in his eyes.

Cass managed to shake off the encroaching lethargy and jumped to her feet, clearly surprising him. “Brodie was right.”

“Brodie?” he frowned.

“You’re going to stick my face up in your exhibition, just like you did to Fred.”

“No Cass, I wouldn’t do that to you.” He ran his thumb along the line of her jaw. “You’ll be kept just for me to gaze upon. I wouldn’t put you up in front of strangers who would sully you with their dirty gazes. Only I will look upon your loveliness.”

“Brodie warned me, he said you were a murderer but I wouldn’t listen, I said you weren’t capable.” She swayed on her feet and blinked, attempting to clear her vision as his face blurred.