“But,” he clasped her face in his hands, “you do everything I tell you, understand? And you’re going to stay in the car the entire time.”
“I understand.”
“Rogan isn’t going to be happy about this.”
***
As it turned out, Rogan took the news quite well. He just shrugged, then climbed into the limo that was waiting for them. Colm and Cillian, Rogan’s other bodyguard, climbed into the two front seats while the rest of them got into the back.
“I’ve never driven in a limo before,” Tilly said, trying to break the silence in the car.
“Your boyfriend never hired a limo for prom night?” Aedan asked, with a look of comical shock in his face. “He didn’t deserve you.”
“I never went to my prom,” she said. “My boyfriend was older and he didn’t want to go.”
“An older man, huh? Bet your parents weren’t too happy,” Aedan teased.
“My dad was furious and with good reason.”
“Why’s that?” Aedan asked.
“Turned out he was an asshole. That’s why. Oh, and a criminal.” She stared at Rogan with chagrin. “Ahh, sorry, no offense.”
Shit, how could he not take offense?
Rogan looked a little taken aback. “None taken. Us criminals have thick skin.”
Inwardly, she groaned.
“You’re nothing like him. You seem very… ahh… nice. He was a jerk.” Way to smooth things over, Tilly, she thought.
Dylan squeezed her shoulders. “I’d quit while you’re ahead, a mhuirnín.”
She glanced up, expecting him to look annoyed, but he just winked.
“What are you going to do once we get there?” she asked Rogan. “Will you ask them about my friend? What if they won’t tell you anything?”
“We’ll gather as much information as we can and assess the situation,” Rogan told her.
Well, that pretty much told her nothing.
“If your friend is being held against her will then I promise we will get her out.”
She smiled at him gratefully. “Thank you, for everything you’re doing for me.”
“You’re welcome. Here we are. Aedan, are you waiting in the car?”
“Yeah I’ve got some emails to answer.” He looked over at Dylan. “I’ll look after her.”
“I’ll leave Colm with you,” Rogan said. “Dylan can act as my second bodyguard.”
What must it be like to need bodyguards? She couldn’t imagine living in fear for her life day after day.
“Stay here with Aedan. Do as he says,” Dylan ordered then gave her a quick kiss.
“Be safe,” she whispered, feeling nauseous with fear.
Once they were gone, Aedan pulled out his phone. “Sorry, I know this is rude, but I have some emails I need to deal with.”