"Just spit it out, Errol. I'm the daughter of a globe-trotting avocational archaeologist. I doubt you could say or do anything that would shock me."
Ohhh, she really has no idea about me. I'll need to take this slow to prevent her from fainting. She doesn't seem like the sort who would do that, though. Do women ever faint? I think that might be only in old movies.
I sit up straighter and clear my throat. "After I destroyed Sovereign's servers in the Istanbul office, we got waylaid by guards. They locked the doors, which turned out to be bulletproof or at least bullet resistant. At any rate, I had brought along a failsafe measure. And I put it to good use."
"Failsafe? I don't understand."
Suddenly, it feels like I've got ants in my hair. I scratch my scalp and grimace. "Before we drove to Sovereign's offices, I strapped C-4 to my belly."
Ashley's expression goes blank.
Maybe she doesn't know what C-4 is.
The lass crinkles her brows. "Are you saying that you strapped plastic explosives to your tummy?"
"Aye."
"Why on earth would you do that?"
I shrug. "That was my failsafe. If we got trapped in the building, I would use the C-4. So when the guards surrounded us, we managed to restrain them, and I slapped the C-4 onto the glass doors. Then I detonated it."
Ashley's jaw has fallen open.
That's the reaction I expected, though I can't say I'm not disappointed. I'd hoped a woman who would stalk me for months would be more amenable to my lifestyle. But I've clearly overtaxed her ability to accept barmy things. Aye, I'm off my head. Never denied that.
"Wow," she says. "You really are fearless, aren't you?"
"It's my trademark. That and taking insane risks."
"Okay," she says slowly, like she needs to take care in how she pronounces that word. "I understand you have a wild side, but that's exactly why I want you on this expedition."
"You aren't terrified of me?"
She snorts, apparently struggling not to laugh. "I've met much crazier people than you. Besides, no one else will even consider helping me. Turns out I need a brilliant, quirky, fearless treasure hunter who straps explosives to his tummy."
I jerk my head back, sure I must have misheard the lass. She likes that I take barmy risks? She called me brilliant and fearless too, not to mention quirky. I think I like that. Most people use less polite terms when they describe me. Well, people who aren't related to me. My extended family cuts me a lot of slack.
But I haven't finished revealing my true nature to her. "There's one more thing you should know—or rather, you should experience—before I agree to go with you on your expedition."
"Tell me."
I veer my gaze away from her and pick at the seam on the sofa's back. "You'll need to experience it in person, I think, to fully grasp the ramifications."
Her brows crinkle again, an adorable expression that makes me want to drag her into the bedroom and have that poke before I show her my most insane hobby. But I won't do that.
"I cannae show ye here," I say. "We need to go to Dùndubhan."
"Right now?"
"Aye, right now. You need to understand all of my habits before we become business partners."
"Since you're going to share everything with me, I should be completely honest with you too. This isn't just business. It's also very personal for me." She pulls her robe closed and jumps off the sofa. "Let me get dressed. Then we can go to the castle so you can show me whatever it is."
Her robe has fallen open, exposing all of her nude body. She has bonnie tits, round and just the right size for my hand, as well as wide hips and toned thighs. My mouth might actually be watering right now.
But I swallow hard and force myself to look at her face. "Aye, lass, ye best get dressed."
She glances down. Her eyes flare wide, and she quickly tugs the robe shut, holding it there with both hands. "Sorry."