Grant grinned, a feral, vicious smile. “I’m goin’ to enjoy endin’ you.”
But Elizabeth had more questions. Of course, she did. “Did you force Jack to carry drugs for you?”
“What’s it to you, bitch?”
Grant kicked Lewis’ injured leg, making him shriek. “Dinnae be talkin’ to McManus’ woman like that.”
Lewis groaned. “Jack was a righteous prick. He refused.”
Quinn’s face burned with fury. He took a step toward Lewis, itching to kill the bastard. But he’d made a deal with Grant. “You planted drugs on him, just like you planted them on us. You broke his wife’s heart, and you stole him from his wee ones. Their lives willneverbe the same. Then you tried to sully his memory, too. You’re no’ the man I thought you were. You’re no’ a man at all.”
Lewis opened his mouth as if to say something, then his eyes went wide.
The guard Quinn had seen last night stepped into the room.
Lewis shouted to him. “What the fuck are you doing? Shoot them!”
“The warehouse is secure, sir,” the guard said, looking not at Lewis but Grant.
“Shoot them!” It took Lewis a moment to catch on.
“I dinnae work for you.”
Grant chuckled. “I’ve had my eye on you for a while now. If we were just competin’ for drug sales, I’d have let you be. Business is business. But you cut down a man I loved like a brother.”
Grant met Quinn’s gaze, thrust out a gloved hand. “It’s been good workin’ with you, but it’s time for you to take your woman and go. You dinnae want her to see this. I’ll wait until you’re away. If you ever turn to the dark side, let me know. We could use a man wi’ your skills.”
Quinn shook his hand, gave him Lewis’ blade. “Thank you for your help. I willnae forget it.”
“I’m always happy to help out another brother of Jack’s.” Grant chuckled again. “But stay the hell away from Troon, aye?”
“Aye.” Quinn handed the M4 to Grant’s man, put his arm around Elizabeth’s shoulders to steady her, and faced Lewis. “There was a time when I’d have followed you into hell, even given my life for you.”
“You’re going to leave and let this fucker butcher me? McManus!”
Quinn ignored his pleas, guiding Elizabeth from the building and onto the dock where a small boat waited for them. It would carry them up the estuary into the River Clyde and on toward Glasgow.
He helped her climb aboard and led her inside the heated wheelhouse, giving a nod to the captain—one of Grant’s men. “Evenin’.”
“We’re off home, then, aye?”
“Aye.” Quinn sat Elizabeth on a bench, wrapped his arms around her. “Och, you’re shakin’ like a leaf.”
“I-I’m cold.”
Quinn took off his jacket, wrapped it around her. “We’ll get you warmed up.”
She clung to him. “I thought I was dead. I thought…”
It had been close—much too close.
Quinn kissed her forehead, held her tight. “You’re safe now.”
* * *
Still woozy,Elizabeth dozed off and on while the boat made its way upriver. The captain let them off just outside Glasgow, Quinn leaving his body armor on board.
Then Quinn called Nigel. “McManus here. I’ve got her. We’re near Victoria Bridge. The bastards drugged her. She’ll need to see your doctor. I think she’s in shock. I’ll explain when we get there and I know she’s okay. Aye, thanks.”