A Highland Wedding

Arrival in Italy

Mack

Jer was grouchy and kept complaining about the woman who smelled like bologna and the screaming kid two aisles back. He also kept muttering about how useless I was and the fact he was never flying economy again.

Sighing I just let him complain and b***h, it was better than to try and tell him to shut up. I also didn’t want to be on the receiving end of his ire.

“Where is the car? I am so glad I didn’t bring a lot of luggage. Knowing how things are going I will end up losing my luggage.” I just watched him as he continued to walk toward the exit.

“Come on Gregor Mackenzie stop dawdling. Uggh I need a shower.” He looked at me over his shoulder and I shook my head.

“Are ye done complaining Jer?” He stopped and swiped his glasses off his face.

“You do not get to call me Jer. YOU lost that privilege.” Shaking my head I followed him out of the airport and looked around for the person that was supposed to pick us up.

“Jeremy or is it, Jeremiah?” The man looked like a typical security guard and I sized him up. He was sizing Jer up and completely ignoring me.

“Honey, you can call me whatever you want. Jer Sutherland at your service are you the hunk that Alexei sent to pick us up?” The man was uncomfortable with Jer and I cleared my throat.

“Gregor Mackenzie, pleased to meet you.” Jer shot an annoyed look at me and huffed. He tossed his scarf over his shoulder smacking me in the face.

“Welcome to Italy, we will be at the apartment in thirty minutes. If you would like to get some refreshments or snacks for the road, do it now.” Jer slid into the backseat and I sighed as the poor man looked at him.

“Aye thank ye. Sorry about me friend there. He gets a little testy when traveling. We just want to meet our friends.” I took the front seat and watched the scenery go by. The car ride was tense and there was very little, small talk.

I dozed off and was startled awake when Jer got out of the car and made an exaggerated yawn and stretched. I saw Alexei step out onto the street and Jer squealed throwing himself at the poor man.

He laughed and patted the other man on the back. He didn’t look uncomfortable with Jer ogling him and trying to cop a feel. I was also slightly jealous because of the bond those two had. Alexei and I were never friends but before everything went sour, we were on speaking terms.

Now I’m not even sure we will have that dynamic back. I shouldn’t be upset, I brought this on myself and it was my choice not to go out and make more friends. I kind of wanted that bonding experience that Jer and Alexei had.

I even wanted the friendship and bond that Alexei, Jer, and Daniel had. Daniel and I were acquaintances but I wouldn’t say we were best friends or anything like that.

“Where is my bestie I want to see her right now.” Alexei pointed upstairs and Jer took off and left his bag with Alexei. Sighing I thanked the man for driving us expecting him to leave but he walked with me when I met up with Alexei.

Alexei narrowed his eyes at me and then he ran his hand through his hair. He looked exhausted and I just felt horrible because it was my fault everyone was going through this.

“Don’t do that Mackenzie, it isn’t entirely your fault and I apologize for blaming you. We just never saw this with Claire.” He extended his hand and I shook it. Grateful for this small bridge of reconciliation.

“Thank ye, Alexei, I know I can never make it up to all of ye but thank ye.” I sniffed and we both looked at the street. The man that drove us cleared his throat and we looked at him.

“Why don’t we take this inside gentlemen and discuss the next steps in the plan.” He was looking around and I guess he had every right to be paranoid. We didn’t know if Claire still had spies in the vicinity or if she was lurking as well.

We walked up the steps and I regretted my decision to spend the past few months drinking instead of working like I used to. Alexei raised an eyebrow at me and I wiped sweat off my brow.

“A little out of shape there Mackenzie?” I followed him into an apartment where three other men were sitting around a table and discussing guns and coffee.

“Aye, I spent too much time wallowing in me own misery.” Alexei snorted and shook his head.

“Gentlemen, this is Gregor Mackenzie, Gregor this older man here is Sawyer and he is the one in charge here. I will let you two talk with each other. I’m going to run to the store and do some shopping, when I get back, we will discuss a plan of attack.” I watched as Alexei left me and I sighed.

“Sorry, ye were dragged into this. I will tell ye everything I can about Claire. I just want it to be over with.” Sawyer was an intimidating man and he was looking at me as if he couldn’t quite figure out if I was really going to work with him or turn on him.

“Good to hear, pull up a chair and grab a drink. It is going to be a long night and I want to make sure that your safety and Anna’s safety are going to be the top priority. I will not have any casualties.” I nodded and pulled out a chair.

The other men introduced themselves and for once I felt like I belonged somewhere. I knew the feeling wasn’t going to last though.