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"Aye. I'll see ye then." Jock started to close the door behind himself but stopped and pointed to the loft. "And whatever it is you're doing up there, don't get caught."

Sinclair didn't like this at all. If someone was asking around yesterday, at least it ruled out any association to the art heist. There was the person on the cliffs when they got stuck on the beach with the tide coming in the other day. Sin had shown Dougie the video, but he had been unable to enhance it any further.

He knocked on the bedroom door, opened it and stuck his head in. Charlotte was coming out of the bathroom, wrapped in a towel. "I thought we would go to the pub for dinner tonight."

"Is that a good idea? We probably shouldn't be seen." She held the towel tight.

"It will be fine. I know most everyone in town." He went to his bag and pulled out the antibiotic ointment. "I'll help you with your stomach."

"It's fine. I don't think I even need the bandage anymore."

"Charlotte, you can barely look at it. I'll be the judge," he said. "Go lie down."

"At least let me get some clothes on."

He turned around and listened while she put on a pair of underwear and a bra, then she lay on the bed. "Okay," she said softly.

He sat down on the edge and lifted up the bottom of the towel covering her, the black lace panties she wore exposing the pale bits of skin on her bare sex. She smelled good, a mix of vanilla, sandalwood and something floral. Sin became acutely aware of his cock underneath his kilt. He cleared his throat.

"Does it look all right?" she asked, concerned.

"Aye," he gave her a smile, "you're right. It has healed. There's no sign of any raw skin." He smeared some ointment on his finger and gently ran it over the red skin. Even though it was on the mend, there was still a hideous violence to it. He wondered if that would ever fade, the cruelty of it. "I want you to stay close to me tonight. Don't leave my side," he said, suddenly feeling extremely protective of her.

"I thought you said it would be okay, that you knew everyone." He saw alarm cross her eyes.

"It will be. I would just feel better if we stayed close." He started to lower the towel, his fingers brushing the top of her panties in the process, and let his hands come to rest so he held her around the waist. He felt her breathing quicken as he leaned over and kissed her lips, not taken this time, but given as a reassurance that he would keep her safe.