Several police cars and unmarked vehicles shot by in convoy.
Draco gestured for them to get around the street corner and then ran back out into the passing pedestrians. A moment later he was back. He was on his phone, scrolling through messages. “Okay, good.” He looked up, waving them back again. “Okay, we’re on. Please stay out of this now.”
“But if the police are involved…” Rowan swallowed hard. “Does that mean Sean will be arrested for hacking again?”
“Yes. But—
“But what?” she interrupted, devastated by the implications. “You mean he’s going back to prison if they go in there and he’s caught?”
Draco grabbed her by the shoulders. “Rowan, I’m going to be doing my damnedest not to let that happen, you know that.”
She couldn’t understand. Draco knew the police would come? What did that mean? The sirens grew louder, as if more vehicles were approaching. Her heart hammered against the wall of her chest.
A distant gunshot rang out, and people on the pavements scattered.
Draco reached out to still Rowan, but it was too late.
She wrenched free of his grip and ran out into the road.
Cars screeched to a halt. She froze on the spot. A car had stopped inches in front of her. Another then smashed into the back of it, nudging it closer to her.
The driver in the first car was screaming at her as he climbed out of the car.
She bolted on, to where she could see the police cars gathered at the entrance to the warehouse.
As she approached, a policeman in uniform stepped out in front of her. “Stand back, Miss. We’re taping off this area. Ongoing police incident. No need to concern yourself.”
She ducked and dived and pressed on.
He was hot on her tail. Grabbing her, he swung her behind him.
Rowan caught sight of two figures in dark clothing as they lurched out of the warehouse, guns aloft in their hands.
She cried out, but the policeman pulled her to one side, ducking down behind a car and dragging her with him.
Multiple shots were fired.
Rowan silently screamed Sean’s name over and over again.
Eventually it fell silent, and then there was more shouting.
She became aware of the distant traffic noise and the sound of drivers tooting their horns in frustration. Nearby, she heard someone shouting for an ambulance.
“Police officer down!”
The uniformed policeman with her shifted, and looked beyond the car.
She took her opportunity and crept along the far side of the car so she could peep out. Ambulance sirens roared in through the other cars. She stained to see what was going on. The policemen were gathered around one of their own who had clearly been injured.
“Sean,” she whispered, terrified that one of the bodies she could see was his.
She rose to her feet, peering over, but couldn’t see their faces. She didn’t recognise the clothes, but the bodies weren’t moving, and she could see blood on the ground. It sent her into a frenzy of panic.
Two officers emerged from the building, a man in cuffs between them.
Another similar threesome followed.
Her blood rushed in her ears.
She darted forward, broke into a run.
She had to know
Chapter Twenty-four
Full consciousness evaded Sean.
His mind clung to every signal, catching only fragments of awareness—the distant sound of shouting, an alarm, or maybe siren. A voice barking instructions.
He battled for clarity.
His body was shunted. Pain overwhelmed consciousness.
Then silence, invaded only by beeping noises.
Eventually, he was able to open his eyes a crack.
Bright lights swam in his vision. He found it hard to breathe. Struggling to the surface, he moved his hand to his face. It was hard to do, his arm felt heavy and weighted. His fingers closed over a hard plastic object.
A hand covered his, drawing it away gently. “Its oxygen, let go of the mask.”
Okay. Okay. Vaguely, he was aware of surroundings. Bright overhead light.
Smells like hospital, he decided.
Then darkness and dreams.
Strange, strange dreams.
* * * *
When he eventually came to full consciousness, the first thing he saw was Rowan’s face looming close. Her eyes were large with concern. Was she real this time? He couldn’t make sense of it.
She was staring at him, wide-eyed, mascara streaked down her cheeks.
“Oh my god, you’re awake.”
“Yep, and my head is banging.” He tried to move. Pain shot through his shoulder and down his side. Then he remembered.
The gig. The gun. The finger on the trigger. Darkness descending.
Groaning, he rested back against the pillow. A quick scan of the room gave him his location. “Jesus, I’m in hospital.”
“Yes, and there’s a cop outside the door.” Rowan lowered her voice and glanced at the door uneasily. Once they know you’re awake I’ll have to go. They just let me in for a few minutes.”
“Love you,” he whispered, proud of her for getting past the police.
“You could have died! They took a bullet out of you, Sean.”
“That explains the pain.” He tried to move. Couldn’t. “Where?”
“Collarbone. You got lucky, it just missed a major artery.”
“Thank fuck it wasn’t my—”
“Language, Sean.” Rowan’s eyes rounded.
Her fake chastisement made him want to laugh. It came out as a cough and hurt like hell.
She put her hand on his arm. “Keep still. I’ll have to call for the nurse soon, they told me to press the buzzer if you came round. We haven’t got long alone.”
Sean sensed he was drifting, and he didn’t want to, not this time, not with Rowan here so real and close to him. But he’d been sedated or drugged, for sure, and it was weighing him down. He battled for his time with Rowan.
“You’re in deep shit, Sean Rattigan.”
Sean frowned. “Draco? Is that what he said?” He squinted, seeking out Draco’s face beyond her.
Rowan shook her head. “He’s not allowed in, just one at a time. Rory sat with you through the night when you first came out of surgery.”
“No offence to Rory, but I’d rather look at you.”
She laughed and there was a deep look of relief in her eyes. “They said next of kin only, a brother or sister. We lied, said I was a sister…being step-related finally came in useful.”
“‘Bout bloody time.” Every word was a huge effort.
“Draco said to tell you ‘it’s all good.’” She looked frustrated. “I have no idea what that means, and it doesn’t fill me with confidence when there’s a police watch on your room around the clock.”
Sean smiled, and then thought twice, because smiling hurt too. Everything hurt. “Don’t worry, if Draco says it’s good, it is. He’s a clever guy, your brother. That’s why he’s wearing the suit.”
Rowan flickered her eyebrows at him. “Don’t get any ideas, I prefer you in biker gear.”
“You do, huh.”
“I meant you’re in trouble with me, regardless.” Again she nodded back at the doorway, glancing over her shoulder as if concerned their time would run out.
“How do you plan to punish me?”
“Nag you to death.”
“Sounds great.”
“Oh, I’ll figure a way to make you pay, you’ll never be free of it.”
“Ideal. Means we’ll be together.”
Smiling she reached out and touched his face. “Right now, I want you to rest, get strong, and be careful what you say when they interview you.”
It was getting harder to speak. “Yes…go home to Pixie,” he managed. “You’ll be safe now.” Especially as I took a bullet, he realized. Delahane would definitely move on now. He’d lost men. His goal had been sc
uppered. All was good.
“I’m not going home until you’re on your feet again,” Rowan insisted.
Beyond Rowan a door opened and a woman in a blue outfit entered the room. Behind her, a copper in black uniform looked in. Seeing him awake, the cop spoke into a walk-talky fixed to his lapel, and then followed the nurse in.
Sean sighed. Sleep was dragging him down, and he was ready to give in this time. He made one last push, beckoning Rowan closer. “Go home. Our baby girl needs you.”
A big fat tear rolled down her face, but she was smiling. “Pixie’s fine. I speak to her five times a day and she’s being loved and looked after. Right now, you need me.”
The nurse said something, then pressed the call button and checked a screen at his side. The policeman put his hand on Rowan’s shoulder, talking to her and drawing her away.
Sean kept his eyes on Rowan. “I always need you,” he said, hoping she caught his words.
Backing away as instructed, Rowan nodded at him and blew a kiss.
It was enough.
Sean locked the image into his heart and gave himself over to sleep.
Chapter Twenty-five
It was time.
Any minute now Sean would be back.
Rory had gone to bring him home in a taxi. He’d already texted to say they were on their way.
Rowan busied herself helping Sky and Lara prepare the food and drinks, listening to them chatting happily. She wasn’t focused enough to join in much, she was too excited.
She heard the door click open and her anticipation tripped.
She’d been listening out, but it shocked her how her body reacted, as if the very sound of him made her feel more alive than she’d ever had.
When he stepped through the door, she rushed over on instinct and hugged him to her.
He ducked his head, kissed her lips.
Everybody cheered.
She pulled back, laughing.
Hs head ducked.
She moaned softly when he nuzzled her neck.
He wrapped one arm around her waist. “Got you just where I want you,” he whispered against her ear.
She couldn’t have been happier to hear him say it, especially so with the possessive tone in his voice. She savored the embrace, his body hard and masculine against hers.
All the others wanted to welcome him back too, so she stepped back and let him enjoy the homecoming they’d organized for him.
He had one arm in a sling, which worried her, but she’d been told it was mostly so his collarbone wound rested. He didn’t have to wear it all the time. Whatever. She was going to take good care of him.
They’d got everything they needed for an outdoor barbecue in the fridge, but if he was tired, they could keep it for the next day. She’d also baked his favorite Welsh dish, Welsh Eve’s Pudding. Sean and Rory both loved it.
She watched as the others congratulated him, gently poking at an abandoned cat toy with the toe of her boot as she did. She felt unaccountably shy. Knowing what he’d done, it hit her hard. Draco had filled in all the gaps, explained why he’d had to spend so long giving accounts to the police. He’d have to appear in court, turn evidence, but it meant he was off the hook.
Sean kept glancing her way, like he used to. It made her feel as if she were the only girl in the room.
She helped put food on the table.
Sean chatted with them all from the seat at the head of the table, making them laugh with his account of the police interviews.
She stood behind him, guarding him, making sure he didn’t use that arm—reassuring herself he was really there.
When they were finally alone in their borrowed room, they stared at each other in silence for a long moment after the door shut. Then he closed the space between them in one stride.
His free hand went everywhere.
Her flesh responded instantly to his touch, sensation needling through her and tugging at her very center. There was something about him, always had been—an inbuilt sense of power that turned her to liquid lust in his arms.
She gripped his T-shirt with both hands. “Be careful with your wound.”
“It won’t stop me,” he murmured against her skin. “Waited too long for this.”
He kissed her eyelids, her forehead, and then the tip of her nose. He rubbed his face against hers, grazing her with his stubble, then he teased his lips against hers while he cupped her face in his hand.
Rowan was in heaven.
“Be gentle,” she pleaded, still concerned.
“Maybe.” He smiled, as if to himself.
“Let me take charge,” she offered.
He gave a husky laugh. “Don’t think I could cope with that. Need you too much.” His voice was hoarse with emotion.
Rowan led him to the bed. He did as she indicated, lying back on the pillows.
She pulled off her clothes and then turned her attention to him. Carefully removing his sling, she rested his arm back in position and retied it when his top was off. A large square wound dressing wrapped over his shoulder. Then she continued to undress him.
He kept snatching at her for kisses as she did so.
He was already hard.
Once she got them both naked she laid alongside him, stroking him.
His hard body under her fingertips was bliss.
Moving her hands along his flank, she drew back and looked at him, needing the constant reassurance he was safe.
He rested alongside her and ran his one free hand up the length of her arm. The possessive look in his eyes heated her right through. “Can I keep you?”
“Maybe. If you behave.”
His expression softened, and yet his fingers lingered around arm, stroking her as if he was acquainting himself with her again.
Rowan wanted to savor every moment.
When she propped on the pillow with one elbow, he turned his attention to her breasts, dipping his head to kiss them.
Her hips stirred against the bed, her body growing needier by the moment.
“Are you sure you’re up to this?” she teased, on an intake of breath, when he plied her sensitive nipples with his kisses.
His cock pressed hard against her hip.
She laughed gently. “Are you sure you’ve thought this through?”
“I’ve thought about nothing else in that hospital bed.” Lifting his head he paused. “I love you. I know I couldn’t be what you wanted, back then. I know I let you down. But now, it’s different’.”
“Yes it is.” It really was.
Even if she could have resisted him for a moment longer, she didn’t want to.
She climbed over him, straddling him, hovering just above his erection.
His gaze covered her, hungrily.
She simmered inside, stoked as she was by the hot look in his eyes. “What do I have to do to keep you from injuring that shoulder, hmm? Tie you up?”
He grabbed her wrists in one strong hand, capturing her. “If anyone is going to be tying things up, it’ll be me.”
The brooding look in his eyes assured he meant it.
Her heartbeat became erratic. The edgy look in his eyes, and the way he held her made her blood quicken. Tension filled the room, clinging around them like a seductive mist inviting her to sink deeper.
She moved down, ducking her head to kiss his cock.
When he moaned, loudly, she licked and sucked, adoring him with her mouth.
His cock reached in her mouth. “Get up here,” he whispered, “need to be inside you.”
Her back arched, the tension in her body intensifying.
Moving back into position, she shook back her hair.
He gripped his cock in his strong hand, ready to have her.
Desire made her dizzy. By the time he moved into position, her entire body had misted with damp heat, her breathing shallow and fast.
The pressure of has crown at her opening took away the ability to linger. In one knowing thrust she took him in, letting him fill her.<
br />
Sean urged her to enjoy, panting on each and every shallow thrust, already close to coming.
She was lost to it, her core clenching and unclenching, setting off waves of pleasure. She moaned. The room span, her eyes clamped shut and she heard her own wild cry as she came.
“Oh, yes,” Sean murmured.
Her upper body fell forward.
Even as she shuddered in her climax she felt his breath hot on her cheek. Eventually he let rip a deep groan. One last jerk, deep and hard, and she focused long enough to hold him tight while he came.
When she rolled free he lifted onto his elbow at her side and smiled down at her. “I want to be with you, always.”
She tried to keep the smile from her face, but failed. “Hmm. I’d suppose I’d have to give the option some serious consideration.”
“Don’t make me wait too long, or I might have to force the issue.” He pried her legs open again, his mouth nuzzling her skin behind her ear.
A sense of heady, heady bliss saturated her.
He fixed her gaze with his. “Stop teasing and agree, damn it!”
He was actually fretting. She could see it in his eyes.
“Maybe,” she managed to reply.
He plied her with kisses.
“Agree,” he urged again
“Yes,” she managed to blurt out, and then laughed.
He groaned, long and hard.
“I love you, Sean,” she whispered, as he rolled her into the crook of his arm.
Epilogue
Four months later.
The beach front at Rhyl was empty but for a couple of dog walkers hiking along the shoreline with their four-legged companions. The early morning mist had already cleared, revealing the palest of blue of skies. Occasional clouds scudded along the coastline, and there was a chill in the air.
Rowan looked out across the expanse of Welsh sand to the Irish Sea, breathing in the scent of ozone and saltwater.
“It’s like you and me,” she commented, “the Irish sea rolling in on the Welsh shoreline. Like you and me meeting secretly as we did, here, on our beach. I’ve always thought that, right from when you turned up, straight off the ferry from Dublin.”
Sean: A Stepbrother Romance (Coded for Love Book 3) Page 15