Dangerous Witness (O'Connor Brothers Book 7)

by Rhonda Brewer

  “Yes, the money I won from that bet, I used to buy that engagement ring. Nobody knew I was doing it. Nobody. I wanted you to be surprised,” Aaron continued.

  “Well, it worked. I’m surprised.” Bethany touched the box and then pulled back her hand.

  “Open it,” Aaron urged.

  “I can’t.” Bethany’s voice cracked as a tear ran down her cheek.

  “Please.” Aaron picked up the box and placed it in her palm as he took the letter and put it on the coffee table.

  “Aaron, this isn’t mine. Not anymore.” Bethany couldn’t stop the tears.

  “That ring was bought for one person. You. My Bethany. Whether we’re together or not. That ring will always be yours.” Aaron tucked a piece of her hair behind her ear and ran his thumb across the apple of her cheek.

  A couple of deep breaths, Bethany slowly opened the box. Inside was a round diamond set on top of a gold band. Blue and green tiny stones surrounded the diamond. It was beautiful and so much more than she would have ever expected.

  “Aaron, it’s stunning,” Bethany whispered.

  “It doesn’t compare to you then and now… it looks like a piece of junk.” Aaron smiled.

  “I’m so sorry.” Bethany turned to face him. “I should’ve had more faith in you. In us.”

  “Yes, you should’ve, but I remember how Raquel used to torture you. Especially when it came to me. I never thought you’d ever doubt how much I loved you.” Aaron took the ring box and placed it on the table in front of them.

  He grasped her hands in his and slowly raised his head until their eyes met. Bethany’s heart pounded the same way it did back then whenever Aaron touched her or looked at her the way he was.

  “I never lied to you, and I’m not going to start now. I tried to forget you. I’m ashamed to say I used other women to kill the pain. A lot of women, but I’m not telling you this to hurt you. I’m telling you because you need to know you’re going to hear stories about me. Sandy calls me a manwhore.” Aaron’s cheeks flushed.

  “I like her.” Bethany smiled and then laughed at the shocked expression on his face.

  “She’s perfect for Ian, but she tends to say things without thinking.” Aaron cupped her cheek.

  “I don’t care what people say about you.” Bethany sighed when his thumb grazed her lower lip.

  “Really?” Aaron raised an eyebrow.

  “Okay, okay. I won’t anymore.” Bethany smiled.

  “Good, but the truth is the last woman I spent any time with was the woman you saw today. I’ve been months trying to make her understand I wasn’t looking for a relationship, but she has a drinking problem, and I’m pretty sure she’s doing drugs as well.” Aaron shook his head.

  “Then why did you go out with her?” Bethany found it hard to believe he’d be with someone like her.

  “The truth?” Aaron raised an eyebrow.

  “Yes.”

  “She was … eager.” She didn’t miss the cringe in his tone.

  “I see.” Bethany tried to look away from him.

  “This is also the truth; nobody ever made me feel like you did. My heart always belonged to you, and there was never any room for anyone else.” Aaron held her face in his hands.

  “Aaron, I’ve changed.” She closed her eyes.

  “So have I.” Aaron pressed his forehead to hers.

  “I’ve noticed.” Bethany opened her eyes.

  “I don’t want to…” Aaron’s statement was cut off by a loud popping sound outside the house and then the large picture window in the living room shattered.

  Before she knew what happened, Bethany was on the floor with Aaron heavy on top of her. After a couple of more pops and the sound of glass breaking around her, she heard the squeal of tires and then Allyson shouting from the kitchen.

  “Are you okay?” Aaron lifted off her and scanned her for injuries.

  “I’m fine, but I need to check on Allyson, Elijah, and Cameron.” She tried to jump to her feet, but Aaron held her down to the floor as he crouched and slowly made his way toward the window.

  “Stay down until I check outside.” Aaron pulled back the curtain while she watched and prayed there wasn’t anyone still outside.

  “Beth, are you okay?” Allyson shouted from the kitchen.

  “Yes, are you?” Bethany shouted back.

  “We’re fine.” She breathed a sigh of relief when she heard Elijah’s voice as well.

  “Did someone just shoot at our house?” She almost laughed when she saw her nephew on the floor in the hallway slithering toward her.

  “Yes.” Bethany motioned for him to come to her and he quickly crawled next to her.

  “Fuck,” Aaron growled under his breath and then turned. “Sorry, Cameron.”

  “My friends say worse than that.” Cameron rolled his eyes.

  “I want you two into the kitchen. I have to check to see if Crash is okay and call John.” Aaron held out his hand.

  Bethany was afraid to stand in case the gunshots started again. Then she scanned the living room. She’d cut herself to pieces with the glass shards covering the floor.

  “Cameron, I need you to stand up but keep your head down while you go to the kitchen.” Aaron pulled Bethany to her feet, and she grabbed her nephew’s hand.

  “Careful of the glass, Cam.” Bethany noticed he was in his bare feet, but before he could say a word, Aaron picked him up and set him down away from the shards of glass.

  “Stay in there.” Aaron met her gaze as he stepped into the hallway and pulled his gun from its holster.

  As soon as Cameron saw his mother, he ran toward her. Elijah knelt next to Allyson, his face was red with rage, and her sister looked numb as she clung to her son.

  “What the hell was all that about?” Elijah snapped.

  “I don’t know, but Aaron is gone to check on Crash and call his brother.” Bethany sat next to her sister, and they wrapped their arms around each other.

  “Why is he calling his brother?” Elijah asked.

  “Probably because he’s also a police officer and Aaron’s boss.” Bethany rolled her eyes.

  Aaron stomped into the kitchen, and his eyes went straight to her. Bethany saw his face relax and held his hand out to help both her and Allyson to their feet.

  “Is Crash okay?” Allyson asked.

  Aaron nodded.

  “Why would someone shoot at my house?” Allyson pulled her son tighter into her arms.

  “And they say Ontario is dangerous.” Elijah leaned against the counter and crossed his arms over his chest.

  “I’m not sure what this is but this may have something to do with Randy’s murder.” Aaron stepped toward her, but in a split-second, Elijah had him pinned against the fridge.

  “Are you fucking serious? I thought that idiot out there was supposed to protect my cousin. What the fuck was he doing outside?” Elijah shouted.

  “Elijah, let him go,” Bethany shouted as she tried to pull her cousin away from Aaron.

  “You need to listen to your cousin.” Aaron’s tone was calm, but it sent a shiver down her spine.

  Crash stepped into the kitchen. His handsome face tensed when he noticed Elijah holding Aaron against the wall. Bethany shivered at the way he tensed.

  “You might want to think before you do something like that.” Crash’s voice was calm.

  “I don’t care if he’s a cop. What the fuck were you doing out there? Someone could have been killed.” Elijah gave Aaron one last shove as he released Aaron and glared at Crash.

  “I was returning fire and trying to see the bastards who were shooting at us. By the way, do you guys have some gauze?” Crash turned to Allyson.

  “Oh my God, you were shot,” Bethany and Allyson said together.

  “It’s just a graze. I’m fine. I just need to clean it up.” Crash pulled his sleeve up.

  “You do know Ally’s a doctor, right?” Elijah raised an eyebrow.

  “Yeah, but I can…” Crash stammered.
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  Allyson cut him off when she grabbed his arm and dragged him to the laundry room with Cameron following behind them.

  “Do I sense a little spark there?” Elijah smirked.

  “Maybe.” Bethany glanced at Aaron.

  “Are you both okay?” Aaron reached for Bethany’s hand and squeezed it.

  “I’m fine, thanks to you.” Bethany stepped toward him and without hesitation wrapped her arms around his neck.

  He tensed for a second but then he had her wrapped in his arms so tightly she could barely breathe, but she didn’t care in the least. Aaron had her in his arms, and she melted against him.

  An hour later, her house filled with police. Most of them being Aaron’s family. They kept Bethany and her family in the kitchen while they did whatever police did after a shooting. She didn’t want to know, but staying in her house probably wasn’t going to be an option.

  The only thing that sent her into a spin was her father coming into the house like a raging bull. It took several minutes for Elijah to calm him down and explain what happened. He didn’t react to what she’d learned about Aaron and how he hadn’t betrayed her. Her father only nodded and pulled both his daughter and grandson into a group hug.

  “Bethany, it’s nice to see you again. Wish it was under better circumstances.” James entered the kitchen.

  “Are all your brothers police officers?” Allyson whispered to Aaron.

  “Not all. Just John, Nick, A.J. and I. Jess is as well.” James smiled.

  “How many brothers do you have?” Elijah chuckled.

  “There are seven of us.” John entered behind James.

  “Good to see you, Bethany, Allyson, Mr. Donnelly.” John nodded toward each person as he acknowledged them.

  Bethany practically flopped down on the chair as the surge of adrenalin from the shooting started to fade. She was suddenly completely exhausted.

  “Most of the damage to your house is in the living room. Aaron has Keith on the way to board up that window until we can get it fixed. The forensics guys are finished up there and have everything they need.” John held out the small black box. “A.J. said this is yours.”

  “Yes. Thanks.” Bethany wondered where her letter was, but before she could ask, Aaron entered the kitchen holding it in his hand.

  “I’d like all of you to stay somewhere else tonight.” John glanced back at Aaron.

  “We can go to a hotel,” Elijah responded.

  “Ummm ... I don’t think that’s going to be happening.” James chuckled and stepped to the side.

  “Yer not stayin’ at any hotel.” Bethany smiled at Aaron’s grandmother.

  The woman didn’t look like she’d aged in thirteen years and from what Bethany could see, she still ruled everyone.

  “Nan, how did you know they needed a place to stay?” John kissed his grandmother’s cheek.

  Before she could answer, Kurt and Alice walked in behind her. She knew Kurt was a police officer when she left Hopedale, which was probably why he would show up to a crime scene, but she couldn’t figure out why Alice and Nanny Betty would be there.

  “I finally figured out why I hate the Bluetooth option in my truck. I was bringing mom and Alice home from the grocery store when Keith called me. Damn demanding women.” Kurt looked completely annoyed.

  Bethany smiled as Aaron and his brothers snickered at their uncle. She’d always felt a little intimidated by Kurt when she was younger, and he’d seemed to get more intimidating as he’d gotten older, but the sight of Nanny Betty slapping the arm of the over six-foot man was amusing.

  “Jus because yer da Chief a’ police don’t mean ya can talk like dat.” Nanny Betty narrowed her eyes and glared at Kurt.

  “Sorry, mudder.” Kurt sighed and rolled his eyes as his mother turned back to Bethany.

  “Stop rollin’ yer eyes,” she snapped as she headed toward Bethany and her sister.

  “It’s good to see you again, Mrs. O’Connor.” Allyson smiled as she kissed the older woman on the cheek.

  “Have ya been away so long dat ya forgot not to call me Mrs. O’Connor? She was me mudder-in-law, and she was a witch. Ya call me Nan jus like ya did before.” Nanny Betty turned and glanced at Bethany.

  “Hi, Nan.” Bethany smiled nervously.

  “Well, it’s about time ya came back ta put dat boy back on da right path.” Nanny Betty pulled Bethany into her arms and hugged her tightly.

  “Nan, those two still have a lot to work out, but I’m sure now that all the misunderstandings are out of the way, they’ll figure things out.” Allyson glanced at Aaron.

  “I’m sure dat won’t take too long. Now, get yer tings, and we’ll take ya outta here until da place is safe.” Nanny Betty turned to Cameron.

  “Danny and Mason are all excited about ya comin’ to stay wit dem.” Nanny Betty linked her hand into Cameron’s arm, and they walked out of the kitchen.

  James had two older boys a little younger than Cameron, but they’d hit it off when Allyson, her father, and the boy were at the family supper.

  “Awesome,” Cameron said excitedly.

  “Why do I get the feeling we’ll be telling them to put the games away and go to sleep all night?” James shook his head.

  “Because we probably will be.” Allyson smiled.

  “I’m going to take you and Cameron to my house,” James told Allyson.

  “Your dad and Elijah will stay with Mom and Dad,” John continued.

  “What about Beth?” Allyson glanced at her.

  “She’ll be going to the safe house at The Compound,” James explained.

  “Is that necessary?” Bethany sighed.

  “I’m afraid so.” John nodded.

  “Crash and I will take you there when you get your things.” Aaron stepped back into the kitchen.

  This was real. Bethany had a second chance to start over with Aaron, and now someone was trying to kill her. Was this some sign telling her that she and Aaron weren’t meant to be? She glanced up and met his blue eyes. No. She was meant to be with Aaron. She knew that thirteen years ago, even if she did doubt it for a while, but gazing at the man walking toward her, she knew they were meant to be together. Now she just had to stay alive.

  Chapter 12

  Aaron felt shaken to his core. If he hadn’t gone to her house when he did, Bethany could be dead. He stared at the couch where he and Bethany sat earlier.

  Several holes were scattered across the back of the couch, making his stomach lurch at the thought of how things could have turned out. Ian always got severely stomach sick whenever he was stressed. A lot of times to the point where he’d throw up. At that moment, Aaron could relate.

  “A.J.?” Lewis called from behind Aaron.

  “Are you ready to go?” Aaron glanced down to where a small suitcase stood next to the man’s feet.

  “Yes, but I owe you an apology.” Lewis dropped his head for a moment and then lifted his eyes to meet Aaron.

  “It’s not necessary, Mr. Donnelly. I understand why you would be angry with me. If I were a father, I wouldn’t have been as calm.” Aaron gave him a friendly smile.

  “When your little girl comes to you sobbing so much she can barely speak, it tears your heart out. Honestly, I was ready to kick your ass that night, but she begged me to leave you alone. I couldn’t deny her that.” The memories of what Bethany had gone through that night were painful for her father.

  “I wish you would have. At least then it wouldn’t have taken thirteen years to clear up the misunderstanding.” Aaron shook his head.

  “I’m delighted that family doesn’t live next door anymore.” Lewis chuckled.

  “It’s probably safer that way.” Aaron laughed.

  “Do you know how long we’ll have to stay out of here?” Lewis glanced around the house.

  “A few days at least, but I think it would be safer if Bethany stayed at the safe house until we catch this guy.” Aaron held his hand out to Lewis.

  “Keep her safe, or I wil
l kick your ass.” Lewis pulled Aaron into a hug and slapped him on the back.

  “I’ll protect her with my life.” Aaron shook Lewis hand as he released the hug.

  “I’m ready.” Bethany walked down the stairs dragging a large suitcase with her.

  Aaron grabbed it and grunted at the weight when she released it. She must have packed everything she owned in the damn thing. He grinned when she shrugged her shoulders.

  “Is there a body in here?” Aaron teased.

  “I honestly don’t know what’s in there. I just grabbed as much as I could and shoved in there. I don’t know how long it will be before I get back here.” Bethany went directly to her father and tucked herself under his arm.

  “Bethany, you’re not going to be kept from your family. It’s not a prison you’re going to.” Aaron dragged the suitcase to the door as Crash opened the door.

  Aaron laughed as Crash picked up the suitcase and muttered something about why women’s shit was so much heavier than it looked. Bethany giggled as Crash struggled to put the case in the back of the SUV.

  “Elijah’s waiting outside for you, Mr. Donnelly,” James announced as he entered the house. “Allyson and Cameron are settled at the house, and I’ll make sure the house is locked up tight when all of you leave.”

  “Thanks, James.” Bethany smiled as she walked toward the door.

  James and Aaron both stepped in front of her, stopping her exit. She stared at them in confusion, and all Aaron could do was smile. Bethany was still completely unaware of the danger.

  “We need to make sure it’s clear before you leave, Bethany.” Aaron pulled her out of the doorway.

  “Oh, I forgot I’m a dangerous witness.” Bethany sighed and leaned against the wall.

  “You’re not dangerous, but you are a witness that could be in danger.” She might be dangerous to his heart though.

  Twenty minutes later, Crash pulled up in front of the secure house on Keith’s compound. Aaron drove with him while Crunch drove behind them in Aaron’s car. The whole drive Bethany clung to Aaron’s hand as if he would disappear.

  “That isn’t what I expected.” Bethany smiled when he helped her out of the SUV.

  “What were you expecting?” Keith walked up behind them.