Dangerous Witness (O'Connor Brothers Book 7)

by Rhonda Brewer

  “I don’t know. On television, this type of place is usually old cabins or rundown houses.” Bethany slowly turned around as she took in the small house.

  “It’s nothing fancy, but it’s comfortable.” Keith wrapped his arm around Bethany’s shoulder and squeezed. “You’ll be safe here.”

  “Let’s get you inside.” Aaron took her hand and led her up the two steps leading to the white front door.

  “It’s cute,” Bethany whispered.

  “Yeah.” Aaron chuckled as he pushed open the door and they walked through.

  The front door led into a small foyer probably only big enough for two people to stand comfortably. As they stepped further into the house, they walked into a large open area with a kitchen on the left and the living area was on the right.

  Straight ahead was the hallway leading to the bedrooms. Aaron had been in the house several times and knew it well. He tugged Bethany toward the back and showed her where she’d be sleeping.

  There were four small bedrooms, two on each side. Aaron pushed open the door closest to the kitchen and motioned for Bethany to walk in ahead of him.

  “This is where you’ll be sleeping.” Aaron stared at her as she looked around the small room.

  “It’s cozy.” She smiled.

  “Yeah, that door is a bathroom.” Aaron pointed to a door in the far corner. “That door there leads into the other bedroom.” He pointed to the door closest to where they entered the room.

  “That’s convenient, I guess.” She sat on the foot of the bed and wrapped her arms around herself.

  “It’s just in case one of the security has to move you fast.” Aaron crouched in front of her.

  “So, someone could still …” Her voice trailed off.

  “Bethany, Keith’s property is like Fort Knox. He built it before he finished the gates around the property.” Aaron rubbed his hand up and down her arms.

  “I’m scared.” She closed her eyes.

  “You’ve got every right to feel that way, but I want you to know one thing.” Aaron waited for her to open her eyes before he spoke again. “Now that I have you back, I’ll move heaven and earth to make sure that bastard doesn’t get near you.”

  “You could have gotten shot today.” Bethany choked as she cupped his face in her hands.

  “I didn’t.” Aaron knelt on the floor and wrapped his arms around her waist. “I guess I'm pretty presumptuous when I say I’ve got you back, but I do want you back.”

  He stared into her green eyes that looked even more beautiful than he remembered. She slowly leaned toward him, and he held his breath as he let her take the first step to them again.

  Her lips lightly brushed against his as her eyes stayed locked with his. She pulled back a little, and her eyes traveled across his face, down to his mouth and back to his eyes. She pulled his face to her and pressed her soft, warm lips against his.

  With a sigh, Aaron molded his lips to her and slid his hands up to cradle her head in his hands. His tongue glided across her lips, and he moaned when she opened to his invasion. She wasn’t tentative like the first time they kissed. No. Bethany swirled her tongue around his, and when she sucked it further into his mouth, Aaron’s cock hardened instantly.

  He groaned when her hands threaded into his hair, and she fisted it as she tilted her head. It gave him better access to her mouth, and he took full advantage of it.

  The small part of his brain that hadn’t disappeared screamed at him to slow down. Aaron cursed it but pulled away from her, leaving both of them gasping for air.

  “As much as I want this, and fuck, do I want this. I think we should probably slow this down. We just found each other again, and I have to meet John at the station. I would rather poke hot sticks in my eyes than leave you right now, but it’s important.” Aaron pressed his forehead against hers.

  “I understand.” She sighed. “Will you be coming…”

  She stopped as if she was afraid of his answer. He sat back on his heels and cupped her face in his hands.

  “I’ll be back tonight. I promise.” Aaron gazed into her eyes. “Just so you know, you’re stuck with me.”

  “I guess if I’m stuck with you, I’ll have to deal with it,” she teased, and he narrowed his eyes as he pressed his lips hard against hers.

  “And by the way, I won’t be waiting eight months to have you under me again,” Aaron growled as he gave her one more searing kiss before he forced himself to move away from her.

  “Good to know.” She braced her hands behind her and leaned back. “Eight months is a long time at our age.”

  “Damn right.” Aaron winked as he pulled open the door. “I’ll be back as soon as I can.”

  He blew her a kiss as he made his way out of the house. Even with the danger surrounding them, he couldn’t wipe the smile off his face if he tried.

  “Well, Aunt Cora, I guess you were right after all.” Aaron chuckled as he jumped into his car and headed to meet John.

  Chapter 13

  Aaron left a couple of hours earlier, and Bethany was bored of flicking through the channels on television. Crash wasn’t exactly a huge conversationalist and tended to be more interested in reading than talking.

  She’d explored the small house and checked out the fridge, surprised to see it stocked with food. Bethany made herself a sandwich and offered one to Crash who happily accepted.

  “Have you worked for Keith for long?” Bethany sat across the table from the large man.

  “About ten years. Rusty hired me when I got out of the army.” Crash took a bite of his sandwich.

  “Rusty?” Bethany held her sandwich in front of her mouth.

  “It’s Keith’s nickname.” Crash laughed.

  “I guess I don’t need to ask where he got the nickname.” She snickered as she thought about Keith’s red hair.

  “No, but nobody else but us can use it,” Crash warned.

  “You were in the military?” Bethany wasn’t surprised because he carried himself the same way Elijah and her late brother-in-law did.

  “Yes, I did two tours overseas and retired after the second. I’d had enough.” A sad expression clouded his eyes but disappeared so quickly that Bethany was starting to think she’d imagined it.

  “Elijah is retired as well and works with veterans. Allyson’s husband was killed overseas a few months back.” Bethany glanced down at her half-eaten sandwich.

  “I didn’t know.” Crash’s body tensed.

  “It was the main reason she wanted to move home again. It was hard to stay there after Trent died.” Bethany met his eyes.

  “Sorry, I need to do a check around the house. I’ll be back in a few.” Crash shoved his empty plate in the dishwasher and quickly left the house.

  He reacted very strangely but she assumed since he’d probably seen some pretty awful things during his tours, he didn’t want to think about anyone not making it back. Elijah never talked about his time overseas, and when anyone mentioned it, he would change the subject.

  Bethany’s phone buzzed, and she pulled it out of her back pocket. A message on the screen confused her at first, but then she burst out laughing.

  We’re coming, and we’re bringing booze. We want information. Got it?

  The message was from Sandy, and she assumed she was bringing her sisters-in-law. Bethany wasn’t sure about the alcohol because it didn’t seem like a good idea considering how the last couple of days had gone. Then again maybe she needed a good stiff drink.

  A few minutes later, she heard several footfalls on the front steps. It didn’t frighten her since she heard Sandy shout through the door.

  “Open up. We got you surrounded.” Sandy shouted through the door as Bethany pulled it open.

  Crash stood at the bottom of the steps, shaking his head as several women filed by her and headed into the house. Total shock hit her when she saw one of the women.

  “Marina?” Bethany gasped.

  “I know. I was shocked when James introduced hi
s wife.” Allyson laughed.

  “How do you know Marina?” Sandy asked while she placed several glasses across the counter.

  “My boss and Bethany’s boss are brothers.” Marina hugged Bethany.

  “Seriously?” A beautiful woman placed two platters on the counter.

  “Yeah, and Marina once kidnapped me and dragged me to this bar where we barely got out alive.” Bethany laughed.

  “It was a dangerous abduction, but we had fun.” Marina winked.

  “Okay, we need to do introductions because I know she doesn’t know everyone.” Kristy wrapped her arm around Bethany and whispered. “I’m so happy you’re back.”

  “Me too.” Bethany hugged her old friend.

  “Okay, you know Sandy and Emily. You remember Isabelle and Pam?” Kristy pointed to her sister and cousin.

  “I remember them.” Bethany hugged both women.

  “So, this is Billie; she’s married to Mike. That’s Stephanie; she’s married to John.” Kristy pointed the dark-haired woman and a pretty blonde.

  “Steph’s my sister, too.” Marina pulled the plastic off the platter Billie had placed on the counter.

  “You both married brothers. Wait, wasn’t James engaged to Sarah Mason?” Bethany remembered how excited Aaron had been about being in a wedding party.

  The smile dropped from all the women’s faces, and she felt terrible for bringing it up. Bethany met Sarah when she first dated Aaron and liked the perky woman. James and Sarah were so much in love that it seemed strange they weren’t still together.

  “Sarah passed away from breast cancer ten years ago. She and James got married and had a baby, but she got sick shortly after Mason was born and passed away,” Marina explained.

  “You met James when you came home?” Bethany sat next to Marina at the table.

  “Before I left. Steph and John were dating when I came back.” Marina smiled, but Bethany had a feeling there was more to the whole story.

  “I’m Lora. I’m engaged to Nick. They tend to forget me since I’m just new to the group.” The woman sat by Kristy nudged Aaron’s cousin.

  “How could I forget the woman that I escaped a crazy man’s house with?” Kristy snickered.

  “Huh?” Bethany glanced back and forth between the two women.

  “Oh, honey have we got stories to tell you.” Sandy placed a shot glass in front of every one of the women. “But first, welcome to the group.”

  Bethany clutched her stomach two hours later as it was hurting from laughing. It was the first time she’d laughed so hard in a long time. She met her sister’s smiling face and realized she hadn’t seen her sister smile so much since her husband died. It was good to see.

  “You know this is the first time we’ve all been together, and all of us can drink.” Isabelle pointed her finger at all the glasses each woman held.

  “True,” Marina agreed.

  “Well, it’s the first time one of us hasn’t been pregnant in a long time.” Kristy snickered.

  “I can’t believe you and Aaron were almost engaged.” Marina eased next to her on the couch.

  “Neither can I. What was he like back then? Was he a huge flirt back then too? When we ask the guys about it, we get this dangerous silence. Like they’re afraid to say anything.” Billie leaned her elbows on her knees and rested her chin on her fists.

  “No. Aaron was sweet and funny. Every time he came to pick me up he’d have some sort of flower. I don’t know where he used to get them, but he always had one.” Bethany smiled.

  “That’s so sweet,” Stephanie cooed.

  “Yeah, she used to press every flower he brought,” Allyson teased.

  “I wonder where he got them,” Emily said as she poured another glass of wine.

  “I’d steal them from the flowers Mom used to put around the house every day.” Bethany turned at the sound of his voice, and her heart flip-flopped in her chest.

  “I’m telling Aunt Kathleen,” Jess joked.

  “Why are there a bunch of half-drunk women in the safe house?” Bethany looked behind Aaron at a large bald man.

  “Like you’re disappointed. You reap the benefits of this half-drunk woman.” Kristy wiggled her eyebrows.

  “Kitten, you don’t need to be drunk for me to reap the benefits.” The man grinned at Kristy.

  “That’s Kristy’s husband. Dean Nash but everyone calls him Bull,” Marina whispered. “He and Keith are business partners as well.”

  “He’s huge.” He was at least a couple of inches taller than Aaron.

  “You have no idea.” Kristy wiggled her eyebrows.

  “Yeah, Bull, it’s time to take her home,” Aaron groaned.

  “Didn’t we tell you? We’re all staying tonight.” Sandy looked completely serious.

  “Yeah, it’s a big slumber party,” Emily agreed.

  Aaron opened the front door and motioned to someone outside. Crunch walked in with another man that Marina said was another of the security that worked for Keith and Bull. She called him Trunk.

  “Take all these drunks home.” Aaron swirled his finger around the room.

  “You’re such a party pooper, whoreboy.” Sandy tossed a pillow at Aaron.

  “Goodnight, ladies.” Aaron stepped back and bowed as each of the women hugged Bethany and followed Crunch and Trunk through the door.

  “Kitten, I think we need to go too.” Bull grasped Kristy’s hand and pulled her to her feet.

  “Fine,” Kristy grumbled.

  Kristy walked next to Bethany and pulled her in for a tight hug. Kristy had been her best friend back then, and Bethany had missed her almost as much as Aaron. Not keeping in touch with her friend was one of her biggest regrets.

  “I’m so happy you’re back,” Kristy whispered into her ear. “Please, do whatever the guys tell you. They’ll keep you safe.”

  “I’m glad to be back too, and I’ll do whatever they say.” Bethany smiled as Kristy pulled back from the hug.

  “A.J., don’t fuck this up.” Kristy kissed Aaron’s cheek as she linked into her husband’s arm and walked through the door.

  Aaron closed the door and fell against it as he blew out a huge breath. Bethany giggled at his expression. It was as if he had just cleared a minefield and was relieved to have gotten out alive.

  “I didn’t know they were coming over.” Aaron shook his head.

  “It’s okay. I was so glad to see Marina and meet the rest of her sisters-in-law.” Bethany moved around the open space, picking up glasses and bringing them to the kitchen.

  “You know Marina?” Aaron tidied up the living room.

  “We met when she lived in Ontario. Her boss and my boss are brothers,” Bethany explained as she closed the dishwasher.

  When she turned, he was directly behind her. Startled, she stepped back but smiled when he placed his hands on her hips and tugged her closer.

  “How did your meeting go?” She pressed her hands against his hard chest, and her body buzzed at the heat of him against her.

  “We have to bring you to the station in the morning so that you can describe the suspect. Melinda will be there around noon.” Aaron’s hands slipped around her waist and linked at the middle of her back.

  “Okay.” Bethany leaned closer and inhaled, filling her senses with his scent.

  “Did you just sniff me?” Aaron chuckled.

  “I love the smell of your cologne,” she admitted.

  “I guess I’ll be picking up a bucket of that if it keeps you this close to me.” Aaron grinned and leaned down, brushing his nose against her cheek.

  “Aaron,” Bethany whispered as his lips grazed her cheek and moved slowly down to the corner of her lips.

  “Bethany,” he breathed as she turned her head enough so that she could press her lips against his.

  Again, the kiss was slow and tender but made Bethany tingle with anticipation and need. Aaron’s hand pressed against her back, pulling her flush against his hard body and flicking her libido switch int
o overdrive as he slid his tongue into her mouth.

  Her arms slipped around his neck and tilted her head to give him better access to her mouth. He tasted of coffee and the mixture of the wine that she’d been drinking and would never strike her as an aphrodisiac, but it was driving her crazy.

  “Jesus, Bethany.” Aaron gasped as he pulled his lips from hers.

  She could feel his excitement against her belly and knew he was as affected by this as she was. With her inhibitions lowered because of the wine, she was sure she’d pounce on him if he didn’t pull away. She knew it wasn’t only the wine; it was Aaron. The only man to own her heart.

  “You’re driving me crazy, baby.” Aaron cupped her. “And as much as I want you, I don’t want to rush this. I want you to fall in love with me now. Not the memory of who I used to be.”

  “I guess I need you to do the same because, Aaron, I’m not the same timid girl I used to be. I won’t let anyone walk all over me.” She gazed into his eyes.

  “Makes me want to find Raquel and her shadows and let you loose on them.” Aaron chuckled.

  “Do you know where they live?” She grinned.

  “I don’t, and I really couldn’t care less where they are.” Aaron pressed his lips against her forehead, and she slid her arms around his waist.

  “I guess I should get some sleep.” Bethany sighed as she pulled back. “Unless you have something you want to do to keep me awake longer.” She grinned, and he shook his head.

  “You have changed, and you’re going to be trouble, aren’t you?” Aaron tapped her nose with his finger.

  “A good kind.” Bethany smiled.

  Aaron turned and pulled her into his side as he walked her to her bedroom. She didn’t want him to leave her all night, but he was right. They needed to get to know each other again. The attraction was still there, but she wasn’t the same person. Maybe taking their time would be a good idea.

  “I’ll be in the adjoining room. Goodnight, Bethany.” Aaron gave her a tender kiss and then continued down the hallway to the other room.

  Yeah, she’d get to know him again and hopefully build a relationship that she’d dreamed about all those years ago. That was if she didn’t get caught in the crosshairs of a cold-blooded killer.