They were silent a few moments as they continued toward their destination. By the looks of the direction they were headed, Ava knew they were driving farther away from the direction she so desperately wanted to head.
“This may work well for you. The terrain, I mean,” Ava stated toward the others, and they were holding her gaze. She looked out toward the land again.
“Is it like this surrounding your home, Ava?” Mick asked as William peeked from the rearview mirror, appearing stern and serious. She turned away and began to tell them about her homeland.
It was over a thousand acres, owned by her family for generations.
“I guess I never really noticed any particular wild wolves, although I heard howling in the distance, but so far away from the castle I thought I was imagining it,” Ava stated.
“You wouldn’t have noticed if there were any. Look how easily we mix into society,” Kyle stated very truthfully and with such pride it actually made her feel inferior for a moment as she lowered her head.
“Ease up, bro, this is a lot to take in as is,” Sean added, and Ava smiled at him then looked out the window again.
“Our castle was built by an O’Brian back in the seventeenth century and looks over the only lake on the land. It’s absolutely stunning. I loved to paint by that lake. It was so peaceful. I was there when I sensed something was wrong inside of the castle. I walked up the hill and heard a commotion going on,” Ava began to explain as she fidgeted with her hands. She wanted to explain to them. She wanted to tell them what happened that dreadful evening as the sun began to set and her entire existence changed.
“I heard Fenly.” She stopped a moment as she cleared her throat, still unable to say his name without feeling pain and anger.
“My father and Fenly were arguing. He was being so disrespectful, and I heard my name and then my father yell ‘no’ firmly just as I entered the living room.” The tears stung her eyes as she wiped them with the back of her hand.
She looked up to find all the men except for Willy, as he drove, staring at her.
“You don’t have to,” Pat whispered as he covered her knee with his hand and squeezed gently. He was sweet to offer her support, but she needed to tell them and to make them understand why she had her reservations about wolves. And she wanted them to know that she could not fight then but was more prepared to fight now.
“In a flash I saw Fenly change into a ferocious beast,” she began to tell them as more tears rolled down her cheeks. She looked away from the men and continued to explain what she saw.
“It was the single most frightening thing that I had ever witnessed. The fierce growls of the wolf, the high-pitched screams from my father as Fenly tore his clothing and then his flesh.” Ava was crying harder now as she pushed herself to continue.
“I ran as fast as I could from the castle. I ran through the back gates and into the large garden area, plush with overgrown greenery and where I would hide as a child. It was purely a habitual move, but as my father’s screams grew hoarse and a deeper growl echoed through the sky, I knew I needed to run farther. I knew that my life depended on it. I ran through the gate and along the sides of the rock walls. There was a wrought iron gate I could climb over and then hide somewhere in the meadows. I really didn’t know what I was doing, I just kept running, when suddenly they were on me. Fenly’s men pulled me from the fence, knocked me to the ground, and scratched at my body until Fenly stopped them.”
“Damn, Ava. What happened next?” Kyle asked as he caressed her hand.
She looked away a moment, remembering how Fenly touched her, declared his rights to her, and insinuated their marriage-to-be.
“It doesn’t matter. Brennan got me out of the castle and I arrived in New York three days later.”
“What did Fenly do when he captured you?” William asked from the front seat.
She swallowed hard. She should have figured that the Alpha in William wouldn’t let this go. He made a point of knowing everything that was going on with his brothers and with her. He hadn’t come to be with her last night until he made certain that they were safe and were not being followed. She was beginning to not only understand it but respect it as well.
She took a deep breath. He didn’t have to know all the details. He would get the picture.
“He called me his wife and told me that his men, the other wolves in his pack, would protect me or they would hurt me if I tried to escape. I of course told him to go to hell, and he didn’t respond well to that, nor to me calling him a killer, and I refused to marry him.”
“What did he do to you?” Mick asked this time, and she turned toward the others who looked equally upset and demanding.
“What is it that you want me to tell you? Just leave it alone. It doesn’t matter now. He does not scare me like he did that night. It could have been much worse.”
“Did he force himself on you?” Sean asked, sounding angry, and when she looked at him she could see his eyes slightly glowing and his fists clenched on his thighs. He was trying his hardest to remain calm. They all were very angry. She could sense it within the confines of the SUV.
She tilted her head and whispered to him. “None of that matters now, Sean. Not his brutality, his forcefulness, or his demands. When I left here, I was torn, alone, and frightened. There were times I just wanted to return to Ireland, to my home, and give in to Fenly’s demands. I had no one to talk to. Do you realize how difficult it was for me to leave my country, go to a foreign one, and always look over my shoulder? So desperately I wanted to be loved, to be cared for again and I nearly gave up the last piece of myself that belonged to solely me and that was mine to give.
“But then the five of you show up and my life suddenly began to look promising. You’ve given me hope, courage, and determination to see this through and to destroy Fenly. I am going to get my home back. I am going to clear the O’Brian name and regain power over my father’s companies, and I am going to see to it that Fenly and his men are destroyed.”
Chapter 25
“The sick bastard deserves to die,” Sean muttered. He had difficulty hiding his anger at what Fenly had done to his mate. Hearing the vengeance in her voice as well as the strength and confidence made him proud. But he was worried that her pride and determination might put her at greater risk. Especially when they told her that she would be under guard and protection of wolf packs Samantha had sent as he and his brothers searched for Brennan. He looked at her, sitting there, so beautiful with her long, silky hair cascading over one shoulder. It fell perfectly over part of the cleavage to the tight white T-shirt she wore. She looked sexy and sophisticated. He recalled catching his breath a moment when she exited the back room on the plane wearing the brown blazer over the bright white T-shirt, tight blue jeans, and brown leather boots that reached just below her knees. She had class and sophistication, and he knew she was a princess. It made him wonder if he and his brothers were good enough. By the words expressed through their link, they shared similar concerns.
The SUV suddenly slowed down as they pulled into a long stone driveway. In the distance Sean saw a large farm and a set of small cabins. He also saw a few other vehicles and four men standing, fully armed, as they approached.
“Stay in the vehicle, Ava. I will give Sean the signal to bring you inside when I know the grounds are secure,” William stated firmly as he turned in his seat to look at her directly.
“Marcus Shay is one of your kind as well?” Ava asked, knowing the name of the owner of the farm.
“Most of the area is wolf territory. Stay inside,” he stated then got out of the SUV along with the others. Sean remained inside with her.
* * * *
“Ahhh, it’s been a long time, Declan,” Angus Fennigan stated as he shook William’s hand then pulled him into a hug. William patted him on the back as they exchanged pleasantries with Declan pack and some of Fennigan pack.
Angus’s thick Irish brogue and the scent of wildflowers and the smell of dampne
ss typical to the weather enhanced the feeling of being back in Ireland.
“How is the security?” William asked as he looked around them and across the open field.
“You won’t be staying here long so it doesn’t matter. Fenly and his pack are on their way. My sources say they’ll arrive before morning,” Angus stated, and William turned toward him, feeling the anger reach his eyes. He looked toward the SUV where Ava and Sean remained inside.
“How much time do we have to find Brennan and get back here to prepare?” William asked.
“No worries there, Alpha. Eagan and Quinn got a location on Brennan. Walt will be waiting on you and your brothers as planned in about thirty minutes. We’ve got about a dozen men guarding the perimeter of this farm, and my brothers Aidrian, Brady, and Delaney are prepared to watch over your mate.”
“Congratulations, by the way, ya lucky bastard!” Aidrian blurted out as he approached from the house. Dressed in a Scottish kilt, thick black knit sweater, and black combat boots, he looked intimidating. Aidrian pulled Willy into an embrace then Mick and Kyle. Pat stood by the SUV on guard and waved.
“Let the princess out so we can have a gander. The perimeter’s clear,” Aidrian stated, walking toward the SUV. Pat laughed, but William knew the Fennigans’ reputation when it came to women.
Pat opened the door, and Sean exited first.
* * * *
Ava was trying to convince Sean that she could be of great help in finding Brennan and getting into the castle. Of course he refused and then began to kiss her just as Pat opened the door.
“We’re okay in here. Come back later,” Sean stated toward Pat as he began to kiss Ava’s neck and nuzzle against it. She giggled as he tickled her, but then she gave his arm a smack.
“Cool it, Sean, I want to see where we’re at,” Ava told him, and he reluctantly moved away from her.
“Later,” he teased and winked then exited the vehicle. Ava felt her insides jiggle with anticipation of what exactly later might bring. Damn, she had it bad. As she exited the vehicle, she locked gazes with two very attractive and intimidating-looking men. One in particular grabbed her attention because of the kilt he was wearing.
The whistles went through the air as the two men approached, eyeing her like starving men in front of a buffet.
“Wow. Um, I’m Aidrian, and it’s a pleasure to meet you, princess,” the one with the kilt stated as he bent on one knee before her, took her hand into his, and kissed the top of it. He watched her with big ocean-blue eyes over the skin from the back of her hand. She felt herself warm then giggled as he turned her hand over and began to kiss her palm and her wrist.
“Lovely indeed,” he added.
“She won’t fall for your charms, Aidrian, she’s way too smart,” Sean stated as he placed a hand on Aidrian’s shoulder, giving a little shove and indicating for him to get up.
“And way too taken,” William interjected, and all eyes went to him and the harsh tone of his voice. Oh yeah, William was lead Alpha and so damn gorgeous her heart began to pound inside of her chest. Her pussy clenched, and she felt the liquid slowly drip between her folds. She was losing complete control of herself.
Aidrian sniffed the air as well as the others.
“Taken indeed and smitten with her Alpha. It’s a pleasure, Ava,” Aidrian stated then stood up. He held her hand as he linked her arm through his and accompanied her closer to the other man.
“This is my brother Angus. He’s lead Alpha in our pack and will have the honor of guarding you while your men retrieve your friend.”
“What?” Ava asked as she abruptly turned from Aidrian and Angus and stared at William.
“Why don’t you take Ava inside, Willy, and show her to her room? Perhaps you need a few minutes,” Angus suggested before smiling at Ava and walking toward Sean.
Ava was pissed. It appeared that somehow her men had made arrangements to keep her from fighting her own fight.
“Mick, take Ava inside and wait for me,” William stated firmly and turned away from her to talk to another man who had joined the small group outside of the farmhouse. He appeared to have similar features as Aidrian and Angus, so she assumed that they were brothers.
She didn’t want to cause a scene in front of the others. She knew that as Alpha, William had final say and she was to respect that, but giving in easily to his so-called plans was not an option. Besides, she was angrier at the fact that they made these plans without involving her. Didn’t they trust her?
She felt her insides tighten as she clenched her fists and walked inside of the house with Mick. Turning briefly to look over her shoulder, she noticed the men immediately gathered around William and appeared as if they were making a plan of attack. Could they already know where Brennan was? Brennan was alive? She prayed it was true as Mick placed his hands on her waist and told her which way to go as they climbed the large staircase.
“Make yourself comfortable. I’ll be back shortly,” Mick told her before he kissed her deeply then headed back outside with the others.
Chapter 26
“So Perkins, that piece of shit, is a traitor?” Sean asked as he stood beside his brothers.
“Been working towards being king for a long time. I guess he thought by gaining possession of the Irish Jewel along with Ava that he could achieve this,” Mick stated.
“We believe that Perkins was the one that told Fenly about the Irish Jewel. Fenly didn’t really care about the Order or its existence because his plan is to annihilate both the Secret Order and the Circle of Elders and any other were organizations that intend to maintain order. The O’Brians have had power for centuries and money that has always funded the Order and the Circle. Many Alpha warriors were of the O’Brian bloodline,” Angus explained as the men listened.
“So we need to get to Brennan so he can tell us where the Jewel is and we can hide it and keep it guarded until Fenly and Perkins are caught,” William stated.
“You mean your mate doesn’t know where it is?” Aidrian asked, sounding surprised.
“No. Ava thought it was just a fairy-tale story as the rest of us had,” Mick said.
“This is interesting. Fenly assumed that Ava was aware of the Jewel’s location when he took over the castle and demanded she marry him. Perhaps only her father knew where it was hidden. He was part of the Secret Order, you know,” Angus added.
The men were silent a moment.
“We had a feeling that her father may have been involved. Enough speculating. You said you know where Brennan is. He’s alive I’m presuming since your brothers Eagan and Quinn are doing surveillance?” William asked.
“Yes, Brennan is alive. It won’t be too difficult for you to handle. Brady and Delaney will lead you out and show you the plan they came up with to initiate the attack,” Aidrian said.
William looked up toward the house and the one light that glowed from a single window.
“Give me five minutes and we will head out,” William said then walked toward the house.
Chapter 27
Ava slowly stepped away from the door, and when she reached the staircase she ran up and headed to the bedroom. Sitting on the bed, acting as if she remained there patiently waiting, she thought about what she had overheard.
So Brennan was alive. She wondered if he was also part of the Secret Order that her mates were involved in. Interesting, and did he knew the location of this Jewel? Her father was part of the Order as well and apparently high up in rank. Why was it that her own father could shift and she could not? She was assuming that he could shift and was of the wolf or he couldn’t have been part of the Secret Order. Or could he have been? She felt even more confused. Why weren’t there other family members around if the O’Brians were so powerful and well known in the wolf community? Where were they when she was attacked? Why hadn’t they raided the castle and at least tried to overtake Fenly? Her head was beginning to hurt from all the insane thoughts. She was feeling less and less like an O’Brian and as if
she belonged than ever before.
“Ava,” William stated, interrupting Ava’s thoughts as he entered the room. He closed the door and stared at her a moment as if he thought it odd that she just stood there.
“What are you doing?” he asked.
“Waiting, as I was told to do. So can you explain to me why I am being shut out of this?”
William raised his eyebrows, and she stood up, crossing her arms in front of her chest.
“You are not being shut out. On the contrary, we are trying to protect you best we can.”
“It is not fair that you never thought to at least share with me your plan, never mind involve me with it. This is my life and my fight. I will not sit here and do nothing while you go off and fight my enemies. You know where Brennan is and I could help you.”
He was about to respond, and then he paused a moment. He took a few steps forward, towering over her smaller frame but not yet touching her.
She could feel the heat of his body and wanted so desperately for him to hold her, but she was upset.
“Eavesdropping, huh?”
She hadn’t expected that as she uncrossed her arms and stomped her foot.
“Damn it, William, what did you expect me to do? I will not be ushered around like some breakable, weak female. That may be the type of woman you are all used to but that is not me,” she stated loudly, and he immediately wrapped his arm around her waist and hoisted her up against his chest.
She clutched his shoulders as he held her gaze.
“Sweetheart, you are most definitely not weak or breakable. We need to protect you the best we know how.”
“But I can help. Is Brennan being held at the castle? There’s a secret entrance, you know. I could show you.”
William covered her mouth and began kissing her. His tongue poked between the seam of her lips, and moments later he had her sprawled on the bed. She wrapped her legs around his waist, dug her heels into his sides, and ran her fingers through his hair as he pressed her deeper into the comforter, his shoulders solid and muscular. She could hardly breathe from the intensity of the kiss and the emotions running through her. When he finally pulled slowly from her lips, he clutched her face between his hands and stared into her eyes.
Dwyer, Dixie Lynn - Task Force Three and the Irish Jewel [The Men of Five-O #3] (Siren Publishing LoveXtreme Forever) Page 22