Family Ties

by Tricia Andersen

  A delivery man stood on the stoop, a plastic smile plastered to his face. He held an envelope out to Sloan. “Delivery for Mr. O’Riley.”

  Sloan bit back a growl. Something didn’t seem right. He didn’t recognize the delivery company emblazoned on the guy’s uniform. The envelope held no overnight markings or even a return address. And a delivery first thing on a Saturday morning? It didn’t make sense.

  He ripped the envelope from the man’s hand and tore it open. “Where in the bloody…” Sloan looked up to find the man missing.

  “Sloan?” Abbey asked warily.

  “Step back,” he commanded. “Let’s shut the door.”

  Abbey did as he directed. Sloan slammed and locked it then dug his hand into the envelope. He held his breath as he pulled out two photos.

  “The Butcher,” Abbey breathed.

  “Seems so. I believe this answers your question, luv. We’re not done yet.”

  “Where are we going?”

  He flipped the photos around to study him. Abbey strained to look around him. She gasped as she saw them.

  “Sloan, we can’t go there,” she warned.

  “Abbey, if we don’t he won’t stop. He will keep coming and attacking. I won’t lose any more of our children.” He rubbed the stubble on his chin. “We need to call the family.”

  Abbey sighed heavily. “We just got Robert, Bartholomew, and Logan home to their families.”

  “I didn’t say they were going. I need them to protect you and the children while I go.”

  “Like hell you’re going alone. I’m not losing you to that psychopath.”

  “Then what do you propose, luv? You just objected to the boys going.”

  Abbey dug a finger into her chest. “I’m going. We’re going together.”

  “Luv…”

  “Non-negotiable.”

  Sloan stared at her for a long minute before he chuckled. “All right. Let me message the others. Why don’t you change and I’ll be right behind you.”

  “I’ll see you in a minute.” She grinned at him as she ascended the staircase. Sloan’s eyes locked on her rump as she sashayed up the steps. A low growl rumbled from his chest. His fingers flew over his cell just before he leapt up the stairs two at a time. Maybe if I get up there, maybe just a few minutes alone…

  He huffed a sigh when he found her dressed and ready to leave. With a giggle and a peck on the cheek she left him to change his clothes. Shaking his head, he stripped his pajama pants from his legs and tossed them on the bed.

  Gordon, Robert, Liam, Bartholomew and Logan were assembled in the living room when he came back downstairs again. By their faces he could tell they weren’t happy. Ame sat on the arm of the couch next to her grandpa. Sloan huffed. After what the girl had been through, she might as well be here. He raised his hand to stop their objections. “Lads, don’t say a word. I’m going. Non-negotiable. If I don’t, the Butcher will attack. None of our children will be safe.”

  “Then we’ll get ready,” Robert agreed. “How much time do we have?”

  “Only Abbey’s going with me. I need you to stay and protect everyone.”

  “Sloan, I don’t think it’s a good idea,” Gordon warned.

  “I don’t have a choice.”

  Gordon pulled the photos out of the envelope, holding up for everyone to see. The image of Sloan’s childhood home and his father’s butcher shop stared back at them. “You may have been cleared of your charges. But you’re still a wanted man in Belfast. Northern Ireland. And Abigail isn’t much better.”

  “We’ll stay hidden,” he promised.

  “It may not matter.”

  Liam dug in his pocket. Pulling something free, he set it in Sloan’s hand. “There, lad. A place to stay.”

  Sloan stared at the keys in his hand. “And these would be to?”

  “The farmhouse. Out of the city limits and far enough outside the city limits to keep unwanted attention away.”

  “Excellent.”

  “What do you want us to do?” Bartholomew questioned.

  Sloan glanced at each of them. “I built a bloody fortress. It’s time we utilize it. We are desperately outmanned. And it’s obvious the fence isn’t stopping the Butcher or anyone working for him.”

  “Maybe it’s time to call in a few favors,” Robert added, a dangerous rumble in his throat.

  “Not a good idea,” Gordon warned. “We don’t know which side anyone is on. We could bring someone in and have them turn on us within our boundaries.”

  “I know of a small militia faithful to our cause.” Liam cracked a grin at Bartholomew. “How do you feel about seeing your Ma and your brothers?”

  “I’d love to see Mom,” Bartholomew admitted. “Although I’ve started mending fences with my brothers, I have no desire to see them. But my true family needs them. How soon can we get them here?”

  “I’ll call your mother. They can all be here before morning.” Liam turned to Sloan. “There, lad. There is your army.”

  Sloan glanced from Liam to Bartholomew to Abbey and finally to Ame. Finally he nodded. “Thank you, Da. Luv, we need to go.” He stood, motioning for Abbey to follow.

  Ame popped up between them. “You’ll be here by Saturday, right?”

  Sloan sighed, frustrated. “We’ll be home as soon as we find the Butcher.”

  “Do you know about my school dance?”

  “I read something about it on the school website.”

  Ame scuffled the toe of her slipper on the floor. “It’s just that the parents escort their children into the dance. I was just hoping that you’d be here to escort me. Please?”

  Sloan stared at her, dumbfounded. After all those years she shoved me away, now she wants me to be an active part of her life. He grinned at her. “I promise, angel. We’ll do our best to be back.”

  Ame squealed as she hugged and kissed her parents. Sloan and Abbey wandered around the house, telling the other children goodbye. The men walked them to the door.

  Gordon’s brogue was low and rough. “Be careful.”

  “Of course,” Sloan assured.

  Abbey gave her stepfather a hug then took Sloan’s hand. They climbed into the waiting Hummer. Throwing the vehicle in reverse, Sloan sped down the street.

  He glanced over at Abbey, finding her wringing her hands anxiously. “I thought you’d be in tears. We’re leaving our children again.”

  “I’m more nervous than sad. I’m going to miss them terribly. But I want this over.”

  “Me too, lass. Me too.”

  The rest of the trip to the airport was quiet, the tension growing thicker with every mile they drove. A laugh slipped from Abbey’s lips as they rounded the private hangers, the large cargo plane sitting it wait. “Let me guess. We’re flying to Belfast in that.”

  Sloan chuckled. “Can’t fool you, can I?”

  Abbey shook her head as she slipped from the passenger seat. “Fine. Let’s just do this thing.”

  “Can’t agree more, luv.”

  They strode across the cargo plane and climbed inside, leaving the Hummer behind.

  »»•««

  Abbey stretched her limbs as the cargo plane slowed to a halt. It was one of the things she hated about traveling in these things. The confined space knotted her into a pretzel. But considering where we are, I’ll take it. It’s better than being arrested. Or worse, getting a bullet in my brain.

  Sloan pressed his large hand to the small of her back. The touch made her shiver. Sloan wasn’t the only one keenly aware of their lack of alone time. She was too. Her entire body ached every time she looked at him. And since we’re never apart, it’s been miserable just to exist.

  “Pull your hood up, Abbey. One look and who knows who will be all over us,” Sloan chided.

  She offered him a smile as she pulled the hood of her sweatshirt over her head. He returned it with that oh-so-sensual smirk that still made her melt then pointed out the door. “There’s Liam’s old truck over there. One o
f his fellas left it. We need to run so as not to be spotted.”

  “Got it.”

  “Ready?”

  “Yep.”

  Abbey scooped up the handle of her bag as he nudged her out the door. As soon as her feet touched the pavement she sprinted. She could hear his boots click right behind her. Neither of them stopped until their fingers wrapped around the cracked chrome of the truck’s door handles. Abbey threw open the door and hopped in the passenger’s seat.

  “Welcome home, baby,” she gushed breathlessly.

  “Hardly can contain my excitement,” Sloan half laughed, half choked in response. He fired up the engine, letting it roar for a minute before dropping the gearshift and sneaking around the hangers until they reached the highway.

  “Do we have any idea where the Butcher is?” Abbey questioned.

  “No. I can guarantee he isn’t going to be where those photos indicated,” Sloan answered as he kept his eyes trained to the road.

  “How will we find him?”

  “We’ll have to stake him out.”

  “That’s going to take time. How do you plan to be home in time for Ame’s dance?”

  “Luv, that little girl forced me out of her life. Now she wants me back in it. She’s proud that I’m her father. I will move mountains and split oceans so as not to disappoint her.”

  Abbey smiled as she watched him drive. There was no doubt in her heart that he spoke the truth. The scary part is that, with his resources, he could do both those things.

  As the city faded to countryside, everything began to look familiar to Abbey. She held her breath and the edge of her seat as they approached the turnoff that led to the rutted road. The bouncing of the truck jarred Abbey. A groan coming from Sloan told her he was feeling the same. She couldn’t help but laugh to herself. Some things never change.

  Abbey glanced around as she stepped from the truck. The fields had been recently planted, miles of dark, churned soil broken apart by tiny green shoots. She slung her pack over her shoulder then turned toward the looming house.

  Sloan wrapped his arm around her waist. “The sooner we go inside, the sooner we get started.”

  “Very true.”

  They skipped up the steps, stopping at the front door. Sloan fumbled for the keys in his pocket, finally tugging them free. He slipped one into the lock and turned. Gently he motioned her inside.

  The living room was a blur as Abbey was shoved against the closed door. She could barely gasp before her lips were smothered in a dominating kiss. Powerful hands gripped her hips and tugged her against a strong, hard body.

  “I thought we were supposed to be finding the Butcher,” Abbey murmured, her voice trembling with each breath.

  “I need you. I need you now. No more waiting,” Sloan growled just before he attacked with another kiss, his teeth tugging on Abbey’s lower lip just before his lips pried hers apart. She grabbed hold of his T-shirt, surrendering to him as his tongue tangled with hers. She arched back against the door as they broke apart. Sloan’s mouth roamed the curve of her neck as he struggled with the button of her jeans.

  Abbey stripped his T-shirt from over his head before Sloan could shed any of her clothes from her body. She slumped against the door as her eyes roamed the hard planes of his chest and abdomen. She groaned. A Greek god with an Irish bent. It was obvious by his sexy smirk that he noticed her and was loving every second.

  “I think this is the first time I was undressed first, lass,” he crooned. “Perhaps I’ll finish the job for you.” He teased her, running his thumbs along the waistband of his jeans as he made his way to the buttonfly. Slowly, he popped each button open then shoved the jeans and his briefs to the floor. Abbey couldn’t breathe. He’s naked. And he’s already hard.

  He pulled her to him, gripping the hem of her shirt and tossing it over her head and into the floor. His mouth feasted on the curve of her breasts restrained from him by her lacy black bra. Her knees buckled at the sensation. He gripped the waist of her jeans and panties and slid them down her legs to join his.

  “Sloan,” she whimpered as her fingers knotted in his thick, black hair. “Please.”

  The roar from his throat answered her pleas. Grasping her thighs, he wrapped her legs around his hips. His lips grazing hers, he carried her from the living room through the dark hallway to the kitchen. He dropped her on the counter, parting their kiss as he did so. She felt his fingers lace across her back moments before the clasps of her bra sprung apart. In one swift motion Sloan tossed it on the linoleum floor. He drew her pink nipple into his mouth, sucking hard as he slid her rump across the counter to the edge.

  Abbey caught a glimpse of his ice blue eyes gazing down at her right before Sloan arched his hips toward her, filling her. She clung to him, her mouth roaming his cheeks, jaw, lips as he rocked slowly, thrusting deeper and deeper into her. Knotting her legs around his hips, she pulled him closer. He grinned at her, cupping her breast in his hand to nip at the nub.

  That was it. The onslaught of sensations pushed Abbey over her peak. She cried out, gripping him tight as wave after wave of fiery bliss ripped through her. Digging his fingers into her hips, Sloan’s tempo went wild. Soft grunts escaped his lips followed by a low moan as he released.

  Sloan cupped her face in his hands as Abbey smiled at him. “Not done,” he growled as he pressed a possessive kiss on her lips. “Far from done.”

  “All right by me,” Abbey cooed softly in response.

  »»•««

  It was almost noon when Abbey shuffled down the steps, a comforter wrapped around herself. She had to smile remembering waking up the morning after her first night with Sloan. This seems to be my morning after outfit of choice. Still nearly impossible to walk in.

  Dawn cracked the midnight sky, leaving streaks of soft daylight, when they finally dozed off. It was possibly the most intense love making they had ever shared. It wasn’t soft words of affection. It was physical contact, the need to touch, to taste, to breathe each other every possible second. It did make one thing clear. They really couldn’t go that long without each other again.

  And just like that morning she woke up alone. However, instead of feeling abandoned she yawned and caught a couple more minutes of sleep. It’s not like he can go far. We’re in the middle of nowhere, Northern Ireland.

  As Abbey’s foot touched the floor from the final step, she found Sloan on the couch dressed in a pair of blue plaid flannel pajama pants. He hovered over a laptop on the coffee table and clenched a tablet in his hand. His eyes darted from one to the other.

  “Good morning,” she greeted silkily.

  “Good morning, luv.” Sloan cracked a grin at her. “What’s left of it.”

  “True. You should have woken me up.”

  “I’ve only been up for a half hour.” Sloan patted the spot beside him. “Sit.”

  “Let me go get dressed.”

  “No. Sit.”

  “You’ve got clothes on.”

  “Yes. Which I can shed quickly if the mood arises. I don’t have the patience to undress you.” His eyes wandered over her comforter-clad body. “However, I can have you out of that in a split second. So, sit.”

  Abbey laughed as she kicked the blanket around her with each step she took. She dropped beside him on the couch. “How are we going to find the Butcher? Are those photos clues?”

  “I don’t think so. The house and the shop are still there. I doubt either would make a good location for a showdown.”

  “Do you have any leads?”

  “Bartholomew has been taking footage from ATMs and traffic cameras. He’s caught images of Oliver and his men but nothing leading to the Butcher. And remember, there are no photos of the Butcher. We don’t even know what we’re looking for. With the chaos of the fire, we never had a chance to ask Ame and Dakota what they saw. I had planned on doing that today.”

  “So what now?”

  Sloan sighed. “I’m afraid we’ll have to take the risk and venture out.
We will just have to be careful to avoid detection.”

  “So we’re searching Belfast on foot for a man no one has ever seen?”

  Sloan let go a weak chuckle. “That about sums it up.”

  “Fantastic. When are we leaving?”

  The look in his eyes was pure sin. “Not for a little bit. We have daylight. I’m going to take a moment to explore what’s under this blanket.”

  Abbey sighed as his large powerful hands peeled the comforter from her body. His lips devoured hers as she melted against him. He was right. There was plenty of daylight. And she could definitely enjoy another couple of hours of him.

  Chapter Eleven

  The setting sun bathed the streets of Belfast in an amber glow. The recent rain sparkled against the pavement like flaming raindrops. Abbey affectionately squeezed the fingers laced between Sloan’s as she attempted to flash him a smile beneath her hood. Her heart stampeded in her chest. They were walking in dangerous territory to find the Butcher. If anyone saw them in this city there would be no means of escape. The trials we pay for being Belfast’s Most Wanted and not in a good way.

  They had been walking for nearly an hour, each step bringing a haunted look to her husband’s face. Abbey instantly recognized the little house in the middle of the block, the one that was in the photo. She had been there during their first trip to Belfast when she was pregnant with Ame. When they wandered along the string of shops a few blocks from the house she didn’t need to ask Sloan why. By his sudden stiff demeanor, she knew this was where his life was suddenly turned upside down and torn apart. This little market was where his father once had his shop.

  Instinctively, Abbey shrugged beneath her hood each time they passed a policeman. It felt as if their eyes burned through the material and looked directly at her. They needed to find the Butcher and get the hell out of this country.

  Her eyes shot up as she was jerked to a sudden stop. She gazed at Sloan confused. He glanced at the open space beside him. Abbey studied the wrought iron fence, finding the lush, green lawn that stretched out behind it dotted with gravestones.

  Without a word, Sloan led her through the nearby gate. Silently they weaved their way along the path. Sloan’s ice blue eyes were on a mission that his feet were following. She just did her best to keep up.