Police Protector

by Dani Sinclair

  “I’m fine,” he assured his mother and everyone else. “I was checking out an empty house that turned out not to be empty.”

  Kyra’s lips parted in distress. Of course she would figure out exactly what house he’d been checking.

  “It’s no big deal. I’m bruised, that’s all.”

  Casey’s three children had drawn closer together. The last thing Lucan wanted to do was upset them any further.

  “Why didn’t you shoot ’em, Uncle Lucan?”

  “I try not to do that, Riley. There’s too much paperwork involved. Does anyone mind if I sit down?”

  Immediately, Sally and his mother took charge. They ordered a living room chair cleared for his use. That’s when he saw the boxes of ornaments strewn about the living room. A string of lights lay glowing on the carpeting where Ronan had no doubt been checking and replacing burnt-out bulbs.

  “We came to help decorate the tree,” Ronan explained.

  “And decorate cookies,” his son put in.

  “You’ll be staying to dinner, Todd,” his mother stated firmly.

  “I don’t want to put anyone out.” Todd feigned reluctance.

  “’Tis no bother. Sally brought a salad and I’m making spaghetti.”

  His eyes lit. “From scratch?”

  “Well, of course. I don’t hold with that processed stuff. Sure an’ there’s plenty to go around. You can help decorate the tree and cookies.”

  His mother’s deepening brogue was a sure sign she was upset. Lucan tried to ease her worry. “I’d keep Todd away from the cookies if you want any left for Christmas,” Lucan advised. He gave in to the chaos with as much grace as he could muster, sinking into the cleared chair gratefully.

  “What happened, Lucan?” Sally persisted.

  “I made a wrong assumption and got hurt. Look, Sal, it’s an ongoing police investigation. I really can’t talk about it.”

  “Let me see your discharge papers.”

  Sally fussed over him and went to make a phone call, probably to the nurse on duty in the ER. He watched thankfully as Ronan diverted the others with decorating preparations, but Casey’s children eyed Lucan with worry.

  Maggie came over clutching Bear. To his surprise, she climbed up in his lap.

  “Maggie, honey—”

  “It’s okay, Kyra. She can sit with me.” Even though it put some added strain on his sore arm, he wasn’t willing to put her down when the child curled trustingly against him.

  “What’s this?” he asked, fingering one of the large shiny necklaces around the bear’s neck.

  “Aunt Kyra gave them to me.”

  “That’s very pretty, Maggie.” But he didn’t miss the stricken look on Kip’s face.

  “She traded for that stuff we found in the closet,” Brian told him.

  Lucan’s gaze flew to Kyra. The children had found something else in the closet?

  Kyra gave a small shake of her head. Whatever was going on, she didn’t want to discuss it in front of the children.

  “Well, good,” he told Brian and saw Kip relax a fraction.

  “Because these look perfect on Bear.”

  Satisfied, Maggie leaned her head against his good shoulder as Ronan called Kip and Brian to come and help him. Kyra disappeared back into the kitchen and Lucan let the commotion swirl around him. Lethargy sank its talons deep. Within minutes his eyes closed and he leaned his head against the child’s soft hair. He dozed lightly, listening to the familiar sounds of family chaos.

  TEARS CAME TO HER eyes as Kyra studied Lucan’s sleeping form. Maggie was asleep in his arms with Bear curled in hers. The scene couldn’t have been more poignant.

  She could love this man forever.

  “Sleep. That’s what he desperately needs.”

  Surprised, she blinked back the tears and looked at Todd. He’d taken her aside right after Lucan sat down and told her what had happened. She was still trying to get her mind around the fact that her sister had tried to kill Lucan.

  “He looks good holding that little girl, doesn’t he? Lucan’s a family man through and through.”

  “Matchmaking, Todd?” She was surprised that her voice came out so evenly.

  Todd’s lips curved unrepentantly, but his eyes were serious. “I’ve known Lucan since grade school and I’ve seen the way he looks at you, Kyra. He’s never looked at anyone else quite that way before. Not even his first wife. And if you’re worried that he’s pining for her, don’t. That was over a long time ago with no regrets on either side.”

  “I know.”

  He blinked in surprise and then smiled. “He told you about her?”

  “We had a lot of time to talk last night.” Todd’s stare was too perceptive. She shifted, wishing someone would call him away.

  “Now why do I think there may have been more than talk involved?”

  “Because you’re a testosterone-driven male?” she replied mock-sweetly.

  Todd laughed. “You’re perfect for him.”

  “When you propose to your lieutenant, let’s talk.”

  “Hey! We haven’t even had a date yet.”

  “Precisely.” And she headed back out to the kitchen. But her mind wasn’t as quickly diverted. Lucan O’Shay was a cop. Her sister had just tried to kill him with a baseball bat. When they caught up with Casey and she went to jail, Kyra would be raising her three children. Talk about an auspicious start to a relationship!

  Maggie and Lucan roused before dinner. She watched him covertly as he moved stiffly to wash up before joining the family at the huge dining-room table. Dinner was a noisy affair, but Lucan was quiet. He picked at his food with eyes glazed by pain. When Sally fussed over him, Lucan made more of an effort to join in the conversation, but it was obvious his heart wasn’t in it. He passed on dessert, and when the women stood to clear the table, Maureen pulled her aside.

  “Get him upstairs to bed, lass. He won’t take it from us, but he’ll listen to you.”

  Sally nodded. “You’ll have to keep a close eye on him. It’s a mild concussion, but we don’t want him slipping into a coma in his sleep.”

  No, she definitely didn’t want anything else bad to happen to Lucan O’Shay. Her guilt was already at an all-time high.

  Lucan was heading for the chair again when she stopped him. “May I talk with you in private for a few minutes?”

  “There’s somewhere private in this madhouse?”

  “My room.”

  “Possessive, aren’t you?” but he smiled to show he was teasing. The smile didn’t quite reach his pain-filled eyes.

  “Sometimes.”

  He didn’t move with his usual fluid grace, but he made it to the bedroom where he sank down on the freshly made bed.

  “Ah. Alone at last. Kyra…” A different pain creased his forehead.

  “I know what happened. Todd told me. Casey tried to kill you.”

  “No! Well, yes, but it was a misunderstanding. She didn’t believe I was a cop. She thought I was one of the men who attacked her.”

  Her heart stuttered. “So she isn’t working with Jordan?”

  “I don’t know. The jury is still out on that one. I was hoping she would have called you.”

  Stricken, Kyra ran to the dresser where she’d left her purse and fished out her cell phone. “Three missed calls! Lucan, she did try to call!”

  She pressed Speaker and played the first call. “Kyra, it’s Casey. Call me back, please! Something happened. I need to know where the children are. Call me!” The second message was a simple “Please call me when you get this,” and the third message sounded frantic. “Kyra, where are you? Please! I need you!”

  Heart pounding, she pressed her sister’s cell phone number. The phone rang unanswered and transferred to voice mail.

  “Casey, it’s Kyra. I’m sorry. I just got your messages. I’ll keep the phone with me from now on. Call me back. The kids are fine. They’re safe. You’ll be so proud of Kip. He’s taken such good care of them. The cop you hit
is going to be fine. He knows it was a misunderstanding. You aren’t in trouble. Call me back, Casey. I need to see you. Your children need to see you! I’ll help you, no matter what sort of trouble you’re in. You’re my sister. I love you.” And her voice broke. Tears streamed down her cheeks. “Call me, Casey.” She recited her number and hung up.

  She hadn’t heard Lucan come off the bed, but he drew her into his arms, holding her silently while she sobbed.

  “Sorry,” she muttered, striving for control as he stroked her back. “This is getting to be a bad habit.”

  “Me holding you?”

  She gazed at him through blurry eyes. “Me crying. I like it when you hold me.”

  “Good. I like it too, however I really need to sit down now.”

  “Lucan!”

  “I’m fine. Just sore.”

  She moved around him and pulled down the covers. “Lie down.”

  “I don’t need to lie down.”

  “Do too. I’ll tell your mother. And Sally.”

  “You’d do it, too.”

  She nodded, sniffing to clear her stuffy nose. “Let me get your shoes.”

  “Haven’t we played this scene before?”

  She choked on a laugh. “I forgot you have a foot fetish.”

  “Only where yours are concerned. You have beautiful feet.”

  “Feet aren’t beautiful.”

  “Yours are.”

  She ignored the thrill tripping along her spine. “Get your pants off, O’Shay.”

  “I’m not that easy.” The smile was a bit forced as he winced. “And I’m not ready for bed.”

  “Liar.” She bent down to remove his shoes, and he nuzzled her hair. “Stop that. You’re hurt.”

  “Not that hurt.”

  “I’ve heard that before. Besides, Sally would disagree.”

  “That’s a low blow, Kyra.”

  She pulled off his last sock and stood. “We need to talk.”

  His demeanor changed when he recognized she was serious. Putting his gun under his pillow, Lucan loosened his belt and stood to drop his pants before sitting back down without grace.

  “Kip found something.”

  He held her gaze. “A pendant and a ring in the closet?”

  Kyra gaped. “How did you know?”

  “They were taken from the murdered woman.”

  “Oh, my God.” She was suddenly shaking. “Kip saw Jordan with them.” She blurted out what her nephew had told her. “Casey doesn’t know. I’m sure she doesn’t know.”

  He nodded. “I don’t think so either.”

  “Thank God.” Relief eased some of her tension.

  “We’ll get the ring, Kyra. Where’s the pendant?”

  She pulled it from under her sweater. “I didn’t want to lose it so I put it on one of my chains.”

  “Good grief. Gaudy-looking trinket for such a delicate chain.”

  “Do you know what this is worth if it’s real?” she asked.

  “Oh, it’s real. Or at least one just like it is. The appraisal value was on the order of $700,000. I think the ring alone was $5,000. Did you tell Todd?” He started to rise and bit back a groan.

  “Not yet. I didn’t want to bring it up with everyone around, but I’ll find him now. Let me tell him. You really do need to take it easy.”

  “You may be right. Kyra, your sister is with her ex-husband.”

  “I know. Todd told me.” She shook her head. “I can’t figure that out. She was so angry with him. I’d have sworn he’d be the last person she’d turn to. He can’t be involved in this, can he?”

  “I don’t know.”

  She shook her head. “It doesn’t make sense. I know she loved him once, but after he started drinking he changed. That was when he became abusive. I just don’t see why she’d be with him again.” Her eyes narrowed. “But you can be sure I’ll ask her when she calls me back.”

  He didn’t pursue the subject. That was probably a good measure of how much pain he was in.

  “Don’t invite Casey here,” Lucan ordered. “Try to set up a meeting someplace public. If Jordan has killed once, there’s nothing to say he won’t kill again and we don’t want to inadvertently lead him to the kids.”

  “No. I understand. I’ll talk to Todd and give him the pendant.” She kissed him lightly and stepped away before he could take the kiss deeper. “I’ll be back to check on you.”

  “I’m counting on that. And Kyra, I know she’s your sister, but don’t meet Casey alone. Promise me.”

  She drew in a breath and released it slowly. As much as she wanted to argue, she knew he was right. “I promise.”

  Everyone was still gathered around the dining-room table when she went back downstairs. But now instead of food, piles of cookies and bowls of icing with assorted containers of decorations were spread across the table. “Where’s Todd?”

  Ronan looked up. “He got a call and had to leave.”

  “He left?” She swallowed a moment of panic.

  “Is something wrong?”

  She fingered the pendant under her sweater. “No. No, Lucan wanted me to tell him something. Is he coming back?”

  “I don’t think so, but you could call him,” Sally suggested before turning to her young daughter. “Honey, I think that’s enough icing on that cookie. Why don’t you take another one?”

  “I’ve Todd’s number,” Maureen offered.

  Kyra followed her into the kitchen.

  “He’s resting then?” Maureen asked, and Kyra knew she meant Lucan, not Todd.

  “Yes, I got him to lie down.”

  “Good. I’ve a large bed. The wee one can sleep with me tonight and you can take her bed. That way if she has another bad dream I’ll be there.”

  “Maureen, I don’t know how to thank you for all you’ve done. For all you’re doing.”

  “No thanks being needed.” She copied a number on a slip of paper and handed it to her. “He’s a good man, Kyra.”

  Again she had no trouble following Maureen’s jump and knew she was blushing. “I know. I’ve told him as much.”

  “Your man seems nice as well.”

  Kyra shook her head. “He’s not my man. Simon works with me. He’s a friend, that’s all. He caught a plane back to Boston this afternoon.”

  Satisfied, Maureen nodded and left Kyra staring after her. Maureen was matchmaking?

  Todd didn’t answer when she called his number. Kyra hesitated, but left him a quick message about the jewelry and her sister’s call before she hung up. She went back upstairs to report to Lucan and found him sound asleep and looking so relaxed she envied him. Even bruised and battered, he was a good-looking man.

  She left the room, closing the door softly. Until Casey or Todd called back, there was nothing more they could do. Taking a deep breath, she rejoined the family with an outward calm she was far from feeling.

  It was a relief when Ronan and Sally and their children finally left. Maggie had become tired and fretful and Maureen took her upstairs to supervise her bath, allowing Kyra to spend time with Kip and Brian.

  Of the three children, Brian seemed the most resilient. He missed his mother, but he’d struck up a bond with Riley, who was close to his age, and all the commotion of the afternoon and evening had worn him out. While he took his bath she challenged Kip to a game of air hockey.

  Kip worried her. He’d become silent and withdrawn. Though he played, it was obvious his heart wasn’t in the game, and he headed for the bathroom as soon as his brother finished. Brian was yawning hugely and the boys went to bed without any fuss as soon as Kip finished.

  Maureen was straightening the kitchen when Kyra returned downstairs. She looked so tired. Kyra felt more than a twinge of guilt.

  “Maureen? I’d be happy to finish wiping the counters and cleaning the coffeepot. Why don’t you go up and get some rest while you can? I’ll be going upstairs shortly myself.”

  “That would be a blessing, lass. I confess I’m not as young as I on
ce was. You’ll check on Lucan then?”

  “Before I go to bed,” she promised.

  Kyra took her time cleaning as the house settled and grew quiet. She loved the warmth and comfort Maureen’s home projected. The lingering scents of cookies and dinner were overpowered by the fragrant scent of pine from the brightly twinkling tree when she moved into the living room. She sat on the worn couch, savoring the quiet and the blinking lights on the tree. Christmases past with her own family came to mind, and she savored the memories. Unfortunately, worry over Casey overshadowed the happier images.

  She tried Casey’s number again. This time she didn’t leave a message when there was no answer. The feeling of peace slipped away. Lucan’s warning had made her edgy. What if thoughts were plaguing her. If anything happened to her sister now…

  Kyra refused to consider that. She rose and unplugged the tree, turning off the inside and outside lights and pausing to stare out at the street. Light snow was falling again. Nothing else moved save the twinkling white Christmas lights across the street.

  Her mind flitted from one thought to another. She needed to go shopping. Whatever else happened, she wanted to give Maureen something special for Christmas.

  And Lucan? That gift would be trickier. She needed something personal without being too personal. She’d have to walk a fine line with his selection. Sighing, she turned and headed for the stairs.

  A noise in the kitchen stopped her with one foot on the bottom step. Had she forgotten to turn something off?

  She started to reverse direction when an icy breeze swept down the hall. Her lips parted. Belatedly, she realized what the sound had been. Someone had just opened the kitchen door.

  Chapter Fourteen

  Instinct sent her flying up the steps. It could be one of Lucan’s brothers, but everyone seemed to use the front door. And they wouldn’t have been so furtive. Rushing into the bedroom, she nearly fell over Kip in the dark.

  Lucan was already on his feet, yanking up his pants and reaching for his gun.

  “Someone’s out there!” the boy whispered shrilly.

  “They’re in the house,” she corrected.

  “Where?” Lucan demanded.