by KB Winters
“I did my cartwheels already,” I laughed. “I’m just trying to not get my hopes up. I have no idea how this is all going to pan out in the long run. It’s better that I keep things casual in my mind so I don’t get hurt down the line. Of course, I want something real and something lasting. But I need to be realistic about it, too. I need to be honest with myself.”
Maya’s eyes widened and she feigned shock. “Well, look at you,” she said. “When did my girl get all grown up and mature?”
I shrugged. “Fuck, I don’t know.” I snorted. “It wasn’t that long ago, I was writing his name in one of my notebooks and drawing big hearts around it.”
“That’s the Mags I know.”
We laughed together for a few minutes. It really was nice to see Maya again. It had been a month or so since the last time we’d gotten together. Life had been so busy and crazy that I didn’t realize how much I missed her until we were sitting together laughing once more.
“I have to go tinkle,” she announced. “I’ll be back, and then I expect the sexy gooey details. Aidan’s super-hot, all I’ve got waiting for me at home is my cat and something that requires batteries, so I need to live through you vicariously.”
She slid off her stool and headed toward the bathrooms at the back of the pub, leaving me there alone with my Manhattan and my thoughts. I glanced behind me to find Gary and Peter still sitting at the table drinking club sodas. They were far more casual around the office when it was just the three of us. When we were out in public, it was all business, and they were always on high alert, ready for action.
They both gave me a small smile and continued surveying the room—even though the danger inside the Blarney Stone was pretty much non-existent. I’d spent enough time here to know, at least well enough to say hi, most of the bartenders and even some of the regulars. If I was in danger, it wouldn’t be here.
“You guys should relax and have a beer,” I said. “I really doubt anything’s going to happen here.”
“As much as I’d like to,” Gary said, “I can’t. Gotta keep my wits about me—all of them.”
“Thanks, you guys,” I said. “You both make me feel incredibly safe.”
They both gave me a nod and then switched back into guard dog mode. I took another sip of my drink, listening in on all the conversations around me. The things people talked about in the open never ceased to amaze me. There was way more drama in the real world than in an average soap opera.
“Hey, what’s up, babe?” came a man’s voice.
I froze, adrenaline shooting through my body and my heart stuttering drunkenly. I expected to see Aidan’s brother standing there, but when I looked up I found some random guy about my age standing at the table. He had brown hair, brown eyes, and was pretty average in every way. Judging by the way he swayed on his feet, he’d had a little more than enough to drink.
The man gave me a wide smile and had an expression on his face that was more than a little suggestive as he looked me up and down.
“You and me, we should go somewhere a little quieter to talk,” he said, giving me a salacious little smile. “Get to know each other a little better.”
“Yeah, no thanks. Not interested.”
“Come on, baby,” he said. “Don’t be like that.”
“She said she’s not interested,” came Gary’s deep voice.
“It’s time for you to go, now,” Peter added.
Both men were suddenly flanking me, pressed close to my table. The man looked at them, giving them a stupid grin.
“What, are you her dads or something?” he scoffed.
“Something like that,” Gary said. “Now, beat it. She’s not interested.”
“I think that’s for her to decide,” the man pressed.
“She decided already,” Peter said. “She told you she’s not interested. So, if you don’t turn around and walk away right now, I’ll personally escort you out.”
“And trust me,” Gary added, “I’ve seen him escort idiots out before. It’s never pretty. You’re going to want to turn around and get out of here on your own.”
“You guys don’t scare me, you know,” he said, his face darkening.
“Then you’re stupider than you look,” Peter said.
The man opened his mouth to speak, but Peter didn’t let him. He stepped forward and grabbed the guy by the collar of his shirt, dragging him toward the door. The man fought against Peter’s grip, but couldn’t manage to break it. Peter dragged him across the bar and out the front door in no time flat. Peter passed by the pub’s bouncer, saying something to him I couldn’t hear—something that made the bouncer laugh and shake his head.
“You okay?” Gary asked.
I nodded. “Yeah, I’m good. Thanks. I think that guy was pretty harmless, though.”
He smiled. “When you’ve been in this gig as long as I have,” he said, “you learn pretty quick that nobody is harmless. Nobody.”
“Then it’s a good thing I have you and Peter here to watch my back,” I said and smiled.
“Indeed, it is, Maggie,” he said, returning my smile. “Indeed, it is.”
Chapter Thirty
Maggie
“It was great getting to hang out with you again, babe,” Maya said as she pulled me into a tight embrace.
I squeezed her back, enjoying every moment of being with her again. Maya was one of my dearest friends and as we embraced, I realized just how much I’d missed her. We were standing outside the Blarney Stone, having spent a few hours inside drinking and catching up. I felt a little guilty for making Gary and Peter hang out in a bar when they couldn’t even indulge in a beer for so long. But if either of them seemed bothered by it, they gave no indication.
“We’re not going to let so much time go by until our next night out,” I said. “I promise.”
Maya looked me in the eye. “You swear it?”
I held up my pinky—a silly, immature thing we’d done for longer than I could recall. “Pinky swear.”
She wrapped her own pinky around mine and squeezed as she laughed. “It’s a deal then. You’re bound by the oath of the almighty sisterhood pinky swear.”
“That I am. Happily.”
“Okay, babe,” she said. “Until next time then. Text me!”
“I will. Promise.”
Maya turned and walked down the sidewalk toward her car. I was sad to see her go and was already looking forward to our next outing. Before I knew it, Gary and Peter were standing on either side of me, an intimidating wall of humanity, and I felt positively tiny standing between them.
“She seems like a nice lady,” Peter remarked.
“She’s the best,” I said. “I’ve known her forever and just love her to bits.”
I looked up at the two men who were towering over me and couldn’t help but notice that Gary’s eyes remained fixed on Maya’s retreating form. I glanced down at their hands and noticed that Peter was sporting a ring while Gary was not. A slow smile spread across my face.
“You know,” I said. “Maya thought you were pretty hot. If you wanted—”
“—he wants,” Peter interjected.
Gary shot him a look, and I could see the color rushing into his face. It was adorable to see a man his size flustered like that.
“Is that true, Gary?” I teased.
He looked at me briefly before quickly looking away and clearing his throat. “I uhhh— thought she was really nice,” he said. “And she’s definitely gorgeous.”
“Just say the word, and I can make this happen,” I said. “I’ve been known to play a pretty good matchmaker.”
Peter nudged Gary in the ribs and laughed. Gary stood there looking ten shades of embarrassed, and I joined in with Peter’s laughter.
“I’d definitely be interested in talking to her,” he said. “If she’d be interested in talking to me.”
“Well, let me work a little magic then,” I said.
He cleared his throat again. “Thanks, Maggie,” he s
aid. “I can’t believe I feel like some stupid high school kid about this.”
“I can’t believe you’re acting like one,” Peter said and grinned.
“Eat shit,” Gary said playfully and punched him in the arm.
“Well, boys,” I said, “I suppose it’s time to get me home before I turn into a pumpkin.”
“Our pleasure.”
They walked me back to the black SUV they’d chauffeured me to the pub in and checked it out before letting me climb inside—nobody could ever say these two weren’t thorough and true professionals. Once I got the all clear, I climbed in and let them worry about the driving. It was nice to be able to sit in the back seat and relax while somebody else dealt with the idiot drivers on the road.
Almost half an hour later, they pulled the SUV to a stop in front of my place and got out, flanking the door before they opened it and let me out.
“You know, a girl could get used to this kind of life.”
“Well, we’re glad to be of service, m’lady.” Gary bowed to me.
I laughed as another SUV pulled up behind us. Gary and Peter crowded in front of me, pushing their coats back and resting their hands on their weapons, ready to pull them at a moment’s notice. The headlights on the other vehicle went out, and two men got out of the car.
“Paranoid much, boys?” said the man who’d been driving—I believed his name was Tony.
Gary relaxed and laughed, “Nah, not once I saw it was you. You’re about as worrisome as your average five-year-old.”
“Funny,” Tony said, “because I hear that’s how you’re hung.”
Peter cleared his throat and when I turned to him, I saw that he was very pointedly looking at me—as if reminding them there was a lady present. Gary and Tony straightened up, the expression on their faces both embarrassed and apologetic.
“Sorry, ma’am.” Tony gave me a small nod.
“Me, too,” Gary offered.
“Puh-lease, do you really think I’m such a delicate little flower that I’d be offended by that?” I scoffed. “Pull your panties up and relax.”
The four men around me laughed—though the laughter was a bit nervous from the two newcomers. They’d been on my detail before, but they were a little less personable than Gary and Peter. I didn’t have the same rapport or level of comfort with them. They were far more business-like in their approach to guarding me. Which was fine. I had faith that they would do the job well. It would have been nice to be a little more comfortable with them.
“We’re here to relieve you,” Tony said. “We’ll be looking out for you the rest of the night, ma’am.”
Gary checked his watch and stifled a yawn. “Sounds good,” he said and then looked at me. “We’ll be back in the morning, Maggie.”
I reached out and squeezed his hand. “Thanks. And tomorrow, I’ll shoot Maya a text,” I said and shot him a wink.
He seemed to color again but turned away quickly before the other two men could comment on it. I walked with Tony and the other man whose name I couldn’t recall but thought it might be Chris, up the walk to my place. As per usual, I waited at the door with maybe-Chris, while Tony went inside and swept the place. A couple of minutes later, he came back out and gave me a smile.
“All clear,” he said. “You’re free to go inside.”
“Thank you,” I replied. “I appreciate it.”
He nodded. “We’ll be out here all night if you need us. Just give us a shout.”
I nodded and went inside, closing and locking the door behind me. I went through the house, still on a high from having had such a great evening. I checked my phone but didn’t see any messages from Aidan. I hoped he was doing okay and that he was safe. I figured I’d shoot him a text once I got out of the shower.
Making sure that all my windows and curtains were closed, I turned on my iPod, stripped down and hopped into the shower. As the warm water cascaded down over my body, I sang along feeling really good about life, which was an accomplishment given the fact I was living like a prisoner of sorts. The fact that I was being watched all day, every day, and never truly had time alone felt pretty prison-ish.
At least I had them watching my back, and Amon wasn’t going to be able to sneak up on me.
I got out of the shower and dried off, still singing along with the music—albeit with a little less volume. I didn’t want the two security guards outside to hear me caterwauling away. They might think I was in distress and come busting in to help.
Dried off, I put my hair up in my towel to dry, slipped on a pair of yoga pants and a long-sleeved t-shirt. It wasn’t quite eleven o’clock yet, so I figured I’d end my evening by indulging in some delicious ice cream and a little Netflix before I turned in. It sounded like a perfect end to what had been a fantastic evening.
I walked from my bedroom toward the kitchen, and I was overcome with the sensation that something was off. I stopped in my darkened living room trying to puzzle it out, when it hit me. My darkened living room. When I’d hopped into the shower, my living room had been lit. My lamps had been on. Which meant that somebody turned the lights out.
I stood there, frozen with fear in the darkness of my living room. I heard breathing and realized I wasn’t alone. Blood rushed to my head, and I stumbled to turn on the light. I wanted to scream but the words wouldn’t come out. “Tony?” I croaked out. “Are you in here?” I ran my hand along the wall until I found the switch and flipped the light on.
“Hello, love,” the man said, a wide smile stretching across his face. It was the guy from the pub—the one Gary and Peter had escorted out.
My heart raced, he was gonna kill me–or worse! I opened my mouth to scream for Tony when he crossed his legs and had a very gun on his thigh, staring at it for a moment before giving me a menacing look.
“Might want to think twice about doing that, love,” he said in his thick Irish accent—an accent he didn’t have back at the pub. “Besides, it’s not like it’ll do you much good anyway.”
“Who are you? What do you want?” I turned to look at the door. I could make a run for it, but he’d probably shoot me in the back. Fuck! What’s worse? Oh my God, what do I do? Fuck. Shit. Where the hell is Tony?
“Tony!”
The man smirked. He was evil, I could see it in his eyes. “Tony’s not gonna help ya, lass. He and I go way back.”
Tony betrayed me. He’d allowed this man into my home. “So, what do you want? Why are you here?”
He cocked his head. “It’s not about what I want,” he said. “It’s about what the boss wants. And what the boss wants is a little face time with you.”
“Why?”
“Aidan is taking too long to do the smart thing. He needs a little—encouragement.”
“I think you’re overestimating my importance to him,” I said. “Do you really think he’d sell out for me? I think you’re overplaying your hand.”
He shrugged. “That’s above my paygrade, love,” he said. “My job is to give the boss what he wants, and right now, lovey, he want’s you.”
“So, you’re Amon’s goddamn lap dog? Is that what this is?”
He smiled that creepy smile again. “It’s a livin’, love,” he said. “It’s a livin’.”
I shivered, not only was his glare evil, the way he laughed was like a horror movie. There was so much adrenaline surging through my body, I was vibrating. I was trapped. At least I knew he needed me and wasn’t going to kill me—yet. There was no way I was getting out of this mess.
“I guess we should probably get goin’ then, eh love?” he asked.
I said nothing as he stood up, but felt my skin crawling as he looked me up and down appraisingly. He licked his lips and made a very obvious show of adjusting himself.
“You’re disgusting,” I said.
He laughed. “Well, you’re every bit as lovely as the boss said you were.”
“Fuck you,” I snapped.
“I’m saving that for later, babe,” he replied. “
The boss already said I could have every sweet little piece of ya I wanted. And I want, love. Aye, how I want that sweet arse.”
He pulled my hands behind my back, mumbling something about being sorry as he used some plastic ties to handcuff me. He leaned in, booze on his breath and bile came up in my throat. The creeper ran his scratchy lips down my neck and kissed me there causing me to jerk away as fast as I could.
“Stop it!” I yelled, beyond terrified and didn’t know what to do. I knew Aiden would kill this man when he found out, but until then, I had to find a way to get free on my own.
Chapter Thirty-One
Aidan
“Jason, thanks for calling.”
He slid into the booth across from me and nodded. “Of course,” he said. “I thought we should get together. I have something you might find interesting.”
I looked around a little nervously. I only contacted Jason over a burner phone, but he said he needed a face to face with me, so we set a meet at an out of the way coffeehouse—a place I didn’t think I’d be recognized.
The waitress came and took our order, disappearing for a few minutes before she returned with our coffee and pastries. She set them down, gave us a courteous smile, and then vanished again. It was a busy morning in the coffee shop with lots of people demanding attention. While I was glad to have the cover of a busy shop, it made spotting potential threats more of a problem.
“So, what’s up?” I asked.
He slid an envelope across the table to me. “Everything you need to prove Flynn’s innocence is right there.”
I stared at the envelope as if it were a bomb ready to blow up in my face. I was hopeful, yet scared of it at the same time. It was what I wanted. What I needed. However, it was also going to force me to confront that question I’d been kicking down the road—what was I going to do if my brother refused to come back?
Jason laughed, “You look like you’re staring down the barrel of a gun. I thought you’d be pleased.”