The Mystery of the Claddagh Rings

by Kallie Lane

  Eyes focused on him, awe shone in her gaze as her body peaked. Her muscles contracted around him, again and again, her orgasm driving his own to lift off. When they reached heaven together, he wanted to shout from the rooftops. She tumbled against him, spent and exhausted, trembling from head to toe. He stroked her legs, ran his hands from her shapely ass to her shoulders, kissing her neck as he expelled a breath. “You’re an amazing woman, you know that?”

  Brows furrowed, she searched his eyes. “Did you mean it when you said you loved me?”

  “Yeah, I meant it.” Ryan lowered his head to her mouth, touching his tongue to hers. He wanted to stay there, build up her heat all over again. “I guess when it’s right, it’s right.”

  A smile curved her lips. She crawled off the side of the bed, cocked a hip, and blew him a kiss. “How about we have an encore in the shower? Then maybe I’ll tell you if I love you back.”

  A very good deal.

  Chapter Four

  Fin felt Ryan’s lips brush her cheek. “Merry Christmas.”

  “Mmm, Merry Christmas.” She stretched, pushed the hair out of her eyes, and wrapped her arms around his neck. “I didn’t get you a present.”

  He was already showered and dressed, sitting on the edge of the bed. “You gave me yourself, or did you forget?”

  “Yum, how could I?” She gazed into his green eyes and saw the answering warmth. “I love you.”

  “Ditto, sunshine.” He rose from the bed. “I have to check the security feed and make sure everything is up and running. Then I thought I’d stop by the house and bring us back a breakfast tray.”

  “Nice.” Her feet hit the floor as his arms came around her, pulling her close. He nuzzled her neck, causing her to giggle. She pushed out of his embrace. “I’ll use the shower while you’re gone so I’m ready to dig into the food. I’m starving.”

  “Most probably because we didn’t eat yesterday.” He patted her butt, his hand lingering before it slid to her hip, a delicious sensation. “How about we have breakfast, crawl back in bed for a while, and then wander over to the main house to join in the yuletide festivities. Plus Poppy may want to go over her wedding plans for tomorrow.”

  “Ooh, I love the going back to bed part.” She laughed when he chased her into the bathroom, pressing her against the wall to kiss her senseless. “Stop that or we’ll never get to eat.”

  “Speak for yourself.” His hand travelled north between her thighs. Her breath caught, nerve endings singing. She may have whimpered when he kissed her mouth with a lot of tongue. “I won’t be long. I’m saving you for dessert.”

  Fin turned on the jets and stepped into the shower, her body warm and tingling. Yesterday had been beyond her wildest dreams, the two of them tucked inside the guesthouse making love and getting to know each other. What they’d shared had changed her in the best possible way. For the first time she could remember, she felt free to choose and not worry about Poppy. And she chose Ryan. Her mother would be fine. Fin had seen it when she’d lashed out at Ramsey. Poppy was strong and smart. She had to be, to survive the media circus she called life.

  And Ryan? Well, he was the answer to Fin’s dreams. Besides becoming her best friend as they talked long into the night, he was a talented lover, valiant protector, and the man who knew her better than she knew herself. Together, they’d build a life together. And what a life it would be.

  Turning off the water, she towelled herself dry and slipped on sweats. She brushed her teeth, combed through her wild mop of hair, and sailed out of the bathroom. Scooping the duvet from the floor, she tidied the bed.

  “Hello Fiona.”

  She shrieked at the sound of the male voice behind her. Not Ryan’s. What was Poppy’s fiancé doing here? Heart hammering, she tucked a strand of hair behind an ear and fought for calm. “Paul? I didn’t hear the doorbell.”

  “That’s because I didn’t ring. I have my own set of keys to the castle.” Staggering, he bumped the bookcase near the door. He looked drunk or stoned or maybe both. “Pretty soon I’ll be part of the family. Ain’t that a kick in your prissy little ass?”

  Whatever he was after, Fin knew it couldn’t be good. She choked back revulsion. Gazed at the wildness in his eyes, wondering how she’d escape before he got out of control. “Ryan will be back any second now.”

  “Afraid not.” He laughed as if he’d just said something funny. “Not when Poppy’s got him up on a ladder hanging wedding ornaments in the ballroom.”

  Fin tried to move past him, making a beeline for the door. Paul shot out an arm, stopping her cold.

  “I want the rings. And I want them now.” A hand came out of his leather jacket holding a knife—something curved, sharp, and ugly. “I don’t want to cut you, but I will if I have to.”

  “Are you crazy?” Fin did the only thing she could since her pepper spray was empty, which was stall for time. “I don’t know what you’re talking about. But I do know my mother won’t marry you if she finds out about this.”

  “Don’t play dumb ’cuz it ain’t gonna work.” He was on her in a second, dragging her against him. His hands trembled. He stank of booze and marijuana. The knife pressing the side of her neck nicked her skin. “Give me the goddamn Claddagh rings or I’ll slit your fucking throat!”

  He held her too tight, an arm slammed against her diaphragm. Fin couldn’t breathe, couldn’t get the words out. “Stop. I’ll t-tell—”

  A hand came around and shoved the knife away. Paul released his hold and she collapsed. She rolled on her back. Ryan had him by the front of his jacket, his fist connecting with Paul’s face. Bone cracked, Paul’s nose spurting blood as he slid to the floor. Ryan picked up the knife and stood over him, barely breathing hard. “Fin? Are you okay?”

  “Just peachy,” she said, slowly getting to her feet. “But I don’t know what we’re going to tell my mother. Not if we don’t want her texting the world about the rings.”

  “We’ll figure something out.” Ryan hauled out his cell phone and hit speed dial. “Drive down to the guesthouse. There’s someone here you’ll want to arrest.”

  ****

  Fin walked to the main house with Ryan, his arm around her shoulders. He’d finally told her the significance of the rings and why so many people were after them. Millions of dollars were at stake. Another agent had collected Paul from behind the guesthouse, although she hadn’t seen him. Ryan had wanted the arrest far away from prying eyes, especially her mother’s. He’d also said Paul was in for one heck of an interrogation, since so much hinged on finding the other people involved.

  Her mother met them at the front door and came down the steps. “I saw a car leaving before. Who was it?”

  Ryan came up to her, taking her by the shoulders. “It seems Paul got cold feet and decided not to go through with the wedding. He had one of his buddies pick him up.”

  “I’m so sorry, Mom.” Fin took her mother in her arms, expecting a total meltdown. “I don’t know why he changed his mind.”

  Poppy looked her in the eyes and patted her cheek. “Sweetie, it’s no great loss. I’ll spin news of the breakup to my media pals waiting inside; tell them I booted Paul out on his drug-saturated ass.”

  “But, all the money you’ve spent.” Fin wanted to cry, even if her mother didn’t seem upset at losing her fiancé. “The caterers, the cake, the music…you’ll have to cancel everything.”

  “Not if we get married instead.” Ryan winked at both of them, picked Fin up, and swung her in a circle. He set her down on her feet again, crushing her against him. “There’s no point denying we love each other. Will you marry me?”

  “Yes, yes, yes!” She kissed him full on the mouth, joy rushing through her until common sense prevailed. “But it can’t be tomorrow. We don’t have a marriage license.”

  “I think I can fix that.” Poppy clapped her hands together like a gleeful schoolgirl. “I’ll call Judge Miller. He was going to perform my ceremony anyway and he’s right here in Nantucket. H
e can have the town clerk open the office today to issue your license. Then he can waive the waiting period if there is one. It’s perfectly legal.”

  “Do you think he’ll do it?” Ryan stared as if her mother had magical powers.

  “He will.” Poppy laughed, planting a kiss on Ryan’s cheek. “We’ve been friends since high school, and he owes me. I always take him around, introduce him to celebrities whenever he’s in Los Angeles.”

  The rest of the day passed in a whirlwind of activity for Fin. When she called Ronnie and asked her to be her maid of honor, her friend insisted on opening her mother’s store to find the perfect wedding dress. Ilsa, Skye, and Eden agreed to be her bridesmaids, and before Fin knew it, she was neck deep in girlfriends and beautiful dresses at the boutique.

  Ryan headed back to Boston for his tux, his groomsmen and best man. His mother, brother and two sisters as well. It was nothing short of a miracle everyone made it back to the house in time to share the evening meal.

  Christmas dinner became their engagement party. Wine flowed, the table laden with roast turkey and all the trimmings. Fin loved Ryan’s family and looked forward to having them in her life, especially since she and her mother didn’t have any family of their own.

  “I can’t believe how lucky I am.” She sat at the table beside him, surrounded by the people she cared most about in the world. “I’ve never been so happy.”

  “Hold that thought, because I have something to tell you.” He kissed her lips, warm and inviting. “Besides the fact I love you to distraction.”

  “What is it?” She sensed his unease and knew this was serious. “You can tell me anything.”

  He moved his chair back from the table and took her hand. “Come into the library with me.”

  Fin entered the room and stopped dead. Her financial backer stood at the bank of windows, looking out at the snow-covered lawn. He was a tall man with regal bearing, his suit perfectly proportioned to his wide shoulders. Turning toward her, he appeared nervous and off-kilter, his hand shaking on the handle of his cane. Fin felt her heart constrict in her chest. “Thomas? What’s wrong? I tried calling you earlier. I wanted you to attend my wedding.”

  Ryan eased her forward until they stood before him.

  “Fin.” Thomas reached for her hand and moved to the couch. “Please, come sit with me.”

  She did, Ryan sitting on the other side of her. “Thomas has something to tell you, sweetheart. It can’t wait any longer since we’ll be married tomorrow. I don’t want to have any secrets between us.”

  She focused her attention on the older man, wondering what had upset him so much. “Have you decided not to back my restaurant after all?”

  “No, there’s no chance of that.” Thomas inhaled sharply as he loosened his tie. “I planned to wait before talking to you, but Ryan insisted. I don’t know how else to say this, so forgive an old man for making a total ass of himself. I-I’m your father, Fin. I’m the son of a bitch who had an affair with your mother and never darkened your doorstep all these years.”

  “Oh. My. God.” She couldn’t believe it. She’d read the newspaper articles she’d found in Poppy’s desk. Her father had been an IRA terrorist, supposedly killed in a bomb blast. “I thought you were dead. Poppy raised me by herself!”

  “I know, and I deeply regret it. I should have been there for you.” Thomas had tears in his eyes, she could see them. “I was undercover for the CIA back then and almost died in an explosion. When I recovered, I had to stay away or risk placing you and Poppy in danger.”

  “Because of the rings,” Ryan added. “The IRA was desperate to get hold of them, decipher the symbols on the bands in order to find their money.” He crossed to the bar to pour them drinks. “Thomas had to disappear for a long time.”

  Fin was incredulous, didn’t know what to say. But her father was wrong about one thing. He hadn’t deserted her. “Thomas, you followed me all over Europe after I graduated from chef’s school. You introduced me around and got me internships in the finest restaurants. It’s because of you I’m able to open a five-star restaurant of my own. You were there for me.”

  “Thank you for saying that.” Even so, she could see he blamed himself for her sometimes difficult childhood. And yes, maybe she should be angry he hadn’t been around when she’d needed someone to talk to. But he’d done his best from afar, and that counted.

  “Thomas sent me to protect you as soon as your mother began tweeting about the rings.” Ryan handed her a glass of wine. “And there’s more. My father was Thomas’s CIA partner, also in Belfast. He died in the bomb blast and was labelled a traitor by our government when the money disappeared. They believed he’d stolen it. I need the rings to clear his name, Fin.”

  “I understand.” And she did, but it was too much to wrap her mind around. First things first, the rest could come later. She levelled a gaze at Ryan. “But if you really love me, you’ll put this on hold until after our wedding.”

  “Consider it done.”

  She nodded. “And Thomas, I expect you to be there.”

  The older man smiled, clearly relieved she had chosen to include him. “Actually, Ryan’s asked me to be his best man.”

  ****

  Ryan danced with his new bride under the mistletoe hanging from the ballroom ceiling. She was the most beautiful woman he’d ever seen. Ivory satin clung to her curves as her spike heels tapped out the merengue rhythm. Her mane of sable hair swung to the beat, blue eyes laughing as he claimed her delicious mouth. They circled the dance floor, her scent swirling, a flash of leg blasting his desire into the red zone. He yanked it back, holding onto his sanity by a tenuous thread. Another few hours and he would sate his passion. And hers. Especially hers. Teach her other ways a man could love a woman besides the traditional.

  She belonged to him now. She was his to honor with his body and soul. He saw the trust in her eyes when she looked at him. A trust so new and fragile it scared him to death. And yet he cherished it, would build on it, would die before he’d let her down. Emotion rose, tightening its hold. He’d be lost without her.

  The band changed up the tempo. Thomas tapped his shoulder when a waltz began to play. “You wouldn’t refuse an old man a dance with his daughter, would you?”

  Ryan hesitated. Fin pushed against his chest, moving into her father’s arms as if it was the most natural thing in the world. He relaxed, noticed his friend’s cane hooked behind his chair at the table. Could only imagine how important this dance must be for Thomas to attempt a step without it. His leg had been badly damaged in the bomb blast. The simple act of walking was painful.

  “Do you think you could partner with your mother-in-law now that Fiona’s found herself a distinguished older gentleman?” Poppy stood at his elbow, looking radiant in shimmering yellow silk. “It’s strange, but Thomas looks so familiar. It’s as if I’ve met him before.”

  Ryan didn’t want to go down that road and neither did Thomas. Not until the rings were in their possession. Only God knew what would happen if Poppy recognized the father of her child. Although chances were slim, considering they’d only spent one night together. Still, he danced her to the other side of the room and changed the topic. “Thanks for giving us the wedding. You’ve made Fin and I very happy.”

  She tipped her chin, the ghost of a smile touching her lips. “I’m the dreamer in our family, Ryan, the one who believed in love at first sight. And yet, I think Fiona is the one who found it.”

  “I love her and she loves me.” He dipped Poppy slightly and swung her upright again. “It doesn’t matter how long we’ve known each other.”

  The song ended. She stepped away from him, hands dropping at her sides. “Stay true to her, Ryan. Or I’ll be forced to kill you.”

  He laughed as she walked away, although he hadn’t missed the steel edge in her voice. Admiration spiked for some crazy reason. Poppy might play at being an empty-headed movie star, but he suspected she was calculated and brilliant beneath the facade. An
d he wouldn’t bet on Ramsey’s continued good health now she knew he’d abused her daughter. Of course, she might have to stand in line to do any damage.

  He glanced up and saw his mother coming toward him, looking elegant in moss-green silk. She’d never looked happier, moving through the room and greeting other guests. He took her aside and told her he was close to clearing his father’s name. “Take your time, Ryan. Enjoy your life with Fin. That’s what’s important. If it’s meant to be, the rest will fall into place.”

  He swept her out on the dance floor, admiring her moves as they danced to an old rock ’n’ roll number. The song ended and he walked her back to her table, noticing Judge Miller place a proprietary arm along the back of her chair once she was seated. Who knew, maybe his marriage to Fin had sparked a little romance for his mom. God knew she deserved it.

  Saying his goodbyes, he looked around for Fin. Ryan frowned. Where was she? She’d been on the dance floor just moments ago. He searched the crowd again. Still no Fin. Okay, something was going on. His gaze settled on a cluster of women off to one side of the room, Fin at their center. Ah, that explained it—the bouquet toss. And Ronnie was the big winner, shrieking with delight.

  He touched Fin’s elbow. She turned, taking his hand and grinning. “The men are waiting for you to toss the garter.”

  “They’ll be waiting until the cows come home, sunshine, because it’s not happening.”

  Yeah, he refused to do the garter thing, slipping it off her leg and pitching it into a bunch of single guys. No freaking way. First off, he would have to strip her naked at the first feel of her leg in his hands. And second? Nothing worn on her delectable body would ever be handled by another man. That’s the way it was. Take it or leave it.

  He grabbed Fin around the waist, growling in her ear. “It’s time to go.”

  “Yes it is.” She kissed him on the lips. “Just let me see my friends off first.”