The Seduction of Shamus O’Rourke

by N. J. Walters

  “What situation? What kind of game are you playing now?” The contempt in his voice flayed her, but she didn’t flinch. At her side, she felt Shamus stiffen. Reaching out, she grabbed his arm, squeezing it. He’d promised to let her handle this.

  “No game, sheriff. But this is something that needs to be handled carefully, and quite honestly, I wasn’t sure if your office could handle it, but Shamus says you can be trusted.” It was Patrick’s turn to stiffen. “Take that”, she thought, and immediately felt small for provoking him.

  “Look.” She rubbed her hand across her forehead. After only a few hours of sleep last night and another long day of packing furniture and boxes, she was in no mood to deal with his cutting remarks. But she had no choice. “This is not a pleasant thing to have to deal with, but it needs to be done. Let’s keep personal feelings out of this if we can.”

  The doorbell rang. Shamus hesitated, but then headed for the door to let Alicia in. At least Cyndi hoped it was Alicia. The quicker this was done the better. Patrick was examining her as if she were some slimy bug that he was deciding whether or not to squash.

  “You don’t like me, and that’s fine. I can live with that.” Cyndi wanted to get this out before Shamus returned. “But this is bigger than that.”

  Patrick said nothing, but continued to stare at her. She stared back, not flinching. They were still in the midst of their staring contest when Alicia walked into the room, followed by Shamus.

  The other woman looked as cool and composed as ever, wearing gray pinstriped pants and a matching jacket.

  “What’s going on?” Alicia looked from Cyndi, to the sheriff, and back to Cyndi again. She plopped her briefcase on the desk and crossed her arms over her chest.

  “I found something in my father’s papers last night.” She addressed Alicia because it was easier than talking directly to Patrick. “He was involved in some illegal activities.”

  Patrick snorted. “Like that’s any surprise.”

  “Sheriff O’Rourke, I’ll remind you that my client didn’t have to contact you about this. Papers are easily disposed of.” Alicia’s voice was sharp as she addressed him.

  Patrick stiffened, but he inclined his head slightly in acknowledgement.

  “Continue.” Alicia’s voice was softer when she spoke to Cyndi.

  Cyndi took a deep breath. “It’s not just my father. He’d blackmailed a former mayor and several city officials, for sure, for favors. There are allegations of a certain prominent citizen being involved with prostitution, and another one with gambling. Plus, his lawyer knowingly committed fraud.” She glanced at Patrick. “I wasn’t sure if he had someone working for him inside your office, which is why I didn’t want to do this at the station. I don’t want anyone tipped off in advance.”

  She risked another glanced at Patrick, but he just glowered, saying nothing.

  “Anyway, it seems that my father’s law firm, Harris and Hammond, helped him by falsifying records in order to foreclose on some properties and to acquire others.”

  “That son of a bitch,” Patrick spat.

  “Yes,” she quietly agreed. “He was that and more.” Cyndi returned her gaze to Alicia. “I have the originals and copies of the papers we went through last night.”

  Alicia picked up one set and started riffling through them, stopping at the sections that she and Shamus had marked with sticky notes.

  Patrick strode to the desk, grabbed a sheaf of papers, and did the same. He raised his head a few minutes later. “Why didn’t you destroy them?”

  Cyndi flinched in spite of her resolve not to do so. The man obviously thought she was as much of a criminal as her father.

  “That’s uncalled for, sheriff.” Alicia’s voice was sharp.

  “No.” Cyndi raised her hand. “That’s all right. The sheriff is allowed to have his opinion of me.” She stared straight into Patrick’s stormy gray eyes. It was impossible to be mad at him. The past had shaped him as much as it had her. “Because it’s illegal and needs to be set right. Harris and Hammond need to pay for what they’ve done.”

  Turning away from the sheriff, she turned to Alicia. “There are ten properties in particular. Is there any way we can get them returned to their rightful owners? I did have a quick look through the office files, and all the signed documents are here.”

  “Absolutely,” Alicia reassured her. “If the transactions are proven illegal, then it will revert to the previous owners. But the process will be much easier if you don’t fight it.”

  “Good.”

  “Don’t anybody contact anyone yet. Not until I have time to go through all of this.” Patrick dropped the sheaf of papers back on top of the desk. “I’ll need to see all the paperwork concerning these transactions, and everything else you’ve got.”

  “If you want to see anything else in this house, you’ll need a warrant.” Cyndi started to protest her lawyer’s words, but Alicia forestalled her. “No, you need to protect yourself. You’re innocent in all this, and I intend for it to stay that way.”

  “What the hell does that mean?” Patrick snapped.

  “It means that you have your job, sheriff, and I have mine.”

  “Enough.” Shamus’s voice wasn’t loud, but it was hard. “Both of you stop it. Cyndi’s been through enough without you two squabbling.” He dropped his hand on her shoulder and Cyndi shuddered as the heat from his palm coursed through her. She was so very cold. “What do you want to do?” He hunkered down beside her as he spoke.

  She glanced from Patrick to Alicia. “Patrick can go through the files with you here, can’t he? We can make copies of anything he needs to take. He can sign some sort of receipt or something for whatever he removes from the house, so we all have a record.”

  Alicia leaned her hip on the desk, facing Cyndi. “If that’s what you want. But as your lawyer, I’m advising you to protect yourself.”

  Cyndi shook her head. “I want this over with. And if Shamus says his brother is trustworthy, that’s good enough for me.”

  Alicia sighed. “I don’t like it, but if that’s what you want.”

  “It’s what I need.” Slowly, she pushed out of the chair. Shamus stood beside her and she resisted the urge to lean on him. “I’m going to make some coffee. This might take a while.”

  She could feel all eyes on her as she left the room. Her head was pounding and her stomach was roiling. It was going to be a long evening.

  —

  Shamus rounded on his brother as soon as Cyndi left the room. “You might not like Cyndi personally, but you’ll damn well treat her with some respect.”

  Patrick threw up his hand. “Look, I have every reason to be suspicious.”

  “No. You. Don’t.” He said each word slowly as he advanced toward Patrick. “You knew a frightened, young woman who did what she had to in order to survive.”

  “Yeah, right,” he sneered. “Like being the richest girl in town was such a hardship. Poor little princess.”

  It took all his self-control not to plant his fist in his brother’s face. “You have no idea what you’re talking about.”

  “But you do?” he taunted.

  Shamus couldn’t, wouldn’t betray Cyndi’s confidence. But he was sick of everyone coming down so hard on her without any kind of understanding. “Yes, I do.” He hesitated briefly before forging ahead. “Let’s just say that your wife and Cyndi have more in common than you might imagine.”

  Patrick tilted his head, looking totally perplexed. As if a light bulb suddenly went off in his brain, he slowly stiffened.

  Shamus gave one nod, knowing his message had been understood. Patrick’s wife Shannon had been abused by her ex-husband. Cyndi’s father had abused her.

  “Are you sure?” Patrick’s voice was low and angry.

  “Yes.” He could still see the faint scars on her back whenever he closed his eyes. “Not all her actions back then were of her own doing. Others were based on fear.”

  “I don’t quite understan
d what the two of you are talking about, but I want you to stop right now.” Alicia stepped between them putting a manicured hand on each chest. “Cyndi doesn’t need to be discussed like this when she’s not in the room, and we have work to do.”

  Shamus knew that Alicia was right. “I’m going to see what’s keeping Cyndi.” He left the two of them alone in the study, trusting Alicia and his brother to start working.

  He strode down the hall to the kitchen to find Cyndi slumped against the counter. Not stopping, he went right up to her and dragged her into his arms. “Everything will be all right.”

  She gave a watery laugh as she buried her face in his chest. “You can’t promise that. No one can.”

  She was right and he knew it, but that didn’t mean he had to like it. “Okay.” He cupped her face and tilted her chin back until she was looking at him. The unshed tears made her eyes appear even larger than normal. “How about this? No matter what happens, I’ll be beside you all the way.”

  “Oh, Shamus. I don’t want to complicate your life any more than it already is. Your family is never going to change their minds about me.”

  “Don’t be too sure about that.” He’d seen a different look in Patrick’s eye just before he’d left the office. “Come on. Let’s take some of that coffee back in there before they tear each other apart.”

  Cyndi looked appalled before giving a shaky laugh. “My money is on Alicia.”

  Shamus got down mugs, while Cyndi dug through the cupboard for a tray, a sugar bowl, and a milk jug. When everything was ready, she poured the coffee. Shamus picked up the tray. “After you.”

  Chapter Nineteen

  Cyndi was enjoying a cup of herbal tea just after ten o’clock Monday morning when the doorbell rang. In spite of her fears to the contrary, she slept well last night. Shamus left before she’d awakened, but he left her a note. He had some errands to run and would be back later today.

  Laying her cup aside, she made her way to the front door, sneakers squeaking lightly against the hardwood floor. It couldn’t be Shamus. She’d given him his own key this weekend. A jolt of pleasure shot through her as she remembered just how he’d thanked her for it.

  Cautiously, she peeked out the small side window next to the door. When she saw who was there, she groaned. She’d known this confrontation was inevitable if she wanted to put her past behind her, but she’d hoped for a little more time before having to face it. If only she’d ignored the bell. As if on cue, it chimed again.

  Giving into the inevitable, she unlocked the door and pulled it open, coming face to face with her past—Burke Black.

  Age hadn’t diminished the sheer power of the man. His hair was graying at the temples, but other than that, he appeared as formidable as ever.

  They stared at each other for a long time before he finally spoke. “May I come in?”

  “I don’t suppose you’ll just go away if I say no?” Already knowing the answer, she held the door open. “We might as well get this over with.”

  It was strange, but with all she’d been through the past fourteen years and since she’d been back in Jamesville, she was no longer in awe of Burke. Maybe it was because she was no longer a frightened, young woman searching for a way out of a living nightmare.

  “I’m having tea in the kitchen, but I can make some coffee if you want.”

  “I won’t be here that long.” He followed her down the hallway and into the kitchen.

  “Suit yourself.” Cyndi settled herself on one of the kitchen stools and picked up her cup of tea. “So talk.”

  He cocked an eyebrow at her. “You’ve certainly changed.”

  “It’s been a long time. I’m sure we’ve both changed.” She was unsettled, but determined not to show it. “What can I do for you this morning?”

  “I want you to stay away from Shamus.”

  Well, that was certainly blunt and to the point. She took a sip and carefully set her cup back on the granite countertop. “Shamus is man, not a boy. It’s his decision who he sees or doesn’t see.”

  Burke planted his hands on the top of the counter and leaned toward her, crowding her.

  “He’s no match for someone like you.”

  “Someone like me,” she pondered aloud. “What exactly does that mean? You make me sound like some kind of femme fatale.”

  “Just devious and manipulative.”

  “And you’re not?” she shot back. She’d had enough of his unfounded accusations. “You all want Shamus to do exactly what you tell him to do and the minute he won’t, you turn on him. From where I’m sitting, his family is being manipulative and devious, not me.” Before Burke could speak, she held up her hand. “I’ve had enough of your insinuations and finger-pointing. Look in the mirror before you start casting blame.” She slid from the stool, putting some distance between herself and the large, angry man glowering at her.

  “I tried to send Shamus away at first, but he wouldn’t go. And you know what?” She crossed her arms, glaring at Burke. “I like Shamus. A lot.” Now that was an understatement. “Our relationship is none of your concern.”

  “It’s coming between him and his family,” Burke growled.

  “That’s as much your fault as it is mine. I never demanded he stop seeing any of you. Can you say the same? The past is over and done with. I apologized to Dani at the time, and I’ll apologize to you if that’s what you need, but I’m done with paying for it.” This was her home and she’d had enough. “It’s time for you to leave.”

  Not waiting to see if he was following, Cyndi marched to the front door and yanked it open.

  Burke followed a few steps behind her. “This isn’t over,” he promised.

  “Yes, it is.” She’d said her piece. It was over as far as she was concerned.

  “I heard you planned to start a B & B here.” Burke’s face gave nothing away, but she could sense the emotions bubbling just below the surface. “You’ll need permits, and they might be hard to get.”

  Cyndi laughed, but there was nothing pleasant about the sound. “Is that a threat?”

  “No. Just a fact.” He stepped out onto the front porch and turned to face her.

  “My, how like my father you’ve become Mr. Black.” She could see that her last comment startled him. “But I have documents going back to the founding of this town that allow me to do whatever I want on this piece of land. My ancestors might have been greedy bastards, but they weren’t stupid. Good day.” She slammed the door and shot the lock home.

  Her heart was pounding, her head spinning, and she thought she might be sick. She sucked in a deep breath, then another, as her pulse gradually slowed and her stomach settled. When she heard Burke’s vehicle pulling away, she opened the front door and stared out after him.

  The morning, so sunny and crisp, now felt much colder. She was about to close the door when something made her give her car a second glance. She stepped out onto the porch and stared. What was different about it? Then it struck her. Her tires seemed deflated.

  Frowning, she hurried down the stairs and over to her car. What in the earth could have happened? She walked all the way around the vehicle. All her tires were flat.

  Feeling exposed, she glanced around. There was no one to be seen, but she couldn’t shake the sense that someone was watching her. Rubbing her hands up and down her arms, she examined one of the tires. She could quickly see what the problem was. The rubber had been slashed open. It was the same with all four tires.

  Sighing, Cyndi hurried back to the house, closing and locking the door behind her. She didn’t really want to, but she had to call the authorities. Someone had cut her tires. She wondered if it was the same person who’d shot out the windows, or was this a new enemy?

  As she dialed the sheriff’s office, it occurred to her that Burke Black was the only other person who’d been in her driveway this morning.

  —

  Shamus climbed out of his truck and stared at the back door of his sister’s home. He’d spent man
y hours in that house and considered it a second home. Now he wondered if he’d still be welcome here. His gut tightened, so he took a deep, calming breath.

  He’d barely talked to his sister the past few days, and even then the conversations were short and strained, neither of them voicing the true reasons for their estrangement. Shamus was used to seeing his family every single day. Not doing so had left a huge void in his life.

  The back door opened, and Dani stood there, her expression filled with sadness. He hated the fact that he was partially responsible for putting it there. He wouldn’t take all the credit though.

  Each member of his family had a part to play in this, too.

  “Any chance I might get a cup of coffee?” The fact that he asked showed their relationship was not what it had been. A little more than a week ago, he would have walked into the kitchen and poured a cup for himself.

  “Oh, Shamus.” Dani’s face crumpled and she began to cry.

  He hurried up the path, taking the steps in one leap, and tugged her into his arms. She locked her arms around his waist and sobbed against his shirt. “It’s okay,” he promised her.

  “It’s not,” she wailed. “Everything is all mixed up. I want things to be the way they were.”

  “I know you do.” He eased her back into the kitchen, letting the door shut behind them.

  “Where are Burke and Shane?” He didn’t want his brother-in-law or nephew interrupting them.

  “Burke left just after breakfast. I think he was looking for you.” Dani swiped at her eyes.

  “Shane is at school. He keeps asking about you.”

  Shamus hated that his nephew was suffering because of this. He loved Shane and spent a lot of time with him. “I’ll call him tonight.”

  “Thank you.”

  “Jesus, Dani. You don’t have to thank me for something like that. He’s my family. You all are.” Seating her in her usual chair, he strode to the counter, took down mugs, and filled them with fresh coffee. Carrying them back to the table, he handed his sister one of them.