by Callie Quigg
“Something like that.”
“A watched phone never rings.”
“Isn’t that a watched kettle never boils.”
“Think it’s a watched pot.” She laughed. “Are we seriously talking about idioms? We’ve been sleeping together for less than a week, and we’re already boring. Next, we’ll be doing crosswords and making thousand-piece jigsaws.”
A hawk cried in the distance, and they both looked up at the mist-shrouded mountains. The place was beautiful, and it struck him how much more beautiful it was with Quinn by his side.
“I’m from a few miles down the road, but I’ve never been on the castle grounds. Passed it enough, but never came in. Sacrilegious, isn’t it?”
“You’re from Derry, right? I go there a lot. I’m sure I’ve bumped into your family a few times.”
“Probably. It’s a small place. My dad drives a taxi. You might have been in the back of his car.”
“With the way the Universe and fate works, you never know.”
“You believe in all that?”
“I think we all have lessons to learn and some things were meant to be.”
“You think we’re meant to be?”
“You’re a lesson in lies coming back to bite me in the ass. Lesson learned. Don’t lie.”
“I don’t remember biting your ass.”
She laughed, the sound muffled behind her scarf. “We’ll remedy that later.”
They came to a turret at the end of the courtyard. “Let’s go down here. The staircase leads to the dock by the lough.”
She led the way into the turret and down some rusted, winding stairs, and when they reached the bottom, Ronan swept snow from a stone bench so they could sit.
“Can you imagine living here in the old days?” Wistfulness filled her words. “It would’ve been like living in Winterfell.”
“I wouldn’t have taken you for a Game of Thrones fan.”
“You know nothing, Donovan.”
He rolled his eyes and groaned. “You’re hilarious. It would’ve been miserable. No heating or plumbing.”
“You’re such a romantic.” She gave him a gentle push.
Heat climbed up the back of his neck. “I am. Or I can be.” Not wanting to go down the road of romance, he changed the subject. “Tell me more about your ex. Are the police after him?” Why was he fishing for information? He should either tell her or shut up.
“They were,” she sighed. “There’s a warrant for his arrest, but they’ll never find him. He doesn’t want to be found.”
“He’ll slip up eventually. Criminals always do.” In a few hours, he’d be out of their lives for good. No way was Brady getting away with screwing Quinn over and then getting him involved. Payback would be a mother fucking bitch.
“Maybe… I’m past caring. It was a tough lesson.” She lowered her scarf to her chin and her breath puffed in front of her face. “New Year. New start. Time to let the past stay where it is. I’m done beating myself up. Rehashing every single minute. Wondering what I should’ve done differently. Wondering if it was my fault for loving him, trusting him. I was so goddamn gullible.”
“You’ll never know how sorry I am for acting like a dick.” He pulled her into him and draped an arm over her shoulder. “I’ll do what I can to make it up to you.”
“You’re right, you were a dick, and a jerk, and a jackass.”
“Thanks.”
“You’re welcome.” She reached for his hand and squeezed and then looked him in the eye. “But I’m glad you’re here.”
Too much emotion and intensity filled her face. It was a look he knew well, and despite her declarations of not wanting to fall in love, she was falling for him, and he needed to set her straight. Set both of them straight.
“I like you, Quinn. But it can’t be any more than like. A relationship isn’t something I want. Baggage, y’know.”
She gave a nervous, high-pitched laugh, which sounded forced. “I’m not looking for anything either. Sorry if I gave you the impression I was. This is sex. Just sex. Good sex. Great sex. I’m using you for orgasms.”
“I like you using me for orgasms. You can use me for orgasms all you want.”
“I’ll take you up on that.”
They sat in comfortable silence wrapped in each other’s arms. He enjoyed being here with her like this. No pressure to be anyone other than who he was.
“Since I’ve spilled my guts about my woeful life,” she said, “tell me what’s stopping you from falling in love. Why don’t you want a relationship?”
He leaned forward and clasped his hands together. Did he want to tell her about Abbey, give her the whole sob story? Show her he was weak, that someone didn’t think he was good enough? Would she wonder why his girlfriend had no other choice but to cheat? Abbey’s betrayal wasn’t something he wanted to rehash or relive, and if he told Quinn, she’d get a sympathetic and pitiful look in her eyes. He didn’t want that, but he’d already lied so much. Maybe it was time to rip the Band-Aid he’d worn for the past three years off.
“She cheated. We broke up. The end.”
“I’m sorry.” Quinn reached out a gloved hand and touched his arm.
“No need for sorry. You weren’t the one I was about to propose to.”
“Oh…”
“I loved her. Would’ve given her the moon if she’d asked. But even that wouldn’t have been enough. I suppose it’s better I found out she cheated on me before I asked her to marry me.”
“What a fucking selfish bitch.” She clamped a hand over her mouth.
He laughed, but it sounded hollow. “When I found her shagging her boss in our new apartment, I called her worse. I could’ve handled it differently.”
“So you haven’t had a relationship since.”
“I prefer fun with no strings.”
“You give me orgasms. I give you no strings. We’re a good team.”
“Sounds about right.”
If he had the brains he was born with, he’d walk away before the strings became chains. Get out of Quinn’s life before he couldn’t leave. Before Brady stuck his boot in and kicked both of them where it hurt. But why walk away from someone who enjoyed sex as much as he did? Someone who challenged him and made him laugh. A few more days wouldn’t cause any permanent damage to either of them.
“I get that we both have skeletons,” she said, breaking into his thoughts, “but I’m not going to cling to your leg and beg you never to leave me.”
“That obvious?” He blew out a breath and gazed at the heavy clouds.
“Think of us as method actors. We’re supposed to be besotted with each other and now that we’re sleeping with each other, it’s believable.”
“How so?”
“It’s easy to tell when a couple’s having sex. There’s an intimacy between them, and we have that now.”
“So as well as using me for orgasms, you’re using me to make your lies more convincing?” He leaned over and nibbled the cold shell of her ear.
She screamed playfully and fought him off. “I’m not the only one who’s lying.”
Quinn tilted her head and kissed him with such tenderness he forgot everything else and focused on the sensations warming his body. She had him, and he wasn’t sure he ever wanted her to let go. So much for no baggage and no strings. She wasn’t the liar here, he was. The biggest one he’d ever met.
Her phone beeped. She broke away and dug into her coat pocket and jumped up from the bench. “Thank you, God. Ella’s agreed to pay for everything. She drunk emailed and can’t remember a thing, but she still wants me to fatten up her bridesmaids.”
“You amaze me, you know that?” He grabbed her hand and squeezed. “Come on. Let’s celebrate. We can sneak up to our room and warm up.”
“What do you mean by warm up?”
“What do you think I mean?”
“You could mean drinking hot chocola
te, or you could mean getting naked in front of the fire.”
“How about naked in front of the fire and hot chocolate after?”
“That sounds like a fantastic idea.”
His phone rang, and his heart stilled. “You head on up. I’ll be there in a few.”
“The phone call you’ve been waiting for?”
“Aye.”
She stood on her tiptoes and kissed his cheek. “I’ll start warming myself up.”
“Now that’s something I’d like to see.”
“You can if you hurry.” She ran into the turret and before he answered his phone, he made sure she wasn’t within earshot.
****
A few hours later, outside the castle grounds, Ronan leaned against a stone wall dressed in running gear. The excuse he’d given Quinn about needing to exercise for a few hours was a lame one, but he needed to disappear without raising any suspicions. More lies, but he could justify these lies.
Thanks to another heavy snowfall, the cleared roads were rapidly turning white, and since Brady hadn’t contacted him in over an hour, Ronan didn’t know if he was on his way or if he’d even make it to the castle. But desperation made people do ridiculous things like drive on ice-covered roads or jump on planes and pretend to be someone’s fiancé.
Since he didn’t know from which direction Brady was coming, he continuously glanced from left to right. Who knew what kind of trouble he was walking into, but this was about saving Quinn. He smiled wryly. It seemed she’d gotten her very own wedding-planning superhero after all.
In the distance, the dim lights of a car lit up the road, and excited anticipation squeezed Ronan. Brady had taken the bait. The car drew closer. Shane, who watched from a neighboring farm, should arrive any minute.
The car slowed and crunched to a stop, and the passenger door opened. Brady got out. An unkempt graying beard covered his jawline, his eyes were sunken and lined, and his wrinkled clothes looked as if they’d been slept in more than once. This wasn’t the man Ronan knew. The man Ronan knew had always been clean-shaven, never had a hair out of place, and wore designer suits.
A smirk filled Brady’s face. The smarmy shite would smile on the other side of his face soon enough and then on the other side of prison bars. Stale nicotine and booze oozed from his pores.
“From what I hear, you’re all loved up.” Brady leaned against the open car door.
“Where’d you hear that?”
“Friends in low places. The stupid bitch didn’t vet anyone she hired. My man was in and out in a few hours. Told me all I needed to know. A few euros gets a lot of answers.” He rubbed his hands in glee. “She’s mental in bed, isn’t she? Not as good as your sister, mind you.” He rolled his shoulders. “I can still feel her nails on me back, and I have a few scars to prove it.”
“Hell would be too good for you. You’re a piece of dirt and deserve everything that’s coming to you.” Ronan’s nostrils flared and he curled his fist. Brady would push every button to get a reaction. Pounding him into the ground would be so easy and satisfying.
“Wire the money. Otherwise, my driver will beat you to a pulp, and I’ll tell every paper that’ll listen about Quinn’s scam. How I was the one who walked away from her. How I couldn’t live with the guilt anymore.”
“How do you sleep at night?” Ronan asked.
“I close my eyes.”
“Before I do anything for you, explain why you have it in for Quinn, for me?”
He shrugged and gave a cynical, lip-twisting smile. “Two birds. One stone. She told me to get out of her life—“”
“After you told her to blackmail her clients.”
Brady shifted from foot to foot, his eyes darting all around, never settling in one place. “Would’ve been a good money maker. She sent the police after me big time. As for you, I saw a chance to fuck with you so I took it.”
All the blood drained from Ronan’s head and pooled in his hands, his vision clouded and time slowed to a sloth’s pace. In a flash of movement, before Brady could jerk back, Ronan threw a right fist and landed a stomach punch. With a heaving groan, Brady staggered back and doubled in two.
“Big mistake, Man. Big fucking mistake.”
“My only mistake was trusting you.” Adrenaline spiked through Ronan’s system. Not allowing Brady any chance to counterpunch, Ronan swung an uppercut jab to his opponent’s chin, knocking him to the ground. Brady slumped to his knees, winced and worked his jaw back and forth.
“I’m going to fucking kill you,” Brady said lurching to his feet. “And I’m going to enjoy every minute.”
Ronan’s hands shook and his knuckles throbbed, but he wasn’t done. Not by a long shot. Growing up with three brothers had its benefits, and learning how to give and take a punch was one of them.
Ronan strode toward Brady and grabbed him by the lapels of his jacket. “You’re filth.” He lifted his right arm, ready to pummel Brady to a bloody pulp, but the wide-eyed fear and desperation on the other man’s face made him stop. Disgusted, Ronan shoved him away. “You not worth it. You’re not fucking worth it.”
The car door swung open and a six-foot something man built like a brick shit-house stepped out and stalked toward Ronan.
Brady’s nostrils flared. “Hope Quinn still likes you when she sees your fucked up face.” He cut a glance toward the other man. “Slash his face, Lynch. Make it so his own mother doesn’t recognize him.”
Ronan stood his ground. He wouldn’t back down and he wouldn’t run. He owed it to Quinn and his sister. But he wouldn’t complain if Shane and his colleagues showed up to give him a hand. Where the hell was he?
Lynch cracked his knuckles and lifted a meaty fist, but before it made contact with Ronan’s face, he ducked out of the way. The other man might be bigger but Ronan was faster.
“That all you got,” Ronan taunted, moving this way and that, not allowing Lynch’s swinging fists a clear shot at his face, ribs, or stomach. “C’mon, big man, you can do better than that. Hit me. Give me all you have.”
Lynch advanced forward, grabbed Ronan’s shoulder, and swept a foot behind his ankle, lifting him off his feet. Ronan hit the cold, hard ground with a thud and his head lolled to one side. Pain ricocheted around his brain, obliterating thousands if not millions of brain cells.
Lynch pressed his knee deep into Ronan’s solar plexus, stealing his breath. “You want to see what I have, huh, tough guy? When I’m done, they’ll have to wire your jaw shut.”
Brady hunkered down, smirked and patted Ronan’s cheek. “You’ll be lucky if you can eat more than baby food for the rest of your life.”
Ronan struggled to get up, to shove Lynch off him. If he didn’t get away, they would leave him for dead. And he wasn’t ready to die. Brady Gibson wasn’t the last face he wanted to see.
Images of Quinn rolled through his brain. The first day he’d met her. The first time he’d kissed her. The first time he’d fucked her.
The next time he saw her, if he ever saw her, his face would look like minced meat.
The drone of sirens flew toward them, their flashing lights strobed across Brady and wiped his smirk away. Relief flooded through Ronan, washing away his adrenaline rush.
“I’ll make you pay for this, Donovan.” Brady spat in Ronan’s direction, narrowly missing his face.
Lynch shot up and jumped into their car followed by Brady, but it was too late for a getaway. Shane’s car slid in front of Brady’s and blocked it from going forward. The second car slid up beside, and the third pulled in behind.
A dull, throbbing ache settled at the base of Ronan’s skull. He stood and rubbed a hand over the egg-shaped bump on the back of his head. He flinched. It hurt like a motherfucker, but wasn’t anything a few beers and several Advil wouldn’t sort out.
Shane and the other police officers jumped out and unholstered their guns.
“Both of you, step out of the car wi
th your hands up,” Shane called.
Brady slapped his fist against the dashboard and called out, “This is entrapment. You have nothing on me.”
“Step out of the car,” Shane repeated.
Brady and Lynch stepped out with their hands up.
“I have friends everywhere, Donovan,” Brady said and snarled.
“You’re a disgusting excuse for a man.”
“Watch your back, dickhead. I’ll rip your head off as soon as I get the chance.”
“You do not have to say anything,” Shane stated while handcuffing Brady. “But it may harm your defense if you do not mention, when questioned, something which you later rely on in court. Anything you do say may be given in evidence. Do you understand?”
“I understand alright,” Brady replied. “I understand you two and that bitch set me up.”
Shane bundled Brady and Lynch into the back of his police car.
Before leaving, Shane shook Ronan’s hand. “A few minutes later and I’d have been put to sleep with a shovel.”
“Do you think I’d let that happen?” Shane asked. “I knew you had it all under control. Maybe there’s a career for you as an undercover cop.”
“Thanks but I think I’ll stick to organizing conferences. I’ve another favor to ask, don’t mention this to anyone. What Gibson did to Ashlen is still a sore subject. And I don’t want Quinn to know until I tell her, so I’d appreciate no one contacting her about this until the New Year.”
“I’ll do what I can. You’ll have to give a statement, but I’ll see if I can postpone it.”
“Appreciate it, man.”
Brady glowered from the back of the car. With any luck, he’d be behind bars for a long time. For now, with Brady out of the way, Ronan had some breathing space and could enjoy the next few days with Quinn without having to look over his shoulder.
Chapter Eight
Waking up with a man’s mouth between your legs should be a health requirement. Quinn stretched and smiled, then turned on the shower to allow the water to heat. She glanced at her reflection in the shower door. Her eyes sparkled, and her face glowed. But then she frowned. She was a liar and a fraud. No better than Ronan’s ex-girlfriend. No better than her ex-boyfriend.