Page 51

It took a week of steady, ongoing research by Cody and Gianna, plus planning with the team who was going to the Glades.

We wanted to ensure that we considered every possible option.

And we were bringing an arsenal with us.

I wasn’t willing to let the man slip through our fingers to continue to hang over our heads or to allow him to harm Gianna or the others.

Dr. Keim said her wounds were healing nicely.

However, she was still only to be fifty percent weight-bearing.

We had him come to check on her yesterday before making the trip.

To make the journey as comfortable and quick as possible, a core group of us traveled on one of our planes, while the rest, along with key Hounds, traveled in separate vehicles.

We didn’t want to announce to the world that we were coming to the Glades with an army.

During that week, we found a spot to rent for her “recuperation.” It was secluded and at the edge of the Glades, precisely the kind of place where you could torture and kill someone and dispose of the body without anyone becoming the wiser.

It was located close to Chokoloskee, an unincorporated area comprising fewer than four hundred people on Chokoloskee Island.

Since it was situated opposite the Turner River, the people living there primarily made a living through various boating and water activities. It was the DeSantises who suggested the area. They’d stayed there before and knew in the past that the Beechams would occasionally appear there.

We flew into Naples Municipal Airport, barely over forty miles from Chokoloskee.

We’d arranged for vehicles to be waiting for us.

We stuck to SUVs. Most of the weapons were brought in the cars driven down by the Hounds, but we still had a decent amount on the plane.

After loading up our luggage, we set out for our hideaway.

While we stayed in our rental, the Hounds were at another about ten miles away.

However, they would be taking turns patrolling and guarding our place.

The idea was to remain hidden until Tobias fell into our trap, and then we’d close the net on him.

Our hunting party included me, Gianna, Alistair, Declan, and Shane from the family.

The Hounds were Quin, Riley, and Hollis.

Of course, bodyguards were a must, so in addition to Reign, we had Nolan, who guarded Declan, and Niall, who protected Shane.

Plus, all four of the DeSantis men who insisted they were coming.

The fact was, the entire O’Sheeran family wanted to come, but that wasn’t realistic.

Before we headed to our place, we stopped at the nearest spot where you could pick up gas and essential groceries.

Even here, we were recognized. Most people stared, but a few were brave enough to ask what we were doing in their part of the world.

We let it be known that my fiancée was recuperating from surgery.

We’d kept it under wraps that she’d been shot.

I claimed she always wanted to see the Glades but was too busy with work.

I informed the questioners that we came anyway to see what we could, even if she couldn’t explore.

When asked how long we planned to be there, I shrugged and said until she was ready to return home.

We showed up at the rental with just me, Gianna, Declan, and Shane, along with our bodyguards.

Alistair would remain with the Hounds and DeSantis men.

During the day, Shane and Declan would give the appearance of just hanging out and providing company for us.

In reality, they were additions to our security force.

We were all trained just like the Hounds.

The house was a beautiful, modern, sprawling cabin with all the amenities.

Based on its size, calling it a cabin was a misnomer.

It was a slightly rustic mini-mansion. Staying there would be no hardship.

Glass windows overlooked a large, dense part of the Everglades National Park.

The two SUVs were unloaded, and the bags were taken inside.

I wondered how long it would take for Tobias to receive the news of our arrival.

It might take a while if he rarely came out of the wild.

The man we rented the cabin from was great about stocking it with the items we asked for so we could cook our meals.

A list was sent along with the payment, and he had everything there.

One of the first things Gianna did after unpacking her weapons and strategically placing them where she could reach them was go through the fridge, freezer, and pantry to see what she had to work with for meals.

“Wow, he did get everything I asked for and then some. I should have no trouble making meals for us with this,” Gianna said.

“ Leanbh , while I appreciate you wanting to do that, you’re not here to take care of us. You’re supposed to be resting that leg. You can’t be up on it all the time.” I reminded her.

“It won’t be all the time. Preparing a few meals won’t tire me out.

I promise I’ll be in a chair or on the couch working on my laptop most of the time.

In fact, at the rate I’m sitting, my ass should be the size of a house by the time your doctor gives me clearance to be full weight-bearing,” she grumbled.

“Your sexy ass isn’t getting fat, but if it did, I’d still find it sexy and want to spank and bite it,” I whispered in her ear.

She flushed and lightly smacked my chest. But I saw it turned her on.

I couldn’t help it. I ran my hands over her plump ass cheeks and squeezed.

It had been two weeks since we’d made love.

I hungered for her, but I was afraid I’d hurt her or mess up her wounds.

That was the last thing I wanted, so my showers consisted of me taking care of myself unless I was in there with her.

We found that it was the easiest way for her to shower safely.

And no matter how sexually frustrated that might make me, I would never pass up the chance to see or touch her naked body.

“Rian,” she moaned softly.

“Do you see what we’ll be subjected to the entire time we’re here, Shane?” Declan taunted. I hadn’t heard them come into the kitchen.

“I sure do. My innocence will be scarred for life,” my cousin jokes.

“As if anything could shock or scar you two. And what innocence? I bet you lost yours when you were about fourteen,” Gianna smarted back.

“I’ll have you know that I’m saving myself for marriage,” Shane replied.

Declan choked on a drink of water he was taking. Gianna laughed as I snorted. We were given a mournful look as Shane shook his head. “No one believes me.”

“That’s because you’re full of it,” Niall said as he ambled into the room. Reign and Nolan were right behind him.

“That’s it, you’re fired,” Shane told him.

“You can’t fire me. I work for Darragh. He’s made it very clear to all bodyguards that he’s the only one with that authority,” Niall smirked.

“Goddamn him,” Shane muttered.

“Ha, ha, looks like you’ll have to suffer,” Gianna taunted Shane.

He responded, “Wait until you get your bodyguard, and then we’ll see if you’re such a fan.”

I had been waiting to talk to her about it. An independent woman like her wouldn’t be happy to have one, but it was non-negotiable for her and us.

“Speaking of bodyguards, when do I get mine?” she asked, her calm demeanor surprising me. She looked at me.

“Uhm, well, as soon as we get back home. I was waiting for yours to finish up a leave. I chose someone I thought would mesh with your personality.”

“Who is it? Have I met them?” she asked.

The other bodyguards stood there, listening expectantly. They hadn’t been told the news, either. Alistair, Darragh, and I had discussed it at length and agreed this would be the best fit.

“Yours will be Presley.”

As she thought about it, I heard the other five groan.

“Presley? Are you crazy? Those two together will be trouble with a capital T,” Declan stated.

“Come on, Rian, let me find someone else for Gia. Don’t do this to me,” Reign pleaded.

“What’s wrong with this Presley guy? You don’t like him?” She frowned.

“It’s not that we don’t like Presley. It’s…” Nolan trailed off. He glanced over at Reign.

“Do you and this Presley have a problem with each other, Reign? What did he do? Do I have to kick his ass?” she asked. She was very protective of Reign, especially since he had saved her life.

This caused us all to chuckle. I knew I had to tell her. “Gianna, a stór mo chroí , there is no need to kick anyone’s ass. Reign and Presley don’t have a problem. Other than the fact—”

“Other than the fact she’s a pain in my ass and my cousin. And she’s headstrong. Should we put the two of them together, Rian? We’ll never get any sleep,” Reign grumbled.

Gianna’s astonishment quickly changed to delight. “I’ll have a female bodyguard? Oh, Miele , that’s perfect. I’m so glad you have women. I’ve never seen any, so I thought you only hired men.”

“Right now, Claudia, who guards Kynedi and Cassius when they leave the estate, and Presley are the only ones. It’s not intentional.

We don’t get many women applying with the skill set we need.

There’s a reason you haven’t seen her. Presley has been on leave.

And I did consider if you might feed off each other, but then I thought, with the two of you together, I pity anyone coming up against you.

She’s recently completed her training with Alistair and her military discharge. ”

“Oh, what branch? Wait, don’t tell me. I want to learn it from her. I can’t wait to meet her.” Gianna said excitedly. Her smile was huge. That went better than I had hoped.

Reign gave a pitiful groan, but we ignored him. It was time to relax for a bit before dinner time. We hadn’t left St. Augustine until noon, and it was only an hour-long flight to Naples. We had some time to chill.