Page 53
It had been almost two weeks, and still, there was no sign of Tobias.
I was about to call it quits and let everyone head back home.
For those who accompanied us, they couldn’t stay away from work indefinitely.
In the case of the O’Sheerans, they traded off with each other.
A couple would spend a few days with us, then leave.
While each set was here, we had them and their bodyguards.
It let me get to know everyone better, which I loved, but waiting was a killer.
As much as my brothers and papà wanted to stay, the family business had to come first. I finally convinced them to leave, but only after it was settled that only one would remain at a time. They wanted to be here even if we couldn’t be seen together.
As for Alistair and his Hounds, this was part of their job, so it wasn’t impossible to have several of them at a time, although they did rotate out.
I had to put my foot down, as did Rian with Alistair.
He tried to stay the entire time. I told him his wife was pregnant, and there was no way I would take him away from Aisling for weeks on end with her in her last trimester.
It was bad enough that I worried about Aurora.
However, Rora and I were in contact and could talk often.
She didn’t know exactly what was up, but she knew it pertained to work, so she understood.
One night, during one of our talks, I discovered I had no reason to worry about her.
The O’Sheerans had essentially adopted her.
Not only was she at the estate a lot, spending time with everyone, but they also pulled off a surprise for her.
She called me, sobbing. I’d been scared that something was wrong until she calmed down and told me what had happened.
The family went out and purchased the nursery furniture she wanted, as well as everything on her registry list that she hadn’t received at her baby shower or bought herself.
Plus, they added a ton more that they said was a must. With everything going on at work, with Rian and now Tobias, I hadn’t shopped, though she knew not to buy the nursery furniture.
I finally told her a while back that my family was doing it, no matter how much she protested.
When I asked Rian why they did that, he said she was my best friend.
Her baby was to be my godchild. They would help anyone like her in need, but as my bestie, she was closer to family.
That had led me to cry my eyes out before I gave him a blow job that left him limp and speechless.
Today was Friday, the last day of February. I’d told Rian that if we heard nothing from Tobias by Monday, we needed to return to our lives. As much as I hated waiting and letting Tobias control our subsequent encounter, putting so many lives on hold was ridiculous.
He agreed that we’d go home and devise a different plan if there was no word or contact.
He and I could do our work remotely for the most part, but I missed his house.
I’d been there only briefly, but it already felt like home.
Alistair was back here with Riley, Quin, Hollis, and my brother Rocco.
Rory and Ciaran were staying at the cabin with us.
The bodyguards, besides Reign, were Daniel, who protected Ciaran, and Fionn, who was Rory’s guard.
I cooked, and the guys cleaned up. As they rotated in and out of the house, Rian and I kept their spirits up by asking them what they had been working on in the cases of his brother and cousin, as well as stories from the guards on their best, funniest, and worst security details.
Some of them had me holding my stomach. Rian chastised them for making me laugh so hard, but it was worth it.
My wounds were closed, and I was due to see Dr. Keim for his final sign-off in two weeks.
We only had a fire in the fireplace and a few candles providing light, as there was no need for more.
The drapes were kept drawn at night as we relaxed and talked.
Plus, it was a precaution. You didn’t highlight yourself to someone outside.
It was almost midnight. I was about to call it a night and go to bed when everyone’s phone went off with an alert.
My heart jumped. That was the prearranged signal we set up.
Fumbling to get my phone out, I checked it. It was from Alistair.
Alistair: Incoming. West. One unsub.
That jolted us into action. I went for the nearest gun I had secured to the underside of the end table.
The others were armed or grabbed guns from different spots around the room.
There were ones strategically placed throughout the house, as well as additional ammo magazines.
I also grabbed the two magazines secured next to the gun.
Out of habit, I checked that the magazine was full and a bullet was in the chamber.
Over the last two weeks, I’d progressed to being able to get rid of the crutches, and I was bearing weight, though I limped and tired more easily.
I knew one thing: I wished crutches on my worst enemy.
Those things were a pain in the ass. When I needed additional support, I used a cane.
Tonight, I’d have to rely on my own steam.
“Gianna, you know the rule. Stick close to me. If not me, then one of the others. You will be covered at all times. Hell, with the guys outside, Beecham won’t even get inside, but just in case,” Rian reminded me.
I knew he was still nervous about me possibly being hurt.
My less-than-stellar mobility added to his concern.
“I’ve got this. You be careful. I got your six.”
He gave me a hard, brief kiss, and then it was full warrior mode. Rory, Ciaran, Fionn, and Daniel were spread around the room. They were covering any potential entry points, such as doors or windows. I moved with Rian to do the same.
My phone vibrated. After the first alert, all phones were turned to vibrate for further updates.
I let Rian check while I continued scanning the entry points.
How I wished I had a way to see what was happening outside.
Did they already have him, and was that what the text was about? Talk about anticlimactic if it was.
“ Mac soith , Son of a bitch, the bastaird , bastard isn’t alone,” Rian hissed. I noticed that he tended to say more Gaelic words when he was upset. It was the same with me and Italian.
“What? How many?” I whispered.
“At least six, maybe more. They’re coming in spread out.
Gianna, there’s a chance one might get past them and inside.
I think you should go to the master bathroom and secure yourself there.
The windows are too small to get through, and as long as you stay clear of them, no one can take a shot at you.
Plus, it has a lock on that door.” Rian added.
“ Miele , I love you for saying that, but I’m staying with you. My gut says I’m safer with you than alone. And I know you’d send someone to guard me. You need everyone. The answer is no.”
“You’re so getting your ass spanked when we’re safe. You need to know what your man does when disobeyed,” he muttered, but only sounding somewhat upset.
Yes, I was disobeying. I’d promised I’d do everything he told me to do. But I just couldn’t do this one. The fire in his gaze told me that my punishment would hurt, but I suspected it would end up giving me pleasure. If it meant a trip to the special room, I wanted it.
“I accept whatever punishment you give me.”
“ Chíost, let’s get this fíochmhar , fucker, so that we can go home,” he said louder so the others heard. They gave him nods or chin lifts in acknowledgment.
As we stood at the ready, the tension in the room fed the need for danger in me.
I was an adrenaline junkie, which made being a bounty hunter all the more enjoyable for me.
The only thing that came close to it was when I searched online and found a trail that ultimately led me to find whatever or whomever I was after.
The more convoluted it was, the more pleasure it gave me.
Even though I was expecting it, when the gunfire began, I jumped.
It was instinct to tense up, but I blew out a breath and stayed loose.
Rian had me, so I was behind him with the wall behind me.
I swear, he acted like I was some delicate rose.
I knew his sister and cousins were trained and badasses.
He needed to let it sink in that so was I.
The thunder of guns was unreal. Why so many?
I got my answer. Another alert came through.
Alistair: Dozen, maybe more, and loaded for bear. Watch your asses.
The question of where Tobias got these people and why they were helping him ran through my mind a second before one of the large windows that overlooked the Glades shattered.
Something rolled across the floor, and smoke began to leak out.
Crap, it was a smoke bomb. I tried to keep my eyes on the broken window to see if anyone tried to enter, but the smoke was making it hard, and I was coughing.
Rian was moving me backward toward the hall that led to the master bedroom when something small came hurtling through the opening in the broken window, and there was a loud bang and bright lights.
I doubled over in agony. The sound hurt my ears and made them ring.
It was a flashbang grenade. They meant business.
I fought to shake off the disorientation. I knew someone was coming in.
Dark figures came through the window, but I didn’t have a clear shot. I didn’t want to accidentally shoot one of ours. At the same time, the front door exploded. Suddenly, I was grabbed and thrown over Rian’s shoulder. He ran to our bedroom and then to the bathroom. He thrust me inside.
“Stay. There are too many, and I can’t watch you out there.”
“I know you can’t. But you don’t need to stay here and guard me. Go, I’ll lock the door.”
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- Page 53 (Reading here)
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