Page 103 of The Triple Threat

“Is he with my sister.” Eamon’s nostrils flared as he towered over me.

“I have no idea,” I snapped. “And I’ll thank you not to take that tone with me.”

I thrust my hands to my hips and jutted out my chin. The two big men didn’t scare me and if they tried anything, I’d be more than happy to throw one of my best punches.

“Listen.” Declan held his hands up in a conciliatory manner. “We haven’t seen her for over thirty minutes and my guess is she’s with your brother.”

“Well, she isn’t,” I replied, pointing over in the direction of the huge doors at the end of the room, which led to the Mayor’s chambers. “Because my brother is over there.”

They followed my gaze and Declan positively slumped when he saw Carter walking up and down with his phone to his ear.

“Doesn’t mean he hasn’t been with her,” Eamon growled. “And if he’s done anything with her that he shouldn’t, believe me he’s gonna be ending up in that hospital you work at.”

I poked him in the chest. “Don’t you threaten my brother, Eamon O’Reilly.”

“I mean it, Ellie,” he replied. “He’d better not have put a hand on her.”

Declan pushed in front of Eamon and sighed. “I’m sorry, Ellie, it’s just she’s easily led, and well she’s got a fire in her belly that girl.”

“No doubt a kid too,” Eamon muttered.

“Eamon. That’s enough.” Declan smiled at me. “I’m sorry, Ellie, I just know she has a thing for Carter, and she’s been staying out late and disappeared pretty much as soon as we got here. Her mom is frantic with worry about what she’s going to end up doing.”

It was then that I spotted Marie sneaking back into the room and Jim Wickerson’s grandson, Evan was close behind, tucking his shirt back into his pants. I really didn’t want to get him into any bother, but I also didn’t want my brother to get the blame. Plus, I really needed to talk to Hunter.

“Marie is, twenty, a grown woman and you should realize that,” I replied, skirting around the two men. “But if you really want to know where she is, she’s over there.”

I nodded to where I saw Marie and Evan staring lovingly at each other.

“Is that Evan Wickerson?” Eamon asked. “I’ll kill him.”

As Eamon turned to go, Declan pulled on his arm. “Eamon leave her be. Ellie’s right, she’s twenty years of age, and Evan’s a good kid.”

“Oh, and Carter isn’t?” I asked indignantly.

Declan gave me a look as if to ask if I was for real, and I had to agree, Carter was a douche where girls were concerned.

“He’s also her age,” Declan added as he slapped a hand on Eamon’s shoulder. “Sorry to have troubled you, Ellie. Come on son, let’s go tell your mom we found her and she’s fine.”

They walked away with Eamon still muttering about ripping Evan’s teeth out but giving me the opportunity to continue out to the lobby.

As soon as I stepped into the brighter lights, my heart dropped like a stone and bile rose to my throat. Standing in front of me was Hunter, another woman in his arms, and the other woman wasn’t Belinda, but Bronte.

“Oh my God.”

The voice I heard was Ellie’s and she sounded upset. Letting go of Bronte, I turned to see her watching us. Her hand was at her chest and she looked as though she’d seen a ghost.

“Ellie?” Bronte said moving away from me. “What’s wrong?”

With a wild-eyed look, Ellie took a step back, her face shrouded with hurt and anger. She looked devastated and I was scared at what could have upset her so much.

“Baby, what is it?” I moved alongside Bronte, but Ellie stepped away shaking her head. “Did that dickwad do something to you?”

Even though I’d told her I’d give up trying, it didn’t mean that I didn’t care about her. I’d punch the prick if he’d hurt her in any way.

“No, he’s done nothing,” she cried. “This is all on you. How could you, Hunter? I know I was stupid out there on the dancefloor, but to get back at me with this. And don’t call me baby.”

Frowning I looked from her to Bronte and then back again. “Bronte? We were just hugging is all.”