Racing Toward Love (Horses Heal Hearts Book 2)

by Kimberly Beckett

  “Don’t worry, love,” he said, “I’ve faced off against much worse opponents and come away without a scratch. These thugs don’t intimidate me.”

  Megan didn’t appear to be mollified by Ian’s bravado and looked to her father and Stephen. “I know you have more experience at this kind of thing than we do, Ian, but I think I speak for all of us when I say we would never be able to live with ourselves if you were injured or killed protecting us.” Her father and Stephen both nodded, concern evident in their expressions.

  “You will not only have me to protect you, you will have an entire team of professionals, equipped with the latest surveillance equipment and weapons technology protecting your family and Biscuit.”

  At the mention of his team, Roger stepped forward.

  “Ian’s right, Miss Brady. When I set up my company, I hand-picked and recruited the best and brightest of the world’s foremost military Special Forces units. I would put my team up against any government covert operations team or any major criminal organization. It should comfort you to know we’ve done in-depth research into the O’Reilly crime family, and we’ve found there are some chinks in their armor. We’ll do our best to take advantage of that.”

  Roger then opened a side door to his office, revealing a small kitchenette complete with refrigerator, range, microwave, and coffee maker. A large platter of deli meats, bread, and cheese, along with a bowl of potato crisps, and cans of soda were laid out on the table.

  “I assumed you would be hungry after your trip. I had one of my guys stop at a local deli and pick up a tray of food for you. Please help yourselves.”

  The Bradys expressed their thanks, picked up paper plates, and started filling them with food. Seeing that his guests were fully occupied, Roger drew Ian away from the group.

  “There’s something I need to tell you that the Bradys don’t really need to know.”

  Ian followed Roger back into his office. They left the door to the kitchenette open so as not to alert the Bradys they had parted from them.

  “So, what is it?” Ian asked, his concern evident.

  “There is an internal power struggle going on between Seamus O’Reilly’s two sons, Quinn and Ryan. Quinn is the eldest, and Seamus O’Reilly’s heir apparent, but Ryan is actually the more capable brother and has most of his father’s men loyal to him.

  “While you were flying here from the U.S., I contacted Scott Miller with the FBI in Kentucky. It appears Quinn was the head of the team that found you in Kentucky. You’ll be happy to know he and his men were fooled by your decoy, and thinking it was you, made an attempt to waylay one of the trucks and trailers on an isolated road. He’s now in the custody of the FBI.”

  Ian grinned with triumph. “My plan worked. Is it all right if I tell the Bradys?”

  “Of course. They should know that the Gibsons were driving the truck the bastard tried to waylay.”

  Ian left and brought Megan, Stephen, and Daniel back with him, and Roger gave them the news.

  ” Brilliant!” Megan exclaimed. “Are my grandparents all right?’

  “They’re fine and send their best,” Roger replied. He began to walk away, but then abruptly turned back. “Oh, and by the way, Quinn told the FBI who had clued the press in on your whereabouts.”

  “Who was it?” Stephen asked with a look of triumph at Ian.

  It was then that Ian understood Stephen’s behavior toward him since he had arrived on the scene. Stephen somehow suspected Ian as being responsible for the O’Reillys’ pursuit of his family. That revelation explained a lot. Ian looked at Roger for his answer.

  “It was someone by the name of Saint Claire,” Roger said. “A Justin Saint Claire. Ring any bells? I understand he was paid quite handsomely for his information.”

  Megan couldn’t suppress the gasp of alarm she uttered at the mention of Justin’s name. She looked at her father, “Dad, we have to call Grandma and Grandpa right away and tell them. They trusted Justin.”

  “My guess is that the reward the papers were offering for information was too much of a temptation.” Daniel said. “Before we left to come here, your Grandfather pulled me aside and told me he had just learned from a mutual friend that Justin’s family had been struggling financially for some time. He wanted me to know he and Sarah hadn’t known that when they tried to match you up with him. Walter also confirmed for me that Justin knew nothing of the O’Reilly threat. He only did what he did for the money, not to harm us.”

  Ian caught Stephen looking at him speculatively. Ian returned his gaze and crossed his arms over his chest as if to say that he was expecting an apology for Stephen’s suspicion of him. Stephen looked away, apparently not yet ready to back away from his negative assumptions. Ian knew that Stephen definitely had some thinking to do.

  Ian turned back to Roger. “Now that Quinn is out of the way, what do you know about Ryan?”

  “As I said, Ryan, although the younger of the two brothers, is by far the smarter, and is eager to prove himself as the true heir apparent to his father’s organization. Helping his father successfully fix the St Leger Stakes race, thereby earning the family several million pounds, would go a long way toward fulfilling that goal.”

  “Then he will be a force to be reckoned with, and none of us will be safe until the race is over,” Megan said.

  ~ ~ ~

  The following morning, once Biscuit was cleared through quarantine and was being prepared for travel, Ian met briefly with Roger and his team as they looked at a map outlining the route from Heathrow to Doncaster.

  “The fastest route to Doncaster is by motorway,” Roger said. “We suggest you take the M1 straight to the city. It will be nearly impossible for O’Reilly to ambush you on a major thoroughfare.”

  “Agreed. Barring any unforeseen traffic, at best, it will be nearly three and a half hours’ drive to Doncaster.”

  “I have men positioned along the road at discreet distances all along the route. There’s no way O’Reilly will be able to touch us en route. My guess is we’ll be more vulnerable once we get into town.”

  “I understand,” Ian responded. “I trust you’ve made arrangements for that?”

  “Of course. If you don’t mind, though, I’ll provide more details once we get there. I’d like to be on the road as soon as possible. I feel somewhat exposed here at the airport.”

  “No problem. Biscuit should be here very soon.” Almost as soon as Ian said the words, the customs quarantine official arrived with Biscuit in tow. Daniel stepped up to take him and finalize the paperwork, and then they were ready to go.

  When Biscuit was safe in Thomas’s trailer, the Bradys, Thomas, Ian, and their escort set out.

  Ian kept his eyes on Stephen, who sat in the passenger seat next to his father as they drove their truck from London to Doncaster. He was staring blankly out the window and was clearly deep in thought. After several minutes, Stephen broke his concentration and looked over at Ian with a friendly smile. Ian sighed to himself with relief. It appeared that Stephen had finally concluded Ian Stafford was exactly who he said he was, a former SAS soldier who cared about Megan and was willing to risk his life to protect them. He wasn’t an agent of the O’Reillys. He resolved to speak with Stephen alone as soon as possible to ensure he was no longer suspicious of Ian’s motives.

  Chapter 26

  As they drove their truck through the main entrance to the Doncaster Racecourse, Megan gazed in awe at the magnificent grandstand and verdant grass racecourse. The course officials welcomed the Bradys and Biscuit with open arms, especially since it was common knowledge that this horse was the fan’s and betting public’s favorite to win the prestigious St Leger Stakes, and consequently, the elusive Triple Crown.

  Biscuit stepped out of his trailer calmly, and once out, looked around the grounds with an air of confidence, as
if he knew exactly where he was, what was expected of him, and that he was ready for the challenge.

  Stephen led Biscuit as they followed track staff to his assigned stall, and Megan stood with Daniel as he spoke with the track officials. They insisted that Davis Security would have unfettered access to the barn where Biscuit would be housed and would be able to interview and do background checks on all racecourse personnel who might be near Biscuit and the Bradys at any time during their stay. The officials had initially balked at the intrusiveness of this level of scrutiny, but when Daniel informed them that threats had been made against their family and possibly against Biscuit as well, they agreed.

  Megan watched Ian approach as she and her father finalized details with the Doncaster officials. Ian had been watching over Biscuit and Stephen while the track personnel assisted in settling the stallion in a stall.

  “Is everything all right?” he asked.

  “Everything’s fine, Ian,” Megan replied. She introduced Ian to the track officials and made sure they knew Ian was their security team leader.

  At that moment, Stephen returned. Daniel addressed the group. “Biscuit appears to be well settled, and Roger and his men are in position to assume security. I think it’s time we found our lodging and got some rest. Training will begin in earnest tomorrow.”

  The others agreed, and, after parking their trailer and detaching it from the truck, the group proceeded to downtown Doncaster and the Crown and Arms Hotel, a quaint, old fashioned lodging facility in the heart of Doncaster.

  During their drive to Doncaster, Roger had explained to Megan and her family that he had selected the hotel because it could be easily guarded. There were limited access points, and all of them could be easily monitored. It was the optimal place as far as security was concerned.

  Megan found herself nervous and on edge knowing Ryan O’Reilly was out there somewhere, plotting against her family. As her father checked them in, she looked at Ian. “Why do you think it is that O’Reilly hasn’t made his move yet? Certainly, time is running out for them since there is less than a week until the race.”

  Ian frowned. “I can’t really know for certain,” he replied, “but part of the problem for them is likely that they underestimated your ability to find adequate security, and they have had to reassess their strategy. Now that time is short, we have to be on guard at all times. These men are highly motivated and have no scruples. Never go anywhere alone. If I’m not around, contact Roger or one of his team. I don’t want a repeat of what happened in Brighton.”

  Stephen walked up just as Ian finished speaking. “So, you believe O’Reilly is still around, and he’s just waiting for us to make a mistake or show a weakness he can take advantage of?”

  “Exactly,” Ian said.

  Stephen grimaced, “That also means we’re all at risk and must keep up our guard at all times, right? That he could take Megan or my dad and hold them to force our hand?”

  Ian nodded. “Yes, Stephen, that’s right. They could take you as well. Please remember to keep the GPS locator device on your person at all times—just in case. I recommend you continue to wear it around your ankle, so it’s not visible to the casual observer. That’s the only way we’ll be able to find you should O’Reilly penetrate our defenses.”

  Megan saw the concern in Ian’s expression, and finally understood why he was so fearful of any of them being captured. If they knew Seamus O’Reilly was responsible for their being taken, they could testify against him. O’Reilly would never leave credible witnesses alive. A kidnapping under these circumstances would be a death sentence.

  After her father checked them in at the hotel, Megan and the rest of their party proceeded to a suite of rooms allotted for their stay. Megan knew as she entered her room that she would be getting very little sleep knowing the O’Reillys were nearby plotting against them.

  Chapter 27

  They ate dinner together that evening, and Ian received a report from Roger that some of O’Reilly’s men had been spotted in the vicinity of Doncaster. He had put his team on a higher status of alert, but he had nothing more to report at this time.

  “It’s not a surprise that O’Reilly is nearby,” Ian said. “He only has a few days to make his plan work.”

  “I’m so glad we have Roger and his team protecting us,” Megan said. “I feel so much safer with him around.”

  At that moment, Stephen’s cell phone rang. He looked at the screen and excused himself from the table to take the call.

  Stephen answered on the second ring. “Hello. Who is this? I don’t recognize this number.”

  “Hello, Stephen. This is Ryan O’Reilly. I think you know who I am.”

  “I know who you are,” Stephen said. “You’re the man who is trying to get us to break the law. You want us to make Biscuit lose the race on purpose.”

  “You make it sound like that’s a bad thing, Stephen. Do you know that if you had originally cooperated with me, your sister wouldn’t have been attacked in the Rusty Nail, and again in Brighton? Her life is still in danger because of you.”

  “No!” Stephen shouted. Then realizing he was drawing attention outside the restaurant, he lowered his voice.

  “I did the right thing when I told Megan about you.” Stephen cringed. His voice betrayed the fact that he did feel guilty Megan had suffered because of him.

  “There is a way you can make amends. All you have to do is come to me and help me convince your father to keep Biscuit from winning the race, and Megan will be safe. What do you say? Will you help me?”

  Stephen thought a long time and then made his decision. “Yes. I’ll help you.”

  “That’s wonderful, Stephen. This is what you have to do.”

  ~ ~ ~

  At breakfast, Roger reported that Ryan O’Reilly had taken rooms at the hotel immediately across the street from the Crown and Arms and was making no effort to hide his presence. Ostensibly, he, like many British racing fans, was in town to watch the horse race of the year, if not the century. Ian couldn’t believe the audacity of the man, but, as Davis explained, what better alibi could the man have than several hundred people seeing him innocently participating in the pre-race and race day activities.

  Ian met Megan and Daniel for breakfast that morning, but Stephen had not yet come down. “I’ll go see if I can get him up,” Megan offered. “He has been known to sleep in on occasion.”

  Megan went up to Stephen’s room and was surprised to see the door slightly open. Concerned, Megan entered the room. Stephen’s bed looked as if it had not been slept in all night. Megan noticed an envelope on the bed. It had a phone number and the message Call this number written in a neat but cramped script. Megan pulled out her cell phone and called the number.

  “Miss Brady, I’m so glad you called.” a voice on the other end said with a distinctive Irish accent. Megan instantly stiffened and her heart began to race.

  “Who are you, and why are you calling me? Where is my brother? Where is Stephen?”

  “I knew you were a bright young lady,” the voice taunted. “I do have your brother. I’m texting you a photo now so you can see for yourself.”

  Megan’s phone instantly chimed, and a picture of Stephen, bound and gagged, appeared on her screen. He was wearing the clothing he had been wearing last night at dinner. Oh my God! What am I going to do? Megan quickly gained control of her emotions and put the phone to her ear. “What do you want from me? I’ll do anything, just let Stephen go.”

  “What a brave young woman you are, Miss Brady. Of course I’ll allow you to take your brother’s place. Meet me in one hour at the Doncaster Stables, barn number two, stall number twenty-five. Come alone. If you alert Ian Stafford, your security team, or the police, I’ll start cutting off Stephen’s fingers one at a time. I don’t think he would be a very good jockey without fingers
, do you?”

  At Megan’s gasp, the man chuckled. “I don’t think you’ll take that risk. I will see you in one hour.”

  Megan took the envelope and hid it in her jacket pocket. She also concealed her phone in a separate pocket. The last thing she did before she went back to meet the others was ensure that her GPS ankle bracelet was securely fastened and hidden under her sock and jeans.

  Megan returned to Daniel and Ian and told them Stephen was a bit under the weather and had asked that they leave without him. He would be joining them later. Daniel and Ian easily agreed. Megan mentally prepared herself for what she had to do.

  Ian accompanied Megan and Daniel to the track for Biscuit’s first workout on the Doncaster race course. When they arrived, Biscuit whinnied his welcome and pawed the ground in his stall, clearly anxious to get to work. Ian touched base with the Davis Security men that had taken the night watch over Biscuit. They reported no suspicious activity, and Ian dismissed them to get a well-deserved rest.

  As Daniel and Megan groomed, saddled, and bridled Biscuit, Ian visually scanned the racecourse and saw nothing he deemed suspicious. Daniel took an exercise rider to the track, and Ian made to accompany him. He looked to Megan.

  “Megan, aren’t you coming? I thought you’d want to see Biscuit’s first run on the Doncaster track.”

  “I’ll be there soon. Stephen asked me to supervise the cleaning of Biscuit’s tack and the preparation of his grain and hay for his afternoon feeding. I promised him I would.”

  Ian smiled. “All right. Sounds good. Keep your eyes out for anything suspicious. O’Reilly is still out there somewhere.”