IRISH (The Trident Series Book 4)

by Jaime Lewis

  She heard the sniffle again and knew Bailey was awake and crying. She probably was not only in pain but was also embarrassed by all of this. Tenley felt like crying with her. She couldn’t understand how a parent could treat their child, even grown, how Bailey’s mother and father had treated her.

  She gently sat on the edge of the bed and touched Bailey’s shoulder. “Hey, sweetie. Can you turn over for me so we can check and make sure you don’t need to go to the hospital.”

  She waited a few seconds and was relieved when Bailey lifted her head. That was until her eyes zeroed in on the busted lip and bruise on her cheek. “Oh, honey.” Tears formed, and she tried hiding them. She was a nurse and saw these types of injuries all the time. However, her patients were usually not her friends. This one hit home.

  Bailey wiped her eyes and looked at her and then over toward the doorway where Potter and Stitch stood with their arms crossed in front of their chests, looking four ways of pissed off.

  “What are you guys doing here?”

  “Irish called us. Your cousin called him and told him what happened. He’s been trying to call you.”

  “I was going to call him in a little while. I left my phone out in the kitchen. He is going to be mad at me. I was just so tired, and everything hurts.” She started to cry again, and Tenley’s heart broke even more.

  Stitch knelt next to the bed and brushed Bailey’s hair from her face. “Sweetheart, he’s not mad at you. He’s just very worried. That’s why he called us. Tenley and I are going to take a look at your injuries.”

  Tenley was grateful when Bailey relented and nodded her head.

  ◆◆◆

  Irish pulled into the parking spot at Bailey’s condo. When Stitch called him right before they boarded the plane, he felt a little better, knowing her injuries didn’t require a hospital visit. Thanks to Tink, they were able to catch a ride on his company plane, getting them home almost four hours earlier than when their commercial flight would’ve arrived. Dino and Skittles had his vehicle moved from the airport up to Hampton Roads Executive, where they had landed. Frost and Autumn graciously offered to take Sienna back to their house until Irish could get her.

  He pressed the code to get into the building, then entered the elevator. Once the elevator made it to the sixth floor and the doors opened, he found himself jogging to the end of the hallway where Bailey’s unit was. When he got there, the door opened, and Potter stood there with a frown on his face. Not that it was a surprise because Potter rarely ever smiled unless it was for his wife. But his face was cold. It was how he expressed himself during a mission.

  “Where is she?” He didn’t mean to be rude, but he needed to see her.

  Potter nodded toward the bedroom. “She’s asleep. She’s bruised up pretty good. She’s scared but apparently put up a hell of fight. She told us that she broke the asshole’s nose before hitting him in the head with an umbrella. Stitch had some painkillers, so he gave her some until she could see her doctor. She falls asleep, but then she wakes up in a panic.”

  Irish could tell that Potter was just as upset as he was.

  “You know this isn’t over, right? It’s only a matter of time before he comes after her.”

  “And I hope he does because I’ll be waiting. And believe me. He will be walking away with more than a broken nose and bump on the head. That’s if he can even walk.”

  Potter nodded his head, and Irish knew the team would have his back.

  Irish quietly pushed open the bedroom door, and his eyes landed on his little pixie curled up in a ball under the covers. He toed off his shoes and climbed into the bed. He moved some strands of hair from her face, and his eyes landed on the bruise on her cheek and her busted lip. He closed his eyes and clenched his jaw.

  Willing his body to relax, he molded his against hers. She stirred and moved closer to him, and he breathed a sigh of relief.

  ◆◆◆

  Bailey felt the big warm body press up against her backside. She knew it was Irish. She had heard him out in the living room talking with Potter and Tenley.

  “Hey, sweetness.”

  Carefully, she rolled over and met his eyes. They were intense, and she knew he was looking at the bruises on her face.

  He cupped her cheek. “Jesus, baby.” He leaned and pressed his lips tenderly against hers. She closed her eyes.

  “What can I do for you?” He asked, moving her hair out of her face and caressing her jaw with his thumb.

  “Just lay here with me. That’s all I want right now.”

  He gave her a serious look. “I won’t let them get away with what they did.” He wrapped her up in his arms, where she was safe, and kissed her temple. “And you did good, baby. You fought back and got away.”

  “I’m sorry for not calling you. I was so focused on getting away, and I wasn’t thinking straight. The whole drive was a blur. I only stopped for gas and some ibuprofen. Landing on a table and a marble floor isn’t great for the body.”

  After a few moments of silence, she continued. “I don’t want to keep anything from you, Ky. I mentioned back in Florida that there were some things I need to fill you in on concerning my parents.”

  “I’m all ears whenever you’re ready. But you seem tired, so why don’t you get some rest, and then when you wake a little later, I’ll heat us up some food that Juliette sent over, and then we can talk.”

  “Juliette sent food over?” He nodded.

  “That was sweet of her. All of your friends are so nice.”

  “They are your friends too, and yes, you can’t ask for any better friends.”

  “Where’s Sienna? She doesn’t know about any of this, does she?”

  “No, I just told her you had some business to take care of. She is over at Frost and Autumn’s house.”

  “I had so much fun with her.”

  “I did too. Once we get through all of this, I want to take you and Sienna somewhere. Just the three of us.”

  “I’d like that. And I will even let you pay for it.” By the end of the trip, Irish had realized that Bailey had somehow managed to pay for the entire trip for everyone.

  He barked out a laugh, and he heard her snicker. “I’m going to hold you to that. Now rest.”

  “Will you stay with me?”

  “I wouldn’t want to be anywhere else right now.”

  She nodded her head. “Good, I feel safer with you here with me.” He kissed the side of her head, and she snuggled closer to him.

  “I love you, Ky.”

  “I love you too.” Once she fell asleep, he’d go out and call the guys and start making a plan to take down Randy and her parents. By God if he was going to just stand by and let them get away with hurting his woman.

  Chapter Twenty-Nine

  A couple of hectic days had passed since the fiasco at her parent’s house. To start, with the help of their friends, Bailey had moved in with Irish and Sienna. She and Irish had a lot of long talks. She explained about the emancipation papers and about her parents knowing about her trust fund.

  During those conversations, she got her ass handed to her for not calling him when the incident with Randy first took place. She apologized and told him that it would never happen again. He, of course, forgave her, especially when she initiated a little make-out session that almost got out of control until they both realized that Sienna could walk through the door at any moment.

  Bailey turned off the shower, stepped out and caught sight of herself in the big mirror in Irish’s bathroom. With the bright lighting the bruises along her skin really stood out, and she frowned, knowing Randy was out there somewhere. He wouldn’t give up until he got his hands on her. The police were looking for him too. Her parents, on the other hand, claimed they knew nothing and tried to make it seem like Bailey had made everything up.

  She was still feeling a little sore. She hadn’t been able to sleep well because of the nightmares that plagued her. Just this morning, she awoke screaming and trying to fight off Randy
; however, when she finally came to, she realized she was hitting Irish. She cried and told him how sorry she was. Irish assured her she had nothing to apologize for and just held her.

  She didn’t feel like getting dressed yet, so she just threw on her bra and panty set. It was Halloween, and she and Irish were meeting everyone in town for the Annual Fire Department’s Haunted House fundraiser. For the little kids, they were hosting a trunk or treat. Sienna was over at Potter and Tenley’s house, and they would be bringing her to the fundraiser. She couldn’t wait to see her all dressed up in her lion costume. She smiled, knowing how cute Sienna was going to look. She grabbed her baby blue silk robe that hit just above her knees and threw it on.

  She walked into the bedroom and was surprised to see Irish sitting on the edge of the bed. He was bent over with his hands cradling his face. As she started walking toward him, he looked up and grinned. She got a funny sensation in her belly as she took in the sight of him in just a pair of jeans and nothing else. He looked so damn sexy, and then it hit her. She wanted him. She was ready to let him all the way in.

  She stood in front of him, and he pulled her gently between his legs. Not feeling shy anymore when it came to touching him, she put her hands on his bare shoulders. His muscles felt tense, but they slowly relaxed as she caressed his skin. The black-out curtains were pulled shut, and the only light was from the lamp on Irish’s side of the bed that gave the room a soft glow.

  “What’s the matter, sweetness? And don’t tell me nothing because your eyes give you away. Are you in pain?”

  “No, I’m feeling good right now.”

  He gave her hips a little squeeze. “Well, something is bothering you.”

  “I don’t want you to think I’m a scaredy-cat. But I have a really bad feeling that something terrible is going to happen. Randy isn’t going to stay hidden forever. He is going to want revenge.”

  He pulled her in for a hug. “Listen to me. I don’t want you feeling scared. I know it’s probably hard not to.”

  “You weren’t there. You didn’t see the evil in his eyes when he attacked me.”

  “Don’t remind me.”

  She could tell he was starting to get upset again. He had been blaming himself for not being there with her and that if he had been, she wouldn’t have been injured.

  “Stop…I didn’t bring this up to upset you. I brought it up because I am concerned about Randy coming and finishing what he started.”

  Irish pressed a finger to her lips and gave her a serious look. “That man will never lay another hand on you.” He pulled her closer. “I love you, baby.”

  “I love you too.” She looked him over and then ran her hands up and down his chest. He took a big breath and closed his eyes. When he opened them, her heart felt full because of the love and compassion his eyes alone held.

  Irish always said that she would need to take the lead when it came to their first time being intimate. And by golly, she was ready to. Without further ado, she gently held his face between her hands and locked gazes with him. “I need you, Ky.”

  At first, Irish looked frozen, then she saw the blue hue of his eyes darken with desire. He pulled her tighter in his embrace and spoke in that deep low whisper that turned her on. “What are you saying, Bailey.”

  She smiled. “I want you to make love to me.”

  “Bailey, I would love to, but I don’t want to hurt you, baby. You still have bruises,” he told her as he ran his hands from her thighs up to her ribs.

  “I promise you; I’m okay. I need you. Please, I want to feel you inside of me.”

  ◆◆◆

  Irish took in everything about the woman who stood before him. She was so beautiful and sexy, standing in just her robe. His chest tightened, and he felt a sensation he couldn’t quite explain. But then a conversation he had with his mom a few days ago came to the forefront, and he understood what his mind and heart were telling him. He smiled because it was just as his mom had told him, how he would know when he met the woman who he was meant to marry.

  He stood up, and walked over to his nightstand, and opened the top drawer and pulled out the purple velvet pouch. He opened it and emptied its contents into his hand. He closed his fist around it tightly and closed his eyes.

  He walked back over to Bailey and placed his hand against her cheek and gazed into her blue eyes. After several seconds of complete silence, she asked, “What’s wrong?”

  Still staring at her, he asked, “Do you know how much I love you?”

  “Probably as much I love you. You’re my soul mate. You’re the one my grandma told me that I would find one day.”

  He smiled and wished he could have met her grandparents. “As you know, I’m not a mushy, romantic kind of guy. I try at times, but I know I suck at it.” She snickered but then took his hand that was on her cheek and held it in her hand.

  “I don’t care about any of that. All I care about is that you love me and that I make you happy.”

  He took a deep breath and squeezed her hand. “I am happy. But you would make me an even happier man if you said that you would marry me and be part of mine and Sienna’s family forever.”

  Irish couldn’t hold back his smile at the way her eyes widened, and her lips parted. Though it was only like five seconds before she spoke, it felt like five minutes. A tear fell from her eye, and she didn’t even try to wipe it away.

  “Ky…” She whispered.

  He loved that he had just shocked the shit out of her. He lowered down to one knee, still holding her left hand. He brought it up to his lips and kissed her ring finger before looking up into her tear-filled eyes.

  “You are everything I ever dreamed of, and the one I thought only existed in my imagination, but then you walked into my life and showed me that love could happen to anyone. I love you and want to spend the rest of my life with you.” He brought up his other hand and opened it, revealing a white gold antique diamond ring.

  She gasped and covered her mouth. “Oh my God, it’s beautiful.”

  “It was my grandmother’s. She was a great woman and a wonderful wife to my grandfather. I want to carry on the tradition, and I hope you accept it and become my wife and mother to Sienna.”

  ◆◆◆

  Bailey was in utter shock. Here she was, wanting to give Irish something she’d waited all her life to give to the man she loved, and he just completely pulled the rug out from under her.

  She looked at the ring again. Not that it mattered what it looked like. What mattered was that Irish had chosen her to give it to. It was a special token that was important to him and his family. She felt honored and loved and would cherish the gift for the rest of her life. She wiped some of the tears from her face and then looked at Irish, who had the most adorable grin.

  “So, what do you say, sweetness…Will you marry me?”

  She smiled from ear-to-ear, even though tears continued to cascade down her cheeks.

  “Yes, Ky. I would love to marry you and spend the rest of my life with you and Sienna.”

  Bailey didn’t think she’d ever seen a smile that big on Irish’s face before. He jumped up and scooped her up and twirled her around while she laughed. She clung to his shoulders as he held her close. He set her down, then took her face between his hands and kissed her. He placed the gorgeous and most meaningful piece of jewelry on her ring finger. “Thank you, Bailey.”

  She smiled at him as she wrapped her arms around his waist. “You’re welcome. Now, will you make love to me?”

  He chuckled as he picked her up and laid her down onto the bed they shared. “I think that is the perfect way to celebrate our engagement.” He licked his lips and stared at her. She had a feeling that things were about to get a little wild.

  ◆◆◆

  Irish was on an adrenaline rush, just like when he was on a mission. Except this mission was one that he wouldn’t mind executing time and time again. Not only was he finally getting to make love for the first time to the woman he loves, but s
he had also accepted his hand in marriage.

  With her silk robe open to his view, he couldn’t take his eyes off her. She was naturally curvy, despite the weight she had lost over the week and a half they’d been apart. She was his fantasy come true, as she laid there spread out on their bed like a goddess, waiting for him to take her.

  “You are absolutely gorgeous,” he told her as he unbuttoned his jeans and pushed them down. He grinned when he saw her eyes go wide. He wasn’t wearing any underwear. Then she snorted out a laugh, and he gave her a stern look. “Did you just laugh at my dick?” He felt a little insecure at the moment, but then she sat up and pulled him down on top of her, and she smiled.

  “So that’s your lucky charm?” She asked with a huge smile on her face, and he couldn’t help but laugh now. And he felt better, knowing she was laughing at his tattoo. Yes, he had lost a bet on St. Patrick’s Day a couple of years ago, and the deal was that if he lost, he had to get a tattoo on his dick. So, as it was St. Patrick’s Day, and he was a lady’s man, he got a four-leaf clover with the words Lucky Charm tattooed just above his cock. It hurt like hell, but a bet was a bet.

  He leaned down and licked her nipple. “No, it’s your lucky charm.”

  He wasn’t a small man, and knowing she’d never had sex before, he would be sure to take his time, so he wouldn’t hurt her. He gave her a stern look. “You promise me that if you feel any pain at all, you tell me, and I’ll stop. I’m not small, and you also are still recovering from your injuries.” He started to get angry again, and it must have shown because she took his face between her hands.

  “Get them out of your mind, Ky. It’s just you and me right now.” She kissed him; then she looked his body over. She licked her lips, and he groaned.

  “Honey, I’m really trying to take my time, but with the way you are staring at me and licking those plump, beautiful lips, you are wearing on my patience.”