Protector (The Brannock Siblings Book 4)

by Jessica Wilde

  The nurse shrugged and shook her head, "He kept saying something about her phone number and not leaving her alone in the room with the doctor."

  Aiden snorted while Emily smacked a laughing Conall on the shoulder.

  "That seems a little overprotective, don't you think?" Gus asked the confused nurse.

  Liam just couldn't understand how Luke and his boys stayed such good friends over the years. They constantly tortured each other. He decided there must have been a lot of fights he just didn't know about.

  Aislinn and Luke were both sitting on the hospital bed hovering over a tiny bundle when they all walked in.

  Emily and Aiden rushed forward to get a better look and Aislinn immediately started to cry. "Thank you all for coming. This is Isabelle and she wanted to meet you all."

  She turned the little pile of blankets and Liam felt a giant lump form in his throat when he got a good look at that tiny little face peeking out.

  "Isabelle, meet the family. They're going to take such good care of you," Aislinn whispered.

  Luke looked like he was about to fall over from happiness and Ash looked exhausted and purely happy all at once. They had waited so long for this beautiful little girl to arrive.

  "She's beautiful!" Emily and Aiden both gasped.

  They were itching to hold her, but Ash was looking at her father with a bright smile. "Grandpa, you ready to meet your Izzy?"

  Liam had only cried a handful of times in his long life, but never had he done so without a care as to who was watching him. Until now. The tears streamed down his cheeks as he reached for that tiny child. He held her carefully in the crook of his arm and stared down at her, blinking past the blurriness from those tears.

  "Hello, my love," he whispered and those big round eyes opened and looked up at him. Isabelle's cheeks were chubby and pink, her lips were in the shape of a bow and her dark hair looked like tiny feathers. Those big blue eyes stared up at him and her mouth opened, letting out a small cry.

  "Aye, my love. It's me. Izzy must have told you about your grandfather, but make no mistake, there's plenty of room in this old heart of mine for you to find a home." He bent forward to kiss her fuzzy head and her tiny hand yanked out of the blankets and grabbed onto his chin.

  Message received, Izzy.

  ***

  Once Aislinn was ready to sleep and little Isabelle had been passed back and forth too many times to count, they all said their goodbyes and piled into Conall's car.

  The sun was just starting to climb over the horizon and they were all exhausted, but the excitement of welcoming their new family member kept them awake and ready to face the day. Liam, Gus and Aiden sat in the back seat, all of their eagerness palpable in the small car. Con and Emily quietly sat up front, relaxed and smiling.

  "Do you think by the time our baby is ready to come, they'll have a way to sedate you and pull it out of you with no pain?" Conall asked suddenly. He glanced over at Emily, squeezing her leg before he turned his eyes back to the road.

  "Yeah, it's called a cesarean," she replied with a sweet smile. "They cut you open and pull the baby out."

  Conall shivered and shook his head. "No. Not happening."

  Emily threw her head back and laughed. "I think by then, both of us will be ready for this baby and we'll accept whatever method is available. Don't worry, Babe. I'll be fine."

  Liam watched her grab Conall's hand and lift it to her lips. His son glanced at his fiancé with all the love a man could possibly have and gently pinched her chin.

  "Love you," Con whispered.

  "I love you, too," Emily mouthed.

  Gus sighed loudly from in between Liam and Aiden. "You two make me sick, you know that? You're almost as bad as Ash and Luke."

  Aiden smacked him on the shoulder making him cringe. "Excuse me, who was the one that just said to me the other day that he loved me the second he laid eyes on me and wished he could say it a hundred times a day?"

  There was a snort from the front of the car and Liam watched both Emily and Con avoid looking in the back seat.

  "Baby, I was being honest, but if I tell you I love you in front of other people, I end up with blue balls. And I hear you laughing up there, Con, but you know it's true."

  "How is that possible? You seriously get turned on just telling me you love me?" Aiden asked skeptically.

  "Do we need to have this conversation here?" Gus asked her, wrapping his arm around Aiden's shoulders and whispering something in her ear that made her blush.

  "Hey now! None of that until we're not all confined to a small space," Con said, reaching back to smack Gus on the leg.

  They pulled up to the house a few minutes later to find a black SUV parked in the driveway. The tension in the car rose a few notches, but it was Conall that told everyone not to worry.

  "It's a friend," he said, looking anxious. "You girls better go inside, just to be safe. We'll be in shortly."

  They all climbed out of the car and Liam watched the passenger door of the SUV open to reveal a giant of a man in a black suit and sunglasses, looking like he was part of the secret service.

  "Holy shit!" Aiden gasped. "Is the president here?"

  The giant opened the back door of the SUV and Con smiled when he saw the man inside. "I'd say this is a pleasant surprise, but I have the feeling you aren't here to catch up," his son said.

  Another giant of a man climbed out of the SUV, but he wasn't near as wide as his bodyguard. His tanned skin and black hair were familiar, but Liam couldn't figure out who it could be. When the man removed his sunglasses and those dark eyes looked his way, it clicked. Liam wondered just what his oldest son was into.

  "Conall, I've come with some good news and my congratulations to your sister."

  Lucien Ripley shook Conall's hand affectionately and looked toward the front door of the house where Emily and Aiden were slowly making their way inside. Lucien looked back at Conall and said, "I'd love to see your fiancé and give her my regards."

  "I'm sure you would, but she's still of limits," Con chuckled, slapping the mob boss on the back.

  "Damn!" Lucien said with a smile.

  Conall turned to Liam. "Do you mind if he comes inside, Dad? I trust him with my life."

  Liam hesitated before nodding his approval then led the way into the house with a scowling Gus bringing up the rear. Lucien's goons stayed outside at his command.

  "I am sorry to barge in on you like this. I would have called, but I knew you were preoccupied through the night," Lucien said politely.

  "And how the hell would you have known that?" Gus bit out, crossing his arms over his chest.

  They were all standing in the foyer and Liam gestured for the man to take a seat in the living room.

  His almost black eyes darkened impossibly more, but he kept his expression polite. This was not a man you wanted to piss off. "After what happened with Emily, and once I was informed of the circumstances with your fiancé," he spoke directly to Gus, "I wanted to make sure you were all safe. I owe Conall a debt and I am a man of my word when I promise to pay a debt."

  "So this makes you both even, then? Spying on our family?"

  Liam shook his head at Gus. "Calm yourself, son. Conall trusts this man and so should we. He wouldn't be here if it wasn't important."

  Gus nodded respectfully and relaxed his expression, but his shoulders stayed tensed. "I apologize."

  "Please," Lucien said, reaching his hand out to Gus. "No apologies, I understand your concerns and I assure you that I will never bring any trouble to your family's door."

  Gus looked down at the offered hand and back up into Lucien's sincere eyes. He must have seen something in the man's expression that calmed his worries because he shook Lucien's hand and mumbled, "Thank you."

  "What's this news you have?" Con asked.

  Lucien finally sat down and folded his hands together, looking Liam's way. "Mr. Brannock, I have information regarding a certain person that was being held at the Ohio State Penitent
iary."

  Liam felt the hairs on his neck stand on end and his stomach rolled. "Was?"

  "I'll cut to the chase because I don't want you to worry. Christopher Hampton is dead."

  It took only a couple of seconds for the words to process in Liam's mind. Then, complete and utter relief swept through him. "Dead."

  Lucien nodded, a terrifying look in his eyes. He knew enough about the dangerous mob boss to understand that this was no accident. Liam knew exactly why he was the one bringing this news.

  "I assume you know this because..."

  "Because I ordered it." Lucien stated nonchalantly. That alone told Liam and his boys how very dangerous he was. "I have connections everywhere, but Ohio was never really on my radar, until I met Conall," he gestured to Con.

  "And why would meeting my brother change that?" Gus asked curiously, his animosity toward the man completely absent. He almost looked like he was impressed.

  "I make it a point to know everyone I come into significant contact with."

  Conall shook his head, but his mouth twitched with a grin. Liam knew his boys well enough to understand what was happening. They were glad the man that hurt their mother so long ago was finally gone. Their anger about what happened would never completely fade, but the weight would be lighter.

  He found himself feeling the same way.

  Lucien directed his next statement toward Liam. "Once I discovered what happened to your late wife, I wouldn't stand for it."

  "I never would have asked you-"

  "I know that, Mr. Brannock. That's why I didn't tell you beforehand and I probably shouldn't be telling you now, but I imagine it comes as a relief to know that the man who haunted your wife's younger years is now gone forever. I also imagine that you would have wanted him to suffer in prison, but I think we all know that doesn't necessarily happen to a man like him. He was climbing the ranks and it was only a matter of time before he was out, one way or the other." Lucien shrugged, "I chose to take the other way."

  Silence.

  Liam didn't know what to say. He would freely admit that he wanted Christopher dead from the very beginning, but he would have never put that into action himself. So many years had gone by with little thought to the man and Liam was content to keep it that way. His memories of Izzy weren't tainted by the bastard, but the anger for what he tried to do to her would always be there.

  "I want you to know that this was not done with the expectation of a return," Lucien said quietly. "I take care of my friends and family and Conall has become a part of that very small collection of people. So that extends to you and the rest of yours. Like I said, I will never bring trouble to your door willingly. I can't imagine my life would weave in with yours at all in the future with the exception of my connection to Conall, but that is beside the point."

  "What exactly is your connection to my son?"

  Lucien smirked and looked over at Conall. "Your son is helping me with some legal issues at the moment so I have been in frequent contact with him. But he is a good man and I need a friend like him. Someone who understands the sacrifices a man must make to get out of a bad situation. I'm not a good man, yet, but I'm trying. I don't want to do this shit much longer and if I could walk away from it now, I would in a heartbeat."

  Liam heard movement from over by the stairs and he quickly glanced over to find Emily and Aiden standing at the top, peeking through the banister.

  Lucien saw them and grinned before looking back and forth between the three Brannock men. "I wish I would have done things differently in my life, but the means just wasn't there. I took the path I did in order to survive and now I must suffer the consequences."

  "I imagine the consequences are a bitch," Gus smirked.

  Lucien burst out laughing. "Believe me, you can't imagine."

  That seemed to make Gus happy, but Lucien didn't take it personally.

  "However, there are people that rely on me, and finding the right opportunity to remove myself from this world I've been running for so long is not easy." He looked back to Liam and nodded respectfully. "I figured I would take advantage of my position to help someone I admire and trust with my life."

  Liam didn't know what to say. He valued himself for doing what was right most of the time and teaching his children right from wrong. Izzy valued it. But then there were times where they both took a darker path when it came to the people they loved.

  Liam understood sacrifice and he understood that sometimes a man has to do what a man has to do and let the pieces fall where they may. To protect his family, Liam knew exactly what he would be willing to do. Anything and everything.

  Lucien may not be the most law abiding man, but he knew how important family was.

  "Thank you, Lucien. I don't condone murder, but that son of a bitch didn't deserve to live. I'm just glad he can't hurt anyone else now." Liam looked around at his children, including the two not so stealthy women on the stairs. "My family means the world to me."

  Lucien chuckled. "Then we have something in common, sir."

  He didn't stay much longer after that. He said a few words to Emily, who had descended the stairs when she saw he was leaving. He embraced Emily in a short hug and kissed her cheek, then turned to Aiden and did the same.

  Gus tensed, but let it happen. Lucien was no threat to their family and he would have continued to believe that if Aiden hadn't fanned herself once Lucien walked out the door.

  "I think I need a cold shower," she teased, laughing when Gus grabbed her hand and dragged her up the stairs.

  Liam stood in the driveway with Conall and watched Lucien's SUV disappear down the road.

  "I don't know whether to be happy or upset," Conall sighed.

  "What do you mean?"

  Conall's brow furrowed and he looked down at the ground. "I'm happy that bastard is gone. You're right. Men like that don't deserve this life. But a part of me is upset I didn't get the chance to do it myself."

  Liam nodded, understanding completely.

  "We don't have to feel either anymore, son. It's not worth thinking about."

  They turned and walked back to the house side by side.

  Conall shrugged his shoulders. "It's like Mom always said. Time is too short to dwell on the bad things that happen. Spend it loving the good things and you'll never feel regret."

  Liam smiled.

  Izzy was always right.

  Chapter 11

  Izzy

  One week.

  It was like a countdown in Izzy's mind that refused to stop. The closer it got to the day she was supposed to leave Ireland - leave Liam - the more she felt like her world was ending.

  She had no choice but to return to her parents. Otherwise, Christopher would come looking for her. Wouldn't he? And God only knows what he would end up doing then.

  She'd forgotten to call him and every day brought a new fear that she would have to face the consequences. Consequences that should have never been an issue.

  Would that fear of him ever go away? Would she constantly be wondering if today would be the day he came for her? The day his threats became a reality?

  She needed more time. She needed to convince her parents that they didn't need Christopher to save the company and she needed to find a way to get rid of him so she never had to deal with his darkness again.

  Izzy wouldn't marry him. She knew that it would come down to her life if they tried to force her, but that wasn't the only issue. There was no way she could leave her parents to suffer when she didn't marry Christopher, and they would suffer.

  They may be ignorant and greedy and they may be undeserving of their own daughter, but they were still her parents. Every child just wants to please her parents and even when the expectation of their acknowledgement is damaged, they always find a way to build it back up. That hope for a viable return of love never goes away completely.

  It's a vicious and painful cycle.

  "Are ye alright, love?"

  Warmth spread through her entire body
at the sound of that voice. Liam pulled her closer and pressed his front to her back as they laid naked in her bed.

  "I will be," she replied, her lips leisurely curling into a smile when he moved his arm between her breasts. His warm fingers spread out and pressed against her breast bone. The sensation of being locked into safety was irresistible; she would never get enough of it.

  The two of them were inseparable over the last week and Liam spent his nights with her at the house. Sleep came during the day, more often than not, since the nights were filled with their hands and mouths all over each other. Izzy never knew it could be like this, and even though she was exhausted, she wasn't about to argue for sleep. It would come when she needed it, and right now, she needed Liam.

  He kissed the back of her neck and sighed. "Have I told ye how much I love waking up right here next to you?"

  "Mmmm, you have, but maybe tell me one more time."

  She felt him smile against her skin and he pressed soft kisses down to her shoulder.

  "I love it. I love seeing your hair glow in the morning light. I love feeling your skin pressed against mine. You're so damn soft and it's nearly impossible to keep my hands off you." His hand slid down over her stomach and between her legs, summoning a moan out of her that she just couldn't hold back. His voice was husky as he spoke to her, the sound vibrating down her spine. "But it's this right here. Knowing you're mine and I'm yours. That I can touch ye and feel ye writhe against me and that ye trust me with your body and mind."

  Izzy closed her eyes and breathed deeply. He knew exactly how to touch her and make her lose herself.

  Liam pulled his hand away and kissed her shoulder before he whispered, "Knowing that I'll never love anyone as much as I love you."

  Her eyes flickered open and her heart thudded against her chest. There was no question that they each felt strongly about the other, and over the last week, those feelings had only been fortified. But love? Her words came out on a whisper, the lump in her throat too massive to get around. "What did you say?"

  Liam kissed her neck and pressed his nose against her skin, inhaling deeply. His ragged voice paired with that sexy accent and the beautiful words he spoke, sent a tremor through her body. He spoke slowly and clearly, making sure she heard each word.