by Sheila Kell
“I know the terrible position you were in with Quinn. It’s just going to take time for me to come to terms with you delivering me to him, even after how he threatened Diana.”
“Again, I’m sorry. I don’t know what else to say to make it right between us.”
“Let’s start with giving me time.” To get off the sore subject, she asked a question. “Now that Boyle is in custody, will you and Diana go back to Ireland?” It quickly occurred to her she hadn’t added “with me.” That had nothing to do with what her brother had done.
“As soon as Minister Donnelly is arrested, yeah. Our lives are there, and I don’t want to start a new one here. We’re hoping our baby will be born in Ireland.” It occurred to her if they’d planned to stay, there’d be the whole passport issue. “Are you coming or are you staying?”
She bristled. “Why would I stay?”
“I don’t know, a tall—I can say this because I’m safe in my masculinity—handsome agent who’s in love with you.”
She wanted to be flippant and say, “Oh him,” but the idea of staying was too serious. “I’m going home.” That’s what she’d wanted these past few months.
As if sensing her need to think, her brother said goodbye and left her alone.
She loved Ireland. Her home. But she’d come to love Baltimore also. She wanted to go home; she just wasn’t ready. She wanted more time with Danny.
When she and Declan left Danny’s home a couple of nights prior, all she’d thought about was whether Danny worked for Boyle and how he’d reacted to her leaving. He’d been hurt, and that somehow made her feel her brother’s information had been wrong. But her thoughts hadn’t been because of love.
When she was in the cabin, all she thought about was Danny. But that was because she knew he could rescue her. Not because of love. And when she thought Quinn might kill her after he talked to her, all she thought of was Danny. Not because he could rescue her, but because—
She straightened. Being the last person she was thinking of before death—unless it’s the killer—must mean something. Dare she say love? She couldn’t live without him and not because of her situation. She couldn’t leave because she couldn’t leave Danny.
It boiled down to her being in love. Her body lightened as if a heavy weight had been lifted. It must’ve been denial.
“I love him,” she acknowledged out loud. Then excitedly, she said, “Oh, I have to tell him.”
“Tell who what? Do I need to get Declan back? Please say no.”
Dumbfounded, she stared.
Danny shifted his feet like a schoolboy. “I just came to check on you. I don’t know how things ended with your brother, but I wanted to be here for you.”
How sweet and thoughtful. This man was perfect. “Yes,” she blurted.
“Yes, you need me to get Declan?”
She shook her head and settled the butterflies in her stomach. “I love you, and aye, I’ll stay, assuming you can make me legal in the US.”
He walked forward, wrapped his arms around her, picked her up and spun her around.
Giggling, she enjoyed the ride.
Once he stopped, he held her until she caught her balance. He pulled back and placed his hands on her cheeks. “You’ve made me the happiest man.”
He leaned in and their lips barely touched, and she wanted to cry out, but he did it several times, as if kissing every inch of her lips. Then, his kiss deepened until he coaxed her lips to open her mouth. Complying, she accepted his tongue as the two sealed their future together.
Epilogue
When Justin arrived, Danny wasn’t surprised. They’d learned the DEA didn’t have enough to charge Boyle with conspiracy to commit murder. But Boyle had traded product with the US. So the DEA had plenty other charges they felt were strong enough to send Boyle away for a long time.
“You heard?” Justin asked, as he entered Danny’s home. The bruising had faded.
“Yeah,” Danny said, following his brother to the living room. Once seated, he asked, “What are you going to do now?”
Justin sighed and leaned forward, forearms on thighs, hands clasped tight. “I don’t know. I mean, my résumé does not inspire potential employers.”
He’d been waiting for his brother to settle and look forward. Sometimes patience won. “HIS is interviewing for a third team and for open spots on the other teams.”
The hopeful look on Justin’s face clenched his heart. His brother had suffered trying to bring down Boyle. “Don’t think they’ll give you any special treatment for being my brother. You have to earn the position.”
“Do you think they’ll even look at me after working for Boyle?”
“Explain why. It can’t hurt. I think you’re worthy of a spot on the team. Besides,” he smiled, “It’ll be nice not to be the only former DEA agent.”
“All right. I’ll do it. I mean, the worse they can do is turn me down. Right?”
“Right. Did you hear about Quinn?”
He shook his head. “Nothing after the kidnapping.”
“AJ informed me Quinn had been in deeper than everyone had expected. Emily found his Swiss bank account with an outrageous sum. How she found it, I don’t know and, like AJ, I didn’t ask.”
“What the fuck?” Justin asked.
“He was a puppet master blackmailing a good bit of parliament and high levels in the garda for favors.” When Justin nodded, he continued, “He all but ran Donnelly—his boss—who easily gave Quinn up. He had millions squirreled away.”
Justin whistled. “I never expected that. No wonder he wanted to know what Moira heard. It would’ve jeopardized everything if she’d known something incriminating. I’m glad we handed off the tape.”
“Ireland wants Quinn, and since the US only had him on kidnapping charges, they plan to send him back across the pond.” With more ministers coming forward about the blackmailing, Danny doubted Quinn would fare well in court.
“You need to go see Mom,” Justin said.
“Moira and I are planning to do it next month.
“Oh, so she’s staying?”
Danny grinned. “She is.”
Justin chuckled. “Good for you. She’s definitely a keeper.”
“That she is.” In the week since it’d all gone wrong, he and Moira had been nearly inseparable. Except for when he worked, and, like now, when she painted. She planned to become independent again with her art and save the money from her parents for the future.
Soon, she’d be down. Declan and Diana were stopping by to say goodbye. Moira was torn about their leaving and about the situation they had all endured.
“Speak of the devil,” Justin said, standing.
Danny stood and turned to view the staircase. With her hair in that messy bun thing, wearing strappy sandals, yellow capris, and a floral-print shirt, Moira was a vision. His heart did a little flip every time he saw her.
She came right to him and pressed her lips to his. It was a brief, modest kiss, but it still sent heat to his coileach. Yeah, he’d learned a few Irish words from her. He’d had to ask when she’d called his dick that.
Their sex life had become very inventive, and he loved every minute of the love and joy she brought into his life. He looked forward to the future they’d been planning, which included a large family.
A Note From Sheila
Thank you for reading Midnight Escape! If you enjoyed reading Danny and Moira’s story, I would appreciate it if you would help others enjoy this book, too. You can do that by recommending it to friends, readers’ groups, and discussion boards. It would mean a great deal to me if you’d take a moment to write a review and share how you feel about my story so others may find my work. Honest reviews help bring my books to the attention of other readers. Best news, only a few words are needed. Here’s a quick link to this book on Amazon: Midnight Escape
About The Author
Sheila Kell writes about the romantic men who leave women’s hearts pounding with a happily ever after built on memorable, adrenaline-pumping stories. Or, (since her editor tries to cut down on her long-windedness) simply “Smokin’ Hot Romance & Intrigue.” Her debut novel, His Desire (HIS Series #1), launched as an Amazon #1 romantic suspense bestseller and Top 100 overall, later winning the Readers’ Favorite award for best romantic suspense novel.
As a Southern girl who has left behind her days with the United States Air Force and as a University Vice President, she can usually be found nestled in the Mississippi woods, where she lives with her cats and all the strays that magically find her front door. When she isn’t writing, you can find Sheila with her nose in a good book, dealing with the woodland critters who enjoy her back porch, or wishing she had a genie to do her bidding.
Sheila is a proud member of Romance Writers of America.
Ways to connect
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I’d love to hear directly from you, too. Please feel free to email me at [email protected].
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Books by Sheila Kell
Hamilton Investigation & Security: HIS Series
Books do not need to be read in order, but it’s more fun if you do.
HIS DESIRE
He’s stubborn. She’s independent. Together, desire will determine their future.
Will his stubbornness prevent him from trusting the woman he desires? In Sheila Kell’s provocative novel of suspicion and need, a handsome security specialist and a feisty FBI agent are tied by grief and attraction… and the fervor of the unknown.
HIS CHOICE
Every choice requires a decision, but some choices are determined by the heart.
Will his choice mean certain death to the woman he promised to protect? In Sheila Kell’s passionate novel of deception and desire, a smoking-hot enforcer and a determined reporter are destined to make choices that will change everything.
HIS RETURN
Only his return can determine her future.
Will the actions of his past prevent him from returning to the woman in his heart? In Sheila Kell’s sensual novel of secrets and unrequited love, a wounded operative, and a strong-willed accountant have to decide if the future can only be determined by the past.
HIS CHANCE
One steamy night in Vegas will change everything.
What happens when one hot night in Vegas irrevocably changes his future? In Sheila Kell’s sexy novel of second chances and risks, a red-hot computer nerd and a stubborn ex-FBI agent are drawn together by an undeniable attraction and the chance to save lives.
HIS DESTINY
Despite their secrets, he’ll discover she’s always been his destiny.
What happens when his destiny leads him into the arms of the woman he doesn’t think he deserves? In Sheila Kell’s passionate novel of distrust and desire, a damaged man and a broken woman are connected by heartbreak and danger… and the heat of possibility.
HIS FAMILY
When family stands together anything is possible.
What happens when a man used to being in control has to call in his family to rescue the woman he loves? In Sheila Kell’s novella of danger and desire, a charismatic U.S. Senator and an assertive CEO are connected by the love they share. A love about to be ripped out from beneath them.
HIS HEART
His heart is hers.
What happens when a man is called to protect the woman who captured then crushed his heart? In Sheila Kell’s story of danger and second chances, two people are connected by a painful past and a love that is threatened.
HIS FANTASY
Fantasies can come true.
Can one man capture the heart of the one woman who walked away from him? In Sheila Kell’s novel of conspiracies and desire, a fierce protector refuses to let go of the one complicated woman whose life he feels is threatened.
A HAMILTON CHRISTMAS
While some may try, no one ruins a Hamilton family Christmas.
What happens when a family comes together for Christmas but upon arrival their vacation takes a deadly turn? In Sheila Kell’s novel of intrigue and the love of one family, three generations of Hamiltons work to solve a mystery that impacts one of their own.
Agents of HIS Series
EVENING SHADOWS
When deception leads to vengeance, it's only your heart you can trust.
When his life depends on the woman who holds secrets, can he trust their love will be enough for her to seek the truth? In Sheila Kell’s thrilling novel of deception and second chances, two operatives embark on a dangerous journey that will test them as agents, friends, and lovers.
MIDNIGHT ESCAPE
When danger hides in plain sight.
What happens when danger is where one least expects it? In Sheila Kell’s thrilling novel of desire and betrayal, a fierce protector and an artist are tied together by a potential threat from thousands of miles away.
Table of Contents
When danger hides in plain sight.
Titles by Sheila Kell
Table of Contents
Acknowledgments
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
Chapter Eight
Chapter Nine
Chapter Ten
Chapter Eleven
Chapter Twelve
Chapter Thirteen
Chapter Fourteen
Chapter Fifteen
Chapter Sixteen
Chapter Seventeen
Chapter Eighteen
Chapter Nineteen
Chapter Twenty
Chapter Twenty-One
Chapter Twenty-Two
Chapter Twenty-Three
Chapter Twenty-Four
Chapter Twenty-Five
Chapter Twenty-Six
Chapter Twenty-Seven
Chapter Twenty-Eight
Chapter Twenty-Nine
Chapter Thirty
Chapter Thirty-One
Chapter Thirty-Two
Chapter Thirty-Three
Chapter Thirty-Four
Chapter Thirty-Five
Chapter Thirty-Six
Chapter Thirty-Seven
Chapter Thirty-Eight
Epilogue
A Note From Sheila
About The Author
Books by Sheila Kell
