“I better go. Work to be done and the boys are ready. I’ll see you soon.”
“Okay, I’m glad you called.”
He wiped his hand over his face as if emotion was biting at him. “Me too. Bye, baby.”
“Luke!” She caught him before he hung up but wasn’t sure what was left to say. “Be safe.”
He smiled with a sigh and nodded, and both sat staring in silence for a moment, then she hit the red button and disconnected.
When the line was dead, and she could no longer hear, he whispered, I miss you too. If anything on this trip had become abundantly clear, it was that.
CHAPTER 13
Daisy didn’t hear from Luke after their one and only call. It had been two days since they spoke when she heard from Liam and City that they had zeroed in on where Carter was, and that his rescue was underway. Liam assured her that they were the best at what they did, and he’d be watching virtually, offering whatever support they needed. When she asked if she could be in the lair, when the rescue went down, he told her it wasn’t a good idea.
She knew why. This was danger of epic proportions. Who knew what they were walking into? Despite the best intel and being who they were, there were always risks. She witnessed first-hand the quality of people involved and knew that if they could so blatantly kill a man in the middle of a high society party full of the most powerful people in the country without a blink of an eye…they wouldn’t hesitate to take a shot at an O’Reilly.
She went to bed, feeling especially ill, maybe from worry, or maybe because the food poisoning had taken its toll. She had fallen asleep in Luke’s bed, in his shirt, holding his pillow tight as she had each night since she left. She found comfort in his surroundings, the scent of him everywhere, and said a little prayer before drifting off, hopeful there would be good news in the morning.
Sometime, later in the night, long after she’d given in to sleep, the bed dipped behind her. She stirred from her from sleep, but a familiar strong, warm, frame cradled her, with his arm wrapping around her, holding her tight.
“Luke…”
“Shhh…” He kissed her head, not once, but twice, so damn glad be home. “Go back to sleep.”
“What time is it?”
“Almost sunrise. Go back to sleep, baby.” And he kissed her again, unable to get enough of her despite his all-consuming embrace.
A tear escaped, and there was emotion in her whisper. “I’m so glad you’re home. I was so worried. Is Carter…?”
“He’s in bad shape, but he’s going to be okay. We can talk about it tomorrow. Right now, I just need to hold you.” His hand drifted from her hip to her ribs, then back again. “You feeling any better? You’ve lost weight.”
“I’ll be fine. How about you?” She looked over her shoulder, his face hard to read in the shadows cast by the moonlight creeping in.
“I’ll be fine after some sleep, you do the same.” He pulled her even closer, as if there had been space between them. “This makes it all better.”
Daisy relaxed back into her pillow and nestled her back to his front, allowing his warm embrace to comfort her while she drifted back to sleep. It was a little easier now that he was home.
Luke took Gibson for a run the following morning, allowing Daisy a little more rest. She needed it after the ferocious bout of food poisoning she had. That combined with the stress she’d been under, she was exhausted. He needed a good run and it was if Gibby knew – she ran hard right along with him.
It was good to be back, sleeping with her in his arms. He slept good for the first time in nearly a week. He needed her. He didn’t like that he did, but what could he do now? When all that they were dealing with was over, things would get complicated. Luke tried to avoid feeling anything for Daisy, even tried to convince her he was no good. But somehow, they ended up here – complicated.
Having a life with anyone was never in the cards for him because he couldn’t, not with the life he led and things he had done. People like him do life alone, and he had been content with being alone, until now. The odd part was, he no longer saw himself as a one-night stand kind of guy. Daisy ruined him – for better and for worse – who the hell knew what was next?
They had time, though. Brother’s Keeper wasn’t done yet. It wasn’t clear if they had all the players in the Senators death, or in Carters disappearance. As a US Attorney, there would be hell to pay for what they did to him. Playing with reason, Luke pondered what it would mean if they did have all of the suspects, and slam dunk case. It would still take months, even years, before it went to trial. He didn’t have to make any decisions now – and he wouldn’t until he had to. He’d do his best to keep from falling deeper, but how?
He ran harder, faster, punishing himself for wanting to keep her. After what he had done over the years, hell what he had done in the last few days…he didn’t deserve her. He didn’t deserve someone to come home to, to keep his bed warm and heart full.
If she knew, she wouldn’t want him, no one would. He had subscribed to that life, settled with the idea that it was his destiny. He was a soldier, made to do what he did. He was the enforcer, for good, but that didn’t matter. There was blood on his hands. There was blood everywhere. Thanks to him. It was his job, it was what he did. Sometimes he broke a nose, sometimes he took a life and he always did it without hesitation.
Daisy was something he never knew he wanted, didn’t think he could have. Even if he did, he couldn’t imagine his life any other way. He was committed to his work. Righting wrongs at any and all costs without guilt because the world was a better place after he was done whether he put people behind bars of six feet under. He was the enforcer, a soldier. His skeletons were piled high, and he lived without regret. Until now because the life he lived – the life he was born to live – may cost him the very thing he didn’t know was made for him. Daisy was made for him, but he couldn’t have her. He was too broken, dark, and she was the light.
At the end of the waterfront he came to a quick stop, lungs burning, legs aching, especially the leg that cost him his career. While Gibson drank from the fountain, he paced back and forth trying to collect himself. He’d acknowledged and faced all of his issues in a single run but was no closer to resolution than when he began. His life was no longer simple. He was the same man, a soldier, but he no longer knew what he wanted or how to be the man Daisy needed him to be.
He walked back to Watermark to give Gib a break and give himself more time to pull his head out of his own ass. Sweet Hooligans Bakery was in the Watermark building as one of the street level retail shops. He grabbed a box full of her favorite donuts—hoping she’d indulge. He didn’t like that she became so pale and gaunt in such a short time…maybe the donuts would help with that.
It struck him in that moment that he knew something like that – knew her likes and dislikes. Her habits. It was another one of those moments most couples would high-five over, but for Luke, it was a reminder of what he would have to somehow learn to forget when their time together was over. Rather than find a solution to his dilemma and a way out that would spare both him and Daisy, he found more reasons to be together, which translated into more opportunities that would ultimately end in hurt – for both of them.
It was quiet when he walked into their apartment. He’d expected to find her on the balcony, taking in the sunshine, and writing her song. Odd. Was she still asleep? He went to his room looking for her, only to find her splashing cool water on her face in the bathroom.
With a gentle knock to the door frame, he caught her attention which earned him a wide smile when she saw him.
“Are you okay?” he asked, concern laced in his words.
“Oh, yeah. Just brushed my teeth.” She shrugged off his concern.
A lie he thought, he was trained to read people. He knew she had been sick, but she looked more tired and frail than the evening they Facetimed. Worry settled in – she was tiny to begin with and didn’t have much to lose.
“Are y
ou sure? It’s been days since the taco’s. Maybe we need to have you seen.” He sat the box of donuts on a credenza just outside the bathroom and walked in to meet her.
“No. I’ll be fine, promise. I feel better today. Just don’t have my appetite back. I think it was actually a bug or something – not the taco’s. City has it too.” Another shrug as if she hadn’t given it a second thought or worry.
That was a lie too. She didn’t feel better, if anything it was worse. If he wasn’t already glad to be back, he was now. A sudden urge to take care of her overwhelmed him and it took all he had in him not to scoop her up and put her back in bed. He decided to put his arms around her and pull her close instead.
“There was a text.” Luke decided to change the subject until he had a better idea what to do. “Since the boys and I ruined Sunday dinner, Ma wants to have it have it today if you’re up to it?”
“Sure. Sunday dinner on Tuesday. Sounds good to me.”
“Actually, she’s calling it Tuesday huddle – after lunch – but before dinner. Apparently, it’s different and more casual.”
“Sunday’s are pretty casual.”
“In case you haven’t noticed, Ma lives in a slightly different world than the rest of us.”
When Daisy tossed her head back and laughed, that pinch in his chest ached again. He loved the sound of her laugh.
Holding her like he was made him want to change their afternoon plans. Just like he loved the sound of her laugh, he loved the feel of her in his arms. “If you’d rather stay in…”
“No, I’ll be fine.” Daisy looked up and brushed his hair from his forehead, not missing the concern in his eyes. “Like I said, I’m feeling much better. Besides, your Ma will just bring it all here if we don’t show up.”
Another lie, he thought. She didn’t feel better, she just didn’t want him to worry. A family gathering would provide enough distraction for her to fly under the radar.
“Okay. It’s at Liam’s.” Luke added, trying to put his mind elsewhere. “She wants an update on Carter. I think she’s just using Liam to get Carter on one of his big screens in his home office, so it feels like he’s there and she can drive him crazy remotely.”
“Remotely? He isn’t here?”
“No. We detoured to McKenzie Ridge General Hospital. We have friends there that will keep his presence quiet. He’ll need to take a minute and heal some busted up ribs and stuff anyway.”
“He needed a hospital.” She said as a statement rather than a question. The guilt she was feeling became evident. He took that beating to protect her.
“He said he didn’t but it’s better to keep him there for a few days to heal, and to keep him away from the lair. He’ll try to jump back on the case.”
“McKenzie Ridge – that’s where your sister lives.” She’d learned a lot about the friends and family in McKenzie Ridge from her long visits with Colleen and even Lydia who had family there too.
“Carigan, yes. It’s about four hours from here. Called in favors, he’s in his own room in a secluded part of the hospital with protection.”
“You hid him?” she questioned, the concern growing in her tone.
“For now – until we know more. It’s better to be safe than sorry, right?”
“That’s good.” Her words lacked confidence, and her dropped as she stared off. “I can’t help but feel responsible.”
“You didn’t kill the senator, Daisy. This isn’t your fault.”
“I know it’s silly, but they were looking for me.”
Luke pulled her close, wrapping her in his arms and kissed the top of her head. Though he didn’t blame her for what had happened, he understood why she felt the way she did. If he could take that stress and pain away from her, he would. In an instance.
With her head on his chest, she wished they could stay there like that forever. It was so good to have him back, she didn’t think she’d be able to let him go again. “Do you need to get to the lair?”
“No, Liam is still working on leads – using that software to find what he’s looking for. The committee overseeing its development will be back later this week, so he’s giving it a good workout. If anything, good can come from all of this, I guess it’s that we’re able to use this experience to better a product that will improve national security.”
“Wow. Impressive. Saving the world, are you?” she laughed, but read between the lines. This wasn’t a win for the good guys. “You don’t think you got the right guys then.”
Luke shook his head, confirming her suspicion. “It was too easy of a fight once we found Landry. Just a bunch of cartel muscle. There weren’t any major players there. We know who they all are and who they work for. It’s like they were nothing more than hired help – bodyguards. They don’t know anything.”
“They’re in jail?”
He laughed. “More like a super-max prison. Highest security prison there is. Zero contact with anyone inside or outside while they’re being…interrogated. They’ll probably never get out. What they did to Carter alone gets them life in there – he’s a US Attorney.”
“Now to find the smoking gun.”
“You let us worry about that – we’re close. We’re really close.” He pulled away and turned to the bedroom, where Gibson was laying on the bed, fast asleep. “Right now, I’m thinking Gibby has the right idea.
“You wore her out, huh?”
“Yeah, it was good for both of us. We needed it. I can’t believe I’m saying this, but I think I’m going to join her. Want to nap with us?”
Daisy laughed. “I thought you’d never ask, but first…you shower.”
“Good idea. I did run pretty hard.” Without hesitation, he started to remove his clothes and toss them in a nearby hamper. The hungry stare Daisy pinned on him gave him another good idea. “You should join me – you were hugging me and stuff.”
“Are you saying I’m…dirty, Luke O’Reilly?” She ran her hand down the front of him, her eyes trailing the path. The affect she had on him was evident by the time her hand reached his already hard length.
“I’ll say anything you want as long as you keep doing that thing with your hand right now and join me in that shower.”
“Luke O’Reilly, you better get me in that shower, then take me to bed.” She snaked her hands around his neck as he lifted her from the ground and wrapped her around his waist.
They had lost time to make up for.
Showering, was just one of those things. It was right up there with brushing your teeth and using deodorant, people did as part of a routine. On this day, however, it became one of Luke’s favorite things to do with his lady.
Snuggled in bed, her body wrapped around his, she went right to sleep. He didn’t need a nap, or want one for that matter, but knew Daisy wouldn’t take one herself unless it was for him. She still wasn’t feeling well and was lying about it, this was his remedy for the situation. Maybe it was just a bug, City had it too, after all, the stress was getting to her. It was certainly getting to him. He’d lay in bed in the middle of the morning for a few hours if it’s what she needed.
He held her tight and wondered how he was supposed to let her go and never think about her again. How it would feel to not know where she was, how she was doing, if she was feeling okay? How would he let her go and have a normal life?
He’d be no different than his brother Dace – chasing after a girl for years that he couldn’t let go. Was that the shape his life was taking? Running off for days at a time looking for Daisy like Dace did Ivy? Dace was miserable – the unhappiest asshole he knew. Was that his destiny too? His mind wandered, and he wondered if that was the only way. If despite all he had done, there was a way for them to have a forever because he was beginning to want one.
CHAPTER 14
As predicted, Carter was live on Facetime, on a large screen in Liam’s home office. With the bruises they saw in that original text fading to yellow, and new bruises a brilliant purple, the boys teased that Carters
stitches weren’t noticeable at all. It was also pointed out that his fat lip appeared barely there because his swollen black eye offset the imbalance.
“Collie, turn away.” Carter instructed, to which she complied, and when she did, he generously flipped the O’Reilly boys the bird. “Okay, you can look now.”
“I’ll give you that one for free, Carter Landry, next time you lose dessert and I’ll make sure it’s a night I make your favorite.” Colleen knew exactly why he asked her to turn away, having raised five rowdy boys, there was no fooling her.
Her tone turned emotional, which translated to bossy. “Get home, boyo! Ya hear me? I’d like to have all my boys home for a change.”
And with that, she left the office to tend to the meal they were about to have. Carter was in good spirits, on the mend, but it was hard to see anyone in the condition he was in. When Colleen called everyone to eat and told them to let him rest so he can get back to Watermark, they each said their goodbyes. Home for Carter was Washington DC these days, but if you asked Colleen O’Reilly, Portland was home for everyone she loved.
“Daisy.” He called out, before the video call was ended. “Can you stay a moment?”
Liam stood, giving her the chair to his desk and left her alone to speak to Carter.
“Hey, Luke?” he said, causing Daisy to look around the empty room. “I know you’re there, man. C’mon in.”
To Daisy’s surprise, Luke popped his head in with a sly smile before he pulled up a chair next to Daisy. “Caught me. Sorry, just…”
“Just doing you, man.” Carter laughed. “It’s fine – you should hear it too.”
Anxiety flooded Daisy, he had some sort of news and for the first time she wasn’t sure which way she wanted it to go. Best case, her days there were numbered because they caught the killer. Worst case…her days were numbered because they caught the killer.
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