“My brother just texted me. He’s in St. John’s and wants me to pick him up. If anyone is looking for me, I’m gone to pick him up.”
“Don’t you think you should have one of the guys take you?” Ruby was one of the ones that could be in danger.
“My brother is one of his guys.” Ruby chuckled. “I’ll be okay. I just don’t want to disturb them.”
“Okay, but make sure you call as soon as you get to the airport.” Ian figured it was what Keith would have told her.
“I’m sure Lane will call as soon as he’s in the car. Maybe they’ll have it figured out by then.” Ruby glanced over his shoulder into the kitchen.
“With any luck,” Ian said.
Ruby headed out the door. She pulled out of the driveway and turned toward the highway leading to town.
Ian joined the girls and Crash in the living room while the group in the kitchen continued sifting through all the information they’d gotten. Lily snuggled into his side, and Grace had taken up residence on the couch to have her afternoon nap. Evie sat on the other end next to Crash. Ian rested his head back against the sofa and closed his eyes. It had been a long day, and it was going to be longer.
He hadn’t realized he’d fallen asleep until someone tapped him on the shoulder. He opened his eyes and looked into the beautiful brown eyes of the love of his life. Sandy was smiling down at him with her finger pressed against her lips.
“I don’t want to wake the girls.” She whispered. Ian lifted his head and looked down. Grace was still asleep, and Lily had her head on his leg. Ian smiled when he heard her soft snores.
“I guess we were all tired.” Ian gazed up at her.
“I know the feeling. I had to wake you to ask if you’d seen Ruby. She’s not in her room. Kim just got here and said she didn’t see Ruby today.” Sandy spoke in a whisper, but Ian could sense the concern in her voice.
“She went to the airport to get her brother. He texted her for a ride.” Ian carefully eased Lily’s head from his lap and replaced it with a pillow. When he turned to ask the time, Sandy was already racing out of the room.
“She went to get Lane at the airport,” Sandy said, as Ian followed her into the kitchen.
“Why the hell did he call Ruby instead of one of us?” Keith snapped. His brother was exhausted. Ian hadn’t seen him sleep in over twenty-four hours. Then again none of them had been sleeping very much.
“Maybe he wanted to see his sister,” Ian interjected and suddenly wished he didn’t because everyone’s head turned to look at him.
“Lane knows that fucker is here and we’re keeping everyone close. Ruby shouldn’t have left without one of the team.” Keith had his phone to his ear.
“She said she’d be fine because Lane was coming back with her,” Ian said.
“Straight to voicemail.” Keith tossed his phone on the table. “Track their phones.”
Smash started to click on the laptop keys, while Keith continued to pace. Sandy wrapped her arms around Ian’s waist, and he hugged her tightly as he kissed the top of her head.
“Ruby’s phone is off,” Smash continued to tap on the keys.
“If she went to the airport to get Lane, then we have a problem.” A voice from the hallway floated it. Ian recognized it. It was Dean Nash otherwise known as Bull, another of Keith’s men. He’d only recently gotten back to Hopedale. From what Ian understood, he’d been on leave dealing with some family issues.
“Why?” Keith called out.
Everyone turned as Bull walked in with a man Ian didn’t know but something told him by Sandy’s intake of breath the guy with his hair pulled back in a ponytail and olive color skin was Lane West.
Chapter 22
Sandy’s heart jumped in her chest when Lane walked in behind Bull. She held her breath for a moment waiting for Ruby to walk in behind him but from the expression on Bull’s face, Lane was alone.
“Fuck, fuck, fuck, fuck,” Keith growled as he stood behind Smash. “Is there a way to turn on her phone?”
“No, she has an iPhone,” Sandy said.
“What the fuck is going on?” Lane’s voice thundered raspy and deep. “Where’s Ruby?”
“She got a text asking her to pick you up at the airport,” Keith explained.
“And you let her fucking go alone. Are you out of your mind? He’s here. You remembered that, right?” Lane dropped his bag and plowed his hand through his hair.
“I didn’t fucking know she was gone. We were in the middle of going through the USB Gerry had.” Keith turned to face Lane. “She told my brother she’d be okay cause she was picking you up.”
“How fucking stupid do you have to be to let her go alone?” Lane snapped.
“Watch it, Shadow,” Bull growled.
“I thought your brothers were cops. Don’t they have any training?”
“First of all Lane, not all Keith’s brothers are cops, second, Ian is a doctor and not used to what we deal with, and third, I’d like you to meet the love of my life, Ian O’Connor.” Sandy wasn’t allowing Lane to treat Ian with disrespect. “And as much as I love Ruby, she shouldn’t have left without one of the guys. She was aware of the danger.”
“Look, I’m really sorry, Lane.” Ian reached out his hand to shake Lane’s hand only for the ass to slap it away.
“You should be.” Lane snapped and lunged toward Ian but before Sandy knew what happened Bull pinned Lane against the wall.
“You don’t want to do this, Shadow,” Bull warned. “First, he’s Rusty’s brother. Second, your niece and his daughters are sleeping in the living room, and third do you remember when you challenged Keith, well, Ian was trained by the same Uncle. He’ll give your ass the beating it needs.”
Sandy tensed as she waited for Lane to make a choice. It pissed her off he would act so hostile toward Ian. Especially with Ruby possibly missing. Ian tensed as if he was ready to knock Lane on his ass. Sandy moved in front of him and gently placed her hands against his chest. His heart thudded, but his body did relax a little with her touch.
“Shadow, stand down, or I’ll give you another shit knocking.” Keith’s voice rumbled from across the room.
“I’ve already lost one fucking sister, and you expect me to be calm about someone being so careless with her safety.” Lane pushed Bull back. “You’ve got no fucking idea what it feels like.”
Sandy heard enough. Tessa may not have been her sister, but she loved her like one, and she knew exactly how he felt.
“Just one God damn minute, Lane. We all lost Tessa, and yes she wasn’t my sister, but she was my best friend and Keith’s wife. You have no right to say we don’t know what it’s like to lose her because I still can’t breathe when I think about what he did to her and how he took Evie’s mother. You have no right to turn on the people who are trying to catch the bastard that did this.” Sandy tipped her head all the way back so she could look up and meet his eyes. “Stop. Being. An. Ass.” With the last four words, she poked him in the chest with every word.
At first, he glared at her, but she glared right back. None of the guys she worked with scared her. She’d faced off with all of them at one point or another. The room had gone completely quiet except the sound of the television drifting in from the living room.
“It’s good to see you haven’t changed.” Lane pulled her in for a hug.
“Never.” He was like a brother to her as well, but she hadn’t seen him in a few years. He’d been spending his time trying to track Scott.
“I’d like to apologize to you, Ian. Ruby should’ve known better.” Sandy stepped back as Lane reached out his hand.
“I think we’re all wound a little tight.” Ian shook it, and Sandy stepped into his arms.
She needed to get away from the kitchen. She helped Ian tuck the girls into bed. It was getting loud with more and more of Ian’s family showing up to get news. Lane had sat with Evie for a little while until she fell back to sleep. As they walked out of the girl's room, Ian grabbed her
hand and dragged her into her bedroom.
“I just need a minute with you alone.” Ian closed the bedroom door and pulled her into his arms. She closed her eyes and snuggled into his warm body. With his arms wrapped around her, she just wanted to melt into him and forget everything.
“You must be exhausted.” Ian’s breath blew across her ear making her shiver.
“Exhausted is an understatement.” She whispered.
“Maybe we should lay down for a bit. I’m sure nobody would mind.” Ian started to walk her back toward the bed.
“If we lay down right now I can’t guarantee I’ll be sleeping.” His scent filled her nose as she pressed her lips against his bare chest through the opening of his shirt. Ian moaned and slid his hands down her back and cupped her ass giving it a hard squeeze. She squeaked when she felt his hard cock against her belly.
“I’m not opposed to doing more than sleeping,” Ian whispered while he nipped the outer edge of her ear.
“Ah…. I love when you do that.” Ian lifted her, and she wrapped her legs around his waist.
Ian sat on the bed with her straddling his legs, and she wanted to make all their clothes disappear that very minute. Her mouth covered his, and she tangled her fingers into his hair. She loved the thick waves and the way he groaned when she pulled it.
Just as he grabbed the bottom of her shirt, her phone vibrated in her back pocket. For a moment she was going to let it go to voicemail, but Ian pulled the phone from her pocket and handed it to her.
“You know you’ve got to answer it.” He flopped back on the bed.
“You hold that thought.” Sandy glanced at her phone. Ruby’s number was on her screen requesting video call. “What the hell is she doing?”
“Who?” Ian sat up and looked at her phone as she accepted the call but when the call connected it wasn’t Ruby on the screen. Sandy’s heart almost stopped
“ Hello, Alexandra.” She hated her name but coming out of his mouth made her want to vomit.
“Where’s Ruby, Scott?” Sandy was on her feet and halfway down the stairs in seconds.
“Not even a how are you? When did you become so rude?.” Scott sat in a huge armchair as if he didn't have a care in the world.
“Where’s Ruby?” Sandy stood at the entrance to her kitchen. All eyes turned to her, and she held up her hand to keep them quiet.
“This must be the asshole’s brother.” Sandy felt Ian behind her, and she turned the phone so Scott couldn’t see him.
“Where’s Ruby?” Sandy wasn’t giving into him.
“You sound like a broken record, Alexandra.” Before she had a chance to say anything else Keith snatched her phone from her hand.
“Scott, I’m gonna find you, and when I do, I’ll make sorry you were ever born. Now where the fuck is Ruby?”
“She’s entertaining one of my friends.” Sandy had to swallow down the bile that rose in her throat.
“You sick fucking bastard. Let my sister go.” Lane grabbed the phone from Keith.
“Oh, we have the whole team. Fuck you, Lane.” Keith cursed when Lane showed him the screen. Scott ended the call, and Keith checked to see if Smash could track the call, but from the look on his face, they were out of luck.
What the hell did he mean Ruby was entertaining his friend? She knew what that meant, and the tears flowed down her cheeks. Ian pulled her into his arms and guided her out of the kitchen before anyone saw. Would she ever see Ruby alive again?
Chapter 23
It was almost four in the morning when Sandy finally fell asleep. Ian wasn’t going to get any sleep, so he left her in the room and joined everyone in the kitchen. The only guys left were Lane, Smash and of course, his brother. Keith paced the floor looking down at a tablet in his hand. He didn’t even seem to notice anything around him.
“Coffee,” Lane held up the pot, and Ian nodded.
“I think Rusty’s soon gonna crash,” Lane whispered when he handed Ian a cup.
“I’m sorry about your sister.” Ian had to say it.
“Which one?” Lane asked.
“We’ll get Ruby back.” Ian tried to assure Lane but what did he know? Sure they’d had some crazy shit going on over the past few years with John’s and James wives but nothing like this.
“Oh dear, God.” Bull chuckled. He was peering out the window shaking his head. Ian followed Keith, Lane and Smash to the window to see something he expected but not at five in the morning.
“What the fuck is Nan doing here at this hour?” Keith groaned, but it wasn’t just his grandmother. It was Nanny Betty and Tom, and they were unloading boxes from the trunk of Tom’s car.
“Smash, come on let's go give them a hand. I’ve learned if she’s here, chances are, that trunk is full of food.” Bull chuckled as he headed out of the kitchen.
“I swear, I love that woman.” Smash sauntered out behind Bull.
Lane looked nervous as Nanny Betty scurried in and began to order everyone around. Ian was so used to his grandmother he didn’t give it a second thought when she started. It was hard for him to see it from someone else’s point of view.
“We got lots a grub here fer ya. All ya boys get somethin’ ta eat and sleep. Keithy, I don’t want to hear a'nudder word. Off ta bed wit ya.” Nanny Betty pointed her bony finger toward the stairway.
“Nan, I’ve got things to do.” Ian pressed his lips together to keep from laughing when Keith dared to defy their grandmother.
“Doncha dare say no. Now get yer arse ta bed.” Nanny Betty yanked Keith’s phone out of his hand. “Ya won’t help anyone by droppin’ down in a heap. Upstairs, before I bust yer arse.”
Keith wasn’t going to win, any argument with Nanny Betty. It was probably why his brother didn’t say another word but held out his hand for his phone as he walked out of the kitchen.
“Ya don’t need dis wakin’ ya up every second.” Nanny Betty held the phone tightly in her hand.
“I’m waiting for an important call.” Keith should have known better.
“I’ll give it ta one a da boys. Now get.” Nanny Betty turned to look at Lane. He stared wide-eyed at the door where Keith had disappeared. “Here, young fella. Ya watch dis.” She held up Keith’s phone. “Ya know our Sandy’s sister could give ya a good trim on dat mop head.”
Lane’s expression as he watched Nanny Betty and Tom lay out the food was how everyone looked at his grandmother when they first met her. One of confusion, shock and a little bit of fear. Bull and Smash were on the other side of the room obviously trying to keep their amusement to themselves.
“Ya know I could probably call her fer ya. I didn’t like her when she was datin’ our Johnny, but she’s grown up a lot, and she’s like part a da family now.” Nanny Betty continued to talk to Lane.
“Thanks... Um … I’ll pass.” Lane stammered as his gaze darted back and forth between Ian and Nanny Betty. It was as if he was asking for help.
“Nan, I think Lane likes his hair long.” Ian couldn’t let the guy suffer anymore even if he was kind of rude in the beginning.
“Ta each dere own.” That was her way of saying she didn’t like it.
An hour later Sandy's house was full of people. Of course, chances were they got wind of Nanny Betty’s huge feast, and it was Sunday. This meant Sandy’s house got invaded with the entire O’Connor clan.
Lane seemed annoyed by all the people and sat in the corner behind Smash. Keith had obviously needed the sleep because he hadn’t come down since Nanny Betty sent him to bed. The only thing bothering Ian was Evie kept asking where Ruby was, and everyone basically avoided her question. Sandy was the only one to give the child any answers.
“Evie, Auntie Ruby had to go somewhere for a couple of days,” Sandy told the little girl as she lifted her into her arms. Something about seeing Sandy with the little girl made his heart hurt. Evie lost her mother and now possibly her aunt.
“Someone better have a good explanation for this.” Everyone turned to see a furious K
urt O’Connor. “How could all of you be so stupid?”
“Now Kurt, watch yer tone.” Nanny Betty nodded toward Evie and Sandy.
“Where’s Keith?” Although his expression changed at the sight of Evie, his tone didn’t.
“I sent him ta get some sleep.” Nanny Betty said.
“Ian, outside.” Kurt turned and left the kitchen. Ian didn’t know what he wanted to talk to him about, but he followed.
The sun had come up, and although there was a chill in the air, it seemed like it was going to be a beautiful day. At least weather-wise. Ian turned to face his uncle and knew he was about to get an earful.
“What the hell is wrong with you boys?” Kurt's fists rested on his hips, and his head tilted to the side. It reminded him of the way his father would yell at them when they were misbehaving as kids.
“Uncle Kurt, I’m sure Keith was going to get in touch with you first thing this morning, but Nan sent him to bed.” Ian realized it sounded as stupid out loud as it did in his head.
“Really, that big overgrown man went to bed because his grandmother told him to?” Kurt said.
“Have you met your mother?” Ian asked sarcastically. “Would you say no to her?”
“Jesus Christ. You’ve got a point, but one of you should’ve called.” Kurt sighed. “What do they know?”
“Nothing. Scott called using Ruby’s phone last night, but they couldn’t get a lock on it, and as far as I know, it’s off now.” Kurt plowed his hands through his gray hair.
“Keith’s walking a fine line with me these days. He’s always kept me in the loop, but with this, he’s stepping over the line.”
“It’s personal to him, Uncle Kurt.” Ian realized he probably shouldn’t say anything but Kurt was pissed, and since his uncle was the Superintendent of the Hopedale Police Department it wouldn’t be a good thing to be on the wrong side of the law.
“I’m sure there’s a story there, and from the look on Keith’s face right now it’s one he hasn't told anyone but you.” Ian turned, and Keith stood behind him fists clenched at his sides.
Dangerous Secrets (O'Connor Brothers Book 3) Page 19
