“It’s personal, and it’s not something that’ll help with finding Ruby. So drop it.” Keith snapped.
“Watch your tone with me, young man. All I want to know is why you didn’t report this or call one of your brothers or me?” Kurt asked.
“I was going to call you,” his brother began.
Ian left Keith to deal with Kurt while he headed inside. Stephanie and Marina had wrangled all the kids and were playing with them in Sandy’s backyard. Bull, Trunk, and Hulk were outside with them as well. The guys were around so long now they were almost like brothers. He trusted them nearly as much as he trusted his family.
For a moment he just watched the kids running around. The three babies sat on a huge blanket spread out on the grass. It filled him with joy to see his two little girls playing with their cousins. He was still worried Lily was keeping her feelings inside, but all he could do was be there for her when she was ready to talk.
“They’re settling in pretty well,” James said from behind him.
“Yeah,” Ian said.
“They’re O’Connors, and that means they have strength.” Ian felt a familiar hand on his shoulder and turned. His father beamed at the kids.
“What are you doing here, Dad?” Ian asked before he thought about it.
“A.J. called us and let us know what was going on. I figured with all the family here; we could keep the kids occupied while they work on finding that poor girl.” It was probably a good plan, but Ian wondered if Sandy felt invaded by everyone in her place. Her house was big, but the O’Connors could fill a place pretty quickly, even one as big as hers.
“Evie seems to be enjoying herself.” Ian should have known his mother wasn’t far away. She linked her arm into Ian’s and rested her head on his shoulder.
“I think she’s formed a bond with Lily.” Ian had seen the two little girls enjoy most of the same things in the last few days.
“That’s a good thing, Ian.” His mother kissed his cheek and joined the kids and her daughter-in-laws outside.
It was an incredible thing, but if they didn’t find Ruby, it was going to be devastating. What would happen to Evie? She'd end up somewhere else, and Lily and her wouldn’t be able to see each other. That would probably kill Sandy. Ian wasn’t normally a negative person, but from everything he’d learned about Scott, Ruby was in grave danger. It sent chills through his body to think this crazy man wanted to hurt Sandy.
Another day passed without finding Ruby, and the tension was getting to a point where everyone was snapping at everyone else. Ian was doing his best to keep his irritation in check, but it wasn’t easy. It also wasn’t good for the girls to be around so much stress. Lily asked several times why everyone was so angry. He’d tried to make her feel more at ease, but it was hard when Keith and Lane were always snapping at someone.
“I’ve got an idea.” Ian looked up from the game he was playing with Grace. James and John were crouched down next to them.
“It was actually mom’s idea, and I agree with her,” James smiled down at Grace.
“You’re all ticking time bombs here and with good reason, but you know as well as I do the kids don’t need to be around this,” John said.
“I know it’s not a weekend or anything. Keith’s going to send two of the guys with them and you know that means they’ll be safe.”
“With Steph and Marina still on maternity leave, it would be easy for them to take off. I’d feel better with them and the kids somewhere safe.” John continued.
“Will you get to the point.” Ian groaned.
“The cabin,” John said, and Ian didn’t need him to explain. It was the family’s summer home. It was once where his grandmother and grandfather lived before Granda Jack passed away.
“Steph and Marina are going to take all the kids to the cabin by themselves?” Ian was a little surprised that his brothers would agree to their wives being so far away when they could be possible targets for a psychopath.
“No, Dad, Mom, Kristy, Jess, Tom and Nanny Betty are going with them,” James said.
“I don’t know.” Ian wasn’t sure how the girls would handle being away since they’d only been with him a few weeks.
“I know you’re worried about being separated from them but don’t you think it’s better for them to be away from all this shit? The girls will be safe, and we can all concentrate on catching this bastard.” John was right, and Ian knew it.
“Let me ask Lily and gauge her reaction.” Ian picked up Grace and stood up. When he glanced at his brothers, he knew someone had already asked Lily.
“I’m sorry, bro. Danny and Mason were so excited they blurted it out to Lily and Evie when we got here.” James shrugged his shoulders.
“So they’re taking Evie too.” Ian knew the answer when he glanced out in the back yard. Evie and Lily were jumping up and down with James’ two boys.
“Marina figured it would be better for Lily,” James said.
“I guess it’s all been taken care of then.” Ian looked down at Grace. She was chewing on her fingers and staring out at the kids in the yard. “Do you want to go spend the weekend with Nanny and Poppy O’Connor?” Ian asked the baby. She stared at him, and it made him smile. Her big blue eyes sparkled as she babbled something that he wished he could understand.
“I think that settles it. Gracie’s on board with it.” John laughed.
“Oh, so you understand baby talk now.” Ian chuckled.
“I’m an expert in all babbling. Olivia’s a good teacher,” John said.
He stood in the driveway as the four SUV’s drive off with his daughters and their cousins. Bull, Hulk, and Crunch were with them as well. Although, his cousin Kristy wasn't too happy about Bull driving the SUV with her in it and Bull didn’t seem too happy either.
He’d had a shouting match with Keith over it and only gave in when Nanny Betty intervened. For some reason, Bull had become Nanny Betty’s favorite. She convinced him to go since she was also riding with Kristy.
“I get the feeling something is going on between those two.” Sandy chuckled as she wrapped her arms around his waist and watched the vehicles disappear onto the highway.
“If there is, Bull, needs all the luck he can get.” Ian kissed the top of her head as he tucked her under his arm.
“They’ll be alright,” Sandy said. She must have sensed his apprehension.
“I miss them already,” The girls had moved into the corner of his heart and taken it over.
“Maybe by the time they get back, this will all be over,” Sandy said. “They aren’t coming back until Sunday. Which means we have five and a half days to catch Scott and get Ruby back.”
“Let’s do this.” Ian turned her around, and they walked into her house.
Chapter 24
Sandy jolted up in the bed. Another nightmare of the night Scott had shot her, but this time Ruby stood in front of her full of blood and blaming her for everything. She glanced over to the other side of the bed. Ian was staring up at her. For the last two nights, he’d been waking her up from nightmares and holding her after.
“Do you want to talk about this one?” Ian sat up and pulled her into his arms.
“Ruby was there blaming me for everything.” Sandy swallowed hard. She didn’t have time to be emotional about all this.
“Just so you know, none of this is your fault,” Ian whispered.
Sandy nodded, but she wasn’t sure he was right. If she hadn’t asked Scott about Tessa that night, he never would have gone after her. Evie would have her mother and Sandy would have her little girl.
A couple of deep breaths and she managed to keep the tears from starting again. She glanced out through the window. The sun was just coming over the horizon. It was time to get up and face the day.
“Why don’t you try and get a little more sleep? I’m gonna jump in the shower and head downstairs. Maybe there were some developments overnight.” Ian kissed her cheek and got out of bed. She watched him saunter into the
bathroom. The man’s ass made her want to squeeze and bite every inch of it. She was about to jump out of bed and join him, but her phone buzzed.
She snatched it off the side table and looked at the screen. She didn’t recognize the number, and her heart began to pound. She tapped the screen and put the phone to her ear. The first thing she heard was Ruby’s cries for help.
“No, please no,” Ruby begged. “Stop, please.” Then there was a long scream.
“Ruby,” Sandy yelled into the phone.
“Ruby can’t come to the phone right now. She’s entertaining.” She knew that voice.
“Scott, let her go. She didn’t do anything to you. It’s me you want.” Sandy knew it was a stupid thing to say.
“Yes, I do. I want to hear you scream just like this.” Ruby screamed again, and Sandy started to shake. “You really like that don’t you, Rubes?”
“Please, stop.” Ruby sounded weak, but she was alive.
“Tell Sandy you want her to make this stop.” Scott was so sadistic it made Sandy want to vomit.
“Sandy, help me, please.” Ruby cried into the phone. Then another scream.
“Scott, what do you want?” She really should be letting someone know he was on the phone but she wasn’t taking a chance he would hang up before he gave her something.
“I want to make you suffer. I’ve been on the run for nearly nine years because of you and that fucking prick. I’m going to make you both suffer.” He growled into the phone.
“Then come get me. Hurting Ruby isn’t going to make you feel any better. I’m the one you want to make scream. Come get me, Scott.” Sandy taunted.
“Do you think I’m really that stupid? I come get you and one of those fuckers come out and kill me.” He was right. Nobody was going to let him near the house.
“Then I’ll come to you, but you have to let Ruby go.” Sandy was playing with fire.
“You’d trade yourself for her?” Another scream from Ruby.
“I’ll trade myself for Ruby.” What was she saying? Ian was going to be furious, and Keith was going to kick her in the ass, but she didn’t know what else to do. It was her fault Ruby was in this situation.
“Yeah, and then your boys come charging in. I told you I’m not stupid.”
“No, I won’t let them know. Scott, I’ll even leave my phone here and my weapon.” What the hell was she saying? She was going completely against her training as a police officer and the training she received from Newfoundland Security Services.
“You’re really going to trade your life for Ruby?” Scott seemed shocked, but then he laughed. “Now I get it. You feel guilty for Tessa’s death.”
“Just tell me where to meet you and when. I’ll be there. Then you let Ruby go. She has nothing to do with this.” While she waited for him to respond, she ran scenarios of how to pull it off through her head. Scott was quiet for what seemed like forever, and Sandy kept glancing at the bathroom door to make sure Ian didn’t hear her conversation. She could hear the water shutting off, and she started to pace. “Scott, do we have a deal?”
“Keep your phone close. I’ll text you the directions, but if you betray me, Alexandra, I will kill Ruby, and I can assure you it will be slow and painful.”
“I won’t betray you.” Sandy ended the call just as Ian walked out of the bathroom.
“I figured you’d be sleeping.” He rubbed a towel vigorously around his hair.
“I couldn’t go back to sleep. I’m going to grab a shower, and I’ll meet you downstairs.” Sandy hurried around Ian and into the bathroom grasping her phone tightly in her hand. She closed the bathroom door and pressed her back against it. She took a couple of deep breaths to calm her pounding heart. After a few minutes, she’d finally stopped shaking, but her phone buzzed in her hand making her almost drop it.
“I told you to let me know when and where.” Sandy didn’t look at the screen when she answered.
“I’m not sure what you mean, Sandy.” Her father’s voice. Damn it. This was something she really didn’t need.
“Dad, I’m kind of in the middle of something right now…” Sandy started, but her father cut her off with a tone she’d never heard from him since she’d first spoke to him.
“I know what you’re in the middle of my dear. Do you know one of the biggest men I've ever seen in my life has become my shadow? I’m worried about you, Sandy. Why didn’t you ever tell me about this?” He sounded hurt.
“It’s not something I like to talk about, but I promise I’ll make the time to tell you when this is all over,” Sandy said, but then an idea hit her. “You know what dad. I need to get out of here. I’ll come by, and I’ll tell you everything.”
“You will?” The shock in his voice made her feel guilty, but this was probably the only way she was going to be able to sneak off without someone asking questions.
“Yes, I’ll be there in an hour.” Sandy ended the call and held the phone to her chest. Now all she had to do was be able to convince Ian, and Keith let her go by herself or with someone besides either of them. This wasn’t going to be easy.
“You’re not fucking going,” Keith growled.
“I’m going, and I really don’t give a shit what you say. He’s my father, and he’s in the dark about all this.” Sandy snapped.
“Keith, I’ll be with her,” Ian said.
“No,” Sandy said a little louder than she meant to.
“I’m going with you, Sandy.” Ian’s eyes narrowed.
“I want to talk to my dad alone.” Sandy glanced down at her phone. Scott still hadn’t messaged her.
“Listen to me, kiddo. If you go and I’m not saying you are, Either Ian or myself will be going along with Hulk.”
“Yeah, cause the huge guy you have at dad’s place now is not enough,” Sandy said sarcastically. “Who is it anyway?”
“He’s a guy I hired from the United States. He used to be in the military. His name is Caden Dixon, but he goes by Rex.” Keith shook his head. “Don’t try to change the subject.”
“Keith, I’m going.” Sandy grabbed her purse from the counter. When she turned toward the door, Ian was opening the front door and jiggling the keys. Fuck.
“Me or Keith. Which would you rather take a drive with?” Ian smiled, and she wanted to punch him. Of course, she would pick Ian but the fewer people she had to shake the better.
“Fine,” Sandy sighed.
Hulk, aka Bruce Steel, followed behind Ian’s truck in a black car. She kept glancing at her phone and checking her purse. Her weapon was inside because Keith wanted to make sure she had it. Was she really going to see Scott without it? Of course not, she wasn’t an idiot. She just had to hide it when she came face to face with the man.
“What’s wrong, besides the obvious?” Ian must have noticed her distraction.
“I’m just trying to figure out a way to explain all this to him.” Sandy lied, and it hit her in the gut like a punch. She didn’t want to lie to the man she loved, but she had to make sure Ruby was safe.
“Sandy, don’t hand me that bullshit.” Ian didn’t look at her.
“What are you talking about?”
“There is no bloody way the only reason you’re going to see your father is to explain all this. I’m not stupid, and I’m pretty sure Keith isn’t.” He stopped at a red light and glanced at her. “What are you doing?”
“I’m just going to tell dad about all this and then I’m going back home. That’s it.” Sandy wouldn’t look at him because he’d know she was being dishonest.
“For the record. I don’t believe that.” Ian snapped, and her heart felt like it was going to break. It was evident he knew she was lying and he was pissed.
The rest of the drive to her father’s house was quiet. The only time Ian spoke was when he called Keith to let him know they’d made it to town and were pulling onto her father’s property. She had no problem finding the guy Keith had sent to watch over her father. Rex stood outside the front door his hand cla
sped in front of him as if frozen in place. He was definitely military.
“You must be Caden.” Sandy forced a smile as she walked up the front steps to her father’s house.
“Call me Rex.” His deep voice boomed, and she could hear the slight Georgia accent he was trying to hide.
“Sorry, I don’t usually call the guys by their nicknames,” Sandy said.
“I don’t answer to anything but Rex.” He replied.
“Well, Okay then. Rex this is Ian O’Connor, and that’s Bruce standing next to the truck.” Sandy pointed down to the end of the driveway.
“I already know Hulk, and Rusty sent me photos of both of you,” Rex said.
“I’m gonna go see my dad,” Sandy shook her head and walked by Rex. “Thanks for the enjoyable conversation.” Ian probably didn’t miss the sarcasm because he chuckled.
“He’s waiting in the study,” Rex said.
Sandy could count on her hands how often she’d been inside her father’s huge house. She should feel a little guilty using his huge home to sneak away from everyone, but it was necessary. There was just one small problem. She still hadn’t heard from Scott, and it made her worry he wasn’t going to take the bait.
Ian followed her into her father’s study. At first, she didn’t see her dad until she turned to see him crouched down on the floor in front of a huge cat. She didn’t even know her father had a pet.
“Dad, I’m here.” When her father turned to see her, Sandy gasped. He looked like he’d aged ten years since the last time she saw him, that day in the hospital when Ian kicked him out.
“I see you’re not alone either.” Her father nodded at Ian.
“Mr. Michaels, it’s good to see you again.” Ian reached out his hand.
“You too Dr. O’Connor.” Her father shook Ian’s hand.
“Ian, please.” Ian always seemed to be uncomfortable with anyone calling him Doctor.
“I do want to apologize for that day in the hospital. I’ve recently come to realize that I haven’t been the nicest person for most of my life.” Her father reached out and touched her shoulder hesitantly. “I haven’t been a very good father either.”
Dangerous Secrets (O'Connor Brothers Book 3) Page 20
