Dangerous Secrets (O'Connor Brothers Book 3)

by Rhonda Brewer

  “I’m sure that’s not true.” Sandy couldn’t believe her father was that cruel. “He wasn’t a real father to any of us.” Even though it was true, it was hard for Sandy to say the words at that moment.

  “Tell her the rest.” Lefty was pressing his groin against her ass again, and she wanted to turn and punch him.

  “Ruby, tell her.” Scott kissed Ruby’s temple.

  “You see Tessa thought you were a stranger that needed a friend. She wasn’t the smartest girl in the world, as you know.” Ruby rolled her eyes. “The little bitch was so easy to manipulate and so easy to kill.” When Ruby laughed, Sandy’s legs started to shake, but she managed to keep herself from falling.

  “You were there when Scott killed her?” Tears burned her eyes, but she refused to let them fall and blinked them back.

  “I thought you were so smart.” Ruby laughed. “He didn’t kill her, I did but not before I let Lefty have some fun with her. Scott just helped me get rid of the baby. That child was nothing but a bastard that should have never been born.”

  “But you took custody of her, and she loves you.” Sandy couldn’t believe what she was hearing. How could she not see how crazy Ruby was?

  “If you mean Evie, of course, she loves me. I’ve given her everything she could ever want. Thanks to her father, that idiot O’Connor and you of course. Now we did have to get rid of her father. He thought I was going to marry him and raise Evie together. He wanted to tell her mother who Evie was.”

  Sandy’s head was spinning. Ruby had completely snapped. One second she said she killed Tessa and got rid of the baby. The next minute she was going to marry the baby’s father and tell the mother.

  “Ruby, you hated Evie’s father, and you let him see her?” Sandy studied her former friend. She didn’t even look like the same person. Her eyes were crazed, and her face was tight with anger.

  “I never hated him. I was in love with him before he knocked up that whore.” Ruby growled. “Dennis was mine first.”

  Dennis? There was no way it could be the same, Dennis.

  “Is it sinking in yet?” Scott smiled. Sandy glanced at him and then back to Ruby.

  “Dennis got Tessa pregnant too?” Tessa had told Sandy her baby’s father was a married man.

  “You really are as dumb as Tessa. Come in here, Ted.” Scott called out. A figure appeared in the doorway. At first, she didn’t recognize him until he walked into the room.

  “Dr. Butler?” The doctor that held her hand when he gave her the news her baby didn’t make it shuffled into the room. The same man who told her it wasn’t a good idea for her to see the baby because of the damage the bullet had done.

  “I’m so sorry Ms. Churchill. I had no choice.” He wouldn’t look her in the eyes.

  “Shut up, you coward,” Lefty yelled.

  “Now do you understand, Alexandra?” Ruby grinned.

  “He told me my baby didn’t make it, but he lied didn’t he?” Sandy couldn’t hold the tears back anymore and lunged at the doctor. “You bastard. You lied to me. You made me think my baby was dead.” Sandy pinned him against the wall as she slammed her fists against his chest.

  “I didn’t have a choice.” He didn’t make a move to stop her.

  “You didn’t have a choice? You didn’t have a fucking choice?” Sandy pulled back her fist and punched him right in the face. The man crumpled to the floor and curled into a ball.

  “They weren’t going to let me have my daughter if I didn’t. They were going to kill her.” He sobbed on the floor. “She was just a baby, and they’d already killed Tessa.”

  “You’re Evie’s father? I thought Dennis was.” She was confused.

  “Evie is not Tessa’s daughter, Alexandra.” Ruby snarled. “She’s yours.”

  The statement had Sandy’s head spinning. She stepped back until her back was against the wall and wrapped her arms around herself. Before she could stop it, she bent over, and her stomach lurched emptying its contents all over the floor.

  “Oh, and you shouldn’t have any trouble having children either. That was just something we made him say, for fun.” Scott laughed.

  “How could all of you be so cruel?” Sandy stood up and wiped her mouth with her sleeve. “Ruby, how could you be so cruel?”

  “Cruel is when you’ve got a father who abandons you to go make more children he cares about more than the ones he had with his wife. Just because she got pregnant with another man’s baby by mistake.”

  It all made sense. Sandy’s father slept around because of a broken heart. Maybe she was like her father more than she knew.

  “So, Ted we no longer need you now.” Ruby pulled a gun out of her pocket and pointed it at the man. He sat against the wall with blood running from his nose where Sandy had hit him.

  “You said I only had to tell her the truth and I’d be free from my debt to you.” The man held up his hands as if it would stop a bullet.

  “Yeah, we can’t take the chance of you going to the police. Your daughter will be fine. She has her step-mother to care for her.” The next thing Sandy heard was the loud crack of the gun and Ted falling over. Sandy dropped to her knees and rolled him over. The bullet hit him right in the middle of his forehead. He was dead.

  “Ruby. For God’s sake. You just killed him.” Sandy yelled.

  “He’s not the first, and he won’t be the last.” Ruby laughed as she slowly turned the gun and pointed it at Sandy. “Do you have any idea how long I’ve wanted to put a bullet in your head? I even had Scott bring women to me for practice.”

  “Sweet, Jesus.” Sandy gasped. Scott didn’t kill those women in Halifax. Ruby did. She was insane.

  “Not yet, baby. We promised Lefty he could play with her for a while. The man’s had a tent in his pants since Sandy got here.” Scott pointed to the obvious erection that Lefty was sporting.

  “It would serve her right that the last face she sees is his.” Ruby laughed.

  “Tell me something before you kill me.” Sandy needed to stall. Keith and Ian had to know what was going on by now and where she was.

  “Sure, it’s not as if you’ll live long enough for anyone else to tell you,” Ruby said.

  “What did Ian’s ex-girlfriend have to do with all this?” Sandy couldn’t figure out how they were involved.

  “Had to get rid of her because she was asking too many questions. Her stupid brother gave her a USB stick that he stole from Lefty’s computer. It had everything on it. She started asking questions about Keith’s family. That’s when Scott realized that you were screwing her ex. What a small world, huh?” Ruby paced the floor and rested the gun on her shoulder. We got rid of one of her brothers, but the other one slipped through our fingers.” Ruby crouched down in front of her. “Everyone thought you were the smart one of the family. I’m the genius. I had you and Keith believing that Scott was the monster. He is I guess. He does like to have his way with women. Guess it’s why he and Lefty are such good friends, but the truth is I’m the brains of this operation.” She whispered. Probably because she didn’t want Scott to hear what she was saying. Sandy glanced over Ruby’s shoulder. Scott had his back to them talking to Lefty.

  “You’re a monster.” Sandy spat at Ruby.

  Ruby pulled back her hand and slapped Sandy across the cheek. Her head snapped to the side her ears rang. Nobody ever hit her in the face before.

  “Don’t ever speak to me like that,” Ruby screamed. “I’m going to enjoy killing you, but first Lefty will make you suffer. Just so you know, he likes to play with his toys.” Ruby stood up and turned. “Come on Scott. Let's go get a bite to eat while Lefty has his fun.”

  Sandy slowly reached down in her boot and clasped her hand around the handle of her weapon. As she slid it out, she kicked out her foot hard against the side of Ruby’s leg. Ruby hit the ground screaming, and her gun skittered across the floor. Sandy raised her gun and aimed it at Lefty. One shot to the head, and he hit the ground. With Ruby rolling around on the floor Sandy
stood up and aimed at Scott.

  “Don’t move a fucking muscle,” Sandy yelled as she slowly made her way toward the doorway. She prayed to God someone was close. She was in such shock that her hand trembled. Ruby rolled around the floor shrieking in pain, and for the first time in her life, Sandy didn’t care what happened to Ruby.

  “You fucking bitch. I’ll kill you.” Ruby screeched.

  “The only thing you’re going to do is spend the rest of your life in jail,” Sandy yelled, but she kept her gaze trained on Scott. His eyes darted to where Ruby’s gun. “I’ll put a bullet in your head before you move an inch,” Sandy warned him.

  “Sandy.” Ian’s voice echoed through the house.

  “I’m here,” Sandy called and turned as Ian, Keith and Lane hurried toward her. Before they got to her, something yanked her into the room. Scott wrapped his arm tightly around her neck and held Ruby’s gun to her head.

  “Kill her,” Ruby screamed. “Kill her now.”

  “Ruby.” Lane’s voice boomed when he entered the room behind Keith and Ian. All of them held their weapons on Scott.

  “Lane, he made me do it.” Ruby wailed. “He threatened to kill me like he killed Tessa.”

  “Don’t say a fucking word,” Scott growled in Sandy’s ear.

  “Ruby, don’t lie. That USB Gerry gave us had everything. Thanks to Scott’s little habit of keeping a journal, we know everything.” Lane’s voice was cold as he glared down at his sister. “I don’t know how I never saw what kind of a monster you were. You’ve killed so many people Ruby. Doesn’t that bother you at all?”

  “What do you care? The only ones you ever cared about were Tessa and Alexandra. When did you ever ask me if I needed anything?” Ruby wailed at Lane.

  “Shut up all of you,” Scott shouted, and it echoed in Sandy's ears painfully. The room became eerily quiet. “Now, I’m leaving here, and none of you will stop me. I’m taking Alexandra with me.”

  “Like fuck you are, Coates.” Keith hadn’t lowered his weapon since he walked into the room. Ian hadn’t either nor had his gaze left Sandy. “The only thing you’re going to do is drop that gun and let Sandy go because if you don’t, I will put a bullet right between those two fucking beady eyes.” Sandy didn’t need to look at Keith to know her boss had his weapon aimed right where he said.

  “Go ahead, and I’ll put a bullet in her head before I hit the ground.” Scott pressed the barrel of the gun against her temple and squeezed his arm tighter around her neck.

  “Don’t count on it, asshole,” Ian growled. For some reason, Ian kept meeting her eyes and then quickly looking at the floor. “Sandy will drop you like a bag of shit,” Ian emphasized the word drop, and at first, she didn’t understand.

  “If you don’t want Alexandra’s pretty little brain splattered all over this room, I suggest you put your guns down in front of you and kick them over to me.” Scott pressed the gun harder against her head and not only did it hurt it pissed her off.

  “You watch way too much television, Scott.” Sandy laughed. “Nobody trained in law enforcement would ever do that. It’s a stupid move.”

  “Shut the fuck up.” Scott pushed her head with the gun.

  “None of us will drop our weapons,” Ian said slowly and again emphasizing the word drop.

  “Doc, do you really think you worry me. You’re a fucking doctor. What are you going to do, give me a tetanus shot?” Scott cackled.

  “I’m just as precise with my shooting as I am with giving shots. Do you want me to prove it?” Ian snarled. “I can drop you in a second.” This time when Ian emphasized the word drop, Sandy remembered. They’d watched a movie one night where the hostage let her body go completely limp and dropped to the floor letting the hero take out the villain. She remembered Ian saying it would probably work because the villain wouldn’t expect it and dead weight would be hard for him to hold up with one arm.

  “Kill her, you fucking idiot, before they kill you,” Ruby screamed.

  “Ruby, if you say one more word I will shoot you myself. Sister or not.” Lane turned his gun on Ruby, and for the first time since the whole situation started, she saw fear in Ruby’s eyes.

  “You’d kill your own sister?” Ruby sobbed.

  “You didn’t have any problem doing it,” Lane growled.

  “Sandy, I’m going to count to three,” Ian said, and Sandy nodded.

  “Count all you want.” Scott snapped.

  “One,” Ian said, and Scott backed up.

  “I don’t know what you think you’re doing but it’s not going to work,” Scott yelled.

  “Two,” Ian continued.

  “Shut the fuck up.” Sandy could feel Scott trembling.

  “Three, now,” Ian yelled, and Sandy let her body go completely limp. Scott wasn’t expecting it and lost his grip on her. Sandy didn’t see what happened after that because she covered her head and closed her eyes. The only thing she heard was three gunshots, and then someone fell on top of her. When she opened her eyes, Scott’s hand was hanging over her shoulder, and something warm and wet started to run down her neck.

  “Get this asshole off me,” Sandy yelled.

  Seconds later the weight disappeared and warm arms wrapped around her. She didn’t need to see to know it was Ian. She didn’t know when it started or how long she sat curled up in his arms sobbing, but she did.

  “It’s over, kiddo,” Keith touched her head.

  “She’s dead.” Sandy opened her eyes and looked up. Rex was crouched down over Ruby.

  “Wha… what…happened?” Sandy stared at Ruby’s lifeless body.

  “Scott shot her before we had a chance to stop him,” Ian whispered with his lips pressed against the top of her head.

  “Sandy, who are the other two bodies?” Kurt and her father were in the doorway.

  “That’s Lefty.” She pointed to where he dropped when Sandy shot him. “That’s Dr. Butler.” Sandy sat up straight. “Oh my God. Ian. My baby didn’t die.” She screamed.

  “What?” Ian and Keith said together.

  “Ruby and Scott blackmailed him. He was Tessa’s baby’s father.” Sandy was shaking. “Evie’s my daughter.”

  The room went completely quiet, and all eyes were on her as she explained everything in between broken sobs. As she was talking, she could tell that none of them believed what she was saying.

  “Come on, kiddo. That’s a little out there.” Keith said.

  “I’m kind of with Keith on this, Sandy.” Ian looked down at her.

  “I don’t care what either of you believe. Evie’s my daughter. It makes sense. I’ve always had a connection with her, and the doctor confirmed what they said.” Sandy was on her feet.

  “We can do a DNA test to make sure, but I wouldn’t get your hopes up, sweetheart.” Ian stood up and took her hands in his.

  “I don’t need a test to tell me the truth.” Sandy yanked her hands out of his and ran out of the house.

  “Sandy, get back here.” Keith’s voice echoed through the night. She didn’t stop and ran into the woods toward her father’s house. She didn’t care what any of them thought. She knew deep in her heart Evie was her daughter and test or not nothing was going to change her mind.

  A police cruiser was sitting in her father’s driveway with the lights flashing and the engine running. What did it matter if Kurt fired her or worse charged her with stealing a cruiser? She was getting back to Hopedale and her daughter. Before she had a chance to sit in the car, strong arms wrapped around her waist and pulled her back against a body she knew well.

  “Sandy. Stop.” Ian yelled as she struggled to get away from him.

  “I’m going home and telling Evie the truth,” Sandy yelled.

  “Sandy, Evie’s at the cabin with my parents.” Ian reminded her. She stopped struggling and let Ian turn her around. “I know you want this to be true, and I hope it is, but you can’t just blurt this out to Evie without being sure.”

  “I can still have children.
” Sandy cupped his face in her hands. “They made the doctor tell me I couldn’t. Should I not believe that either because I want that to be true.”

  “There are ways to check that, too.” Ian held her head between his hands and used his thumbs to wipe the tears streaming down her face.

  “I want Evie to be my daughter. I want to be able to have children. I want to have your babies.” Sandy sobbed as Ian pulled her into his arms.

  “We’ll figure all this out.” Ian sat down on the grass and cradled her in his arms. Could they figure all this out? She wanted so much for Evie to be her daughter but she had to be realistic and look at where she'd gotten the information. She had to have proof before she could let herself believe any of it is true.

  Chapter 27

  Two weeks, and four days. That’s how long they’d been waiting for the results for Sandy’s and Evie’s DNA results. Even with her father’s connections, they weren’t able to get them any faster. Ian held the envelope in his hand and waited for Sandy to get back from her appointment with the Gynecologist. Ian and his father had called in some favors to get her in with one of the best, and ten minutes after she left, the mailman showed up.

  He paced back and forth between the living room and kitchen. When they returned from that horrible night, Ian never went back to his house. Sandy didn’t want him to. He looked out the window for what seemed like the thousandth time.

  “Daddy, what’s wrong?” Lily stopped her coloring and looked up from the floor.

  “I’m just waiting for Sandy to get home.” Ian smiled at his daughter. Evie gazed up at him with the same curious eyes. He’d been studying her a lot over the last couple of weeks, and he could see the resemblance between the little girl and Sandy. The dark eyes, curly hair and the smile. Then he would convince himself he just wanted to see those things for Sandy’s sake.

  They hadn’t told Evie about Ruby up to that point. They just told her that Ruby had to go away and wanted her to stay with Sandy. Evie was upset of course. It was Lane’s suggestion not to tell the little girl. He’d decided to stay in Hopedale and get to know his new siblings as well as his father.