by Cali MacKay
She grabbed his hands. “You can’t tell anyone, Conall-promise me.”
“Aye, love. If I have yer honesty, then ye have my word.” He searched her face, her eyes. “I need to know I can trust ye again.”
“I never wanted to keep things from ye, Conall.” She cupped his cheek, running her thumb over his lip, his breath hitching at her touch as his eyes slipped closed for a long moment. “You still mean the world to me.”
“Then let’s try to get yer brother back. Once we do that, we’ll have a better sense of what’s left of our relationship.” As much as he loved her, the hurt she’d caused him had ripped open his old wounds and they wouldn’t heal so readily this time around. “Now tell me what they want, love.”
She took a deep breath and nodded, as if trying to steel herself. “They want the Hope. The necklace in exchange for my brother’s life.”
The breath went out of him like he’d been punched in the gut. “Och, Maggie…Ye can’t.”
She threw her arms up in exasperation. “Don’t ye think I know that? It’s why I couldn’t tell ye what was happening. I didn’t want to involve ye in such a thing. But this is my brother’s life, Conall.” When her voice cracked with those last words, he pulled her into his arms and held her.
“I know, love.” Despite their problems, being able to hold her again had the tension in his chest slipping loose. “We’ll figure something out, but…Maggie…we can’t steal the jewels.”
“We may not have to.” She bit her bottom lip and let out a long breath. “If I can figure out a way to track down where they’re keeping him, then maybe I can get him back. Then once he’s safe, I can go to the authorities.”
There were so many things that could go wrong, and if they did, it’d be Aidan’s life on the line-and hers, if she was the one trying to steal her brother back. There may be an alternative, though. “Ye realize I can probably help ye track him down.”
“I know…” She grabbed his hand and held it tightly. “But I don’t want ye to think it’s the only reason I’m here-or that it’s the only reason I’ve finally come clean about what’s going on. ’Cause it’s not, love. I’ve wanted to tell ye all along. And I’m afraid there’s more…”
How much more could there possibly be? “We’ve come this far, aye?”
“There’s a reason the Flahertys have pulled us into this mess, and it has little to do with Sean being my ex.” She looked down at her hands, and shook her head. “I should have told ye that night in Dublin when we were discussing out past. But I was too worried ye’d bolt if ye knew.”
So she hadn’t been completely honest with him even before her brother’s kidnapping. It was yet another blow, and he felt himself pulling away once more, his defenses going up. “Just tell me, Maggie.”
“It’s my da. He used to run with the Flaherty crew-as a thief. High-end stuff. Paintings, jewels, anything they could sell to private collections for a pretty penny. He stopped ages ago, before I was even born and has never gone back to it.” She reached out and took his hand. “I wanted to tell ye, but I know that reputation is everything in this industry and thought ye might rethink our relationship if your livelihood was on the line.”
“Do ye really think I’d hold yer father’s actions against ye?” He could understand her fears, but it still hurt to think she thought so little of him.
“I just didn’t know if ye’d risk it, Conall. I know how important reputation is in the industry you’re in, and worried you’d think twice about being with me if your livelihood was on the line. I was going to find a way to tell ye once we got settled back into our routine, but then we got word that they’d taken Aidan.” Her eyes pleaded with him for understanding. They were so filled with hurt and worry, it left his anger warring with the part of him that wanted to ease her pain.
“I’ll do what I can to help, but Maggie…” He closed his eyes and mustered his courage and strength, before facing her with a sigh. “We can’t just pick up where we left off.”
She pursed her lips together and nodded, her eyes shimmering with the tears she held back. “I know. And for that, I can’t tell you how sorry I am.”
“Och, love. Cheer up. It kills me to see ye so upset. We’ll get yer brother back, aye?” He tucked a curl behind her ear. “But I need ye to stay positive.”
She nodded, took a deep breath and then managed a smile, even if it looked forced. “You’re right. We’ll manage it somehow.”
The scent of pork and spices was a sudden reminder that he’d left food cooking on the stove. “Shite.”
He left her without a word and rushed into the kitchen, hoping he hadn’t burned his dinner. Grabbing the spoon, he gave it a stir, the steam hitting him in the face as he sighed in relief, his dinner disaster averted.
“And here I was under the impression that ye don’t cook.” Maggie wandered in behind him, her hands stuffed into the pockets of her curve-hugging jeans.
He shrugged, and turned off the burner. “I don’t care to, but I’ve got to eat something and eating out can get old.”
“Well, that smells like there’s far more effort and talent put into it than just eating something.” She leaned against the counter with a hint of a smile that actually looked genuine this time. “I guess I’m not the only one who’s been harboring secrets.”
He shook his head, some of his anger dissipating. “Ye’re not off the hook, Maggie. The fact that I can cobble together a meal when I said I didn’t cook isn’t the same as you not telling me about yer brother being abducted and yer father being a thief.”
Gone was her smile. “I know that you may never be able to forgive me.” He saw her struggle with the words-with the possible reality-before finding the strength to look him in the eyes. “But at least give yourself the credit you deserve, ’cause this smells damn good.”
When she wandered closer, he scooped up a chunk of the simmering meat and handed her the spoon. She blew on it a few times, sending steam spiraling into the air, and then carefully took a bite. Her eyes went wide, and she slapped his arm, some of her old spunk coming back. “Ye’re such a liar, Conall. That’s amazing.”
With a glare and pursed lips, he crossed his arms in front of his chest. “I suppose ye want to stay for dinner.”
She shrugged with a hint of a smile. “If you’re offering, I won’t say no.”
Bloody hell. Trying to keep his distance was going to be difficult. Especially when he’d done nothing but think of her since they split up. “I suppose it’s easier than trying to get rid of ye.”
Looking through a few of the cabinets, she found a couple of plates and set on the counter for him. “So what are we having?”
“Jasmine rice with spicy pork and pineapple.” He dished it up. “Ye know, it’s a good thing for you that this can only really be made in large batches and I wasn’t cooking for one.”
“A good thing, indeed.” She looked up at him, her hand gentle on his back.
He stiffened and shrugged off her touch, his heart sinking and his emotions a tumultuous mess. By the gods, he loved her and yet he couldn’t go there. “Don’t, Maggie…I can’t pick up where we left off like nothing happened. I’m happy to help ye get yer brother back, and I understand why ye did what ye did, but…it was a leap for me to trust ye, to let my guard down. I fell in love with ye, Maggie-and ye kept the truth from me. Ye pushed me away.” And broke his heart. She had him questioning everything he thought he knew, he felt.
“I know I did, love-and for that I couldn’t be any more sorry than I already am.”
Chapter Seventeen
After hashing out a plan with Conall over dinner, Maggie rang up her brother and had him come over. Of course, Liam was none too happy about the plan, since they’d be taking a risk by straying from what the Flahertys wanted.
Maggie put her hand up to stop Liam’s rant. “It’s our best option. Would ye just hear us out?”
Glaring at them, Liam shifted his gaze and his anger between her and Conall. �
�If anything happens to Aidan, it’s on your heads.”
Her own anger flared, her hands clenching into fists as she took a step forward. “Not on our heads, Liam, but Flaherty’s. Do ye hear me? This is no one’s fault but theirs. And this is a far safer bet for getting Aidan back in one piece. The chances of us successfully stealing the Hope were never good. At least this way, we can find him-get him home safe.”
“I can help track him down.” Conall leaned against his kitchen counter, his long legs crossed at the ankle. “Even if his captors are using burner phones to make any phone calls when they’re with Aidan, they’ll likely still have their normal cell phones on them. That’ll allow us to track their movements, which should help us figure out where they’re keeping him.”
Liam shook his head, his jaw clenched as he paced the kitchen, Piper nearly tripping him up on every other lap. “And how will ye get him back, yeah? What’s the grand plan? Even if we know where he’s being held, there’s a good chance they’ll put a bullet in his head before we get him out of there.”
Maggie was happy to see Conall was still looking calm, rather than matching Liam’s temper. They’d discussed the options and Conall’s plan seemed the most feasible for getting Aidan back in one piece.
Conall shifted and ran a hand across his thick stubble. “Given the field I work in, I know a few people who might be able to help. I’ll pull in a few favors and we’ll see what they have to say on the matter. They’ve got more experience dealing with this sort of thing than all of us combined. And if it doesn’t look like a good plan, then I’ll speak to Iain about the necklace.”
Liam spun on Conall. “And what exactly do ye think that’ll accomplish? He’s not going to just hand over the jewels, now is he?”
Things were getting tense and would only get worse if Maggie didn’t step in her brother’s path. “Would ye hear him out?”
With a nod of thanks in her direction, Conall continued explaining their secondary plan. “I’ve known Iain all my life-and he’s a good man. He’d not want anyone coming to harm over some jewels.”
Liam scoffed. “They’re not just jewels though, are they? They’re the bleedin’ Highlander’s Hope. A necklace of legend-the necklace said to bring Scotland its independence. Now, do ye really think he’ll just hand them over?”
Maggie fought back her fears. She’d had the exact same thought, but Conall had convinced her Iain would be on their side. Now? She wasn’t so sure. After all, it’s not like Iain knew her in anything but a business capacity. It would be asking a lot, the risk for him enormous. Yet she had to believe. She had to keep her hope up. If she didn’t, it’d be too easy to give in to her fears and let them cloud her judgment. Now more than ever, she had to stay positive. Had to believe things would get back to normal. Had to believe things would be all right.
She grabbed Liam’s hand. “We’ll only risk telling Iain if it looks like our first plan isn’t going to work. In the meantime, we need to try to pretend that nothing’s changed. We’re still sticking to their plan to steal the jewels, as far as they’re concerned.”
“And what about the two of ye?” Liam tipped his chin in their direction. “I thought you were going to keep yer distance, Maggie.”
“Whether I do or don’t, it’s none of yer business now that we’ve involved Conall in this mess. And keeping my distance will only make it harder for us to put a plan together and make it work.” She bit back her anger. If Liam hadn’t insisted on her pushing Conall away, they’d still be together. She should have trusted her gut from the start and known that Conall would be trustworthy and wouldn’t do anything to jeopardize Aidan’s life.
“Yeah, all right. I’ll leave ye be.” With hands on his hips and his head hung low, Liam sighed. “Just be careful, love. I’d never forgive myself if ye came to harm.”
She slipped her arms around her brother’s waist and gave him a hug as he kissed the top of her head. “I promise.”
“And you.” He let her go and tilted his head towards Conall. “I appreciate your help. Just do me the favor and take care of her-whether ye’re together or not.”
Conall gave her hand a squeeze and nodded, giving her a glimmer of hope. “I’ll do my best-though ye know what she’s like.”
“I do. That’s why I’m handing her off to ye. Anything happens to her, and me da will be skinning your hide, not mine.” A crooked grin tugged at Liam’s lips. “I’m off. Are ye coming?”
Good question. She knew Conall needed some space, yet she couldn’t bear to leave him. Not yet, anyway. “I want to work out a few details. I won’t be too long.”
She could feel Conall’s gaze shift to her. “And I’ll make sure she gets home safe.”
With Liam gone, they got to work. Maggie wrote down all the details she had on the Flahertys, in addition to all the information she had on the kidnapping itself, while Conall searched for information online. It was close to midnight and she should be exhausted, but she had enough work to keep her awake. She told herself it had nothing to do with the fact that she was spending time with Conall, who was working by her side.
He’d made it clear that he wasn’t interested in picking up where they left off, and knowing what his ex put him through, she couldn’t blame him. Not that she’d been much better, fully aware that she’d opened his old wounds. Guilt ate away at her, even though she told herself she’d pushed him away for his own good and to try to keep her brother safe.
Still…how could she not linger with the hope that, with time, he might learn to trust her again?
“Here, if ye’d like to have a look. I’ve mapped out all the properties owned and rented by the Flahertys, their kin, and known associates.” Conall turned his laptop towards her and shifted closer, pointing to the screen. “There are a handful in Dublin, then a few more farther outside the city, and yet another, several hours away near Limerick.”
She looked over the map, taking in the areas tagged with flags. “So how will we narrow it down? There are an awful lot of properties.”
“I’m thinking they’d likely keep him close to Dublin, so they can come and go without too much trouble. Means we can probably get rid of the one in Limerick. But with the rest, they’d likely want something far enough out of the way so as not to be seen or…heard. If ye’d like to have a look, we can narrow it down and I’ll start monitoring those areas for activity.”
They wouldn’t want to be heard because her brother might be yelling for help-or worse. She thought about the video, thought of his screams, and choked back a sob, turning away so he wouldn’t see her so upset. “I’m sorry.”
“Hey…what is it, love?” He ran a hand down her arm, making her want to lean against his touch for comfort, yet knowing she couldn’t.
“There’s a video of my brother. It might have clues to his location, but... I can’t. I can’t watch it again, Conall.” She took a deep breath and then let it out slowly, her chest rattling as she exhaled.
He brushed her hair off her shoulder, his touch lingering. “Maybe we should call it a night. It’s late, and we’ve got the weekend ahead of us to figure this all out. The video can wait until tomorrow.”
“Yeah, you’re right.” Leaving him was the last thing she wanted to do, but she knew she couldn’t stay. She ran her hands down her thighs as she got to her feet. “I’ll see ye in the morning then? I could come by and take Piper on a run.” Anything to see him again.
When Conall stood, Piper got up to follow with a yawn and a stretch. “I’ll take ye home. And by all means, feel free to come get the pup. She’s been missing ye.”
No offer to stay the night, and it seemed as if Piper was the only one who didn’t want her to go. “Thanks. I appreciate the ride, especially after running in to Andrew.”
“What are ye going to do about him?” Conall’s jaw tightened as he crossed his arms in front of his chest. “Because if you don’t take care of it, I will.”
“What exactly am I supposed to do? I can’t exactly report hi
m to the authorities for grabbing my arm and wanting to talk. And given everything that’s going on, I probably just panicked for no reason.” She grabbed her jacket off the back of the sofa and threw it on, before slipping her hands under her hair to free it from the fabric.
“Or he could be involved in this mess. What if he’s the one who told Sean we’d be in Dublin? And the fact that he grabbed ye…” He shook his head, his jaw set tight with anger. “Whether we’re together or not, I’ll not have that man scaring and bullying ye-and I sure as hell won’t have him manhandling ye.”
At least he still cared enough to get angry on her behalf. And then she remembered the excuse she’d used when trying to get rid of Andrew. “Shite…I may have forgotten to mention a small detail.”
His eyes narrowed in suspicion, making her heart beat all the faster. She loved how serious he could look. Loved the intensity of his gaze. Loved the intelligence that sparked in his eyes. “And what would that be with that guilty look on yer face?”
“I told him we were together to try to get him to leave me alone.” She bit her lip and cringed. “He thought we’d broken up…”
“We have, Maggie.”
She cringed some more. He was going to hate her. “I told him it was just a bump in the road, and we were back together-happy as Larry.” She gave him a big hopeful smile. Maybe he would see the humor in it.
He sighed and shrugged out of his jacket, shaking his head. “Ye realize ye can’t go home now, aye?”
“Why not?” Not that she minded much.
“Because if things are happy as Larry between us, then ye’d be spending the night. He could be watching the house, aye? Especially if he’s working with the Flahertys. And it’s not all right that he’s gotten physical with ye, Maggie, and something will need to be done.” He shook his head, looking exasperated.
She cringed. He’d never forgive her at this rate. It’d be impossible for her to screw things up worse than this. Not even if she tried. “I’m sorry, Conall. I can sleep on the sofa.”
