Hidden Betrayal (O'Connor Girls Book 1)

by Rhonda Brewer

  “Shh…” Dean turned on his side and pulled her into his arms. He’d slipped from inside her, but he didn’t care. Having her in his arms was soothing.

  “God, I’m such a bitch. You’re the one who lost someone you loved, and here you are trying to comfort me.” Kristy pushed herself up on her elbow.

  “You’re not a bitch, and I’m comforting you because you’ve got such a sensitive heart that you feel when someone is hurting. Comforting you helps me.” It was true. It was also how he always dealt with grief. He’d put all his emotions into everyone else.

  “Can I ask you something?” Kristy ran her finger down the center of his chest.

  “Sure.”

  “Are you going to keep me at arm's length after tonight?” She looked everywhere except into his eyes.

  He put his finger under her chin, so she had no choice but to meet his gaze. What he saw in her eyes made him want to kick himself in the balls. It was fear, but he didn’t know why.

  “I don’t like that look in your eyes.” Dean cupped her cheek.

  “What look?”

  “The one that makes me think you expect me to walk away from you as if nothing happened.” Dean gazed into her eyes.

  “Are you?” Kristy covered his hand with hers.

  “I couldn’t even if I tried. Kitten, I wouldn’t do that to you. Especially you.” Dean pressed his lips together. Should he tell her that he loved her? Was it fair to her when things were so fucked up?

  “You did before.” Kristy’s reminder was the same as a punch to the chest.

  “I know, and I’ll never forgive myself for putting that look in your eyes back then. It gutted me every time I saw you after that.” Dean couldn’t forgive himself for the hurt he caused her, and it was why he did his best to avoid her.

  “I know that feeling. It hurt me to watch you from a distance, but I’m ashamed to admit that I enjoyed the way you glared at Todd at Mike’s wedding.” Kristy wrinkled her nose and smiled. It was so fucking adorable.

  “Enjoyed making me jealous, did you?” Dean pressed his forehead against hers.

  “A little bit.” Kristy cupped his cheek.

  “I wanted to rip his head off,” Dean admitted.

  “Is that why you left Mike’s wedding?” Kristy brushed her lips against his.

  “No, I got the call to say a place opened up for Pey.…” Dean stopped and rolled onto his back. “I should’ve left her where she was.”

  Kristy jumped to her knees and took his face in her hands. Her eyes filled with tears but her eyebrows furrowed, and her lips were in a straight line. She was pissed.

  “Dean, don’t you blame yourself for this. None of this was your fault. Whoever did this is a bastard and deserves to burn in hell for hurting someone as sweet as Peyton.” A tear ran down her cheek. “Do you understand me? This. Isn’t. Your. Fault.”

  Dean wrapped his arms around her and pulled her down on top of him. He hugged her naked body tightly against his and tucked his face into the nape of her neck. She was right, but it was hard not to blame himself. It was difficult for him to feel out of control of his emotions, but at that moment all he wanted to do was grieve for his niece. The soft sob from Kristy broke him, and for the first time in a long time, Dean cried.

  Chapter 10

  Whoever was pounding on the door to her apartment must not want to live very long. Kristy grumbled as she crawled out of her bed and glanced back to where Dean was still softly snoring. How he didn’t hear the loud knocking was beyond her. She grabbed her clothes from where she dropped them in the living room the night before and quickly tossed Dean’s shirt into her bedroom.

  “For the love of God, I’m coming,” Kristy yelled as she hurried to the door.

  She yanked it open, and her annoyance increased. Nick and Aaron stood on the other side of the door with Tim Horton’s coffee and a bag of what was probably breakfast sandwiches.

  “Jesus Christ. Were you two dead or did we interrupt something.” Aaron winked as he squeezed by her and headed into her kitchen.

  “I was sleeping, asshole. We were up late.” Kristy closed the door when Nick followed his brother.

  “I bet you were.” Nick chuckled.

  “Don’t be a jerk. Dean was upset.” Her cousins didn’t need to know what happened before Dean finally let the floodgate of sorrow escape.

  “I’m sorry. How's he doing?” Nick asked.

  “He blames himself for moving her to the place, and thinks his sister’s going to give up and take the plea bargain they offered her.”

  “Not me. I’d want to get out and find the bastard that murdered my kid.” Aaron growled as he opened one of the sandwiches he pulled out of the bag.

  “That reminds me. Nick, Jason Brenton is a criminal lawyer now, right?” Kristy had found out her sister's ex-boyfriend switched from family law to criminal.

  “I’m pretty sure, but you should check with Mike.” Nick lifted himself onto her counter and took a huge bite out of his own sandwich. “There’s food in there for you and Bull.” He nodded toward the bag on the table.

  “Thanks, but I’m not hungry. Dean said something last night about not having any faith in Hannah’s lawyer. I don’t think he has any faith in him. I know Jason is good.” Kristy opened the coffee cup that Aaron handed her.

  “He’s working with Sandy’s dad now.” Nick glanced up from his phone. “Mike said, Stewart is one of the best defense lawyers in the city even if he is retired. He recruited Jason to take his place in the firm. Sandy’s dad wouldn’t do that if he didn’t think Jason was worth the time.”

  “True but how pissed do you think Jess will be if we ask Jason to help?” Aaron asked.

  The whole Jason and Jess situation was a complete mystery to everyone in their family. Kristy asked many times why Jess broke it off, but her sister explained it as they weren’t meant to be together. Jess hadn’t had a serious relationship since and still wouldn’t talk about it.

  “I don’t see how this has anything to do with her. She’s not pissed because he’s still playing in the band with you guys.”

  Aaron, Nick, John, and Mike played in a band called Rockin the Law with Jason and another police officer, Cory. They weren’t looking for fame and fortune. They enjoyed music and played at her mother’s pub from time to time. They were also often hired to perform at charity events.

  “Jason was playing with us long before they dated or broke up.” Nick reminded her.

  “I don’t care. Dean needs our help, and Jess will have to deal with it. I love my sister, but this is important.” Kristy snatched her phone off the coffee table where she’d left it the night before.

  “Would you rather I call him?” Nick asked.

  “No.” Kristy found Jason’s number and tapped her screen. “I’ve got nothing against him.”

  The phone rang several times before someone answered. Kristy was a little confused by the female voice.

  “Hello,” The soft-spoken woman said.

  “I think I may have the wrong number.” Kristy knew the number she’d dialed was supposed to be Jason’s cell phone.

  “Are you looking for Jason?” The woman asked.

  “Yes,”

  “He’s taking a shower. I’ll get him for you.” The woman sounded pleasant enough, but Kristy felt a little odd.

  “Thanks, doll. Hello.” Jason answered the phone.

  “Hey, it’s Kristy O’Connor.” She sat on the kitchen chair.

  “Hi, Kristy. Nice to hear from you.” Jason seemed a little surprised to hear from her.

  “Am I interrupting?” Kristy didn’t want to talk business if she didn’t have Jason’s full attention.

  “No,” He laughed. “What’s up?”

  “I need a favor.” Kristy blurted it out and cringed.

  “Is Jess okay?” Jason sounded panicked.

  “Yes, she’s fine. It’s nothing to do with my sister.” Kristy sighed. “How fast can you get to the women’s prison in Conception Bay?�
��

  “Jesus, what did you do?” Jason gasped.

  “Not me, but a friend needs my help and yours.” Kristy caught Nick out of the corner of her eye. He glanced over her shoulder, and she turned. Dean stood with his arms folded across his chest and his face was expressionless.

  “I can be there in an hour.” Jason didn’t ask what it was about, but he had to know she wouldn’t call him if she had another choice. Mike didn’t deal with criminal law and Nick was no longer a lawyer.

  “Thanks, I’ll explain when I see you.” Kristy ended the call and turned to Dean.

  “What are you doing?” He asked as soon as she dropped her phone on the table.

  “I’m getting your sister a new lawyer.” Kristy smiled.

  “You think I can’t do that myself?” He raised an eyebrow, and she rolled her eyes.

  “I know you can, but you need the best and Jason is working with the best.” Kristy met his stance by crossing her arms over her chest. She didn’t miss his gaze drop to her chest and back up again.

  “Who?” He demanded.

  “Sandy’s dad, Stewart Michaels.” Kristy saw his shoulders relax because everyone in Newfoundland knew Stewart was the best in the province.

  “Jason is Jess’s ex, right?” Dean glanced at Nick.

  “Yes,” Nick answered.

  “No way.” Dean shook his head.

  “I’m sorry?” Kristy narrowed.

  “I’m not upsetting your sister.” Dean looked away from her and nodded toward the coffee on the counter.

  “Jess won’t care.” Kristy didn’t know that for sure.

  “You asked her?” Dean was back to the standoffish way he acted when he had no choice but to be close to her when he wanted to run away.

  “She won’t give a damn.” Kristy snapped.

  “You know that for sure?” He turned to face her and flipped open the cover of the coffee cup.

  Kristy narrowed her eyes and snatched her phone off the table. She wasn’t letting him do this again. She tapped her sister’s phone number and prayed she wasn’t at work. Jess answered on the second ring.

  “I was waiting for you to call. How’s Dean doing?” Jess had apparently been waiting for her call.

  “Being an ass.” Kristy snapped as she met Dean’s gaze.

  “So, nothing's different.” Jess chuckled.

  “Listen, I need you to be honest with me. I just got off the phone with Jason and asked him to help with Dean’s sister’s case. He’s working with Stewart which means he has the means to give Hannah the best defense she can get here. Dean, however, thinks that it will upset you.” Kristy babbled so fast that she wasn’t even sure Jess was still on the phone.

  “Why would I care what Jason does? If he can help, tell Dean to use him. It’s his sister for heaven’s sake and Jason knows what he's doing.” Kristy breathed a sigh of relief because although she said Jess wouldn’t care, she wasn’t sure her sister would be okay with it.

  “I’m going to put you on speaker. Can you tell Dean what you said?” Kristy glared at the man she’d made love to a few hours earlier.

  “Of course,” Jess laughed.

  Kristy tapped the speaker and held up the phone. Jess repeated every word. It was subtle, but Kristy saw the slight change in Dean’s stone expression.

  “You’re sure, Jess?” He asked.

  “I’m sure, ya big dummy. She’s your sister.” Kristy swallowed hard when she heard the slight crack in Jess’s voice.

  “Thanks, Shorty,” Dean started the nickname a while back because Jess was the shortest out of all the O'Connor girls.

  “Oh, and, Bull?” Jess only used Dean’s nickname when he called her Shorty.

  “Yeah,” He smiled.

  “I can still kick your ass,” Jess growled. “Talk to all of you later.”

  “That I don’t doubt.” Dean chuckled.

  “Can I talk to Dean alone guys?” Kristy shoved her phone into her back pocket and met his gaze.

  “Yeah, we dropped by to see if Bull was okay and to let you know Uncle Kurt put a rush on the autopsy for Peyton.” Aaron stood up and headed out of the kitchen.

  “Forensics finished in her room around four this morning. They collected some things in the room, but we’ll know more when they give us their reports.” Nick followed Aaron out of the room. “Uncle Kurt said to call him after you see your sister, Bull.”

  Kristy didn’t drop her gaze from Dean until she heard the door to her apartment close. He sipped his coffee but kept his eyes glued to her.

  “Do you want to tell me why you are acting this way?” Kristy snapped.

  “What way?” Dean sauntered toward the living room, but she grabbed his arm.

  “As if nothing happened between us last night and you didn’t completely open up to me or promise you wouldn’t treat me like this again.” Kristy raised her voice.

  “I don’t…” Dean started, and Kristy lost it.

  “If you say you don’t know what I’m talking about I swear I will hit you over the head with a frying pan.” Kristy fisted her hands at her sides.

  “Kitten, I …. I didn’t know how to act with Nick and A.J. here.” Dean braced his back against the door jamb.

  She stared at him for a moment as she allowed her body to relax. Kristy should have known it would be awkward for him considering how close he was to her cousins and how long he had kept his distance from her.

  Kristy stepped toward him and rested her hands on his chest. He covered them with his own and pressed his forehead to hers.

  “I don’t know how to do this. I’ve never cared about someone so much.” His voice was barely above a whisper.

  “You’re not alone here, Dean. I’ve never been in…” Kristy stopped because she hadn’t told him she loved him yet.

  “I haven’t either.” Dean must have read her thoughts.

  “I guess it’s why we both find it so hard to say it.” Kristy closed her eyes and raised her head.

  “I'm terrified to say it.” Dean’s voice sounded strangled.

  Kristy opened her eyes and met his gaze. His hazel eyes glistened and she swallowed hard.

  “Dean, I… I love you. I have for a long time.” Kristy watched his eyes widen, and then a smile crossed his sexy mouth.

  “I’m captivated by you, and I’ve told my heart to shut up more often than I can count but it calls out to you. There are a million men who are so much better for you than I am, but the truth is, nobody could ever love you more than I do. I’m sorry it took me so long to get my head out of my ass but Kristy O’Connor, I love you with every bit of my heart and soul.” Dean cupped her face in his large hands and brushed the tears from her cheeks.

  His words were so beautiful, and she’d wanted to hear them from him for so long it moved her that it caused all those locked up emotions to spill out.

  “No more pushing me away?” Kristy whispered.

  “No, I promise.” Dean touched her lips with his.

  “Let’s go talk to Hannah.” Kristy hugged him and pressed her lips to his.

  Nothing would ever put a wedge between her and Dean ever again. She’d fight to her death to make sure that didn’t happen. All was left to do was to figure out who killed Peyton and who set up Hannah. That should be a breeze.

  Yeah, right.

  Chapter 11

  A vast weigh lifted off Dean’s shoulders, or it felt that way. He didn’t understand how finally admitting how he felt about Kristy could make him feel so relieved. There was still a shit storm hanging over his head, but for some reason with Kristy next to him, it felt less of an impossible situation.

  “They’re bringing her in now, Dean.” The guard informed him. Dean didn’t like the way the man stared at Kristy and was about to tell him such when Kristy spoke up.

  “Is something wrong?” She asked.

  “No, I’m sorry. I’m used to Dean coming alone.” He smiled at Kristy.

  “It’s not a place that you want to bring your girl to
for a date,” Dean grumbled.

  “True.” The guard nodded and walked away.

  “Jason should be here by now.” Kristy glanced toward the entrance, and he could feel her shake her leg next to him.

  “He’ll be here.” Dean squeezed her hand.

  A few minutes later the gate opened, and Hannah moved slowly through it. He’d seen her less than a week ago, but she seemed to age. How was that possible?

  He stood up and released Kristy’s hand. Hannah didn’t look at him as she moved toward him. When she was next to the table, it was when he noticed it. A bruise on her left cheek below her eye.

  “What the fuck happened to you, Han?” Dean lifted her chin to get a better look.

  “I slipped off my bunk and smashed my cheek against the desk,” Hannah whispered and glanced behind him.

  “That looks like someone hit you,” Dean growled.

  “Dean, please. I fell. Let it go.” She was still looking over his shoulder.

  Dean turned and met Kristy’s gaze. She stood behind him with Jason. He must have arrived while Dean was concentrating on his sister.

  “Please, sit,” Dean whispered as he made his way to the other side of the table and sat next to Kristy.

  “What’s going on?” Hannah’s body was stiff, and he didn’t miss the cringe as she sat down. It was as if she was in pain.

  “Han, this is Kristy O’Connor and Jason Breton.” Dean didn’t move his eyes from his sister.

  “So, you’re Kristy.” Hannah smiled, and it was the first real smile he’d seen from her in a long time.

  “It’s nice to meet you,” Kristy said softly.

  “You look like a lawyer.” Hannah glanced toward Jason.

  “I am.” He said.

  “Dean, what’s going on?”

  Dean stared at his sister for a moment as he tried to find the best way to tell her about Peyton. He hoped it didn’t cause her to give up entirely.

  “Han, I’ve got terrible news.” Dean took his sister’s hands in his.

  “No. No… please… don’t say it.” Hannah’s eyes filled with tears and she squeezed his hands.

  “I’m sorry, Han but last night ….” Dean swallowed hard.