Hidden Betrayal (O'Connor Girls Book 1)

by Rhonda Brewer

  Kristy loved Dean, but she was raised to be a strong independent woman, and no man was going to tell her what to do. The comment he made about her father was probably right, but she was also taught to respect her elders.

  The truth was if she’d really wanted to stay in her apartment, her father wouldn’t have changed her mind. She wanted to come back to Hopedale. Even though she’d only been there for a couple of weeks, the place was crawling with mice, and she missed her family.

  By the time she got back to Isabelle’s, she’d calmed a little but not enough for her to go back to the pub. She’d go back later to get her car, but now she was going to sit on Isabelle’s porch and watch the waves crash on the beach. Dean Nash could kiss her ass.

  Chapter 17

  Dean thanked Alice as she helped him clean up the food from the floor where Kristy had dumped it over him. He still didn’t know what the hell happened or why she lost her mind. It was so unlike her. She was usually so in control.

  “I’m sorry about this, Alice.” Dean tossed the last of the napkins in the garbage.

  “It’s not me you should be apologizing to, Dean.” She raised her eyebrow, turned and disappeared into the kitchen.

  “What the fuck am I apologizing for?” Dean mumbled to himself.

  “Are you kidding me right now?” Sandy stepped in front of him with her fists on her hips.

  “No, I’m not.” He knew what he’d said to Kristy, but he honestly didn’t mean it in a bad way. He didn’t want her to be out there without him to keep her safe.

  “Is the sun too hot on that Chrome Dome of yours?” Sandy pointed to his head.

  “No, all I said was she wasn’t going back there.” Dean rolled his eyes.

  “Oh, so you’ve been together what? A week? Give or take a day.” Sandy had a way of making you feel about two feet tall.

  “What does that have to do with anything?” Dean shrugged his shoulders.

  “Why are men so stupid? Bull, she’s been in love with you for years and probably had this fantasy of you supporting her in everything she wanted to do in her life. Then all this terrible stuff happens, and she’s there for you. This job obviously means a lot to her, and I guess she thought, oh I don’t know, you’d support her. You can’t tell her what to do.” Sandy glared up at him.

  “There could be a killer out there.” Dean shook his head. “I can’t let anything happen to her. I can’t lose her.”

  He hated the crack in his voice especially around so many people. Kristy seemed to bring out an emotional side of him that he couldn’t hide when it came to her.

  “You will lose her if you try to control her.” Sandy touched his arm. “Talk to her, not at her.”

  “Sandy is right.” Dean turned when his sister linked into his arm. “I know you love her, Dean. Don’t waste time with petty arguments. Life’s way too short.”

  If there was anything, he knew it was how quick a life could change in the blink of an eye. It’s also the reason he didn’t want Kristy near that place until they knew for sure what happened to Peyton.

  “You should know by now, Bull. The women in the O’Connor family are strong, stubborn and independent.” Ian chuckled from where he sat with the kids.

  “Yeah, remember we were all raised with Nan in our lives.” Jess laughed.

  “Jesus, with my luck she’s probably calling your grandmother to come kick my ass.” Dean chuckled.

  “Don’t let Nanny Kathleen hear you say bad words, Bull.” Grace stared at him. “She got the pepper.”

  It seemed that Kathleen O’Connor threatened pepper on the tongue if any of the kids used curse words. It seemed to work because all the kids always reminded the adults about it.

  “Han, I’ll bring you back to the compound. I need to go talk to… I mean apologize to Kristy.” Dean sighed.

  “She can stay and finish her lunch. We’ll bring her back, or she can come to the house for a bit.” Sandy offered.

  “Is that okay with you, Han?” Dean asked because the truth was his sister didn’t know these people and he wasn’t sure how comfortable she was with a new crowd of people.

  “I’d like that.” Hannah smiled at Sandy.

  “I want to warn you that all the kids are going to be going back with us. The older two don’t have school today.” Sandy chuckled.

  “That sounds great.” Hannah walked back to the table, and Grace quickly moved from her spot and sat next to his sister.

  “Was Bull really a big pain?” He heard the little girl ask as he made his way out of the pub. Hannah could probably keep little Gracie entertained for hours with stories of his behavior as a little boy.

  He spotted Kristy’s car as soon as he got outside. Panic started to rise in his gut, but he tamed it down by reasoning that she probably walked home to calm down. He hoped he was right but in case he wasn’t he quickly spun his truck out of the lot and sped down Harbour Street to Beach Street.

  Kristy was on the front porch gazing across the street at the beach. He pulled his truck into the driveway and watched her for a moment. She had to have seen him drive up but the fact that she ignored his presence made him chuckle. That was his girl.

  “Is it safe to come up there?” Dean asked as he closed the door to his truck.

  “I don’t have a bat, or a gun if that’s what you’re asking.” Kristy deadpanned.

  “Good to know.” Dean shuffled up the steps to the porch. He glanced toward the house next door at the workers. Matt had told him they were starting on the outside that afternoon and that he’d run into Kristy as he left.

  “The house got sold.” He heard the disappointment in her voice and was tempted to tell her he’d bought it.

  “Looks like they’re renovating.” Dean braced himself against the railing of the deck.

  “What are you doing here, Dean?” Kristy didn’t look at him.

  “I wanted to apologize.” He admitted.

  “Okay,” She was still pissed.

  “Just okay?” Dean pushed himself off the rail and walked toward her.

  “What else am I supposed to say?” She glanced at him as he crouched in front of her.

  “You forgive me? You know I’m an overbearing ass, but you understand that I didn’t want anything to happen to you.” He reached for her hand.

  “I know you’re an overbearing ass.” Kristy pulled her hand away.

  Dean sighed and dropped his head. He placed his hands on his knees and pushed himself to a standing position.

  “I’m sorry, Kitten. I wasn’t thinking.” She looked up at him, and he held out his hand.

  Kristy put her hand in his and stood up. He wanted to pull her into his arms and kiss her until she gave in, but he knew that wouldn’t work with Kristy.

  “I need to go back there. I love working there, and I can’t leave them short staffed.” Kristy’s voice was soft.

  “I understand but is it still okay that I don’t like the idea of you being there?” Dean pulled her closer, and to his relief, she didn’t pull away.

  “It’s okay you’re concerned.” Kristy lay her hands on his chest and played with the button on his shirt.

  “So, you’re going to drive back and forth for your three shifts?” Dean asked.

  “It’s night shifts for me this round.” Kristy tipped her head back and stared up him.

  She had to have felt his body stiffen. Night shifts meant a couple of things. Less staff at the facility during those hours, worrying about her driving back in the morning after being up all night and not being able to have her sleep in his arms for three nights.

  “I could drive you back and forth,” Dean suggested.

  “So, you want to drive out there come home and then drive out to pick me up. That would be an awful waste of gas.” Kristy slid her arms up and around his shoulders.

  “I could stay out there.” Dean knew it sounded stupid.

  “What are you going to do sleep in the parking lot?” Kristy smiled. “Besides, you need to be here
for Hannah.”

  “As much as I don’t like it, I know you’re right. I need to find out when we can put Pey to rest.” The tightening in his chest made it hard to breathe for a second, but when Kristy touched his cheek, the pressure eased.

  “You might want to talk to Hannah and see what she wants to do. I mean… Peyton was her daughter.” Kristy was right.

  He may have been responsible for Peyton for a short time, but Hannah was her mother. Plus, his sister still wasn’t really out of trouble. Jason was able to get her released because of the poor representation she’d had to begin with and the fact that there were significant screw-ups in the investigation.

  “So, tonight?” Dean pulled her tightly against him.

  “Tonight, what?” She grinned.

  “You go back to work tomorrow evening don’t you?” Dean lifted her off the ground, and she wrapped her legs around his waist.

  “Yes, I do.” Kristy nipped his lower lip with her teeth, and it went straight to his dick.

  “Kitten, don’t play with me.” He growled.

  “That’s what kitten’s do.” She nipped him again.

  “Then come to my place tonight, I’ll cook supper, and you can repay me by showing me how much kitten’s like to play.” Before she could answer, he covered her mouth with his and plunged his tongue into her mouth. His hands cupped her sweet ass as he held her in his arms.

  “Do I need to get a hose on you two?” John shouted from his front yard.

  “This is why we need to go to my bunkhouse. I can keep most of your family out of there.” Dean whispered as he lowered Kristy to the ground.

  “I know. They’re a virus that keeps growing.” Kristy laughed.

  “Hey, John,” Dean wrapped his arm around Kristy’s shoulder because he really didn’t want to let her go.

  “I heard your sister got released. That’s great news.” John sauntered over to the fence that divided Isabelle’s property and John’s.

  “Yeah, I’m hoping it’s permanent,” Dean admitted.

  “You have an awesome legal team helping her.” John nodded.

  Before Dean could answer a loud squeal came from the side of the house. When they looked in the direction, a little girl came running around the house being chased by a golden Labrador retriever puppy.

  “You got her a dog.” Kristy laughed.

  “No, no. My mother was kind enough to get her a dog.” John grumbled as Olivia ran directly to him and clung on to his leg.

  “Daddy, Tippy’s chasing me.” Olivia giggled as the dog caught up with the little girl and frantically began to wag his tail.

  “That’s because you have ice cream all over your face.” John lifted the four-year-old up into his arms as the dog bounced and jumped around his legs.

  “See my puppy, Bull.” Olivia smiled.

  “I do, Livy. He’s got almost as much energy as you do.” Dean laughed.

  “No, the dog actually naps.” Stephanie appeared with little Brendan in her arms.

  “You need a nap, Mommy.” Olivia hugged her father, and for the first time in his life, Dean wanted what they had.

  Having kids was always something in the back of his mind but it never happened. Now, a little piece of him could see a possibility of being a father.

  “I think you may be right, little girl.” John smiled at his wife, and even a blind man on a galloping horse could see the love he had for her.

  “Yep, cause that’s possible.” She nodded towards the little girl.

  “I’ll take care of little missy here. Brendan is ready for a nap so why don’t you take him to bed and get some rest.” John offered.

  “This is why I love this man.” Stephanie kissed his cheek. “Will you be a good girl for daddy?” She said to the little girl who clung to her father.

  “Yes, mommy.” Olivia leaned toward her mother and gave her a sloppy kiss.

  A short while later Dean gave Kristy a quick kiss and made his way to the compound. He checked in with Hannah who was apparently enjoying her time with Sandy and the kids. He was glad because it gave him a chance to check in with Vince.

  Dean and Keith shared an office in what they called the main building on Keith’s property. Technically it was a huge gym with a large room on one side. All the guys that worked for Newfoundland Security Services, the O’Connor men, and women, as well as the guys from O.K. Construction, would work out there all the time.

  He and Doug Kelly had combined their companies because Doug wanted to retire. He was Marina and Stephanie’s father and in his late fifties. About six months earlier he offered Keith the partnership and Keith jumped at the chance.

  Now the office was the center for two businesses. Dean was in denial that technically he was running Decker Corp from there as well. Vince was running it from Decker Tower, and that was fine with Dean.

  “Vincent Day’s office. Harper speaking” It seemed that Vince had kept the same office assistant that Ivan had hired.

  “Can I speak with Vince please, it’s Dean.” Dean plopped down in the chair behind his desk and turned on his computer.

  “Oh hello, Mr. Decker. I’ll transfer your call.” Harper still called him Decker no matter how many times he corrected her. Dean figured they hired her because she looked pretty behind the reception desk. She certainly wasn’t the sharpest knife in the drawer.

  “Dean, glad you called.” Vince answered a few seconds later.

  “What’s up?” Dean wanted to groan because that usually meant he would have to take a trip to town.

  “I know nobody has been at the house since… well, you know.” Vince stammered over mentioning Ivan’s murder.

  “No, I haven’t been able to go there, and Hannah hasn’t been able to go back there. I doubt she’d want to either.” His sister wouldn’t want to go anywhere near the house where her husband died.

  “I don’t blame her but here’s the thing. I’ve had some calls on the property.” Vince seemed hesitant.

  “What kind of calls?”

  “People that want to purchase it.” Vince sighed. “I know what your thinking. What kind of people would want to buy a place where something like that happened? There are some weirdo’s out there, but the truth is you can make a bundle on this sale.”

  Dean took a deep breath and let it out. Could he sell the house that held so many memories? Not all of them were bad. Before his mother died, they had some wonderful family celebrations there.

  “I can email you the offers. There are three that I’m sure are serious offers. I can mark the one that I think would get you the best profit. Of course, you need to check with your sister.” Vince was a smart guy, and Dean knew if Vince was bringing it up then it was something he and Hannah should consider.

  “Email it to me, but I need to see what Hannah wants to do. Give me a week or so.” Dean picked up a pen and spun it between his fingers. “Is there anything else going on I should know about?”

  “I’ve got some papers that need to be signed, but I’ll courier them over on Monday as usual. Nothing is urgent.” Vince seemed to be on top of things.

  “Great. Thanks, buddy. I’ll check in with you on Monday, and I’ll go over the offers with Hannah and let you know. Have a good weekend.” Dean ended the call and tossed his phone on the desk.

  His computer booted to the login screen, and he logged in and opened his email. As usual, there were several from Keith with updates on clients and possible contracts. Not something that was urgent because Keith had told him not to worry about N.S.S business until things settled down.

  The email from Vince popped up seconds after he opened his email. Curiosity made him click on it because he really wanted to know what kind of person would want to purchase a house that had such a brutal murder happen inside it.

  He scrolled through the first offer and was surprised that it was more than a quarter over the appraised value of the property. The second was a little less, but the third was more than the first.

  “Bunch of sick peo
ple if you ask me,” Dean mumbled to himself, but it would probably take a lot of weight off his shoulders as well as Hannah’s if they did get rid of it.

  “Who’s sick?” Dean glanced up from his computer; Trunk stood in the doorway obviously at the end of an intense workout. He used the towel around his neck to wipe the sweat from his forehead.

  “Someone wants to buy the family house.” Dean sent the email to print at his bunkhouse.

  “Are you selling it?” Trunk plopped down on one of the chairs along the wall next to the door.

  “I hadn’t thought about it, but I just found out about the offers.” Dean felt a lot better now that he was able to talk to his friends about his family crap. He’d kept it close to the vest for so long, but now it was a weight off his shoulders.

  “How’s your sister doing?” Trunk popped the top of a bottle of water and gulped it down.

  “I think she’s a little overwhelmed right now and doesn’t know what to do with herself because before all this happened, Pey was her life. She took care of her all the time and now…” Dean swallowed that annoying lump in his throat that appeared every time he thought about his niece.

  “I can’t imagine. Let her know we’re all here for her and for you. Remember that, Bull. Don’t fucking shut us out anymore.” Trunk stood up and headed out through the door. Before he disappeared, he turned around. “Hey,”

  “Yeah?”

  “It’s good to see you and Kristy are together.” Trunk gave him a huge smile.

  “Yeah, I finally got my head out of my ass.” Dean smiled.

  “Was wondering when you were going to realize your ass wasn’t a hat.” Trunk laughed.

  “Asshole. By the way, when are you going to do that and make a move on Abbie?” Dean laughed when Trunk gave him the middle finger and stomped out of the office.

  After he signed a few papers, Keith had put on his desk. Dean dropped them in Keith’s box and headed back to his bunkhouse. He’d received a text from Hannah to let him know she was back at her place and Jason was stopping by with some news.

  Please, God let it be good.