Trouble Walks In (15 page)

A smile tugged at her lips as she climbed the steps of the inn, and little icy flakes landed on her cheeks. It looked like there would be a white wedding after all.

* * *

Ronan had never been a big fan of weddings. Then again, he'd never been best man before. The ceremony went off without a hitch, and the cheers when Jordan and Gavin kissed as man and wife practically shook the roof off the church. They looked as happy as any two people could be. Jordan's daughters, adorable in their little red-and-green-plaid dresses, completed the family picture perfectly.

Ronan's mom had hit the nail on the head—it was an instant family.

He found himself wondering what it would be like to do that with Maddy.

He pictured himself coming home to her every night…but which home? His shithole apartment or her fancy penthouse? Neither seemed fitting. Frustration simmered, and he shoved the conflict aside. At the end of the day, none of that mattered. He really wouldn't care where they lived, as long as she was with him.

In fact, if he had his way, he would move back to Old Brookfield and raise a family with Maddy.

Ronan could barely take his eyes off her throughout the ceremony and the reception that followed. Maddy looked elegant in a long, strapless, green velvet gown that hugged her curves with wicked perfection. Her dark, curly hair was tied up in a fancy hairdo, earrings dangling from her ears, but all Ronan could think about was taking the pins out, burying his nose in the nape of her neck, and breathing her in. Whatever shampoo she used smelled like vanilla and cinnamon and conjured up images from their little car ride last night.

Finding his pleasure was easy enough, like it was for most guys. Ronan was well aware that wasn't always the case for women. Last night's adventure was meant to put Maddy at ease, to assure her that he had
her
pleasure in mind.

However, that wasn't his only motivation.

Ronan wanted to learn as much about Maddy as he could, and that included how she liked to be touched. He'd committed it all to memory: the sounds she made and the delicious way she arched her back as her orgasm built. When he got out of that car and walked her to the steps, he'd wanted nothing more than to continue exploring all the possibilities up in her room.

But that would have been about
him
. He'd wanted last night to be about
her
.

He stood at the bar and waited patiently for his order. Maddy had been twirling around the dance floor most of the night but was now sitting at one of the tables with Jordan's mom and the two little girls. Her laughter, robust and full of life, could be heard over the taped music being played during the band's break. Ronan's gut clenched at the sound of it, and at the same time, something loosened in his chest when she tossed her head back and let out another raucous laugh.

There she is.

The bright, lively woman who had been in hiding for so many months had finally reemerged. Ronan fought the sudden surge of longing. She was incredible. He wanted to spend the rest of his life finding out how many different ways he could make her laugh like that.

It might have been the most beautiful sound he had ever heard.

The phone in his tuxedo pants pocket rang with the ringtone assigned to Captain Jenkins. It had been so long since Ronan had heard it that he needed a minute to register who was calling.

“Shit,” he whispered, quickly reaching in his pocket.

Sure enough, Jenkins's name blinked on the screen and Ronan's stomach churned. If the captain was calling him again after the conversation they had yesterday, then it was nothing but bad news. Ronan pressed the phone to his ear and quickly excused himself out of the country club's ballroom.

He hoped like hell that nobody noticed him leave, but as he turned to go, he caught Maddy's eye. She looked concerned, her brow furrowing, but he waved and smiled before holding up one finger and slipping out of the party.

“Please tell me you're just calling to wish me a Merry Christmas,” Ronan said tightly.

He strode to the bank of windows at the end of the hallway. The snow had been coming down slowly and steadily all day, but now it looked like it was picking up. They were calling for a big storm for Christmas Eve, but apparently the weatherman had been wrong again and it was hitting tonight instead.

Shocker.

“Sorry, McGuire.” Jenkins's voice was gruff. “We ID'd the vic they found last week, and we had another one turn up today.”

“Damn it,” Ronan whispered. “That makes four.”

“One was a real estate agent, and the other was an executive assistant. I thought you'd wanna know.”

“Oh man.” Ronan ran one hand over his face and pressed his fingers to his eyes. “Please tell me neither of them worked at Cosmopolitan Realty.”

Silence hung heavily but Jenkins finally said, “No.”

Ronan's breath hissed out, relief bubbling up from inside.

“Both of 'em worked at some other fancy brokerage house.” Jenkins cleared his throat. “They got DNA off the woman from last week. Doer's a white male with no hits in the system—but he's gettin' sloppy, which means we're closer to findin' this guy. It's gonna be on the news, though; the press is all over it. They're callin' him the West Side Ringer, since all the vics were strangled and came from pricey real estate houses on the West Side. And get this—tox screen found a tranquilizer in all the women and puncture wounds. He doped 'em up.”

“That would explain why they didn't fight back. And if he's not in the system, that may be why he wasn't worried about leaving DNA behind. He knew we couldn't nail him that way.”

“The ME said that the women may not have been conscious during the actual assaults.” Jenkins made a grunt of disgust. “Based on the timeline, it's looking now like he holds on to 'em for up to two days.”

“Any leads?”

“Yeah, the same bogus email account was used to contact all of the victims. Networking's having a hell of a time tracking the origin. Something about using fake IP addresses or routing the emails or some shit like that. I don't know about tech stuff, but they're gettin' close. Robinson said they're trying to hunt down the source for the drugs and come at it that way.”

“Can you give me the names of the last two victims?” Ronan pressed his fingers against his eyes, feeling a massive headache coming on. “I'm gonna have to tell Maddy what's going on, and it's a good bet she knows who these women are. But I'd rather wait until after the holiday, to say nothing of my brother's wedding.”

“Ah, crap,” Jenkins blurted out. “Did I call you in the middle of the wedding?”

“It's okay, Cap.” Ronan let out a slow breath. “The reception is almost over. Now how about those names?”

Ronan finished his call and headed back into the ballroom. The band had started playing again and was in the middle of a rowdy eighties cover. Everyone was dancing away, including Maddy, jumping up and down with her hands in the air and singing at the top of her lungs like she didn't have a care in the world. Jordan, Gavin, and all of his brothers, the whole room of people, reveled in the joyous celebration.

Everyone except him.

Ronan slipped his phone back in his pocket and shoved the conversation aside in his mind. This was not the time or place to share this kind of news; there would be plenty of time later.

And what about tomorrow or Christmas Day? Will it be any easier then to dampen the vibrant spirit she'd worked so hard to find again?

Maddy caught his eye and waved him over wildly, her smile practically blinding him with its beauty.

It would crush her to learn that two more people in her professional world had been robbed of their lives and their futures. But did he really
have
to tell her? The women didn't work in her office, after all. She might not even have known them. No, he had gotten this far with her and brought her out of her self-imposed isolation. The last thing he wanted to do was squelch that reemerging wild spirit. Besides, dropping this bit of information in the middle of Gavin and Jordan's wedding was hardly the kind of gift anyone was looking for.

“Everything okay?” Maddy shouted above the music.

How could he possibly share this news with her now when she had finally found that smile again? The answer was simple. He couldn't and he wouldn't.

“It's fine.” Ronan kissed her cheek and pulled her into his arms. “I believe you owe me a dance, woman.”

With Maddy in his arms and the sound of her laughter filling the air as he twirled her around the dance floor, Ronan kept telling himself he was doing the right thing.

A generous lie was less painful than the truth.

“How was the wedding?”

Imogene's boisterous voice bounded through the foyer from the living room. She scurried in to greet them before Maddy and Ronan had even closed the front door. The two of them shook the snow off their coats in an attempt not to drag it through the house.

“Hey there, Imogene,” Ronan said.

He smiled but Maddy could tell something wasn't right. He'd been acting weird for the past couple of hours. His playfulness had faded, and the gleeful, naughty-boy glint in his eyes had dimmed. He was weighed down or burdened somehow, but Maddy didn't have the faintest idea what could be responsible. She'd asked him a couple times if he was alright, but each time he waved her off and said he was fine.

It must have had something to do with the call he'd gotten at the wedding.

To make matters worse, he'd been avoiding looking her in the eye. Not completely, but enough for her to notice. Normally, Ronan wouldn't merely look at her. Oh no. The guy practically attempted to bore into her soul every time their eyes met, like he was searching for something.

Not tonight. For the past few hours he had been distant and disconnected.

“It was wonderful,” Maddy said, forcing a smile. “I wish you guys could have been there.”

“Me too, hon. But with the storm coming in, we knew folks would be checking out early and getting on the road before it got too bad out there.” Imogene took their coats and hung them on the brass coatrack in the corner by the front door. “Now, you two go on in and get warm by the fire. How about a nice brandy to heat you up a bit?”

“No, thank you,” Ronan said quickly. “The roads are getting bad, and it's already gonna be a tough ride back to the house.”

Maddy blinked. He was
leaving
? Her jaw clenched, and she fought the urge to punch him in the gut. What kind of game was he playing with her?

“That it is. You're the last guest standing, Maddy. The rest of the folks have checked out already.”

“Really?” Maddy said tightly. “Well, I guess people wanted to get home for Christmas. Speaking of which, what about you and Bob? Aren't you supposed to be leaving for your place in Florida tomorrow? Don't you two always spend the holidays down there?”

“We do but we're going to fly out on Christmas Day instead. Provided the weather has cleared by then.” Imogene arched her back as though working out the kinks. “One of these days, I may have to retire. Honestly, I'm starting to dream about spending all winter down south.”

“Would you do that?” Maddy asked with genuine surprise. “Sell the inn and turn into snowbirds?”

“Maybe.” A mischievous twinkle glinted in her eyes that crinkled at the corners when she smiled. “If Bob and I could find the right person to run this place, then, yes, I think we would.”

“I can't imagine Old Brookfield without the two of you running this inn,” Maddy said wistfully. “It's like the heart of the town.”

“All the more reason we would
only
sell it to someone who would love it the way we have.” Her smile instantly shifted to an expression of concern, and she quickly added, “Oh my. I just realized something! I know you were supposed to check out tomorrow morning and go back to the city for Christmas, but please feel free to stay on. This weather is awful, and I can't imagine you driving back to the city in it.”

“Actually”—Ronan slipped his arm around Maddy's waist—“Maddy is staying with my family for the holiday. Speaking of which, you better shake a tail feather and go pack your stuff, or we run the risk of the truck getting stuck on the side of the road.”

So that's what he was up to? The knot in Maddy's belly loosened as his behavior started to make a bit more sense.

“Wouldn't want to get stranded.” His lips tilted and mischief swam in his eyes briefly. “What on earth would we do then?”

“I can't imagine,” she said with a sidelong glance at him. Her face heated at the memory of their last automotive escapade, and she quickly slipped out of his embrace. “I'll go gather my things.”

“I can help,” he said, waggling his eyebrows. “I'm an awesome helper.”

Before Maddy could protest and assure him that she would get far less packing done with him around, Imogene grabbed his hand and pulled him into the living room toward the roaring fire.

“While she packs, why don't you tell me all about the wedding.”

The disappointed look on Ronan's face was both adorable and comical. Maddy stifled a giggle and gathered the long skirt of her dress as she trotted up the stairs. Maybe she had been oversensitive before. Ronan seemed fine now, and back to his playful ways. If she had anything to say about it, there would be much more of that later tonight.

Maddy hoped that guest bedroom on the third floor of the McGuire's house was as private as Carolyn had said.

* * *

Ronan's truck slid sideways as it pulled up the long, curved driveway of the McGuires' place on the bluff. Maddy clung to the sides of her seat with both hands. She only let out a sigh of relief once the sliding finally stopped and they reached the safety of the top of the driveway. The snowy winds howled and whistled past the truck, but the lights of the massive house shone like a beacon of safety. The huge pine tree to the right glinted with little white lights, and electric candles flickered in the windows as though to welcome them home. But other than the lights of the Christmas tree and one or two rooms lit upstairs, the rest of the house was dark.

The digital clock on the truck's dashboard said it was after one in the morning.

“Oh man,” Maddy murmured. “I hope we don't wake your parents. They're probably exhausted from the wedding. I didn't realize how late it was.”

“It's okay.” Ronan smirked and gently hit the gas before turning to the left. “You're staying out in the cottage with me and Bowser. So you don't have to worry about waking anyone up.”

“I am, am I?”

“Yes, ma'am. There's been a last-minute change of plans.” He held the steering wheel steady and drove slowly along a shoveled-out pathway that led around the property. “Gavin, Jordan, the girls,
and
her mom are all staying here tonight. Nobody wanted to risk getting snowed in on Christmas. Since space is at a premium, I told them you could stay with me.”

More snow had fallen since the path had been cleared, but Ronan's four-wheel-drive vehicle handled it easily. The road led directly to the small cottage at the back of the McGuires' extensive property—the one that overlooked the ocean and, until recently, the place Gavin had called home. Maddy stole a glance at Ronan and her stomach fluttered. He was strikingly handsome, and in the moment, he looked like he'd been carved from stone: hard, masculine, and seemingly indestructible.

“Who says that I want to stay out there with you all alone?”

“We won't be alone.” He smirked and pulled the truck to a stop before putting it in Park. “Bowser is here.”

“You think you're really slick, don't you?”

“Sometimes.” He undid his seat belt and shut off the headlights, immediately plunging them into darkness. “But I like—”

“Surprising me,” Maddy finished for him.

Her eyes adjusted to the dim light in the truck, and she could see that he was staring at her. That playfulness had faded, and a concerned look edged his handsome face. Even in the darkness she could detect the change in him.

“Ronan?” Out of instinct, she reached over and covered his knee with her hand. “What's wrong? You've been acting funny tonight. And not your usual ha-ha funny. More like strange funny.”

“It's all good, Mads.” Ronan cut the engine and covered her hand with his, then brought it to his mouth and pressed a kiss against her palm. “Let's get you inside and warmed up. Your hands are like ice.”

Ronan got out of the car and grabbed her bags from the backseat—her suitcase, as well as the bag of presents she'd brought for various McGuires…including Ronan. Even though she hadn't originally planned on staying, she'd picked up a few things in town. Oh hell; maybe deep down, she'd always wanted to spend the holiday with Ronan's family.

Her belly swirled with nerves and anticipation. This was it.

The car was already starting to get unbearably cold, and Maddy had little choice but to follow Ronan inside. She climbed out of the truck and braced for the bitter air. Squeezing her eyes shut, she sucked in a sharp breath. She had almost forgotten how frigid it could be by the ocean. The snow stung her cheeks, but light spilled out from the open door of the cottage.

She stopped for a moment. The silhouette of Ronan's broad-shouldered frame filled the space as he did most others, completely and confidently.

“Come on, Mads,” Ronan shouted. “You're gonna freeze that beautiful bottom off if you don't get in here soon.”

Maddy nodded but was too cold to respond. She was just grateful that she'd taken the time to change back at the inn. The sweater, jeans, and snow boots were a much better choice for weather like this than her velvet gown, but she was still freezing. Bowser ran out of the house as she ran in, presumably to do his business.

She let out a sound of relief when she stepped into the open living room and Ronan closed the door behind her. Maddy shook her head and snow flew off her hair. Laughing and still trying to warm up, she took off her coat and hung it on one of the hooks, then pulled off her snowy boots and socks and placed them by the door. Having her back to him and the wintry ocean air seeping into her bones almost kept her from thinking about what was undoubtedly going to happen between them tonight.

Almost.

She had considered cutting to the chase and jumping him, but when she turned around, the sight in the cozy living room stunned her into silence.

A fire blazed in the small fireplace, and in the corner, between that and the sliding doors to the deck, sat a little Christmas tree. It was only about three feet tall, decorated simply with colorful lights and a silver star perched precariously on top. Ronan stood beside the tree, behind a large overstuffed chair that was just past the sofa. Moonlit snowfall swirled behind him outside on the deck, enclosing them in their own little world. He was still wearing his classic black tuxedo but had ditched his snow-covered shoes and was now barefoot. The tie was long gone, and he'd unbuttoned the top few buttons of his shirt, giving her a glimpse of dark chest hair.

He looked like one of Santa's sexiest elves.

“When did you do all this?” she asked with genuine awe. “The fire alone…”

“It's a gas fireplace.” He held up a black remote control. “Gavin had it installed a few years ago.”

“But…the tree?”

Bowser barked loudly outside, and Ronan quickly ran to let his partner in. Maddy crossed the room to get closer to the warmth of the orange flames. She'd made it as far as the couch and coffee table when Bowser shook the snow off his huge, furry body. Maddy laughed as Ronan flinched and held up one hand to shield his face.

“Alright, that's enough.” He laughed and rubbed Bowser's flanks briefly before pointing toward the hallway to the right. “Go to bed, pal.”

The bloodhound snuffled loudly before loping away past the kitchen and down the hall that must have led to the bedroom. Maddy stilled. Oh boy. They were alone again, the air thrumming with the pulse of unfulfilled desire and a hint of uncertainty.

She was suddenly nervous and unsure of herself, like some kind of high school girl. Self-conscious, Maddy hugged her shivering body and looked at the lovely little tree. A few wrapped gifts were even nestled beneath it.

“It's adorable,” Maddy said quietly. “When did you put this together?”

Ronan hit the light switch on the wall, and the room was doused in darkness, softly infused with the flickering glow of the fire and the gentle lighting from the tree. It was magical and sweet and heartbreakingly beautiful…and he had done it all for her.

“A couple days ago.” He shrugged amicably and slipped his hands into his pants pockets. “I wanted you to a have a tree for Christmas in case you decided to stay. My mom has a great big one in the family room at the main house, but I had a hunch you'd be out here with me.”

“Is that so?” She wagged one finger at him and narrowed her eyes. “I thought I was supposed to stay up with your parents.”

“I'm a cop, Maddy.” Ronan smirked. “I don't leave any stone unturned. So, on the
chance
that I got you to stay out here with me…I wanted it to be
Christmasy
.”

“You're pretty sure of yourself, aren't you?”

“Like it?”

Ronan moved closer and took off his tux jacket, draping it on the back of the sofa that faced the fire. He rested a hand on either side of it and leveled that intense gaze at her. It was now or never. Maddy had to find out exactly what Ronan's feelings were and where this was going because the uncertainty was driving her mad. He had been running hot and cold, and she didn't know what to expect next. For all she knew, he was going to sleep on the couch and let her have the bedroom.

“Tell me, Ronan.” Maddy swallowed hard. “Why would you go to all this trouble for me?”

“To see you smile,” he murmured.

“You've seen me smile several times.” Her brow furrowed with confusion. “Like you said, I always laugh at your goofy jokes.”

“Not exactly.” Ronan pushed himself off the back of the couch and slowly walked around it, heading in her direction. “I've seen that
halfway
smile a bunch.”

He stalked toward her with stealthy, steady precision. His arms remained at his sides, and his fierce gaze was pinned on hers. Maddy couldn't move. She was enthralled by his presence, his words, and his voice.

And, most of all, struck dumb by his observations.