Worcester Nights - The Boxed Set (37 page)

Brandon’s hair was bleached light brown from the Florida sun, and his Miami Dolphin’s jacket was zipped up tight against the cold. His eyes held Seamus’s. “We heard she managed to get herself shot.”

Javier climbed out of the other side of the car, careful to keep the door between him and the three brothers facing off. “One of my men, Raul, made that mistake. Seamus and Sean plugged him in the chest, and he won’t be making those kinds of mistakes any more.”

Seamus nodded in agreement. “Besides, Bridgit patched her up nicely. As good as gold.” His eyes lit up. “But, you know, it’s always wise to have these things checked out, just in case. You three should get her to a hospital. The longer we delay here, the more danger she might be in.”

Brandon’s sea-green eyes flashed to Evan in concern. Evan shook his head in reassurance. “She’s fine. We can take our time.”

Dylan’s voice carried across the clearing, his calm, measured tones the same as he’d used in the many games I’d watched him quarterback through high school and college. “Here’s how this is going to go. You guys in the car will come out, one by one, and toss your guns away. You’ll lay face down on the ground. Then we’ll zip-tie your wrists and call in for support. Nobody gets hurt. Who knows, maybe you’ll get a cushy new life in witness protection.”

Eileen’s howl could be heard across the clearing. “I’m not having my baby in any damn jail! Jimmy, Seamus, take them out! There’s only five of them. You outnumber them!”

Francesca hopped out of the far side of the car, drawing a gun from her purse. “I’m as sure as hell not going back,” she snapped. “You know how they treat cops in prison?”

Seamus’s eyes flashed, and he slid back into the car, slamming the door. Then he had climbed through and all of them were hunkered down on the far side of the car, shielded from the house by its bulk.

Sean and Evan crouched behind the oak railing, taking advantage of the slim protection it provided. They carefully began making their way left toward the back end of the car.

Dylan’s tone was calm, reassuring. “Lay down your weapons. We’ll tell the D.A. how you cooperated with us. You turn in the people you work with, and I’m sure they’ll take that into consideration. Don’t start something here that you’ll regret.”

Javier’s voice was that of a kindly grandfather talking to a playful but disobedient child. “You don’t belong here. This isn’t your fight. Just go on into the house with your sister, and we’ll head on by. Nobody needs to get hurt.”

Francesca’s shout rang out. “They’re coming around the back!”

Sean and Evan were at the far end of the railing, their focus on the Escalade’s back quarter.

Francesca crouched by the back left tire. “One more step, Sean! I swear I’ll drill you right between the eyes!”

Sean looked back to me, and for a long, staggering moment, our eyes held. Everything we’d gone through, every experience we’d shared, streamed through my mind in one long, glorious blur.

He gave me a wry smile.

Evan turned to look to his brothers where they remained crouched behind the Mustang’s doors. He nodded at them, then moved immediately behind Sean. He tapped him on the shoulder.

Both men vaulted over the end of the railing.

A hail of bullets exploded from outside the window, and I flung myself onto the ground, throwing my hands over my head. A window shattered somewhere in the master bedroom. Several bullets thunked heavily into the wall of the house.

An agonizing scream echoed across the clearing, and it took all my will not to pop my head up, not to see if it was Sean or one of my brothers. I curled tighter, praying that no bullet made it through those thick log walls.

It seemed like an eternity, but suddenly a silence stretched, and I realized that there had not been a shot in quite a period of time. That could have been five seconds, for all I knew – the world seemed to be moving in odd fits and starts.

Jessica cautiously, slowly, poked her head up over the sill of the window, and my heart thundered in my chest as I did the same.

Javier’s two muscle men were sprawled in front of the Escalade, several gaping wounds peppering each man, blood coursing from their bodies. Seamus was leaning face-down against the hood, his hands secured behind his back, and in a moment Evan had hauled Bridgit up off the ground to place her beside her brother.

There was a movement in the open doorway, and then Sean was in front of me, sweeping me up into his arms, drawing me close. “Are you all right? Were you hit?”

“We’re both fine,” I reassured him, melting against his strength. “How are my brothers?”

“Aedan will have a scar to match yours, I think, but we were lucky. On their side, besides the two soldiers, I think Francesca’s got the worst of it. She’s got a thigh wound. The blond guy is working on it.”

I chuckled against him. “Light brown,” I corrected automatically. “That’s Brandon. He does lifeguard duty on weekends and has dealt with several shark attacks. He’ll handle it.”

He ran a hand through my hair. “I’m sure he will. Evan will drive out into cell range and call in for backup. And then I’ll get you home.”

I nestled into his embrace.
Home
.

I didn’t care where it was. As long as he was there with me.

Chapter 11

I
groaned as Sean pushed open the door to his apartment and we stumbled inside. The first glimmers of dawn threw the brick walls into a cobblestone-like relief. I looked around at the photographs on the walls, at the neatly made bed, and shook my head. It seemed like an eternity had passed since we were last here. I had been in my beaded dress, Sean in his tux, and an evening of dancing had waited for us.

Now I was wearing someone else’s sweats, with only moccasin slippers on my feet, and I was sure my hair looked like a gerbil’s love nest.

Sean closed the door behind us, locked it, then turned to look at me. He stilled. “You are amazing.”

I chuckled, trying to run my fingers through my hair. “Surely you jest.”

He reached out his hands to me, and I folded within his arms. He sighed as our bodies met, and for a long while he simply held me there.

At last he nuzzled against my ear. “I didn’t think your brothers were going to let you go.”

I smiled. “They can be a mite overprotective at times,” I reminded him. “You saw how they leapt on those planes and had the deed records dug out and waiting by the time they landed.” I pressed a kiss on his chin. “And you have to agree that these past few days have been a bit … agitated.”

He ran a hand along the tender skin at the back of my neck. “I imagine I’ll get more than an earful when we go down on Thursday for Thanksgiving.”

My grin reached my ears. “Oh, yes. And I imagine they’ll try to draw you into the family football game. And the family cage fight. And the family wrestling match. I have to warn you, they are alpha males, every one of them.”

His eyes gleamed. “Oh, I think I can hold my own.”

My breath eased out of me as I looked at him. His chiseled muscles, his sturdy resolve, and he was all mine.

“I’d bet on you any day of the week.”

He grinned at that, then swept me up in his arms. “You’d better. From that first night I saw you, stepping in the bar’s main room, I knew you were going to change my life. I knew I had to let nothing stop me before I had you by my side.” He walked the distance over to the bed, laying me down on top of it.

I waited until he lay down next to me, and then I rolled to sprawl on top of him, looking down at him, the whole of my body singing in tune with his. My throat was tight when I spoke.

“That wasn’t the first time I saw you,” I murmured.

His brow raised. “Oh?”

I traced a finger along his lips. “It was a crash.”

His voice was hoarse. “A thunderbolt.”

My lips curved into a grin, and I nuzzled along his neck. “A crash of fire-engine red and bumblebee yellow. The drivers came tearing out of their cars, ready to start World War Three.” I gazed down into his eyes. “And then you stepped forward.”

His breath stilled. “You remember that?”

I nodded. “Chaos was about to erupt with bloody fury, and most people would have run, or pulled back to watch from a safe distance. But you stepped forward to do something about it.” My throat went tight. “And I knew you were him. At long last, you were the man I wanted in my life.”

He drew his fingers through my hair, his eyes shining. “I am so glad I found you, Kay.”

I brushed my lips against his, and my mouth quirked into a smile. “It took you long enough.”

He groaned, and his other hand came up against my hip. “It’s Tuesday morning. We have two full days and nights before we leave to meet these brothers of yours more properly.”

I tilted my hips against his, and my eyes sparkled at the shudder that swept his body.

“Barely enough time for what I have planned for you.”

Thank you so much for reading and supporting the cause!

The story of Kate’s family continues in the series Bermuda Nights, which features her brother, Evan. Book 1 of this series is
Resonating Souls
.

http://www.amazon.com/Resonating-Souls-Bermuda-Nights-novella-ebook/dp/B00HW24ALE/

You can also get the Bermuda Nights boxed set so you have all four in one complete set!

http://www.amazon.com/Bermuda-Nights-Boxed-Ophelia-Sikes-ebook/dp/B00LBACH3G/

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Dedication

To Debi Gardiner of GardinerDesign.com and Bob Evans of ArckArts.com who helped me create the original cover. Bob’s Triumph served as the original gorgeous model, and Bob’s photography talents are stunning.

To my Dad, who supports me in all my writing projects. My Mom’s writing expertise always comes in handy. To Jenn, who provided detailed ideas and suggestions.

To my writing group, especially Ruth, Fred, Dean, and Joan who offered invaluable advice.

To Shala, Remo, Mona, Mary-Anne, and Val, who chimed in with feedback.

To the great folks at Goodreads, especially Heather Jacquemin, Toni, and Tala who delved into specific tweaks.

To Sandra Baublitz, who always does such an awesome job of providing thorough editing and proofing –

https://www.facebook.com/sandrabaublitzediting

To three authors who inspired me immensely when I tackled this project. Glynnis Campbell was the first to show me that amazing storylines and appealing characters could combine with racy language. Eve Carter and Emily Jane Trent then helped me envision these characters and plots in a contemporary environment. Thank you so much Glynnis, Eve, and Emily!

Most importantly – a warm message of appreciation goes out to all my enthusiastic, loyal fans everywhere! Thank you for your support, encouragement, and feedback. It’s because of you that I am working so diligently on the sequels!

About the Author

Ophelia Sikes fervently believes that every one of us deserves dedicated, passionate love in our lives – coupled with a soul-deep respect which supports our dreams.

Ophelia adores Worcester, Massachusetts with all its gritty streets, rows of muted-colored three-deckers, and tough-as-nails can-do attitude. She’s lived in this area since college, with only a few brief flings in other locations. No matter where else she travels, she’s always delighted to return home.

From the row of restaurants on Shrewsbury Street to picnicking at Elm Park, from the summertime boaters on Lake Quinsigamond to the St. Patty’s Day Parade, there’s just something about Worcester. She hopes she’s brought this lively, unique town to life for her readers around the world.

Half of the proceeds of this book’s sales benefit battered women’s shelters.

Please send along as much feedback and suggestions as you can. The more we can polish these worlds and characters, the more we can help the cause.