3. Chapter 3

Chapter 3

Moira

T he color washes out of his face instantly. Suddenly, I forget about the fact that I just had sex with a man that I barely know, and I’m standing, pantiless and braless, wearing just my tattered dress, in his back yard. He places the call on speakerphone. “Maverick? What happened?”

“I’m not sure. I got a video from Trudy’s phone. It showed that asshole Mike Wilson standing behind her, and all I heard was a gunshot, and then the video ended.”

“Where is she?”

“It looks like she’s at the back lot of her office. And the only reason why I recognize it is because I’ve been staking the place out so much since that whole fucking paternity suit went down.”

“Are you on your way there now?”

“Does a bear fucking shit in the woods?” He changes tack. “Where the fuck are you, anyway? That was a shitty thing to do, you know, fucking hanging up on me like that, you asshole.”

“I’m sorry, Maverick.” He says remorsefully, grabbing his shirt, throwing it over his shoulders. “I’m on my way. Did you call the cops?”

“What the fuck do you think?!”

“Easy, easy.” He raises a hand, as though his brother is here to see it. “Look, I know that you’re upset, but fucking calm down.”

“Easy for you to say, asshole. The woman I love could be dead.”

“I get it, Maverick. I’m on my way.”

I don’t even hesitate. I know that if Trudy, one of my patients, was shot, my assistance would be greatly appreciated and helpful, so I dust myself off, put on my veritable doctor’s hat, and we hop into Declan’s truck, forgetting, for a spell, what we just did. Declan scrolls through his phone as we pull out of his driveway, and I glance at the screen. The call that he ignored came in seven minutes ago, and I realize that I’ve never fucked so fast my entire life, and never dreamed of that ever happening. It’s like it was so fast it didn’t happen, and I try to think that maybe it isn’t true.

“Do you know who shot her?” I ask. “Who’s this Mike lad Maverick was speaking of?”

“He’s some asshole that put her through a paternity suit when she was pregnant.”

“Jesus Christ.” I scoff mirthlessly. “Why on earth would he do that? Is the man mad?”

He nods. “Aye. We’ve been trying to locate him, but he went A.W.O.L., and now he’s just shown up, evidently with guns a blazing. I didn’t think the fucker had it in him, to be honest. He seemed more like the type that doesn’t want to get his hands dirty. Let the lawyers and rented cops deal with it all, you know. I never dreamed it would resort to this. It almost makes me feel bad for...never mind.” He says with a shake of his head.

I lean forward, trying to gauge his expression. “Never mind what? What did you do, Declan?”

He waves, averting his gaze to the road. “Nothing I won’t pay for later, I assure you.”

“What happened?”

He draws in a deep breath and releases it. “Let’s just say that I took one of our security guys off the job to deal with something personal. And I’m sure that my da figured it out that he’s a newbie and hasn’t gone through the channels yet.”

“Well, then, if he’s a newbie, why does it matter? He wouldn’t technically be on the job, anyway.”

We pull onto the highway, and Declan seems to be focusing on driving as fast as he can, without getting pulled over. I decide to drop the issue, as we have bigger fish to fry right now. As we pull off the highway, and up a street, we can already see the flashing lights ahead. “Shit.” He curses under his breath, as he rakes a hand through his hair, and I get it that he looks freshly fucked, even though I’m trying not to think about that. His hair is a mess from me...well...messing it, and he’s got a hickey on his neck, which I don’t remember giving him, but that doesn’t surprise me.

He glances at me quickly, and I know that he wants to say something about my appearance, but he refrains. After all, he’s going to be the one that is known here, not me. Despite the fact that I’m not wearing a bra or underwear, I know that I look okay. My hair always feels funny when it’s disheveled, and it feels normal. The dress isn’t revealing, and the material is discreet enough that I could get away without a bra if I wanted to, anyway. “I’ll take you back to the restaurant as quickly as I can.” He says.

“It’s okay. If she’s been shot, I can help. I can always call into the office and have my appointments moved, Declan. This is more important.”

“Aye.” He nods. “Thank you.”

The place is surrounded by cops. I see one rolling yellow caution tape around the perimeter, so we just made it. But what I see is not what I expect. Trudy is standing by one of the cop cars, talking with three officers, and Maverick is by her side. “She looks alive and well.” I comment, as we walk towards them.

“Maverick. What happened.” Declan asks as we draw nearer. His brother looks our way. That’s when I notice an older man, standing by another cop car, speaking with three other officers. There’s an ambulance parked next to the back doors, and what looks like a body, covered with a white sheet, on the ground.

I walk to Trudy and give her a hug. “I’m so glad that you’re okay.”

She tips her chin at the older man standing by the other cruiser. “Gill saved my life.”

Maverick interjects. “He knew the bastard was after her. Shot him on the spot.”

“You’re fucking kidding me.” Declan states, impressed. He walks over to who I’m guessing is Gill and shakes his hand. “Way to go, Gill. Good man. Good man.”

“This is Gill Rogers. My boss.” Trudy says by way of explanation. “I owe him my life.”

Gill waves, being modest. “He was giving yet another one of my staff a hard time.” He explains. “I took him to the side and told him to fuck around and find out.”

Trudy covers her mouth, blushing. I gather that Gill isn’t one to curse. She chuckles but gives him a hug.

Another car pulls up, and the cop placing caution tape over everything, tries to halt her with a hand gesture.

“Oh, it’s okay, she’s with me.” Trudy states. “That’s Freya, my best friend.”

A click and a man’s voice comes seemingly from nowhere. “Maverick, can you tell me what happened here?” He asks, snapping a shot of us.

“Hey, what the fuck!” Maverick shouts. “Get outta here, you asshole!”

He snaps a shot of the body lying on the ground before one of the cops pulls him off to the side. After a beat, I still see him shooting footage from his phone, but I ignore him. I think nothing of it, as I assume the media is always present when the Harris boys are around.

“Thank God everyone was out on lunch when this happened.” Gill states. “We only had to evacuate a handful of clients. I’m just glad that you’re okay.”

“I’m fine.” Trudy states.

Declan looks at me. “I should probably get you back to the restaurant, now that we know that everyone is okay.” He turns to the body on the ground. “Well, almost everyone.”

Maverick overhears. “Is that where you were at? A restaurant?”

Declan looks the other way, raking a hand through his hair. “Yes, I was, and I’ll thank you for setting that up, asshole.”

I see Trudy and Maverick exchanging a look that I can’t decipher.

“We’ll talk later.” Maverick states, letting Declan off the hook.

“No, we won’t, jerkwad. And you’re lucky that da isn’t here.”

“Or, you’d what.” Maverick taunts. “You’re the asshole that’s up shit’s creek without a paddle with da, and you know it.”

“I’m outta here.” Declan mutters indignantly under his breath.

“Oh, don’t pull any of that bullshit.” Maverick whines.

“Fuck you, asshole.”

Declan storms beside me to his truck. I have the sense to follow him. As a person with many siblings, I know how difficult they can be. What I also know is that if one of them annoys me, the worst thing someone can do is intervene, especially when I can practically see smoke coming out of Declan’s ears, so I leave him be. Finally, we arrive back at the restaurant.

I test the waters. “At least Trudy is okay.”

He speaks on exhale. “Aye. That’s true.”

We’re standing next to my car. It’s so awkward. My emotions are firing in all directions. I’ve never done anything like this before, and especially to have it end so oddly. I have no idea what to say, so I say nothing. As I get into my car, Declan stops me. “I know that this is not going to come out right. But for whatever it’s with, thanks for a lovely time.”

“And I thought I was going to have the cheesy line.”

He has the grace to chuckle. I have no idea if I’ll ever see him again, and it’s probably best if I don’t. If he were ever to find out about me, he would shower for a year, having slept with me. While I’m no whore, I’ve got a large burden to bear, one that a man of Declan’s caliber wouldn’t tolerate. So I’ll save him the time and energy. I’m sure he doesn’t have much of either to spare.

“Likewise.” I say with a smile, and as I slide into my car, I don’t look at his face. I can’t. As much as I think that this could have been something wonderful, I know that it isn’t possible. What we had this afternoon will always be remembered, and I will cherish it, but I can’t get involved with anyone. Not like this.

“Take care, Moira.” He says.

I don’t look up as I fasten my seatbelt. “You, too.”

“Well, you’ve got a lot of nerve, coming down on me like that!” I say through gritted teeth, to my cousin, Stephanie.

“You’re a fool, Moira! I mean, you went on the date, got interrupted by a presumed murder, and then you just left him? What were you thinking?”

I left out the part about going back to his place and fucking against his pool house wall. “I was thinking that my life is too fucked up to be bringing in the carnage, Steph! What would he think, huh! Don’t be daft!”

“I think you’re confusing who’s daft here, lass! Come on! You know that this shit is just your way of avoiding being with a man that is perfect for you! You’re being a bloody coward is what you’re doing!”

“Stephanie, focus! I’m not perfect for him! He may be perfect for me but I’m exactly the opposite of what he needs right now!” I force my fingers through my hair. “Christ, he’s already got people trying to shoot their family and now friends of the family! The last thing he needs is me!”

I know that my cousin means well, but at best, she’s crossed a line. It’s not like I went home pining for Declan. Sure, I mentioned him once or twice, but I didn’t obsess.

“Please, Moira!” She argues. “This is the first lad you’ve mentioned in ages! I know you’re into him! I did you a favor since I know that you’d never ask him out!”

I’m exasperated. “Yes! What does that tell you!” I hiss, pointing to my temple, like she’s an idiot.

“Moira, this is enough! You need to start living your life, goddammit! What happened at home is over! It’s time to move on.”

That hits deep. My voice lowers. “That’s easy for you to say, Steph. But you will never know what it’s like to be in my shoes.”

She lowers her voice as well. “Look, Moira, I’m not going to tell you how to run your life, but you need to ask yourself…how many golden opportunities do you get?”

“That wasn’t a golden opportunity.”

“Well, did you two at least like each other? Because if you didn’t, then this discussion is over.”

The truth is I really really like him. I’ve never had that sort of attraction to anyone before. I won’t say that it was love at first sight, but I think it comes close. I hate lying to Steph, but in this case, I know she won’t back off unless I do.

“No. It wasn’t a match made in heaven by any means.”

We’re sitting on my balcony, and a big gust of wind comes in, pushing my dress way up, giving me a shiver up my spine, and showing off everything I own. Thank God Steph has seen it all before. But as I recover, pulling my dress back down and we both exchange a mutual look, she says. “Where’s your britches?” The way she says it, she’s on to me. Her eyes go to my chest. You could cut glass with my nipples. “And since when do you not wear a bra?” She clucks her tongue.

“I…took them off when I got home.” I lie.

She does a double take as I turn slightly, trying to avert my gaze. “Oh, and I see you’ve been branded there on your neck.” She frowns. “Either Declan Harris had his way with you today or that Dyson vacuum cleaner in your closet has tremendous sucking power if it took up your bra, panties and gave you a nice hickey.”

My face heats. I can’t look at her without smirking. Okay, she’s direct, but she’s so fucking funny when she is, and I can’t stand it. As much as I try to hold my breath, it’s for naught, as I exhale quickly, giggling as quietly as I can, but my shoulders vibrating betrays me. She snorts a laugh. “Well, the truth comes out. I don’t think that you’ve laughed like that in a while. You must have had all that pent up energy removed when he made you come like a fucking racehorse, Moira.”

I wave, but I can’t help the laughter. It’s not what she says but the way she says it. She’s so deadpan it’s hilarious. “Stop! I can’t catch my breath!”

“I bet that’s exactly what happened at lunch, too, Moira.”

A fart slips out I laugh so hard, and then she chuckles. “Wow, you’ve even lost control of your bodily functions. It must have been good.”

“Stop, or I’ll pee next, Steph!” I blurt, unable to do much else, I’m laughing so hard.

“Wow.” She nods, impressed. “So, you finally got laid properly.”

I wipe the tears from my eyes, mewling. “Oh, God, Steph. So I lied.”

“I lie all the time, Moira. How do you think I got you the date.” She sips her wine. “It was that good, huh.”

I nod. “You have no idea.”

“I think I do. For you to forget your bra and panties...that’s saying a lot. Why’d you leave them behind? Mementos?”

A chuckle comes out that I can’t help. “He actually tore my fucking panties off, Steph. It was the hottest thing I’ve ever experienced.”

“And your bra?”

“Well, I forgot to put that back on.” I leave out the part where we flew out of there so fast that I forgot it.

She’s confused. “Where did you guys get it on, at the restaurant? How come he tore your panties off?”

“No, we did it at his house. We were supposed to go back there to discuss my finances.”

Her eyes scan my face. “You look like you had a fantastic time. Did you go back to the office looking like that?”

“No, I had two cancellations, so I ended up doing charts from home. But I’ve got back-to-back appointments all day tomorrow.”

“Better wear a scarf, Moira. That hickey is a dead giveaway.”

“I didn’t even notice it.”

“I bet you did when he did it.”

A hand goes to my neck. “I don’t remember.”

“It’s the other side, Moira. And don’t tell me you don’t remember it, because then it couldn’t have been as good as you say it was.”

“It all happened so fast, Steph. But it was...phenomenal. A first for me.”

Her neck cranes backward as her face scrunches. “That was not your first, you lie.”

My hand goes to her forearm as I chuckle. “No, I mean it was my first time...with multiple orgasms.”

A brow lift. “No shit. Well, you’re one up on me then.”

I sit there, gaze creeping past her, remembering how hard his cock was, and how he slammed against me so deliciously, hitting every spot that needed to be touched. Then I break myself of my reverie. “But it can’t happen again. It’s over.”

An exasperated sigh. “Jesus Christ, Moira. This again?”

“Yes, Steph. You know as well as I do that I can’t get involved.”

She’s not convinced. “And why not.” It comes out as more of a statement than as a question. “You left Scotland, Moira. You left your troubles behind.”

I look up at her. Eyes full of conviction. “And what if they follow me here?”