Tiernan Chapter 7

We’d been at the hospital for two hours. I had to be held back by my family to stop me from busting into the treatment area. If it weren’t for Daid talking in my ear, I would’ve done it anyway, consequences be damned. Darragh was backing him up. Thankfully, Cassius had gone home with Aidan and Patrick. They promised to get him settled with Khloe and Riza. The women would make sure he was doing fine. More of the family showed up in the waiting room during that first hour. Those not helping with Cass or watching the kids were there.

I was tired of repeating what I knew, so Darragh and Daid took over providing information. Milo had shown up with some of the others. He gave me a censoring look. I knew I was in for an ass-chewing later. He hated it when I went out without him.

“Later, I’m kicking some sense into you,” he whispered.

“You can try,” I whispered back as I chuckled. Milo’s cocksure comment made me feel a smidge lighter. I couldn’t sit for more than a minute or two before I was back up pacing.

“ Mac , I know you’re worried about her, but she’s in capable hands. Dr. Dunn is working tonight. Kynedi is being taken care of. He’d tell us if something serious or life-threatening was going on,” Daid reassured me.

Dr. Dunn had been the ER doctor who cared for Martin when he collapsed and was brought in. Dunn found the brain tumor, which had been successfully removed with surgery. He’d earned our trust.

“If it were bad, Dr. K would already be here. He’s not because he trusts Dr. Dunn’s assessment,” Darragh added.

“And he already told you that she wasn’t sexually assaulted,” Sean reminded me. It had been a relief when we found that out. Although she still had her clothing on, I’d wondered.

“Her throat concerns me. She could barely talk, and it hurt when she did. Then there are her ribs and stomach.”

“They got the guy responsible. He won’t harm her again,” Rory said.

“Did we get the guy’s name so Cody can run him?” I asked.

“We did. Martin knows how we work. He sent it over as soon as he had it. All he asked was that we not exact any revenge in his jail,” Darragh said with a snicker.

The change in Martin since he got to know us and we became family had been remarkable. We made sure not to do anything that left him with actual knowledge of our illegal activities, but he could guess. After what we were required to do to get one of his men to leave Miranda alone, plus the awful things that cop was guilty of doing to women, Martin had a change of heart about what constituted justice.

“What’s taking them so long?” I snapped, my mind going right back on Kynedi.

“It hasn’t been that long,” Daid reminded me. I didn’t want to hear it.

I was taking steps toward the door that separated the waiting area from where they treated people when it swung open, and a familiar face came out—Dr. Dunn.

He didn’t waste time when I reached him. “Mr. O’Sheeran, Ms. Carmichael is okay. There doesn’t appear to be any permanent damage that we can find. Her throat will be sore, and her voice will be raspy for a few days. As for the other pain she had, he yanked her hair, which made her scalp tender. He also punched her a few times in the struggle. That bruised her somewhat, but nothing was broken. We’re getting her paperwork together, and she can go home as soon as it is ready. If you’d like to go see her now, you may.”

Relief flooded my body, but I still had to ask, “You’re sure?”

He smiled and nodded. “Yes. She’ll feel it for a week, but she fought and protected herself. It could’ve been much worse. She’s one strong woman. I’ll show you where she is.”

My family had crowded as close as possible, so they overheard what was said. They all urged me to go with him as if I needed to be told. As Dr. D opened the door for me, Milo stepped toward it. I shook my head.

“I highly doubt anyone is in there waiting to do me in, Milo. I can look out for myself. I want to be alone with her.”

He wasn’t thrilled but complied when Darragh told him to let me go. As I followed Dr. Dunn through the busy ER treatment area, eyes were drawn to us. I knew I was recognizable no matter where I went. It was a fact of my family’s life. I ignored it. He scooted back a drawn curtain about halfway down the long room.

My anger flared a bit seeing her bruised face. She was sitting in the bed looking lost. The worry on her face eased when she saw me. Dr. Dunn left us without a word, pulling the curtain closed. I went to her bedside and gently grasped her hand.

“How’s Cassius?” were her first words. Her voice was raspy.

“Cassius is fine. He’s at the compound. Aidan and Patrick took him there. The last I heard, he and Khloe were camped out in the middle of the living room, sleeping. If you agree, I think staying home from day camp would be best for him. Although he’s dealt great with this, he may have trouble later. If he stays home and sees you’re alright and that it’s safe, he’ll be more likely to settle.”

She opened her mouth, but I shook my head and picked up a dry-erase board and marker on the bedside table beside us. She took it and scribbled quickly, then held it up.

I agree. Sometimes, he seems okay, and then it hits. Dr. Dunn said my tests were clear, so I could go home soon.

“Doc told me the same. They’re getting your paperwork together. Is there anything you need us to get from your apartment other than clothes for the two of you?”

She appeared puzzled as she erased the writing and wrote more.

Why do we need clothes? We’re going back home as soon as I get out. I’ll wait for C to wake up.

“Kynedi, you’re not going back to that apartment!”

Why not? Did that man get released?

As I read that one, fear lurked in her eyes.

“No, he’s not out, and we’re doing everything to ensure he doesn’t get released. I don’t want to scare you more, muirnín , but I can’t allow you to stay there until we know why he did it and that he was working alone. You’ll stay at the compound where we know you’re safe.”

She furiously wrote again. I waited. I knew she’d push back, and that was fine. I liked to see her have a spunky side, but it wouldn’t do her any good. She’d have a roommate if she were adamant they remain in their apartment. Sure, I could have guards posted outside twenty-four-seven, but it wasn’t the same. I wouldn’t be able to rest unless I was with them.

We aren’t intruding on your family. He was looking for valuables. He thought I had them. We’ll be fine. What is that word you just said?

I shook my head. “It’s not an intrusion. You saw how much room we have. And why would he assume you have valuables? No offense, but your complex doesn’t scream, rob us. That word is Irish for sweetheart.” I knew she was trying to divert my attention.

“Because…” she croaked, then stopped. She squirmed as she glanced away from me. Alarm bells went off.

“Kynedi, what aren’t you telling me? Did he do more than you told the doctor? What did he say?”

When she refused to look at me or answer, I let go of her hand and used both hands to cup her face. I was careful not to touch her bruises as I lifted her chin so she had to meet my gaze.

“Tell me. I’m not dropping it. Unless you want me to surround you with guards, you’ll tell me whatever you’re hesitant to say. Do you know him, after all?”

She stared at me for a couple of moments while biting her lip. I eased it out from between her teeth with my thumb. It took all my strength not to nibble on it myself or to seal my mouth to hers. I hungered to taste her. It was insane how she’d taken up such a sizable part of my heart in less than a month. They both had.

“I can wait all day, if I have to, to get an answer,” I warned.

She scowled at me. “He thought I had valuables because he saw your car. He’d been watching the complex, I guess.”

As her words sank in, I was equal parts furious and remorseful. It was my fault. I should’ve thought about the risk being seen with me would bring them. I was an idiot. I groaned and hung my head.

“ Foc , I’m so goddamn sorry, leanbh . I didn’t think. Shit! Well, that seals it. You have to stay with us. Who knows who else saw me and thinks the same damn thing? I won’t be able to rest, nor will my family.”

Her soft hands landed on the outside of mine. I glanced up at her. She was giving me a concerned look. Why? She was the one hurt by my stupidity.

“It’s not your fault that he’s a lowlife.”

“It is. I brought him to your door. You have to let me make it up to you. Either stay with us, or I stay with you.”

Immediately, she was shaking her head. Desperate to find a way to convince her, I was about to confess I had feelings for her when we were interrupted. I held back my bark of impatience when I saw it was Martin. He gave me an apologetic nod.

“Sorry to interrupt, but I wanted to get her official statement before she leaves. I figured it would be better for me to ask than one of my men. Are you up to that?” He directed the last to her. She nodded.

Over the next ten minutes, we filled him in between her and me on what occurred and why. Despite telling her to write it out, she hoarsely explained in detail what happened. I wasn’t happy that she’d answered the door without looking first. I’d save my reprimand for later. By the time we were done, she was sagging in weariness. I caught her stifling a yawn.

“Martin, I think that’s enough for now. She’s tired, and I want to get her out of here and into bed so she can sleep. I’m trying to convince her it’s better to stay at the compound, but she says no. So, you can find me at her place if you need us.”

He smirked. He knew what an alpha, possessive O’Sheeran acted like.

“Ms. Carmichael, while I believe the man we have in custody worked alone, we don’t know that for sure. In addition, we have no way of knowing if any other unscrupulous individuals saw Tiernan around your place. If they have, they may get the same idea. I can’t provide you with an officer for protection. I don’t have the manpower. I know you wouldn’t want anything to upset your son. He was scared enough tonight, and so were you. Will I be able to find you at home or with the O’Sheerans?”

She darted her eyes back and forth between us. “Fine, you win,” she said to me. I had to work to keep from grinning in triumph as she continued, “But, it’s only for a few days. Once I’m mobile, then we’re going back, and you won’t need to stay with us. If someone wants to target our place, an empty apartment will be too much to resist. No more robbery attempts means no more to worry about.”

I’d let her think that for now. “Rest your voice. It’s getting hoarser. Martin, do you think this Lenox Cable guy will make bail?”

“This isn’t his first time being arrested. He has a rap sheet. Judges frown on that. I’m hitting him with as many charges as possible. I’ll make the case that he’s a flight risk since this is his third strike. I believe we can get his bail set so high that Cable won’t be able to pay it even if the judge allows bail.”

Regardless of whether he made bail, Martin knew we’d never let Cable walk without punishing him and ensuring Kynedi and Cass’s safety. He was just wise enough not to reveal that to her.

He excused himself after she agreed to come home with me, and his questions were answered. From that point, things began to move fast. Within an hour, she was discharged, and we arrived at her apartment to pack some bags. I had to let her come in with me, which I didn’t want, but she insisted I wouldn’t know what to get or where to find it. I enjoyed the hell out of having her in my arms. Despite her protests that she could do it, I carried her up the stairs and back down them. I made her sit on her bed and direct me. The only time she got up was when she refused to allow me to pack her panties and bras. Her face turned red as she put them in her bag.

Milo was driving, which allowed me to sit in the backseat with her. As we drove home, she leaned her head on my shoulder and drifted off. I cradled her to me, inhaled her scent, and closed my eyes. The first step had been achieved. By the time I was done, they’d be safe and on their way to being mine forever.