EVERLEIGH That conversation was a lot easier than I thought it would be. I didn't expect Ronan to actually let me go with them to get Adrie and Kade.But then again he sent me with Rannon, so by extension, himself. The elevator opened into the parking garage. The guys led me to a bank of black SUVs. I walked over to the driver side of one and held my hand out to Rannon."Keys.""Nope." He said, popping the P.I snapped my fingers at him and held my hand out again. We were having a good old fashioned Mexican standoff. "Fine." I said turning on my heel and heading for the emergency exit that leads to the alleyway between this building and Gran's shop. "I'll drive myself."Before my hand could touch the door, I was being thrown over the giant's shoulder and taken back to the elevator. "Put me down, you giant son of a bitch!" I screamed, hitting him in the back with my good fist.He loosened his hold just for a second and that was all I needed. I threw my leg as far back as I could and
POSSIBLE TRIGGERS AHEAD! READ AT YOUR OWN DISCRETION!EVERLEIGH It's been four days since we brought Adrianna here. Four days since she has spoken. Not that she really could. At some point that asshole had choked her and her voice was just coming back to her.I sat with her in the bed Rannon moved her to after Dr. Tierney finished her examination. Turns out, Claire is Connors younger sister. That would explain why she seemed so familiar to me.Oisin and Kierian have taken to babysitting Kade with a gusto. They take him to his favorite park every afternoon which is where they are now. He calls them Kierie and Oishie and he chatters nonstop about them.Brennan's wife, Ava, came in yesterday to pick up Kade for a play date. She was a quiet woman, with short blonde hair and light brown eyes. She brought their six year old daughter, Bailey and their three year old son, Bryce up with her to pick up Kade. I sat cradling Adrianna's hand in my lap. There are defensive marks all over her han
EVERLEIGH Preparations for the party were in full swing by the time we got to the ranch. Mrs. Jenkins was baking up a storm when we got here yesterday, and she's still baking today. The smell of cinnamon apples drifted through the ranch house, teasing all who were there with smelling distance, with the promise of a delicious dessert. I followed my nose through the halls until I came to the kitchen. I could see Mrs. Jenkins bustling about making dough for what looks to be another pie. Before I can take a step into the kitchen, a strong arm wraps around my waist and a large hand covers my mouth. The thick Irish accent in my ear has me calm before I could scream."Don't make a sound, you'll blow the mission." I turn my head to see Sean behind me, mischief dancing in his eyes. My brows furrowed in confusion as he led me into the broom closet next to the kitchen."What are you doing?" I whispered, as soon as he took his hand from my mouth."Operation: Apple Pie." The door to the clo
PrologueEverleigh - 3 Years AgoIt was hot.So hot I almost couldn't breathe.I have no idea what day it is, where I am or who took me. All I do know is this room they have me squeezed in is stifling and disgusting. There's no telling how many other poor girls have been locked in this room. It isn't even big enough for a bed. Harry had it better living under a staircase than what I have in this box. At least I got to have a bed.I could see dried blood and other things that I don't even want to think about, on the walls and floor. I'm not entirely sure what happened to make our operation go sideways but all I can do is pray that they find me before my captors decide to kill me.I know Bryan is looking for me. He wouldn't just let me go without a fight. We mean too much to each other. We don't care that it is against department regulations, we still decided to have a physical relationship. I love him and he loves me.Hopefully I'm not too broken by the end of this order. I don't kn
EVERLEIGHThe app I used to help me sleep at night was cut off way before I wanted to wake up. Using a white noise app was the only way I could get a full night's sleep without the nightmares returning.Samson laid with his head on my stomach, his ears perked up and his long bushy tail wagging. I rescued him as much as he has rescued me. I was part of the K-9 unit and after I got hurt he was supposed to go to another handler. He became aggressive and uncontrollable with his new handler and therefore that made him a liability. The head of my unit knew I wasn't coming back, not after I lost Bryan. So they let us both retire peacefully.I swung my legs over the side of the bed testing the balance on my right leg. It still gives me problems sometimes, especially first thing in the morning and definitely when it rains. And unfortunately, it has been raining here for almost a week straight and it is unseasonably cold in the mornings and blazing hot in the noon.Mother nature needs to get he
EVERLEIGHWe were almost done carrying all of the floral arrangements into the building's cargo elevator. Gran took the first elevator full up and I was waiting for her to come back down so I could load the rest. The elevator was located at the back of the parking garage and was used by employees of the restaurants and businesses in the building.There were several workers coming up from behind me. They were all dressed in uniforms like a catering service. I smiled at the one closest to me and pulled out my phone to scroll my social media while we waited for the elevator to come back down. The engagement party was on the eighteenth floor so it would take time for it to come back down. I was so lost in my phone that I almost didn’t hear part of their conversation. It’s not my fault that I’m nosy by nature.“....minutes to get in and get out. Call Vinny and tell him to meet us out front. This elevator is taking too long.”I made sure to keep staring at my phone. It’s a good thing I k
RONANOne minute I was just shooting the shit with the guys, going over security plans for my little sister's engagement party, and the next thing I saw, there was a girl on the floor of my private conference room kicking the shit out of some guy.It was obvious that he was the reason for the blood on her face and the panicked look in her eyes.My guys being my guys, jumped into action pulling the guy off of her. Brennan and Sean threw him in the opposite corner, giving Oisin and Tadgh the chance to fuck him up as well. We may be criminals, but the line is drawn at hurting women and children.Even from my seat at the head of the table I can see this girl is a beauty. I’m instantly hit with the need to care and protect this girl at all costs.I don’t know why but before I can put much thought into my actions, I’m kneeling on the floor in front of her. I take back everything I said about her being a beauty. Those words aren’t enough to describe this little redhead at my feet.She’s fu
EVERLEIGHThe ride to the hospital was uncomfortable to say the least. I was ushered back down to the private section of the parking garage and into a black SUV with dark tinted windows. The one he called Connor was in the front driving while I was stuck in the backseat with the devil of the city.How could someone so evil be so devastatingly handsome. And big.Jesus, was this man huge. He has to be at least six and a half feet tall.He sat staring at me with his head cooked to the side like he was memorizing every detail. Taking up most of the space in the back, making it hard to breathe.It wasn't hot per say, but his intense gaze was giving the butterflies in my stomach butterflies of their own."So Everleigh, how long have you been working with your grandmother?" He asked me. Is he serious right now? Like he hasn’t investigated all of the vendors that have anything to do with this engagement party.“Listen, cut the bullshit, I’m only allowing you to drop me off at the hospital.