Chapter Thirty-Four Quinn
I n the hours after finding out about Isla’s kidnapping, I spent the majority of the time pacing around our home office with my phone in my hand. Stationed at other places in the office, my brothers and Seamus did the same. We’d reached out to all of our allies for information about where Mikita could be harboring Isla. With each minute that passed with no answers, my hope began to wane.
Dr. Feeny arrived to check on Brooke. He gave her a sedative to keep her calm. Caterina remained at her side, having her meals brought to the bedroom.
When Henry woke up from his nap, he was inconsolable in Kellan’s arms. Since Seamus was the only one of us who had any experience as a father, he went to fix his bottle. When I took him from Kellan, he still screamed.
When Seamus returned with the bottle, he eyed Henry with sadness. “Wains are very perceptive about traumatic events. He knows something is wrong.”
“I know, Little Man. I want your auntie back, too,” I said, as I rubbed wide circles on his back.
Seamus’s phone rang, and he handed me the bottle before stepping out of the office to answer it. Before I could pop the bottle in Henry’s waiting mouth, my phone rang.
Since Dare was closest to me and Henry had wailed with Kellan, I handed Henry off to Dare. His eyes bulged in horror. “Wait, no, I don’t–”
“Just take him,” I commanded.
To my utter surprise, Henry stared wide-eyed at Dare. His cries waned into snubs. Turning away from them, I answered the call. “Hey Gianni, do you have anything for me?”
At his ragged sigh, my chest clenched. “I’m sorry, Quinn. I’m doing everything I can to hack into his system, but the fucker is locked up tight.”
“Thanks for trying.”
“I’m not giving up. I will break this.”
“I appreciate it, G.”
“I’ll call you back when I have something. Not if, but when .”
“Thanks,” I choked off.
When I hung up, I turned around to see Dare feeding Henry. At the way he held him like a bomb about to go off, I barked out a laugh. “He’s not an incendiary device,” I mused.
“Bullshit. He has the ability to explode at any moment.”
But Henry seemed content with Dare just as he had been with Kellan before. I leaned down and kissed his head, my eyes closing at the intoxicatingly sweet smell of his baby shampoo.
“I never thought I’d see the day you’d love a wain who didn’t belong to you,” Dare mused. He shook his head. “Frankly, I’d be just as surprised to see the love in your eyes if he was yours.”
“I’m not an anti-wain bastard like you are.” I brushed my finger over Henry’s forehead. “Besides, he does belong to me. He’s part of Isla, and in turn, he’s part of me.”
Dare eyed me in disbelief. But then his expression softened. “You’ll be a good father someday, Quinn.”
“I don’t know about that.”
“Somehow I think you’ll be even more whipped than Callum.”
“Is that right?”
“Aye. The harder the person, the harder the fall.”
“Then God help us all when you become a father.”
“Not happening.”
“As much as you fuck, the statistics are pretty high.”
Dare frowned. “I use protection.”
“Unless you’re abstaining, it isn’t 100% effective.”
For the first time I could remember, fear rippled through Dare’s face. He then shoved Henry at me, causing him to grunt in protest. “He’s happy with you. Go sit down and burp him.”
“Like I know how to fucking do that.”
“Just pat his back, mate. It’s not that hard.”
Seamus and Callum came back into the office then. Callum had slipped out on the pretense of checking on Brooke, but I knew he really wanted to make sure Caterina was okay.
Waving his phone, Seamus said, “The security cameras at the club are fucked. They freeze in intervals that must’ve been when the kidnapper arrived and then when Isla’s car left the parking lot.”
“Fuck. It’s obvious Mikita is tech savvy. Gianni isn’t having any luck hacking them.”
“If anybody can, it’s Gianni,” Seamus replied.
“Quinn.”
Whirling around, my heart dropped into my chest at the sight of Shane in the doorway with an ashen expression. It was the first time he’d ever called me by my first name and not boss. Without a word, Dare and Callum came to flank my left and right side.
“What’s happened?”
“Isla was just found at the back of Alainn –”
“Is she dead?” I demanded.
“She’s alive.”
My knees gave out, and I sank to the floor. I sucked in a ragged breath as I processed that Isla was found. “Was she harmed?”
“Mikey and Niall are enroute to Mass General with her.”
“Was she harmed?” I repeated.
Shane rubbed the back of his neck. “They said there was no apparent physical wounds. As for anything–” his voice choked off.
I winced at the thought of the sexual assault she might’ve faced. “They won’t be able to tell until she’s examined at the hospital,” I murmured.
He nodded. “I don’t know if it will make you feel any better, but they said she still wore the dress she had on when she disappeared. It wasn’t torn or anything like that.”
It did little to dispel my fears.
“Get me to the hospital.”
“Yes, sir,” he replied.
Without another word to the others, I barrelled out of the office and broke into a jog down the hallway. I beat Shane out to the garage, but he hustled to hop into the driver’s seat. He cranked up and threw the SUV into reverse.
We careened out of the driveway and started tearing down Beacon Street. Even though I knew Isla was alive and back with us, the fear constricting my lungs hadn’t waned. Horrible scenarios filled my mind of what they had done to her.
I don’t know how Shane managed to get us through traffic so quickly. I was going to owe him a raise for his quick thinking and maneuvering. He wheeled us up to the entrance of the ER.
Before the SUV had come to a stop, I opened the door and flung myself out. I sprinted through the mechanical doors and up to the front desk. The nurse behind it shrank down in her chair at the sight of me. “Can I help you?” she squeaked.
“I want to know what room Isla Vaughn is in. She was just brought in.”
Her trembling fingers flew across the keyboard. “She’s in room 3.”
“Thank you.”
I knew she should’ve asked me if we were related or asked to see my ID. But instead, she buzzed open the door for me. While I appreciated it at this moment, I sure as hell wouldn’t under any other circumstances. No one should have such easy access to Isla.
Mikey and Niall stood on either side of Isla’s room. When I stormed up to them, they held up their hands. “We wouldn’t have left her, but they insisted we did to complete the physical exam.”
Although I didn’t like it, I nodded. “Is she talking?”
“She’s awake. A little woozy because they gave her something.”
“Has she been asking for me? Did you tell her I was on the way?”
Mikey and Niall exchanged a look. “No, sir. But she’s really not been talking,” Mikey replied.
I started up pacing again. My phone buzzed alerting me that my brothers and Seamus were in the waiting room, and Owen stayed at the house with Brooke and Caterina. It seemed like an eternity passed before a nurse and doctor emerged from the room.
At the sight of me, recognition flooded the doctor’s face. His ID read Dr. Jason McElroy. “You’re Mr. Kavanaugh?”
“Aye, I am.”
“Although you aren’t Ms. Vaughn’s next of kin, I find it would be in my best interest to inform you of her condition.”
“That would be correct,” I replied menacingly.
“I’m happy to tell you there was no physical trauma to Ms. Vaughn’s body.”
“What about…” I couldn’t bring myself to say the words.
He shook his head. “While she insisted she wasn’t assaulted, I did do a brief examination, and there was no vaginal trauma.”
A relieved breath whooshed from me. “Thank God.”
Dr. McElroy’s expression grew grave. “While there is no physical trauma, the level of emotional trauma that Ms. Vaughn has experienced is very serious. She has all the indications of being in shock.”
“I can assure you she will receive the best psychological care.”
“Good. She’s going to need it.”
My heart ached at the thought of Isla in pain. “Can I see her?”
“Yes. But I would ask that you limit your visit to only yourself. She’s been through a harrowing experience.”
In a hushed voice, I asked, “She told you about the abduction.”
“She did. Knowing her involvement with you and your family, I’m sure it would be futile to file a police report.”
“It would. You can rest assured I will handle it.”
Dr McElroy nodded. “I’m glad to hear it.”
He started to walk away, but I stopped him. “For your care of Isla and your discretion, I am in your debt. I will not forget you should you need me someday.”
His dark eyes widened. “Thank you,” he mumbled before he hurried away.
Although I wanted to burst into Isla’s room and drag her into my arms, I carefully eased the door open. When I stepped inside, Isla was staring ahead.
“Little Dove?” I questioned.
Her attention snapped to me. While I expected tears or even anger, I wasn’t prepared for the emotionless way she regarded me. Slowly, I made my way to her side. I knelt down beside the bed. “I’m so very, very sorry.”
“He didn’t rape me if that’s what you’re worried about.”
“I know. The doctor told me.”
“He didn’t even threaten to rape me.”
“He didn’t?”
She shook her head. “He killed one of the men who tried to.”
A low growl came from within me at the thought of any man attempting that. “I never imagined Mikita had a heart.”
“His mother committed suicide after she was gang raped during an abduction.”
Jaysus. I knew Mikita’s father had been a widower, but I’d always heard he’d lost his wife to illness, which it was in a way.
My eyes shuttered in pain. “I would give anything in the world if I could turn back the clock twenty-four hours. I would never let you out of my sight.”
“I know you think you can always protect me, Quinn, but it’s very evident that you can’t.”
“That’s not true.”
She shook her head. “Deep down, you know it is. Your enemies will always find a chink in your armour, and I’ll be the one to pay for it. But I can’t let it happen again.”
An icy fear prickled its way up my spine. “What are you saying?”
“I can’t see you anymore.”
“No, Isla. Please don’t say that.”
“I’m sorry, but it’s how I feel. It’s been made very evident how unsafe your world is for me.”
“Don’t do this,” I pleaded.
Tears shimmered in her eyes. “You know I have no choice.”
“Yes, you do. You can fucking choose to stay with me and us make a life together.” A shaky smile formed on my lips. “You can be a mad scientist just like you planned. We’ll get a house of our own, or I’ll get one big enough for Brooke and Henry. It’s whatever you want.” I squeezed her hand. “Just please don’t leave me.”
A sob tore through her chest. When I reached to take her into my arms, she smacked me away. “No, no, no!”
“Isla–”
“You—your life, your world—broke me. I’ve got nothing left.” She swiped her eyes with her sleeve.
“I’ll take whatever you can give me. I’ll work night and day to earn your trust back. I’ll move mountains to ensure you feel safe and protected.”
“What little I have isn’t for you. Brooke and Henry are my world. They rely on me?—”
“They can rely on me just as you can. They’re at my house right now being watched over by Owen.”
“Why isn’t Brooke here with you?”
I sucked in a ragged breath. “She wasn’t in any shape to come.”
“What do you mean?”
“She was so upset she had to be sedated.”
A rueful smile curved on her lips. “And this is what comes when we rely on you.”
“Isla, I’m sorry. Caterina hasn’t left her side. I promise she’s in good hands.”
“My sister was hurt because of me. But what happens when Brooke and Henry become pawns in your world because of me? Brooke could be trafficked to the highest bidder by your enemies, or Henry’s decapitated head could be sent to our house in a box over something as trivial as a territory dispute.” Her head shook violently back and forth. “As much as you profess you can protect us, you can’t.”
Agony spread through my chest. As much as I wanted to argue with her, I knew it was pointless because she was right. I couldn’t protect her. Regardless of how hard I tried, there would always be the potential she could be hurt or Brooke or Henry.
“Please, don’t do this. Don’t leave me.”
“If I stay with you, I could die. Even worse than that, my child could be tortured and killed all because of who their father is.”
“I know I can’t promise you nothing will happen, but I love you, and I can’t bear the thought of living without you. You’re my soulmate, Isla.”
“Stop it. Just get out! Get out! Get out!” she screamed. Her body then collapsed into sobs.
A nurse came running into the room. She gave me a disapproving look. “I think it’s best that you leave.”
I didn’t argue with her. When I turned to go, I realized my feet wouldn’t move. It was like my body was so drawn to Isla it couldn’t bring itself to abandon her.
Like a zombie, I ambled through the mechanized doors back into the ER’s waiting room. Callum appeared before me, his expression ashen. “How is she?”
“Emotionally shattered.”
His eyes closed in pain. “Fuck, Quinn. I’m so sorry.” His hand squeezed my shoulder. “Whatever she needs, I’ll take care of it. You just take care of her.”
I slid my hand over my face. “She doesn’t want me.”
“What?”
“She threw me out of her room.”
Callum’s eyes bulged, but then he shook his head. “She doesn’t mean it.”
“I’m pretty sure she does.”
“Quinn, she’s been through hell. She needs time to recover.”
“She doesn’t want me because of the danger I pose to her family.” I exhaled raggedly. “So, she told me to leave.”
“Jaysus,” Callum muttered.
I stared down at the tiled floor. Although I couldn’t believe I was going to say it, the words flowed easily off my tongue. “I’m out.”
“What?”
I jerked my head up to glare at him. “You’re not fucking deaf—you heard me.”
“Maybe I needed you to repeat it.”
“I said I’m out.”
As the color drained from his face, Callum held up a finger. “Not fucking here.” Turning around, he jerked his head at Dare, Kellan, and Seamus. Without a word, they rose out of their chairs to join him in the hallway. “Chapel,” Callum said.
They fell into step behind us as we made our way down the hall. After an elevator trip two floors up, we passed the ICU cubicles to a small room. We’d spent a ridiculous amount of time there after Caterina’s attack. Now we reconvened there after yet another woman had suffered on our watch.
After holding open the door to the interfaith chapel, Callum ushered us inside. Only one man sat on one of the benches. At the sight of us, he quickly got up and left.
Once we were alone, Callum locked the door. When he turned back to me, he said, “Tell them what you said to me in the hallway.”
I stared into their expectant faces. “I’m done.”
Dare’s eyes popped wide. “You want out?”
“It’s not about fucking wanting it. I’m out.
“But you can’t do that,” Seamus countered.
“I don’t care about the fucking oath. I’m done. ”
Seamus shook his head. “This is your birthright and your family.”
“What more can this fucking family take from me?”
“Quinn—”
I threw my hands up in desperation. “I’ve given my blood. I’ve been disfigured. Now it’s taking the only woman I’ve ever truly loved.” I shook my head. “I’m fucking done.”
“You’re in pain. You’re not thinking clearly,” Callum argued.
“There’s nothing left for me. Without Isla, there’s nothing for me in our world or in this fucking miserable life.”
Seamus stepped up to place his hands on my cheeks. “Oh son, I know just how you feel. After Rian and then Elena, I didn’t want to live.”
“Why didn’t you just check out?”
“I came close once or twice. But then something always stopped me. Some tiny flicker within me that grew as time went on. Most days, it’s a muted flame, but it’s still hope. There’s hope for me, and there’s hope for you. You’ve endured so much physically and emotionally that I understand why you feel as you do.” He shook his head. “You have to keep fighting, Quinn.”
“I don’t know if I want to.”
Kellan cleared his throat. “I felt like you did for a long time after Maeve’s rape. I didn’t want to be part of such a world that bred men like our father. I feared I would somehow give over to the dark side.”
He swallowed hard. “Even though I didn’t talk about it with you guys then, you got me through–even though you didn’t know it.” He placed a hand on my shoulder. “We’ll get you through this, Quinn. Just don’t fucking give up on us or yourself.”
Although I wanted to turn and flee, Isla had brought me too far to do that. Instead, I didn’t shy away from letting my brothers see my tears. “I feel like I’m on fire again, but there’s nothing that will ever douse these flames.”
“We’ll figure it out. We’ll find a way,” Callum said.
Dare nodded. “We’ll see you through.”
I wanted to feed off their strength. I wanted to believe with that tiny flicker that Seamus spoke of. But it all seemed too desperate.
“Come on. Let’s get you home. You need to shower and sleep,” Seamus said.
“So it can all look better in the morning?” I bit out.
Seamus shook his head. “No, that’s utter bullshit. You’re still going to feel like hell, but you will be a little better physically.”
At the thought of going home and seeing Brooke and Henry, I shuttered my eyes in pain. “I can’t go home.”
“You need to be with the people who love you,” Seamus protested.
“I can’t see Brooke and Henry.”
“Then you can get a hotel room.”
I opened my eyes to take in the concerned faces of my brothers and Seamus. “As much as I appreciate what you’re offering, I need to get out of the city to process all this shit.” I exhaled a ragged sigh. “I need to go home.”
Callum’s brows shot wide. “You want to go to Belfast? But you haven’t–”
“Been there since the accident. I’m aware of that.”
Seamus frowned. “I don’t think that’s a good idea.”
“If I promise to see a shrink while I’m there will it make you feel better?”
“Slightly.”
“Then come with me and babysit,” I suggested.
“I just got back,” he protested.
“So let me go alone in peace.”
“Are you sure? I really don’t mind going.”
“You know I’d rather be by myself.”
“If you’re sure.”
“I am.”
Callum eyed me warily. “What about your things? Should I call Lorna and have her pack your bag?”
With a shake of my head, I replied, “I’ll buy new shit when I get there.”
“You’re determined to do this,” Callum remarked.
“Aye. I am.”
“I guess there’s no point arguing then.”
I smiled. “We both know we’re too stubborn to change.”
“So you’re off to the airport?”
“Yes, I’ll get them to gas up the jet.”
Callum nodded. “I’ll call one of the soldiers to bring your passport to you.”
“I appreciate it.” When I started to open the chapel door, Dare stopped me.
“Don’t you hink you should stay and fight for her?”
Surprise filled me that the words had come out of my womanzing brother. “As much as I want to, I know when I’m licked.”
“But she could change her mind. She’s been through such a horrible ordeal. I mean, look at Caterina. After we kidnapped her, I never imagined she could fall in love with Callum, but she did,” Dare protested.
“Caterina came from our world. She grew up with the dangers. Isla can’t resign herself to what could happen to her and to her family. I have to respect her feelings. And I can’t change the world I come from. Even when I wanted to leave, I knew I could never escape the danger.”
Dare’s forlorn expression truly touched me. “We’ll make sure to keep someone on the house while you’re gone. We’ll protect her just as you would have.”
“Thank you, brother,” I choked out.
After hugging each of my brothers and Seamus, I then started out of the door. They fell in step behind me, a silent brotherhood united not just by our blood but by the oath we’d taken.
An oath that I would continue to uphold despite the agony it caused.