7. Were Going To Phail
Sean watched Troy’s eyes widen as he finished his sentence and realized his buddy was looking behind him. Which could only mean that Branna had walked in and heard that the police considered her a person of interest.
He dropped the phone and whirled to find her leaning on the doorjamb and Jabba. The dog stopped barking as soon as Sean moved to them. He lifted Branna into his arms and set her on a kitchen chair at the small table. When he squatted in front of her, he saw she was pale, but aware. Not in shock and not ready to faint. In fact, she tried a smile that wobbled. “Sorry. I overreacted. I’m fine.”
He framed her face. “You’re okay?”
She nodded. “I’m okay, but I guess I need to hear what Troy has to say.”
When he nodded, and started to stand, she grabbed his hand and tugged him down for a kiss. “Thanks.”
Sean grabbed his phone off the counter and pulled up a chair beside Branna. He tucked her under his arm, and Jabba came over to set his head in her lap.
Troy grimaced. “Sorry about the abrupt delivery, Branna. I should have been more careful.”
She managed to smile. “Nothing to apologize for. The shock nearly knocked my knees out from under me, but I’m fine.”
Sean doubted she was fine, but she was definitely strong.
“Do they seriously think I burned down the pub? While I was inside?”
Troy shrugged. “There’s been nothing about anyone inside. And from what you guys have told me, I’m going to guess that Prince Hawley is the one telling the police you caused the arson.”
Branna’s spine stiffened. “That creep. And there should be a person inside. Prince shot one of his friends. I thought he killed him. He told the others to leave him.”
Sean snorted. “I have several slightly stronger words for the bastard, but Troy is probably right. Branna has a list of things she wants to do, including calling the police, her insurance company, the funeral home, and getting new cards and ID. Do you think she’s okay to do all of that remotely?”
Troy shrugged and put his phone into a holder on the desk. “Not to overwhelm you, Branna, but I’ve got Marcus Ramirez here as well. He’s our deputy here in Phail, and he was our team leader back in the Army.”
Introductions were made, and had Sean smiling. “Good to see you, Arrow. Still can’t believe you moved to a town called Phail.”
Marcus grinned. “Epic can be persuasive, as you’re about to hear.”
Sean shook his head with a smile. “It’s not me you have to convince. I already think it’s a good idea. But we’re going to need to talk Branna into it.”
Her head swiveled between him and his phone. “What are you talking about? You didn’t even hear his plan. How can you know it’s what you’re thinking?”
Sean squeezed her shoulder. “We spent a decade moving from one hell hole to the next. We know how each other thinks. Plus, Epic’s been on my case for years to visit his town.”
Troy laughed. “He’s right. So, here’s my pitch. You guys come to Phail, and we’ll deal with everything from here. Or as much as we can. Marcus can get in touch with the local FBI office. It’s a couple of hours away, but the lead agent there is Shanice Williams. She’s been helpful with a few other situations we’ve been involved with.”
“FBI? Why would the FBI be involved in this?”
Sean nodded and squeezed her shoulder. “That would be great. It sounds like this Hawley asshole is running a gang that’s growing. That’s something the FBI keeps tabs on, especially if they deal with drugs or trafficking or any number of things. I’m guessing this guy might already be on their radar.”
Marcus, wearing his deputy uniform, nodded. “I think it’s a good idea for us to contact the FBI before you contact anyone. We’ll let them know you are traveling under the radar because there is a threat to your life. That way, we can get around the asshole cop you had contact with after your father’s death.”
Marcus’ eyes hardened, and Sean knew his friend wanted to take down the man. Anyone wearing a uniform should be on the side of justice and right. The cop Branna had dealt with was either an incompetent asshole or he was dirty.
“Once we have the FBI on board, you can contact your insurance and the rest.”
Troy nodded. “I’ve called a car dealership and had them set aside a few trucks for you to check out. I’ve explained you’ll need it ready to go. I’ll text you the dealer number. You’ll need to forward banking and insurance info to them asap. That way, you shouldn’t have to spend much time there. I’ve requested the trucks have a back seat big enough for the giant dog trying to crawl into Branna’s lap.”
They all smiled at Jabba, who had his front paws on her legs, and was trying to figure how to make the rest of him fit. Branna looked down with a fond smile as she continued to pat him. “He’s a great dog.”
He really was. And he’d latched himself onto Branna just like Sean wanted to do. He kissed her temple. “I like Troy’s plan, mostly because it’s the same one I came up with. What do you think? Should we head to Vermont?”
Her eyes were enormous. “I don’t even know what to say. I have so many questions.”
Marcus nodded. “I’m not surprised. For what it’s worth, I think you should get on the road with the new vehicle as soon as possible and head straight here. Before you leave there, order some clothes and things online and have them delivered here. Take enough from the safe house for the trip. Even if you know your credit card information, don’t use it until we’re clear on this end. Sean can do the ordering for you. Use fast-food restaurants as much as possible on the trip. Don’t stop at a hotel. If you need to, sleep in the car at rest stops. It’ll be uncomfortable, but it will take less time and leave less of a trail.”
Branna’s eyes shone, and fear nearly flowed off of her.
Marcus leaned in. “I know this all sounds over the top and frightening, but we want to keep you safe. Falcon is one of the very best at doing exactly that. When it’s someone he cares about, his skills are second to none. You can ask him all the questions on your trip. And you can call me or Troy at any time. We’re going to help you make this right, Branna.”
She bit her lower lip and nodded. She blinked hard to keep the tears at bay but one slipped over. After swiping it away, she nodded. “Okay. Thank you. I don’t know how to thank you. All of you. I was feeling completely lost and alone. You’re all amazing.”
Her voice wobbled, and she took one hand off Jabba to squeeze Sean’s thigh. He kissed her hair again and rubbed her shoulder.
Branna took a deep breath. “Looks like we’re going to Phail.” Her eyes widened as she realized what she’d said.
The three men all laughed at her reaction. Troy pointed at her. “And that’s why my fiancée tried to get me to change the name of our town. Not a chance. But you’ll have to remember the town slogan she came up with. Come to Phail to succeed. We’ve got your back, Branna. See you soon.” Then he waved and shut off the connection.
Laughing, Sean turned to face her. “They’re great guys. The smartest and most capable ones I know, just like Charlie. For what it’s worth, I think you’re making the right call. This gives us time to figure out exactly what you want to do next and gives us allies at our back.”
Branna reached around him and squeezed, hugging him with Jabba squashed in the middle. “Okay. Let’s pack a few things, and let’s go to Phail.” Then she giggled. “That’s the worst town name ever.”
He used to agree, but hearing her laugh changed his mind.
* * *
Branna thought Sean’s new truck was great, but after over twenty hours inside it with only fast-food bathroom breaks, she was ready to stretch her legs.
Instead of stopping and sleeping in rest areas, they’d switched up the driving and kept the other awake and alert. She’d told him about her life after he and Charlie had enlisted, and he’d shared stories about being overseas.
Sean had always been one of her favorite people. And she’d crushed on him from the time she realized she liked boys. At Charlie’s funeral, he’d taken on tasks to help her out despite being as devastated as she’d been herself.
Then, he’d driven across several states to help her after receiving a three-word text. He’d been nothing but supportive since. He’d taken care of everything without shoving her feelings to the side or taking over.
The man also kissed better than any dream she’d had. He was sexy as hell. She wasn’t surprised he was also easy to talk with. The journey to Vermont took more than twenty hours and they’d chatted about anything and everything the entire way.
Branna had a lot of facts to face over the next few days. And one of those facts was that she was falling in love with Sean Falcone. Falling hard and falling fast.
They hadn’t had more than one incredible kiss, one mind-blowing orgasm for her, but she knew it was only going to get better.
She also knew that it was far too early to be thinking about love. Sean might run for the hills if she said any of that. That had her smiling. The man didn’t run from anything.
Sean glanced over from the driver’s seat. “What’s got that happy look on your face?”
Well, she wasn’t about to tell him she was falling in love with him, so she told him part of it. “I was thinking that I don’t think you’re afraid of anything. And even if you were, you’d face it, anyway.”
His cheeks flushed, and he grinned as he pointed at a road sign. “I must be brave. I’m willingly driving to Phail.”
She smiled and went along with the change in the subject. “Bravest of the brave. Have you visited before?”
“No. Troy’s been after all of us to move up here and live the small-town life, but I haven’t made it yet.”
“We’re just about there. Maybe you’ll like it.”
“That’s what I’ve been thinking lately. It’s the perfect time to try it. What do you say? You willing to try it for a while?”
Her face flushed at the serious tone of his voice. “I’ve never been in a small town. I’ve never seen snow before. Actually, I’ve never left Florida until now.” Then she grinned. “I’d like to try it for a while.”
Sean’s grin was blinding as they drove the last few miles and into Phail.
They’d plugged the address Troy had sent into the GPS and it took them right through the town. They spotted Troy’s store, Phail General. And a diner named No Fail Diner. And what looked like a grocery store called Phail Phoods. And then they were through the town and traveling north.
Sean shook his head as they reached the farmland beyond the town. “It took us about a minute to drive through the place. We didn’t see a single traffic light, but we saw at least three ridiculous names. I know how Epic got his easy-going nature. You need to roll with the punches when you have a name like Phail and a town that thinks it’s hilarious.”
It seemed like a good place to live.
The GPS beeped, and Sean pulled into a driveway that had been cleared. The snowbanks on either side of the drive were almost as tall as the truck. The large farmhouse in front of them was old and worn. And gorgeous.
A huge porch wrapped around the parts she could see. The large windows looked like they’d be low to the floor, and Branna could imagine the views of the countryside they would have.
Sean parked beside the other car in front of the house as the farmhouse door opened. She recognized Troy and Marcus from the video call and guessed the woman was the fiancée Troy had mentioned.
Reality and nerves crashed around inside Branna. The interlude in the truck had been like an extended getting-to-know-you date. Now, she had to return to her real life and deal with all the disasters.
Jabba woofed and stuck his head between the seats to see where they’d stopped this time. Sean ruffled his fur. “We’re here, Jabba. Our new home for the next little while.”
Then he squeezed her hand. “It’s going to be okay, Branna. We’ve got this. Let’s go meet the gang.”
Branna nodded and opened the truck door. Jabba was on her side of the vehicle, so she opened his door to let him out of the truck’s back seat
Jabba barked happily as he loped toward the three people on the porch. The sound of a small dog’s bark froze him in his tracks.
She looked closer to see that the woman held a small dog in her arms. Branna thought it might be a French bulldog and it didn’t look in the least bit scary.
The dog yipped again and wiggled in his owner’s arms, obviously ready to meet a new doggie friend, even if he was smaller than Jabba’s head.
Jabba howled and ran back towards Branna, circling her legs and then trying to jump up into her arms. Because he weighed at least as much as she did, his leap ended with both of them on the ground.
Branna laughed as the dog tried to hide behind her and sit in her lap at the same time.
Sean squatted beside her. “You okay?”
“I’m fine, but I’m going to guess Jabba hasn’t had a lot of playtime with other dogs.”
Sean patted Jabba. “It’s okay, buddy. These are our friends. You’re going to like them.”
Jabba’s high-pitched whine had them all grinning. The bulldog’s tongue was out and Branna was pretty sure he was laughing at Jabba.
Sean rose and held out a hand to help Branna to her feet. Jabba moved behind them and stuck his head through the space between, eyeing the other dog warily.
The two men approached, and Sean hugged each of them. Then they both hugged Branna. Troy grinned. “Welcome to Phail, you guys.”
Then he squatted down and held out his hand to Jabba. “Do you think I can introduce my fiancée and our dog or will that send you hiding under the truck? He’s friendly, I promise.”
Jabba sniffed Troy’s hand and licked him.
“Good boy. Okay, here goes.” Troy stood up again, and the woman moved forward. He slung his arm around her shoulders. “Piper Keenan, meet Branna O’Dea and Sean Falcone, the guy we call Falcon.”
The humans all shook hands, and Troy continued. “This little guy is Oreo, and he likes everyone, even dogs the size of hippos.”
He picked up the dog, whose tail wagged at the speed of hummingbird wings. Troy kept a firm hold on the dog while he squatted again. “Easy Oreo. This is Jabba. Jabba, you’re not allowed to eat Oreo. He’s a good guy.”
Jabba leaned back then forward a few times before he finally got close enough to sniff the small dog. Oreo kept writhing and leaned close enough to lick Jabba’s nose. The bigger dog’s ears flew straight up and then flopped down, but he didn’t back away. Instead, he sniffed Oreo again.
Troy set Oreo on the snow but kept his hands on him. “See, you’re going to be good friends. Just remember, friends don’t sit on each other.”
When Troy let the dog go, Oreo bounced on his feet and raced to lick Jabba’s face again. Then he ran around him and sniffed at every section of the dog he could reach.
When he finally got back to face Jabba, he yipped again and then dropped into a heap. Jabba shot Branna a look and then checked over the smaller dog. Finally, he let out a sigh and sniffed at the bulldog.
After a few moments, the humans smiled at each other. Piper laughed. “Oreo’s other buddy, Moose, is almost as big as Jabba, but he’s never shown any fear. Makes me wonder how he handled the wildlife in the bush before we found him.”
Troy looped his arm around her. “He probably made friends with the bears.”
Marcus opened the back of the truck and grabbed Sean’s duffel bag. Branna didn’t have a bag because she owned nothing except her mom’s ring. “Okay, let’s show you the farmhouse and figure out our next steps. I’ve got some news.”
Branna would bet her last dollar, if she had one, that the news wouldn’t be good.