9. Front To Back
Sean held Branna while her tears flowed. Hearing Seamus O’Dea’s thick brogue on the video had brought tears to his eyes, too. The man’s accent always thickened when he felt strong emotions. And having his life, his livelihood, and his daughter threatened would have brought out the strongest of emotions.
That Hawley prick had killed him because Seamus wouldn’t succumb to his extortion demands.
Marcus was right. It was going to be a pleasure to get this bastard locked up where he would spend the rest of his life without breathing free air even once.
Sean wanted to rip him to pieces with his bare hands, but he’d been trained to do better and to be better. He would work within the system and make sure it did its job.
Branna’s tears didn’t last long, but she didn’t let go of the fierce grip she had on him. He continued to rub his hands up and down her back, offering whatever comfort he could give.
When her breathing slowed, he kissed her hair. “Let’s go get some sleep.”
She nodded, but before she could step away, Sean lifted her into his arms. She let out a small laugh of surprise and then leaned into him.
At the top of the stairs, they found hallways leading in both directions. He turned to the left, and they peeked into each room they passed. Most held old bed frames with mattresses and a dresser or two. Branna wiggled to her feet to peek into a couple of them. “It looks as if the family just up and left. The home must have been sad to see them go.”
She had such a tender heart. He took her hand as they toured. At the end of a second hallway, they found a large bedroom with windows looking out onto the fields and the barn out back.
Branna let out a happy sound and moved to the window. Winter in Vermont was far prettier than he’d expected, but his own attention snagged on the bed. A king-sized mattress with clean linens and a deep blue comforter that somehow matched the house.
An open door showed an adjoining bathroom that had been cleaned until the old fixtures sparkled. Someone had left bottles and toiletries on the sink and in the tub-shower combination. Clean towels rested on another wooden dresser.
Branna’s arms wound around him. “You have the best friends.”
He chuckled and turned in her arms. He lifted her chin gently until she was looking into his eyes. “I do.”
Her face flushed softly as she smiled.
He stepped back. “I’m going to grab my bag. Should I find another bedroom?”
Her eyes widened, and her flush deepened. “No.”
Yes.
Possessiveness surged through him, and despite the exhaustion, his body was ready for action. But that action would wait until Branna was rested and clear-headed.
He kissed her head. “I like that answer. I don’t know about you, but I’m dead on my feet. Let’s grab a couple of hours’ sleep.” If they slept more than that, they’d never get their bodies reset to normal times.
When he returned to the bedroom, he found Branna emerging from the bathroom in a T-shirt and maybe nothing else. It must be one of Piper’s. The hem was long enough to cover the essentials.
It made him itch to see, touch, and taste those essentials.
Too fast, Falcone. Give the woman a chance to heal first.
He moved into the bathroom, changed into a pair of athletic shorts, and willed his erection to settle the hell down. Back in the bedroom, Branna lay in the middle of the bed under the covers. That possessive feeling returned, and Sean realized that while it was indeed fast, this was the woman he wanted to spend his life with.
He’d do anything to keep her safe. Do anything to keep her happy. Now, he just needed her to fall in love with him, and life would be good.
First, they’d put the asshole in jail where he belonged.
Thinking of Prince helped him calm his body down, and he slid into the bed and sidled over to Branna. She faced the window. Her eyelids were half-closed, and there was a soft smile on her face.
At least she was thinking good thoughts instead of reliving the recordings they’d heard.
Sean wrapped himself around her, and she rested her head on his arm. His other pulled her in tight. “Okay?”
Her smile broadened, and her eyes closed. “Perfect.”
It damn well was.
* * *
Branna woke slowly, with a sense of safety wrapped around her. She was in bed with Sean, and there was no place she’d rather be.
He spooned her, and his heavy erection pressed into her butt, making her smile. It was about time to do something about that.
His arm looped around her, holding her close. His hand curled around her breast and her body was aroused just from sleeping with him. Actually sleeping, not a euphemism.
Was she ready for the next step? Was he?
She searched her mind and emotions for any doubts, but she didn’t find any. Sean had always been her fantasy guy. None of the men she’d dated had held up next to him.
Even though he’d enlisted when she’d been a teen, she’d known him to be the best of the best. He and Charlie had come back to Miami several times before that IED had killed her brother.
Sean had been the one to call them. No impersonal message from a person they’d never known. He’d taken on that hellishly difficult job by himself. Knowing he was going to break their hearts. Knowing his own was broken.
Everything about Sean appealed to her, and she figured Charlie would be okay with them being together. Her brother had always teased her about her crush, but he’d never spilled her secret to his friend. He’s too old for you. For now.
She hadn’t remembered that last part until now, but Charlie had always said that when he teased her. Two years might have been a gap when she’d been fourteen, but it didn’t mean a thing now. You’re right, Charlie. He’s not too old for me anymore.
Branna pushed the thoughts of her brother firmly out of her head and let thoughts of Sean replace them. His kisses. The caring he showed through the ways he touched her. The ways he protected her.
She wanted him.
Deciding it was easier to be bold when she wasn’t facing him, Branna moved her hand to her side. If she reached just a little farther, she could take his erection in her hand.
A ringtone from Sean’s phone shattered the moment and had her flinching.
Sean muttered and kissed her hair. “That’s Troy. Looks like nap time is over.”
But he hugged her to him and rested his head on her shoulders. “Sleep okay?”
“Like a baby.”
“Me too.” The phone sounded again, and Sean rolled away from her. “Ten minutes until they’re here. Guess we have to move.”
Branna sighed heavily, making Sean laugh. “Agreed. But we’ll get more time in the bed soon.”
His wording had her gaze going straight to his. Desire and amusement shone back at her. “I like the sound of that.”
He grinned and got out of bed, his erection straining his shorts. When he caught her looking at him, he shrugged. “You’re wearing that little shirt and who knows what under it. You can’t expect me not to react.”
Her cheeks heated, but she grinned back. She’d never felt this sexy before, even though she knew she looked a mess. “Maybe we should do something about that when we have more time.”
“We’re going to need a lot of time.”
And that made all her good parts tingle as she headed for Piper’s clothes to see what fit.
Less than ten minutes later, they were down on the main floor and opening the door for their guests. Which felt weird seeing as the guests were the ones who’d provided them the home.
Piper hugged her. “I’m so glad the clothes fit.”
Branna smiled. “Thank you again for loaning these to me. And for supplying all the toiletries. You’re amazingly thoughtful.”
Piper squeezed her. “That’s what friends are for, and I hope we can be friends.”
Branna’s eyes filled with tears, but she blinked them away. “We already are.”
Soon, they were sitting around the kitchen table, eating tacos and chatting about Troy’s plans for the farmhouse and brewery. Branna knew they were keeping it light for her sake, and she appreciated it. For a few minutes, she almost felt normal.
Of course, that couldn’t last. After they’d cleaned up, Troy put on the kettle and grabbed the decaf tea they’d left in the kitchen.
Marcus leaned forward. “I’ll get you caught up on where we are.”
Branna grabbed Sean’s hand and held on.
Marcus nodded at them. “Shanice Williams is working with the lead agent in the Miami office, Jorge Guerrero. They’re thrilled to have copies of the videos. They’d like to interview you as soon as you’re up for it. The sooner, the better. They’ve opened a conversation with the Internal Affairs department of the Miami police and are looking into the implications that Hawley has some police on his side, including Warren Lewis.”
“Did they arrest Hawley?”
Marcus shook his head. “Not yet. They need to speak to you first. And they need to find him.”
A shiver of dread ran down her spine. “Find him?”
Marcus nodded. “Undercover officers confirm he’s not at the listed address. Probably with one of his men.”
Which meant he could be here in Vermont. Or on his way here. The longer she put things off, the more time he had to hurt someone else. “Can we do the interview with the FBI agents tonight instead of waiting until tomorrow?”
Marcus’ eyebrows shot up, and Sean squeezed her hand. “Are you sure?”
She nodded. “I am. The sooner we can get Prince arrested, the better. If he figures out where I am, you’re all in danger.”
Marcus shrugged. “Maybe, but it’s doubtful he’ll figure it out. Sean isn’t from here, so even if someone identifies him, they won’t know you’re here.”
“I’d rather not take that chance.”
Marcus nodded. “Okay. Let me call Shanice and see if we can set that up.”
He headed onto the back porch to make the call. Sean turned to her. “You could easily put this off until the morning.”
“I know, but I’ll feel better if I’m doing something. So far, all I’ve done is run and hide and get other people to do things and put themselves in danger.”
Troy and Piper protested, and Sean ran his hand over her hair. “Not true. Getting to a safe space was the most important thing, and you did that. You’ve taken smart steps at every turn. Now, the authorities are doing their bit. This is exactly what you should do.”
Maybe, but she still felt like she wasn’t doing enough.
Marcus came back into the kitchen with a nod. “We’re all set. We’ll use a laptop and Shanice is going to call in ten minutes and she’s looping in Guerrero as well.”
Yikes.