Chapter Six
Halligan stood in the bedroom, hearing the shower in the en suite. He’d showered in the guest room bath. They’d spent the day planning, contacting people, and putting a plan together that they could all live with.
Because Ellie worked at the range in Bluff Creek, she and Hennessy regularly split their time staying between Dodge City and Bluff Creek.
It wouldn’t look suspicious if someone was watching that this time she and Hennessy had Whiskey and Vivi’s kids Ezra and Bailey, and Crewe and Ry’s four children too.
With the daycare Bluff Creek Brotherhood MC had available for their members and employees, Ellie and Hennessy would have plenty of help.
Elijah and Morgan, Ellie and Hennessy’s teenagers, opted to stay because of their school.
Halligan thought that the crush they had on his wife might have more to do with it. They’d decided they were her protectors too.
Pit was sending Stinger and Shield from his Saint’s Outlaw MC Chapter.
Bootstrap, the President of the Bluff Creek Brotherhood MC, Cider Creek Chapter, was sending his Vice President, Brew, and the club’s executive assistant.
Halligan didn’t know why the club had that, but he’d be happy for all the help he could get.
Bootstrap said she was former Army and could provide protection for Loni if needed.
Halligan wondered how tired Loni was. He wanted her to relax and get a good sleep, but if she was wound up from the day, they could watch a movie or read.
She’d had to absorb a lot today with the loss of her family members and her brother torching things that meant something to her.
She’d kept her cool while they were all together, but she’d had this almost brittleness about her.
He’d figured it was her locking down her emotions to get through the day.
He’d turn down the bed and get the bedroom ready while she was in the shower. He walked through the door to the bedroom that Loni had left partially open.
He slammed to a stop. Loni had her back to him and was sliding on her panties.
He cataloged everything he was seeing. He didn’t remember every little detail of the night they’d spent together, but major portions of his memory had been coming back since Loni had walked in the bar, and he remembered how smooth and soft her back had felt as he ran his hands down it.
Now, it was marred by red stripes in various stages of healing. Someone had hurt Loni since their night together.
Loni hadn’t heard him come in and was reaching for a T-shirt to put on.
“Loni, who hurt you?” Halligan asked.
She jerked, holding the T-shirt to her front and not turning around.
“It’s ugly, isn’t it?” she asked softly.
He was concerned with who had whipped or hit her and she was concerned it made her ugly.
Halligan stepped closer until he was inches from her back.
“No, it’s not ugly at all. We all have scars from the traumas we go through.
Some are on the inside, and some are on the outside.
It tells me that you’re a survivor,” he said, tracing his finger across one of the healing stripes.
Different colors of pink made him think that it had happened more than once.
“Who hurt you, Loni?” Halligan asked, stepping flush with her, sliding his arms around her until she was safe in his embrace.
“Franco had his guards do it once, and then when I didn’t do what he wanted, he did it the second time,” she said.
“Your guard?” Halligan asked, breathing in the fresh smell of his woman.
“Franco had sent him out of town. When he finished, he said if I told anyone, he’d kill Icilio,” she whispered.
“I’m so sorry. We will do everything in our power to neutralize the threat to you. I promise,” Halligan said, dropping a kiss on her head.
He stepped back a little, turning Loni to face him, his eyes drifting across her breasts and down her belly to where her panties were.
“You’re beautiful,” he said, dropping a kiss on her lips. He forced himself to keep it light. He pulled away and slid her T-shirt over her head.
“Now, what do we need to do to get all the things you heard out of your head so you can sleep?” Halligan asked, ignoring all the heat that had pooled in his groin.
He forced himself not to adjust himself.
He wasn’t calling attention to it. Yeah, he wanted his wife, but unless it was something she said she wanted, he wasn’t bringing it up.
She’d gone through a lot, and he wanted to give her what she needed. And the first time they had sex again shouldn’t be while the fury was still coursing through him about that psycho Franco.
“I’m kind of tired but not completely. Could we sit on the couch and watch something?” she asked.
He nodded. This—he could do for her. He’d save the fury and anger for when he finally had Franco in front of him.
“Sure. Do you want a snack?” he asked.
“I’d love some popcorn if you have it,” she replied.
“We do. I have a robe if you need it, or there are some blankets in the closet if you’d rather do that. I’ll fix the popcorn and drinks,” Halligan said, turning and walking out.
“Thank you,” Loni said.
Halligan walked into the kitchen, stopping in front of the sink, clenching his hands on the edge.
That psycho had whipped her—not once but twice. All because she’d outsmarted him so he couldn’t sell her virginity. Halligan wanted to beat him to a pulp then revive him to do it again.
But Loni was fierce, badass, and deserved some retribution too. He’d have to keep in mind that she might need some closure as well.
His shoulders were tense, and the fury was boiling in him. He took a deep breath in for four and out for two. He wasn’t sure how long he stood there employing all the techniques he used to keep his temper during negotiations until he could breathe again.
“Are you about ready?” Loni called from the family room.
“Yep, let me finish the popcorn,” he said, grabbing the bag, tossing it in the microwave, and starting it.
When Loni wasn’t around to hear him, he needed to let his family know what Franco had done.
It was another level of danger when Franco was willing to do that to his sibling.
They needed to be prepared for whatever he brought at them because when it was over, Halligan planned on Loni living a safe life.
Loni lay in the comfort of Halligan’s arms, watching the movie. He’d picked a couple of her favorites—Twisters and The Rock.
They had done what she needed. She’d relaxed and pushed aside all the worries about her brother.
She thought back over all she’d learned about Halligan and his family.
His dad and uncles had raised all nine boys in the huge apartment over the bar while still building so many businesses.
They had the bar, real estate they rented, including these apartments.
The size of their interests, with the oil and gas company in addition to their trucking company, was impressive.
Her Gigi would have loved getting to know Peck, Bill, and Burt. She would have probably plied them with questions because Gigi was always looking for ways to expand.
She missed her Gigi, but being with Halligan, though still new, gave her that feeling of home. Her eyes drifted closed before she forced them open again. She’d planned on talking with Halligan tonight, but the exhaustion was dragging her down.
“Hey, sleepyhead, let’s get you to bed,” he said softly. He shifted until he’d lifted her in his arms. She relaxed and let him. It was so nice to have someone take care of her.
Her head hit the pillow, and she drowsily opened her eyes. She ignored the feelings he was stirring in her. She wasn’t ready to face any feelings for him yet. With Franco coming for her, she might not get to keep him. She’d push them down for now.
“I’m going to shut down the apartment. Do you need anything before you go to sleep?” he asked, his warm breath smelling of the buttered popcorn they’d eaten.
“No, I’m good. Thank you,” she said. They were such small words for what he’d already done for her.
“Hey, we’re in this together. No thanks are needed.
Now, close your eyes and sleep. I’ll close up the apartment.
I have a little work that might need to be done.
If I have to leave, one of the guys will come stay in the family room while I’m gone,” he said softly, then placed the softest kiss on her lips before smiling at her.
She nodded. Halligan patted her shoulder, turned off the bedside lamp, and left, closing the door so the light from the other room wouldn’t bother her. She closed her eyes and let sleep pull her under, hoping for a dreamless night.