“How could you possibly know –“
Maggie didn’t want to take the time to explain, not now. Besides, Taryn would probably think she was crazy. “I don’t know, I just do. He can’t die, Taryn, he can’t, because he doesn’t know that I love him.”
Another pause, another muffled exchange. “Maggie, Lexi’s here with me now. I’m going to send someone to come get you, okay?”
By the time Shane arrived a short time later, Maggie was dressed and waiting by the door with George.
“Have you heard anything?” she asked as he carried George to the truck for her.
Shane studied her intently, as if deciding whether or not to answer. “Not since you called,” he said carefully.
“And before then?”
Again Shane seemed reluctant to answer. “Please,” Maggie pleaded.
Shane studied her stricken face and took pity on her. “Michael’s alive, last we heard.”
She opened her mouth to say something, but Shane held up his hand. “Please. No more questions until we get back to the Pub.”
She nodded. It was enough, for now. It would have to be.
An hour later, Maggie sat dumbfounded in the communal living room, stroking George. Taryn and Lexi were there, as were Shane, Sean, Kieran, and the Callaghan patriarch, Jack. The men were sitting in front of several laptops, wearing partial headsets, while Taryn and Lexi took turns explaining.
Maggie was taking the news rather well, she thought, though if she was honest with herself, she had suspected Michael and his brothers were more than they appeared to be on the outside. She still remembered the look Michael had given her when she made that quip about them looking like a black ops team.
“Why didn’t Michael tell me any of this?” she asked.
“It is forbidden,” Taryn said.
“I’m sure Michael wanted to tell you,” Lexi added, “but he couldn’t, not until he got permission from the others.”
Maggie caught the guarded glances of the brothers. They didn’t trust her. “So why are you telling me now?”
Taryn looked at Lexi before turning back to Maggie. “You dreamt of him, didn’t you? That’s how you knew Michael was in trouble.”
“Yes.”
Taryn shot an “I told you so’ look back at Shane. “You and Michael were meant for each other Maggie. You were the only one who couldn’t see it. But now you do. And Michael needs you.”
“I want to go to him.”
Shane stood up abruptly, shaking his head. “No.”
Maggie stood up, too. “Why not?”
“Absolutely not. It’s completely out of the question.”
Kieran held up his hand for silence, pressing the receiver closer to his ear. “Hang on, something’s coming in from Ian.” Kieran’s expression barely changed, though it was obvious the news was not good by the subtle tightening of his jaw. When he turned to face them, his expression was grave. “He’s asking for her. Maggie goes,” he said.
––––––––
Once the decision was made, things moved very quickly. Maggie was rushed to a private air field, where she was put on a small plane. Sean shoved a bundle into her hands and told her to change while he piloted the craft. Maggie did as he asked, pulling on the dark camo pants and shirt over her own clothes and tucking her hair securely under the cap he provided. They hadn’t been in the air for long before they landed again. It was still dark outside, but from the few glimpses Maggie was able to get of her surroundings she had the distinct impression they were on some kind of military base. With orders to keep her head down and her mouth shut, Sean took her arm and led her quickly into what looked like a two-seater military jet.
“You get airsick?” Sean asked as he belted her in securely.
“Not so far,” she said warily. Sean smiled grimly. He replaced her cap with a helmet and placed a small bag into her hands. “If you feel sick, lift up the face plate before you hurl.”
“Thanks for the tip.”
It was by far the most breathtaking experience of her life, and by the end of it, Maggie was quite sure she didn’t want to do it again. Thankfully, she had not embarrassed herself, though she was pretty shaky when they landed. Even though Sean was forced to put an arm around her to keep her moving in a forward direction, he seemed relatively impressed.
From the jet they were whisked away in a black sedan, which Maggie found infinitely preferable. This time Sean was in the backseat with her and someone else was driving. He studied her intently.
“What?” she asked finally.
“You haven’t once asked where we’re going or why.”
“I’ve been too busy trying not to vomit,” she said, only half-joking. “But the where of it doesn’t really matter as long as Michael’s there, and I already know the why.”
Sean pulled no punches. “Michael’s in bad shape, Maggie.”
“I know.”