Savage Redemption

chapter 5



Kat wasn’t sure how much longer she was going to be able to put up a brave front for her nieces. She’d managed to make room for both of the girls to snuggle beside her in the narrow hospital bed. It wasn’t comfortable, but right now she needed the close contact as much as they did. Maggie was busy sucking her thumb, a habit she’d only recently resumed. Being on the run and then shot at certainly hadn’t helped.

Rose, always on the solemn side, had grown even more withdrawn since arriving on Rafferty’s doorstep. Kat would give anything to wave a magic wand and whisk the two girls back in time to when they still had their mother and life was happier. God knows, Kat wanted that for herself, but the realist in her knew that wasn’t going to happen.

Maggie shifted so that her head landed right on Kat’s incision. Kat winced but did her best to ignore the dull throb of pain. Instead, she pressed a kiss to the little girl’s forehead, soaking up these precious few minutes alone, just the three of them.

Or not. A movement at the door caught her attention. She’d hoped it was Joss or even Seamus, but no such luck. She should’ve known that Conlan wouldn’t stay gone long. He wanted his questions answered.

Kat gave the girls a quick squeeze. “Girls, it’s time for you to go.”

Maggie immediately frowned, but it was Rose who asked, “Why can’t we stay here with you?”

Kat closed her eyes and licked her lips, trying to buy herself a little time to answer. How could she explain to two little girls that their last living relative was a prisoner? That sometime in the next couple of days they’d lose her, too?

To her surprise, Conlan answered for her. “Right now your aunt is doing her best to be brave, but I suspect she’s still hurting from her surgery. She needs her sleep.”

Then he winked at Maggie. “Besides, I think I heard Joss say she was looking for a couple of hard workers to help her bake cookies for Rafferty. Know anybody like that?”

Out popped the thumb. “Us! We can help!”

Bless the man, even Rose perked up at that idea, and both girls scrambled off the bed. He offered them each a hand to hold and led them off down the hall. Joss had already done so much. Kat hoped she didn’t mind Conlan volunteering her services.

It must have all worked out because he was back all too quickly without her nieces. “Are you sure Joss won’t mind her kitchen getting trashed?”

For a brief second, his expression softened. “Joss loves to bake, and Rafferty loves cookies, so it’s all good. Besides, since the girls are going to be living with her and Rafferty for a while, I figure doing something fun with Joss might help them settle in.”

Tears pricked her eyes. Maybe it was selfish of her, but it was hard letting go of the girls even though she had no choice. “Thank you, Conlan. That was nice of you to distract them for me.”

Just that quickly, the hint of humor and humanity disappeared from his expression. “I didn’t do it for you, Kat.”

No, of course he hadn’t. He’d done it for the girls, but she still owed him. “Regardless, I appreciate it. Now go away so I can get that rest you mentioned.”

He ignored her, instead settling in the same corner where he’d been the night before. This time he’d brought a laptop computer. She might not be able to see him, but she was painfully aware of each move he made, each breath he took and every click of a key. At this rate, she’d never fall asleep.

A few seconds later, he was pacing the floor as he talked on the phone. She could only hear one side of the conversation, but that was enough. The minute he said Ambrose’s name, she knew the countdown had officially started. Minute by minute, her life was ticking away. Still, she listened as Conlan exchanged pleasantries with his old boss.

Finally, the conversation turned to her. “Yeah, she’s improving. At Miss Karr’s request, Rafferty has already filed papers declaring the two girls wards of the O’Day Clan. It should all be pretty cut-and-dried, but Rafferty did get an interesting call from Cyrus Eddington.” There were several seconds of silence while Conlan listened to whatever Ambrose was saying. “We agree that you have clear jurisdiction in this case. No arguments from me on that issue, but I’d still like to know why Eddington is sticking his nose in chancellor-Coalition business. We told him that Kat was too weak to travel, hoping to buy you enough time to get one of your men here. If Eddington is the one funding those mercenaries, he won’t hesitate to come after her again.”

Again silence as Ambrose spoke, making Kat wish she had a vampire’s enhanced hearing. As a human, all she could pick up was the sound of a lot of frustration and anger coming from the other end of the call. Some humans resented the gifts the other two species shared, but she’d never felt that way. She’d always believed that being human had its own advantages.

“Fine, Ambrose. Get back to me after you’ve had a chance to talk to him.”

Then Conlan glanced in Kat’s direction, his gaze predatory. “You might want to let it slip that I’ve doubled the guard around the estate. If Eddington or his henchmen make a try for her, I won’t hesitate to use lethal force.”

Holding his back ramrod straight, he continued to speak with quiet authority. “Make it clear that Kat’s nieces are under the protection of the O’Day Clan. For that matter, so is the prisoner until we transfer her custody to you and your men.”

Conlan listened for a few more seconds before finally disconnecting the call. He stared at her in grim silence for several seconds. “Just so you understand, I meant what I said. We will protect your nieces.”

It was hard to force words around the lump in her throat, but she finally managed to whisper, “I know.”

Conlan didn’t respond, instead turning his attention back to his computer. Whatever he was searching for had him muttering obscenities under his breath as he pounded on the keys. As hard as she tried to ignore him, she couldn’t. Not for long anyway. She’d felt the same pull, the same attraction to him from the first. Three years ago, just sitting in the interrogation room with him had calmed her shaking hands and her racing heart. Granted, he’d been her last chance to convince the law that she was innocent. Her need to impress him with her sincerity was a given, but there’d been more to it than that.

When he’d first looked up from reading her file, it had been clear that he saw her as more than just another in a long line of prisoners claiming they’d been wrongly convicted. He’d stared at her in silence for the longest time before he spoke a single word. None of that had mattered, because those sharp blue eyes had seen her as a person. Then before interrogating her, he’d ordered the guards to bring them both a decent meal.

Once she’d devoured her sandwich and half of his, he’d begun questioning her, starting with the easy questions and working his way up to the point where her whole life had been derailed. Pouring it all out to him had been like lancing a wound, leaving her exhausted but unburdened.

That first hint of hope had tasted sweet.

Conlan had believed her then. He wouldn’t now, and she couldn’t blame him for that. Even so, she had one more favor to ask of him.

“Conlan?”

The typing continued but then slowed. “What now, Kat?”

She dug her fingernails into her palms, praying hard he’d at least listen. “When Ambrose comes, I don’t want the girls to see me being led away in chains. I can’t stand the thought of that being their last memory of me. I promise to go peaceably.”

He snorted. “Like your word means anything.”

“I’m asking for their sake, not mine.”

His chair scraped across the floor, signaling he was up and headed straight for her. Even with her eyes closed she felt the cold wave of his shadow falling across her bed.

“For their sake,” he said, echoing her, “we’ll make the exchange out at the entrance to the estate. I’ll make sure the girls stay here with Dr. Fitzhugh and his wife.”

Her gratitude would mean nothing to him, but there was so much she owed to this man that she could never repay. The least she could do was tell him.

“That means a lot.”

Kat looked up into Conlan’s ice-cold gaze. Just as she expected, her words only fueled his anger. Fine, at least she’d tried. Might as well go for broke, though, because another pressing need was making itself known.

“While you’re busy hovering over me, can you at least unchain my ankles?”

He looked at her as if she’d just sprouted a second head. “And why would I want to do that?”

Her face flushed in embarrassment. “Because I need to make a trip to the bathroom. I’m assuming you’d prefer that to the alternative.”

It didn’t take him long to think that one through. He immediately flipped back the sheet and unlocked her restraints. When he was done, she pressed the button to raise the head of her bed, saving her strength for her first trip across the floor to the restroom.

She half expected Conlan to leave the room or at least return to his computer. Instead, he lingered nearby as she braced herself on the edge of the bed and slowly lowered her feet to the floor. When her knees refused to lock in position, she almost slid all the way to the floor but managed to catch herself at the last second.

Okay—so far, so good.

One step led to another, the tile floor feeling cool to her bare feet. She held on to the bed for as long as she could, but then she was faced with the daunting prospect of crossing the final expanse unassisted and unsupported. She actually made it almost halfway before once again her legs gave out.

“Son of a bitch!” Conlan snarled, but his touch was gentle when he swooped in to catch her. One second she was flailing, trying to catch her balance, and the next she was cradled against Conlan’s powerful chest as he carried her across that last little distance. He set her down inside the bathroom and then stalked out.

As he pulled the door closed, he said, “Call me when you’re ready to go back to bed. I’d rather carry you than have to scrape you up off the floor.”

“Fine, I will.”

So much for her dignity, although that wasn’t what had left her hands shaking this time. Instead, it was the realization that the few seconds she’d spent in Conlan’s arms had felt like coming home.

* * *

Well, that had been a major mistake, but he couldn’t for the life of him figure out what else he could’ve done. Short of letting Kat crumple to the floor like a broken doll, he’d had no choice but to catch her. To hold her. To dredge up memories of how it had felt to hold her close.

He needed his ass kicked for even thinking about such things. Maybe he’d go ask Rafferty to do the honors, except he suspected the vampire would tell Joss about it. Conlan had no desire to go toe-to-toe with her again. The sound of the door opening put a quick end to that line of thought.

Kat appeared in the doorway, her face looking freshly scrubbed. “I’m ready.”

This time, rather than picking her up, he offered Kat his arm. She grabbed on with surprising strength as the two of them shuffled across the room. At the side of the bed, he stepped back to give her room to maneuver. When twice she failed to lift herself back up onto the mattress, he gave up and grabbed her by the waist and picked her up. Clearly startled by the sudden movement, she latched onto his shoulders with both hands. Her touch sent a jolt of heat straight through him, leaving him hard and hungry.

For the space of a heartbeat, their faces were at the same height. Her bright turquoise eyes locked onto his, the touch of her gaze almost tangible. He froze, leaving her dangling in midair as he tried to remember what he’d been doing.

“Conlan, do you want to put me down?”

No. Not yet. Not before he tasted that lush mouth. He lowered her to the edge of the bed, making a space for himself between her knees. If he stopped to think, he’d never forgive himself. Her lips parted, maybe ready to protest, maybe in invitation. He didn’t know and didn’t care.

He swooped in to kiss her, to reclaim what had once been his. Her lips were soft, giving. She sighed, all the tension in her body draining away as her hands slid down to press against his chest, her fingers kneading his shirt like a contented kitten.

He deepened the kiss, coaxing her to join him in exploring the heat flashing between them. The connection was red-hot; the way she fit against him was absolutely perfect. The only thing that would be better was if they were skin-to-skin, their arms and legs tangled together as they rode out passion’s storm together. Then his fingers brushed against her bandage, a razor-sharp reminder of why she was in the infirmary in the first place, dragging him back into the present.

When he jerked back, Kat teetered forward. Only Conlan’s chancellor-quick reflexes kept her from hitting the floor. He shoved her back onto the bed. Madder at himself than he was at her, he waited until she lay back to quickly refasten the restraints.

“Is that really necessary?”

There was no mistaking the hurt in her voice, but he couldn’t let it get to him. They’d just crossed a line that he shouldn’t have even gone near. What the hell had he been thinking? The answer was simple—he hadn’t been thinking; he’d been feeling, something he hadn’t done in three years. This was sure no time to start.

“Yes, it is.”

Even as he started to fasten the straps, though, he noticed her skin was already rubbed raw in places. Damn it, why did everything have to be so complicated? It would be easy enough to bandage her ankles, but he wasn’t about to go there. Right now he needed to put some distance between himself and temptation, even if that distance was just down the hall to Seamus’s office.

“Stay put.”

For once she didn’t argue, but she still had to have the last word. “It was just a kiss, Conlan, nothing more.”

He might have even believed it if her eyes weren’t suspiciously bright. Rather than respond to either her words or her tears, he walked out and didn’t look back.

* * *

Down the hall Conlan was surprised to hear Rafferty’s voice. Why was the vampire still hanging around the clinic? Didn’t he have a houseful of company he was supposed to be entertaining?

Conlan paused to knock on the door frame before waltzing into Seamus’s office.

Rafferty was just getting up. “What’s up? Did you need me for some reason?”

He sounded like a man desperate for an excuse to linger. Conlan decided to give him one. “I was actually looking for Seamus, but since you’re here, I should bring you up to speed on what Ambrose had to say.”

Rafferty immediately sat back down and reached for the bottle of scotch on the desk. He poured himself a stiff shot and a second one that he pushed across the desk toward Conlan.

Seamus was already slipping his lab coat back on. “Is something wrong with Kat?”

“When I unfastened her restraints to help her to the bathroom, I noticed the skin around her ankles has been rubbed raw. I thought you might want to do something about that before we put the straps back in place.”

Rafferty set his drink down hard enough to splash the amber liquid over the side. “You left her alone in there without restraints?”

“Where’s she going to go? The woman can barely walk, much less run.” Conlan injected far more calm into his words than he actually felt. He couldn’t very well tell his boss that he’d been the one who’d needed to bolt out of the room, not Kat.

The doctor started for the door. “I’ll go check on her. I was about to see if she needed anything.”

After Seamus took off down the hallway, Conlan sat down and sipped his scotch, letting the slow burn erase Kat’s taste from his mouth. Too bad it couldn’t cleanse his memory as easily.

“So what did Ambrose have to say?”

Conlan allowed himself a small smile. “He was not happy that someone sent mercenaries after a fugitive instead of reporting her location to him. He’s mobilizing a squad of his chancellors to bring Kat in.” He hesitated. “It’ll be a day, maybe two, before he can make the arrangements. Normally he’d send one man after her. But under the circumstances, he thought the additional firepower might be necessary.”

Rafferty tossed back his scotch. “Takes a real bastard to go after a woman and two children like that. Makes you wonder what Kat has on whoever was behind the attack. Maybe she’s been supporting herself with a little bit of blackmail these past three years.”

Even though the same thought had crossed Conlan’s mind, he didn’t much like hearing it from Rafferty. It also infuriated him that he felt the need to defend Kat on any grounds.

“Maybe, but maybe Eddington is tied in with what went down at the Institute’s lab three years ago.” Conlan poked and prodded that idea a bit. “I was still trying to get to the bottom of what really happened there when Kat took off. I never got a chance to finish my investigation.”

“But you obviously thought there was something to her story or you would’ve never taken her out of prison in the first place. I know Joss took one hell of a chance when she did the same for me.”

Rafferty finished off his drink. “But then, I stuck around until she cleared my name. I would’ve never left her to take the fall for me.”

Then he stood up. “Speaking of Joss, I’ve got to get back home. If I leave her alone to entertain my aunts by herself much longer, there’ll be hell to pay.”

As he passed by, he paused to look down at Conlan. “I have a feeling this is going to get pretty damn ugly before it gets better. Do me a favor and watch your back. Don’t let that woman drag you under again. You’re too good a security officer for me to want to lose you.”

Then he walked out, leaving Conlan staring at the empty doorway and trying to figure out what the hell he was supposed to do next.