Authors: Dixie Lynn Dwyer
Tags: #Romance
“I should get the seaport. I love messing with Marcus,” Sean stated.
“No, you won’t. You and Kyle are on probation. Plus, while you two are sitting around doing some chores I feel might sharpen your perspectives about your responsibilities, you can prepare for the art gala.”
“Art gala?” Sean questioned.
“Chores?” Kyle asked, sounding bummed out.
“You two will be attending an art gala on our behalf for Commander Ben Franco’s wife.”
“What?” Kyle sounded aggravated.
William stood up to his full six feet five inches. “Your punishments begin now. So go get your fancy tuxes because it’s a black-tie affair. You need to be there Friday night by seven o’clock.”
“Fuckin’ A, man! I can’t fit in no damn tux and you know it,” Kyle stated.
“You both look really good in a tux, and mind your manners. There are going to be a lot of important people there because of the commander’s wife,” Willie replied, and chuckles went through the room.
He turned to look at his two brothers, knowing how pissed he would be in Kyle and Sean’s position.
“Just so you know, keep a lookout for any interesting guests,” Willy stated as he caught their attention. Both Sean and Kyle stopped complaining.
“There’s word that some people of interest may be snooping around that gala. If anyone connected to our case arrives, you contact one of us immediately for backup. Remember that the commander and his wife are human.”
Ava circled the punching bag in the small home gym she created inside her apartment, delivering a series of quick right jabs to the bag and then a left hook. She worked out, determined to stay in shape and defend herself if necessary. She had made some serious changes in her lifestyle and her personality. Although her father treated her like a princess, both Patrick O’Brian and Brennan made certain that she knew how to fire a weapon, ride a horse, and change a tire amongst other things. After being forced to leave her home, her country, and what belonged to her, Ava decided to pursue her business degree and put her computer-hacking skills to good use in reattaining some of her family’s money. She was tired of living on the run. She was fed up with being scared all of the time and worrying that Fenly or his thugs would find her. She was stronger now and prepared for his shifting tricks.
Fenly had not given up on finding her. Her sources in Ireland kept her abreast of his activities, and she was getting closer to putting him behind bars where he belonged. He would pay for killing her father and for taking everything that was dear to her away. She wasn’t stupid, though. She knew that Fenly and the others were not human. Even Brennan was of the wolf, as she preferred to describe it, and he explained to her briefly about the animals’ existence. Apparently many people in her family were able to shift from human form to wolf form. But there were also many that couldn’t. Ava punched the bag a few more times then gave it a side kick before she bent over to catch her breath. She had been at it for over an hour. If she had been lucky enough to be able to shift, then she would go back to Ireland, find Fenly, and rip his fucking throat out.
The sound of her cell phone ringing snagged her attention as she guzzled down some water before looking at the caller ID.
“Hi, Martin,” she answered, wondering what tactic her professor would use now to get her to release her artwork to the public. Six months ago, she decided she was done living in fear. If she didn’t do something constructive with her time she would surely go insane. While achieving her business degree she took an art elective. She loved painting and had done that often back in Ireland. Her art professor was very impressed with her natural abilities and was always trying to get her to go public.
“You are not going to believe this, Ava, but not just one, but all seven of your paintings were chosen for the New York art gala taking place this Friday at Venzuella’s. Do you have any idea how amazing this is, Ava? People will pay thousands of dollars for art displayed at that venue.” Martin carried on, and Ava couldn’t help feeling both scared and excited. Was she going to fully live the life of an alias while trying to pursue her dreams of being an artist? It seemed so unfair that after two years of being on the run she still had no control over her life.
“But I don’t want anyone to know I’m the artist. I don’t need the attention it may grab.”
“That’s not a problem. I promised you from the beginning that you could remain anonymous. Although I don’t understand why you feel this way. If I had your talent I would be shouting from the rooftops and want the world to know.”
“That’s you, Martin, but that’s not me. I like my privacy and prefer to not stand out. I paint because it gives me peace and it calms me. How did my paintings get noticed if they were only on display in the classroom at the art school anyway?”
Martin was silent, and she released an annoyed sigh. “Martin?”
“Some big shots came through the gallery. The director wanted fresh paintings from new artists. I was desperate for new material and knew that your work would be a hit. It was just one, Ava. Your one painting of the lone woman sitting on the bench in Central Park really grabbed this collector’s attention. Listen, you don’t have to come if you don’t want to. But I’ve already spoken to Venzuella about Ava Walters being added to the guest list. No one will know that you’re the artist. So go out shopping and pick out something glamorous. This is an opportunity and a half. Besides, there will be a lot of eligible, rich men around, too. Who knows, perhaps Mr. Right will come walking through the gala and sweep you off your feet.”
Ava heard the beep as another call was coming through.
“I doubt it. Listen, I have to take this call, Martin. I guess I’ll think about Friday.”
“I know you’ll make the right decision. Do this for you, babe. See you then.”
She clicked off one call and answered the other one.
“It’s me,” the voice stated, and she knew it was Brennan’s cousin Walt. He was Special Forces and worked doing some jobs for the government. She didn’t ask him any questions except when he first made his presence known and she confirmed it with Brennan. Whether Brennan liked it or not, she was determined to bring Fenly down.
“What’s going on?”
“Well, first off, your man is in the US. He passed through customs about an hour ago.”
“Fenly? Oh my god!” Ava panicked as she fell onto the couch and covered her mouth. He was in the same damn country as her.
What the hell?
“Calm down and don’t panic. I don’t know where he’s headed yet, but I’ll give you the heads-up as soon as my men figure it out.”
“Not panicking is easy for you to say. You’ve got a secret weapon. I don’t.”
“What secret weapon?”
“The ability to go all hairy and rip bones and body parts to shreds.”
He chuckled.
“You’ve got some weapons of your own, honey. Wolf or not, you’ve turned into one badass woman who shouldn’t be underestimated. As a matter of fact, I bet you were just kicking the shit out of that punching bag you have. Get rid of any of that bottled-up anger you hold inside?”
She blew off his comments. She didn’t feel so confident. In fact she wished her past would just go away so she could live like a normal person instead of looking over her shoulder at every turn. Her silence initiated Walt’s meaningful response.
“I won’t let anything happen to you, Ava. I promised Brennan. Now tell me what you’ve been up to on the computer. Got any more information for me?”
Ava began to explain about the imports coming in through the seaport and how she linked them to Ireland. Then she explained about their location and about the two men from last night.
“How are Duggy and this Simon guy involved?” Walt asked.
“I think Fenly has Duggy running whatever items he’s bringing in from Ireland. Simon has connections to local drug dealers as well as the Irish mob here in New York. You know as well as I do what those people are involved with. I also came across some thugs associated with the IRA. I’m close to getting names now but just need to do a bit more research. The fact that they use computers and place information so brazenly on them will hopefully be their downfall. The negative is that they have some advanced technology I’m not completely familiar with. I don’t want to tip anyone off unnecessarily. Especially since I have a wireless network that could be tracked.”
“You’ve been busy. This is above and beyond our agreement, Ava. You said you were hacking into Fenly’s accounts to gain back your family’s funds. I allowed it, but now you’re getting into something you’re not trained for or prepared to handle. I think you’ve done enough for now. Brennan would wring my neck if he knew what I’ve been allowing you to do.”
“Allowing me? Ha! Like you have that much control over what I do.”
“I think you’ve done enough. I’ll take it from here. You focus on staying hidden and out of trouble,” Walt stated firmly.
“No! I want Fenly behind bars or dead for what he’s done. I’m still in on this, Walt. I can get enough concrete information for you to bring to the government or whatever classified connections you have so that we can bring Fenly down.”
“I think you should stick to the computer hacking. You got Fenly paying left and right for bullshit errors you’re creating on that computer of yours,” Walt replied.
“It’s not enough. I want to make him miserable and I don’t want him feeling comfortable with my family’s money. I’ll get something heavier and then we can take him down for good. With the possibility of the IRA involved, local drug dealers, and the illegal importation of drugs and guns into the US, I am certain the authorities, whether human or wolf, would find the information useful. Wouldn’t it be great if Fenly had to remain behind bars for life, never able to shift or be free again? That might be better punishment than killing him and letting him off easily.”
“Man, you’re obsessed with this. How did that date go last night?” Walt asked.
She released a sigh, knowing that he was trying to change the subject and calm her down, and Walt chuckled.
“That great, huh?” he asked, and she knew she couldn’t tell him about last night or what had happened on the street. She never should have followed Simon. Then again, she did get to bump into those two hot detectives that had filled her dreams since. She had to tell them about the bomb or they could have been killed. She swallowed hard, hoping it hadn’t been a mistake.
“I guess I was wrong about him. I think I was making him into something he’s not.”
“Well don’t rush it, Ava. You’re so young and have plenty of time to find the right man.”
“Yeah, right, Walt. Any relationship I start will start with nothing but lies. I can’t even give my real name. My college degree is under a false name. Everything is. I feel so paranoid all the time that I prefer to be alone. Anyone around me would think I was nuts, always looking over my shoulder and being suspicious all the time.”
“Give yourself some credit, honey. You’ve had no choice. When this is all over I’ll help fix all that for you,” Walt stated.
She released an uneasy sigh.
“Thanks, Walt, but until Fenly and his goons are dead I won’t be able to relax.”
“No problem. Now try to stay out of trouble and keep your cell on you at all times.”
“Okay. Thanks.”
Ava leaned back into the couch and closed her eyes. Sleep didn’t come easy for her despite overdoing it when she worked out. She would always wake up in a cold sweat or grabbing for a weapon as her nightmares ruled her sleep. But right now when she leaned back and closed her eyes, she instantly saw the two detectives from last night. Damn, were they good looking, and their thick, solid muscles were sexy. But how would she choose between them? They were both too hot, and they were both cops. Although she wasn’t to blame for the way she had to live in hiding, dating a cop or even just sleeping with one probably wasn’t too smart.
Maybe she was just obsessed lately with losing her virginity and getting the whole sex thing over with. Everything else that was hers, including her name, had been taken from her in a violent and corrupting manner. At least this was one last thing she solely owned and possessed that she could give away. In the back of her mind there was that fear that Fenly nearly took that from her, too. He would probably kill her if he caught her here in New York. He would kill any man she was with.
Looks like I have another negative against me that will most definitely hinder the possibility of having a boyfriend one day.
But why is Fenly in the US and New York of all places?
She had tracked some of his business dealings to Chicago and Los Angeles, and Simon and Duggy were in New York. She shouldn’t be surprised. She was just scared. She got up off the couch and headed toward her computer. She had to find out where he was headed and how long he planned on sticking around. First step was to hack into the airline’s system. She would go through each carrier one by one until she found that piece of shit.
“Does the name Fenly O’Leary ring any bells, Willy?” Pat asked as he entered the kitchen in their house.
“Fenly? No, I don’t recall anyone by that name,” William replied as he leaned back against the counter.
“Well, it appears he is the owner of a company in County Clare, Ireland. It’s a large importing and exporting business both on land and sea,” Pat replied then tossed a manila folder onto the island in the kitchen toward Willy.
“What else can you tell me?” Willy asked as he opened up the file.
Willy whistled as he looked over the documents.
“These O’Brians are worth millions. But this guy Fenly is an O’Leary.”
“Yeah, apparently his father did business with the late Patrick O’Brian. O’Leary’s dad died suddenly and the same thing happened to Patrick O’Brian. Fenly lives at their castle in County Clare Ireland.”
“Castle, huh? Sounds suspicious. There were no other living relatives?”
“One daughter that disappeared two years ago. No one knows what happened to her.”