Page 49 of The Irish Rogue

“Yes. I think so. I wouldn’t have thrown it out, if that’s what you’re asking.”

“That’s exactly it. Do you have a hidden house key somewhere?”

“Yes. It’s in the backyard. But I don’t think anyone can find it. It’s pretty well hidden.”

“You didn’t put the spare key under a flower pot on your front porch?” he teased.

There was a derisive snort and she said, “Do you read the news or watch movies lately? I wouldn’t put my spare key in such an obvious spot.”

He chuckled. “That’s because you are brilliant, my love.”

She snorted. “Flattery will get you everything.”

“Promise?”

There was a long silence, then she said, “Yeah. Probably.”

He laughed, relief hitting him hard. “Never give me an inch, eh?”

“Never!” she said, but there was laughter in her voice. And something else? Sean wasn’t sure, but he was more than ready to find out.

“Fair enough,” he replied. “As soon as you land, I want you to hunker down until you hear from me. Don’t even tell me where you are.”

“Sean, you’re scaring me,” she whispered. “What’s going on?”

“I think there’s a sex trafficking ring that we’re about to bust wide open, honey. And people who operate those kinds of businesses make a lot of money. No one wants to lose that much easy money.”

“Fine. As long as you promise me you’ll be safe. Are you in danger?”

Sean looked around. “I’m surrounded by fields of spring corn, love. I’m safe.”

“Okay. That’s good.”

“I’m going to make a few more calls. Wherever you’re going, I’m sure that there will be enough food and supplies stocked for both you and Declan. So don’t worry, okay?”

“If you say so. But when will I hear from you again?” she asked.

“Soon, I promise.”

He ended the call, then closed his eyes again. The intense relief that his family was safe overwhelmed him for several moments. When he opened his eyes again, he inhaled slowly, trying to release the fear that had taken hold of him as soon as he’d seen the picture of Kennedi holding up the red dress.

He was just reaching for the gearshift when the pain hit him. Sean wasn’t sure what the hell was going on, and then unconsciousness took hold.

“Get him out of there!” a rough voice called out. “Boss wants him as soon as we can get him there.”

Another person grabbed Sean’s shoulders, not bothering to worry about his already wounded head as they pulled him out of his car. He felt something soft, then another hard knock before the door slammed shut again. A motor running. There was some sort of rhythmic sound, but Sean couldn’t wake up enough to figure out what it was. Plus, the pain shooting through his head was the worst pain he’d ever felt.

All he knew was that someone had run into him while he’d been parked on the side of the road. And now someone was taking him to another location.

This wasn’t good, he thought, then passed out again.

Chapter 17

“Get him up!” a male voice with a thick Irish accent bellowed.

Sean recognized the voice, but it still took him several moments to fight through the pain lashing his head before he could put the name to it.

When he was jerked upright, then lifted onto his feet only to be shoved into a chair, Sean took that time to assess the situation. He didn’t open his eyes yet, needing the pain to ease up enough for consciousness not to be a living hell.

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