Arran’s Obsession (Body Count, #1)

Alisha wrung her hands, her mascara obviously waterproof because her cheeks were wet but streak-free. She’d released me from the warehouse’s basement, escorting Convict back up to the captain’s office where he was supposed to be a prisoner. Until she’d let him go the minute Arran’s back was turned.

Convict had been the one to tell her of my scare at his hands. I’d been too shaken up to speak.

In Arran’s office, she paced in front of me.

“I didn’t know he was in the game,” she repeated. “He only said he needed to apologise and tell you about your dad. I knew he’d never hurt you.”

“I thought you were handing me to him,” I replied quietly.

“Shit. And you were terrified. I thought I was doing something right.” She rubbed her arms, shaking all the more.

Already once this evening, I’d forgiven her on account of her fear. Looked like I needed to do it again.

“It’s all right. At least it’s ended well,” I said.

Alisha darted her gaze to me. “Arran might not think the same.”

“I’m not keeping it a secret so don’t ask.”

She managed a subdued nod. “That’s fair.”

For a moment, I sat with my worries, the pile teetering high. Yet at least Arran’s safety wasn’t one of them. I’d messaged him, getting a reply that said he’d return in minutes and for me to wait downstairs. Thank God for that.

“I don’t know what he’ll do with Convict, but I’ll explain everything that happened,” I said. “In both your cases, I’ll make sure he understands the intent was good. I’d like us to be friends.”

I didn’t know what the future could be for me and Arran, but I knew I couldn’t lose him.

Alisha watched me. A small smile broached her perfect lips. “I’d like that, too. You know, while you were in the basement, I had a long think about Arran and I realised how wrong I was. I’ve lived in fear most of my life, but he has, too. Except we’re scared of different things. When I thought it through, it all makes sense to how he’s been behaving.”

“What are you talking about?”

“Arran’s greatest fear is losing a woman he loves. He never had a mother, but he fiercely loved Audrey from the second he knew until the second her heartbeat gave out. I thought his ability to fall in love was broken, now I see I was wrong.”

I jerked my gaze away, suddenly hot. She thought he loved me. If only I knew that for sure.

Sounds in the hall reached us, then Arran appeared in the office doorway, Shade behind him and a man carried between them. Their prisoner’s head was down and his limbs dragging, but a snore said that he was asleep and not dead.

It took me a horribly long moment to register what I was looking at.

Then I leapt to my feet and clasped my hands to my mouth. “Dad?”

Arran deposited my heavy father on a chair and gifted me a smile. “Alive and well.”

I whirled around and hugged the man I loved, fresh tears welling. Arran banded his arms around me and held me close.

“You found my dad,” I squeaked, shocked and my voice breaking over a sob.

“Leesh, come with me.” Shade said.

Alisha clucked her tongue. “Fine, but I’m not gambling with you again. I don’t want to lose my tips.”

“This isnae a night for poker.” His voice grew quieter.

I wondered if he was upset with her too, until her comment came.

“Cribbage?”

It was followed by his laugh.

Their footsteps disappeared down the hall. Cards. That’s why he’d been undressed while she was in his apartment. They were a proper family here. I loved so much about this place.

Pulling back from Arran, I peered up at his face, checking him over for any new injury. Then I dropped my gaze to Dad. Slumped in the seat, he snored on, his hair and beard the same scruffy salt and pepper as always. His pot belly just as round. In the time he’d been gone, it didn’t appear he’d suffered much. I was glad. Even if I wanted to strangle him for the mess he’d got me into, I couldn’t regret any of it.

“I want to know everything,” I ordered.

He brushed his thumb over my cheek. “Anything.”

And that was that. He filled me in on the night’s events. I exchanged my own story, asking him to temper his anger at both Alisha and Convict for my sake. Then he carried my dad upstairs to Shade’s lockable spare bedroom so he could sleep off the drug the enforcer had doped him with.

Tomorrow, my father and I would have a chat. But tonight, I just wanted my man to hold me.

In Arran’s apartment, we showered, our lips meeting in a kiss with no end. In his bed, we rolled together, him fitting inside me like he was meant to be there. Then we slept, so close, and I knew without doubt I never wanted to let go.

The following day, late afternoon, Dad woke with complaints and an appetite. Arran gave me the time alone I needed with my old man.

Dad paused Arran at the door. “Wait up there a second, young un. Did I get him?”

Arran smiled. “Peters? Right between the eyes.”

Dad sat back on the sofa with an exhausted but happy smile. It reduced when he came back to me. “I expect you wondered where I went.”

“Both me and Riordan searched the city. We panicked.”

Dad raised his grey eyebrows. “Your brother, too? I figured you’d both think I was off on a bender.”

“We were far off the mark. A revenge mission, Dad? Really?”

I heaved a sigh, and he continued.

“It was the anniversary of your ma’s death, the day I left. I had this idea, see. Nothing was right since she was taken from the world, and it burned inside me.” He tapped his chest. “I’m getting on now, and my hands shake. If I didn’t take the time to do it, I might not have had another chance, and believe me, it needed to be done. That bastard, Peters, had to die. I owed it to your mother and to you kids. Sorry about the money, though, I needed it to buy a gun, then I ran out of cash and had to take more to follow that bastard around. I’ll pay it back. There’s reward money to be had for his death. I’ll be able to claim it.”

“Don’t. Please. I’m just happy you’re alive.” I took his hand. Held it. Forgiveness was my word of the day, and happily I’d take him alive over any other result. “By the way, I’ve moved out of home now. And I have a cat.”

Brushing past his legs, Rosie chirped a greeting.

Dad reached to scratch her head with a thick finger. “Seems to me a lot has changed. On the phone earlier, Riordan yelled at me for how worried you’d been, but I wasn’t so concerned. Thought you’d got yourself a boyfriend when I saw him visit you at the flat.”

I stared at him. “When did you see that?”

“I was popping home and saw you both from along the road. Then this car sped past down the hill and hit a lamppost. It burst into flames, and I stopped to watch. Cops and fire engines were there fast, but it made a real sight. I was trying not to bump into you. You know I can’t keep secrets, I would’ve given up the whole plan and you’d have tried to stop me.”

Vaguely, I remembered hearing about a car fire a couple of streets away from ours, but it hadn’t registered as important. Not until right now when I knew Don’s car was still missing.

“What kind of car?” I said, my throat tight.

“Dark green, a man driving, far as I remember.”

“Did he get out?”

Dad shrugged, his interested gaze taking in Arran’s apartment.

God. Quickly, I took up my phone and texted Arran, asking him to check with his police contact. If that was Don’s car, and he’d perished in that fire, that would explain why we couldn’t find him.

With one mystery potentially solved, at least in part, Arran and I took Dad home. Later, I’d let him know that I owned the place, but he’d had enough surprises for now.