“You’re going with me to Nebraska.”
“I’m going home to my apartment, changing clothes and doing laundry. You’re going to Nebraska.”
“Don’t fight me on this, Ruby.” His voice matched his face, hard and uncompromising.
“You can’t just up and take me to Nebraska, Leo! A, it’s a federal crime to kidnap somebody, because I said no. B, it doesn’t matter, because I said no. Besides, what about Cliona?” Her hands went to her hips, her toe tapping on the thick, soft carpet. Sort of like it wanted to tap on his thick, soft head.
“Taken care of. Mandy’s agreed to watch out for her.”
Ruby’s jaw dropped again, this time in anger. “What?”
“Your bags should be packed by the time we get there. Megan has been very helpful.”
“You had no right!” He’d rearranged her life without even consulting her. Well, at least I don’t have to call my boss and tell him I won’t be in tomorrow.
He didn’t pretend not to understand her. “I had every right.”
“Leo—” she protested, only to be cut off when he put his fingers over her mouth.
His jaw clenched, pain leaking through the determination on his face. “I need you with me. Don’t ask me any more questions than that. I can’t explain it yet. Just… I need you to trust me. Please. I need you. ”
And that, she knew, was what had done it. Strong, arrogant Leo Dunne had practically begged for her support. So here she was, winging her way to Nebraska, of all places, to stand by Leo’s side and help him through this.
I’m an idiot. An idiot on a plane.
His head was back against the seat, his eyes closed, but she knew from the way his fingers were clamped around her hand that he was far from asleep. His thumb occasionally stroked hers. She couldn’t tell if he was trying to soothe her or himself. She could feel from the tension in his body that he was far from calm, and wondered why it was that he wanted her with him so badly. She sighed deeply, squeezed his hand, and turned back towards the window, hoping she would be able to be what he needed.
Leo stroked Ruby’s hand and tried desperately to stay calm despite the fear eating a hole in his stomach.
He couldn’t believe she’d agreed to come, but was eternally grateful he hadn’t had to force the issue.
If necessary he would have used his magic to get her on board this plane, and damn the consequences.
To hell with the office. To hell with protocol. He needed her with him. He’d explain everything once they were on the farm.
No way was he letting her out of his sight. Thanks to him and the Claiming, she was in danger and didn’t even know it.
His brother might be the victim, but he had the feeling he was the ransom.
Chapter Four
Ruby was once again staring out a window, but this time it was the window of the Lincoln Navigator Leo had picked up at the airport. “Have your parents heard anything from the kidnappers yet?”
Leo glanced at her, then turned his attention back to the road. “No, not yet. Other than the initial phone call letting them know he’d been taken, they haven’t heard a thing.”
“Do they know why he was taken?”
“It could be a number of reasons. First, they might know he’s my brother, and I’d pay anything to get him back.” His hands tightened on the wheel. “It could also have to do with Mom’s family. There are those who still haven’t accepted their marriage.”
She stared at him, stunned. “You’re kidding me. After all these years?”
His smile was sour. “Let’s just say they have long memories.”
She whistled, not surprised when he turned his attention back to his driving. He was silent the entire way to the farm, his hands occasionally clenching the steering wheel. From the expression on his face she’d bet anything he was picturing his brother’s kidnappers.
She stayed silent for the rest of the ride, eventually nodding off with her head against the window.
It was dark when Leo finally pulled into his father’s farm. All of the lights were on in the old Victorian house, but that didn’t surprise him. When he’d told his family he was bringing someone with him, he’d known they would be more than curious. He’d never brought a woman home with him before.
And even if he had, he’d never bring an ordinary woman home with him under the current circumstances.
He pulled the truck to a stop in front of his parents’ home, not surprised that there were no cars other than ones belonging to the immediate family there. He turned off the ignition and turned in his seat to face Ruby.
She was just beginning to wake up, staring around at, to her, unfamiliar surroundings. He watched her react to the farmhouse, her eyes going wide at the sight of the large Victorian home. “We’re here.” His voice was husky with fatigue.
She turned to him, looking oh so weary. “It’s all right, Leo. They’ll find him.”
Her comfort warmed the cold place that had settled in around the pit of his stomach. When she placed one small hand against his cheek, he knew that if he hadn’t already started to fall in love with her he’d have Dare to Believe
lost his heart then and there. He turned his face into her palm and kissed it, accepting the comfort she was offering. “Thank you.”
She didn’t question what he was thanking her for. She just waited in the car while he came around to help her out with a sleepy smile that went straight to his heart.
“Leo.”
He turned to find his father standing on the porch, staring down at him with his hands on his hips, the porch light gleaming off his midnight dark hair. Blue eyes the color of a summer sky frowned down at him.
“Get her inside. It’s cold out here.”
That Irish brogue, sure and steady, washed through him, calming him just as it had when he’d been a child.
His father turned to Ruby, smiling a warm yet sad welcome. “Welcome to my home.”
His home? I thought Leo’s parents still owned the farm? Ruby watched the man, who looked to be no more than a few years older than Leo, walk down the porch steps. His long, determined stride reminded her vividly of the way Leo moved. The man walked up to them, and Leo put his arm around her shoulder and hugged her close to the warmth of his big body.
She was pulled up short when the man clasped his hand around Leo’s arm. “Welcome home, son.”
His voice held the lilt of Ireland in it, full of warmth that had been missing briefly when he’d first appeared on the porch.
Leo turned to the other man, and suddenly the two were embracing. “Wish the homecoming was under better circumstances, Dad.”
Wait. Dad?
That dark haired, walking sex advertisement was Leo’s dad?
“Dad, I’d like you to meet Ruby Halloway. Ruby, this is Sean Dunne.”
The man lifted her hand to his lips and kissed her knuckles. “Welcome, Miss Halloway. I wish we’d met under better circumstances.”
“Thank you, Mr. Dunne. I’m so sorry about your son.”
Leo’s father nodded, his expression shadowed. “Thank you.” He turned to Leo, the shadows disappearing. “Take your woman inside and introduce her properly to your mother. She’s waiting on you.”
The man took the keys from Leo and walked to the trunk of the SUV. He turned and winked at her, popped the trunk open and began to remove their bags.
“C’mon, Ruby. Let’s go introduce you to my mother.”