Fix You (The Irish Rogues #3)

Chapter Twenty-Three Maeve

O nce I finished in the loo, I made my way back to our booth. At first, I thought Quinn was on his phone. Worry niggled at me from the venomous expression on his face. I hoped it wasn’t bad news from Boston. But at the realization he had my phone to his ear, my worry turned over to panic.

There was only one person on the other end of my phone that could illicit such a response in him.

Rafe.

An anxious flush blanketed my cheeks as Quinn shoved the phone at me. “I have to take this call from Callum. But when I’m finished, we’re going to have a little chat about Raphael Neretti.”

A shudder rocketed through me so harsh that I staggered back. Fighting for my breath, I watched him stalk out of the pub into the street.

Once my breathing regulated, I jerked the phone to my ear. “What just happened?”

Rafe’s ragged sigh echoed through the line. “Fuck, Maeve, when I didn’t hear anything from you, I got worried. I should’ve texted, but I needed to hear your voice to know that everything was okay. And I wanted to tell you that I was going to sneak to the hotel in case you wanted to bring him home for a bit.”

“But why did he answer it?”

“Because you have me saved as Runsearc. ”

“Oh shit,” I muttered as I jerked a hand through my hair. Never in a million years did I imagine my brothers seeing my cheeky Irish nickname for Rafe, which meant “secret lover”.

I pinched my eyes shut. “Fuck! This is bad. Very, very bad.”

“I told him what was going on between us was none of his business.”

With a groan, I countered, “That’s how you chose to handle him finding out we’ve been sleeping together?”

“It’s the truth, isn’t it?”

“Yes, but it wasn’t the right thing to say at that moment.”

“It was better than me saying that his little sister was a sex goddess who I’d put into multiple positions while giving numerous orgasms.”

“Rafe!” I gasped.

“It was right to lie, wasn’t I?”

“Do you even care that we’ve gotten caught?”

“I’m tired of hiding and sneaking around.”

My heartbeat thrummed wildly in my chest. “You are?”

“I am. I’m ready to–”

The unmistakable pop of a gun going off sent a shudder through me. Shrieks and screams of panic rang through my ears. My gaze snapped to the windows where people sprinted by with horror-filled expressions. Rushing out the door, I craned my neck down the street. Fear rocketed through me.

“No, no, NO!” I cried as I ducked down out of sight.

“What’s wrong?” Rafe questioned in alarm.

“There’s a man holding a gun to Isla’s head.”

“ Fanculo ! Mikita must’ve found them.”

Gripping the phone tightly, I replied, “The man who kidnapped Isla last month?”

“Yes, that’s him.”

This was bad. So very, very bad.

“Maeve? What’s happening?” Rafe questioned.

“Quinn’s throwing his weapons to the ground,” I interrupted.

“Fuck,” Rafe muttered.

“Oh God, Rafe. He’s going to kill her or Quinn…or both.”

“Where’s Nolan?”

Peeking out again, my stomach lurched at the sight of the pool of blood flowing from the gaping wound in Nolan’s head. I didn’t even see him try to engage with Mikita and Quinn, but he’d apparently tried and was taken out. Agony ricocheted through my chest at his loss. He had always been so good to me.

Although I desperately needed a moment to mourn him, there was no time.

“Oh God, Rafe, he’s dead.”

“Christ,” Rafe muttered.

Realization hit me at that moment. If I didn’t act, Quinn and Isla were going to die. “I have to take him out,” I muttered.

“Wait, what?” Rafe demanded.

“I have to take Mikita out.”

“No! Do not put yourself in danger.”

“How can you say that? I could never live with myself if I didn’t try to save them.”

“Quinn could never live with himself if you got hurt.”

“Fuck what Quinn’s wants! I’m done with walking on eggshells to do what my brothers expect me to do!”

In a shaky voice, Rafe added, “ I can’t live without you, Maeve.”

I froze at his sentiment. For a moment, I couldn’t do anything as his words rocketed through my mind. Shaking my head, I shook myself out of my stupor. “I…I can’t do this right now with you. I have to go.”

“Don’t hang up!”

Dropping the phone to my side, I whirled around and sprinted back to the booth where we’d been sitting. As Rafe continued to command me to stand down, I dug a pistol out of my purse. After taking the safety off, I made my way back to the pub’s door.

When I brought the phone back to my ear to tell Rafe goodbye, he shouted, “At least let me talk you through it.”

“Are you finally giving me your approval?”

“No. But I want to help.”

A nervous laugh bubbled from my lips. “Since this is my first rescue attempt and potential murder, I’ll take any advice.”

“First, describe the scene to me.”

After explaining to Rafe about Quinn’s placement in the middle of the street and where Isla and Mikita were, he cursed. “What a fucking impossible shot.”

“Thanks for the pep talk.”

“Sorry, Tesoro .”

Peeking my head out, I once again surveyed the scene. In that moment of watching Isla struggle against the man and Quinn beg and plead for her life, I was sucked out of that moment and back into the shadowy walls of the crypt. The adrenaline coursing through began to wane.

The gun in my hand shook as shudder after shudder reverberated through my body. “Maeve?” Rafe questioned.

“I can’t fight…He’s holding me down….Da has a gun to their heads…They’re going to die because he’s…holding me down!”

“ Donna coraggiosa , don’t you dare go back there. You stay with me. Do you hear me?”

Tears streaked down my cheeks. “They’re going to die because of me.”

“Maeve? Maeve, listen to me,” Rafe commanded.

“I…I’m listening.”

“You can do this.”

Even though he couldn’t see me, I shook my head furiously from side to side. “What if I miss him? What if I hit Quinn or Isla? You said it yourself that it was a tough shot,” I protested.

“That’s not going to happen.”

“It could.”

“It won’t.”

“How can you say that?”

“Because I know you. I know you’re stronger and braver than any woman or man I’ve ever met.”

A sob choked off in my throat. “You really believe that?”

“I sure as hell do.”

“Oh Rafe.”

“But more than that, you’re a Kavanaugh. Your brothers prepared you for this.”

“I can do this,” I repeated more myself than for Rafe.”

“Damn straight.”

“Okay. I have to go.”

“I’m on my way. I’ll get to you as soon as I can.”

Even though it was the last thing I should’ve said, I blurted, “I love you!”

A pause echoed over the line, sending regret rocketing through me. But then Rafe said, “I love you, too, Maeve.”

Hope surged through me at his words. After sliding my phone into my pocket, I took the safety off my gun. Easing the door open, I stepped out of the pub. The street was empty except for the three of them and a few people cowering behind trash cans and cars.

After peeking around the corner, my gaze tracked Mikita. Thankfully, his attention was focused solely on Isla in his arms. As my gaze narrowed on Mikita, prayers to St. Maria began to run through my head.

At the cock of his gun, I realized it was now or never. “NO!” Quinn screamed as he charged forward.

With one final plea to St. Maria, I pulled the trigger. At the crack of my gun, the world slowed to a crawl around me. Mikita and Isla’s bodies jolted back before collapsing to the ground.

An icy fear shot from the top of my head down my spine. Had I missed my mark? Had I hit Isla instead of Mikita?

Please, God, no!

I broke into a run just as Quinn sprinted to close the distance between them. After falling to the ground, he drew Isla into his arms. With shaking hands, he searched her head for a bullet wound. When he didn’t see one, he felt along her chest.

“Now’s not the time for that,” she teased.

“You’re not hit,” Quinn pronounced, and I staggered back with relief.

A shaky smile curved on her lips. “No.”

A sob tore from his throat. “But how–”

Isla jerked her chin over Quinn’s shoulder. Glancing behind him, Quinn sucked in a harsh breath at the sight of me. It was obvious that he never expected to see his little sister with a gun in her hand and a satisfied expression on her face.

“You?” he demanded.

“Even with a bodyguard, I’m never without a gun.”

Turning back to Mikita, Quinn surveyed the gaping wound between his eyes. “Fuck me, Maeve. Most men couldn’t make that shot.”

“I’m not most men.” The corners of my lips quirked. “I’m a Kavanaugh.”

“Damn straight.”

As Quinn rose to his feet, he bent over to help Isla up. My heart warmed at the sight of the two of them together. It was obvious that Quinn wasn’t going to need my help to get her back.

Just as I turned my attention to Nolan’s lifeless form, the Garda Síochána appeared. “What the hell happened here?” a tall officer asked.

Quinn glanced between me and Isla, giving us a look that said to let him do the talking. “Well officer, that man over there was stalking this woman. He had a gun to her head. I was walking down the street when I saw it. He shot my sister’s bodyguard over there when he went to defend her. So, I drew my weapon and shot him before he could kill her.”

The officer narrowed his eyes on Isla. “Is that what happened?”

“Yes, sir. He tracked me in from the states,” Isla answered.

“What’s your name?”

“Um, Isla Vaughn.”

The officer scribbled it down in his notebook. His gaze fell on Quinn’s next. “And your name?”

“Quinn Kavanaugh.”

“Kavanaugh?” He blinked. “As in the Belfast Kavanaughs?”

“Aye. I came up to Dublin to visit my sister,” he replied, motioning to me.

“Right. Well, um, thanks for the information.” He motioned to a white van pulling up. “That’s the coroner now. I”ll inform him there’s no reason for an inquest. You can call his office for the release of your bodyguard’s body.”

When he started walking off, his partner stopped him. “What the feck are you doing?”

“Keeping myself alive.”

With the officers gone, Quinn said, “Let’s get out of here.”

“We have suites at the Shelborne,” Isla informed him.

“Whose we?”

“Dare, Kellan, Brooke, and Henry.”

My heart swelled hearing Dare and Kellan were in town. Quinn’s eyes popped wide. “Brooke and Henry are here?”

“We were planning to hide them away here while we took care of Mikita,” Isla explained.

“And he took care of himself.”

A shudder ran through Isla. “That’s true.”

“I have a rental car up the street,” Quinn said.

As Quinn swept Isla into his arms, she protested that she could walk on her own.

Quinn shook his head. “I”m not letting you out of my sight or out of my arms anytime soon. In fact, Maeve can drive, and we’ll take the backseat.”

I snorted. “As long as there’s no shenanigans.”

While Isla blushed at my insinuation, Quinn laughed. “I can’t make any promises.”

“You’re a caveman,” Isla remarked with a roll of her eyes.

Just as we reached the car, a voice froze me.

“MAEVE!”

I whirled around to see Rafe sprinting down the street. My heart leapt into my throat at the sight of him. At Quinn’s growl, I broke into a run.

When I reached him, I threw myself into his waiting arms, wrapping my legs around his waist. He squeezed me tight while peppering my neck and shoulders with kisses.

Grabbing my cheeks in his hands, Rafe then pulled my head back to stare into my eyes. “You’re okay?”

“I am.”

“You took Mikita out?”

“Aye. Right through the eyes with one shot.”

His mouth stretched wide in a smile. “I knew you could, my beautiful, strong girl.”

“I couldn’t have done it without you.”

Rafe shook his head. “No, Tesoro. It was all you.”

When Rafe started easing me down onto my feet, I mewled in protest. Jerking his chin over my shoulder, he said, “It’s time to face the music.”

I turned around to find Quinn staring menacingly at us. Or I suppose I should say he was staring at Rafe. When I looked at Isla, she shook her head. “I’m sorry. I tried to get him in the car, but he wouldn’t budge.”

Although Rafe hadn’t formally met Isla, he gave her a reassuring smile. “It’s okay. This needed to happen.”

“How long?” Quinn asked.

Rafe cocked his brows at Quinn. “Since I knew I loved her?”

“How long have you been fucking her behind our backs?”

“Quinn!” Isla and I both gasped.

Rafe’s expression turned murderous. “Have some respect.”

With a mirthless laugh, Quinn replied, “You want to talk respect? You took advantage of a vulnerable girl for your own sick pleasure.”

“That’s not what happened,” Rafe protested as I argued, “I came on to him.”

Quinn’s blue eyes bulged comically wide. “Excuse me?”

“It’s the truth. I wanted Rafe, and I pursued him.”

“You pursued an engaged man?”

Scowling at him, I replied, “I didn't know he was at first. And once I knew, I tried not to.” Staring at Rafe, I smiled, “But then I fell in love with him, and I couldn’t stop.”

“Jaysus,” Quinn muttered as he began pacing in front of us.

Rafe reached out to take my hand in his. “I love Maeve. I think I’ve known it all along, but it was never so plain to me today. As I raced down here not knowing if I would see her alive again, I realized that I couldn’t marry Drea.”

He tugged my hand, pulling me to him. “I can’t bear the thought of spending another minute without you, least of all a lifetime, which is why I plan to call Caruso today and end the alliance.”

Tears pooled in my eyes at his declaration. “Really?”

He nodded. “I also want us to go to Boston to ask Callum for your hand.”

Quinn cursed under his breath. “Have the two of you lost your feckin’ minds?”

Isla smacked Quinn’s arm. “Stop it. They’re in love.”

“I’m aware of what they’re saying. I just don’t think they’re aware of the consequences of what comes with breaking an alliance like the one with Caruso.”

“I will handle the consequences,” I replied firmly.

“I don’t think you have any fucking idea how bad they’ll be”, Quinn countered.

“I’m fully aware what type of man Caruso is and how this will probably bring on a war.”

With a ragged sigh, Quinn glanced between the two of us. “There’s no changing your minds?”

Sweeping my hands to my hips, I countered, “There was no changing your mind about Isla, was there?”

As Quinn’s loving gaze fell on Isla, he shook his head. “No. I would’ve walked through fire for her.”

“I feel the same way about Maeve,” Rafe replied.

Quinn nodded. “Take the jet home, and talk to Callum. He’s not going to be happy, but I know there’s no way in hell he can say no to you, Maeve.”

I stepped forward and threw my arms around Quinn. “I love you.”

“I love you, too.” As I pulled away, his expression darkened as he looked at Rafe. “You better keep making her happy because we won’t hesitate to say fuck it to our alliance by putting you six feet under.”

“Quinn!” I admonished.

Rafe stepped toe to toe with him. “Maeve’s future happiness is my only concern. I won’t hesitate to put anyone who dares to hurt her six feet under.”

Quinn and Rafe continued eyeballing each other while their chests rose and fell with harsh pants. Isla and I could only look on in frustration and fear.

Finally, Quinn extended a hand. “Welcome to the family.”

Happy tears stung my eyes as Rafe reached out to clasp Quinn’s hand in his own. “Thank you.”

In that moment, I had no idea how short lived my happiness would be.