Page 111 of Rough Fantasy

“In review, you abducted me in hopes they would come here. I call that a coward. Why not face them right off? You go after a woman. Coward.” It took everything she had to let her disgust drip from every word.

“I am not a coward.”

“Why was your baby brother killed? Where were you?”

“I was out on a job.”

“Sounds like you didn’t do a very good job protecting him.”

“Shut up,” he said, his voice rising just a bit.

“It seems to me you are more at fault for your brother’s death than Rory and Ze?—”

She broke off when he backhanded her again. This time he did it with such force that the chair tipped over. She landed hard on the cement, her head struck it with such force that she saw stars. But, it had done what she wanted. She was free of the chair.

Maura rolled over onto her back. Her abductor was walking toward her and now she knew she had him. He pulled back his booted foot to kick her, but she swung around out of his way. Then, she kicked him in the back of the knee. He stumbled but did not fall down.

He let loose a roar of rage and turned to face her.

“You fucking bitch.”

Now, his temper took hold of his emotions and it was just what she’d hope for. She was ready for him this time. He came at her and she kicked out, connecting first with his thigh. He stumbled again but turned on her easily. He got one swift kick in, then another. Soon, she lay still as she tried to fight the pain radiating through her entire body.

He made a mistake. He crouched down, his face inches from hers. “Now you are going to make this an enjoyable experience for me. You were just a means to an end but it will be a pleasure to kill you.”

She used what little strength she had left and pulled herself up. Then, as he leaned in closer she drew back and smacked her head against his. The pain of it made her dizzy and her vision blurred. She gritted her teeth and kicked the bastard in the knee again. He fell to the ground and now, she knew she could stand up. She swayed and almost fell over once or twice, but she pulled herself up to her feet.

Fear, loathing and rage surged. She pulled her leg back and kicked him right in the groin. After that, she didn’t truly remember what happened. She kept kicking him, over and over until she felt someone grab her by the arm. Maura turned ready to hit the bastard who touched her and came face to face with Rory. Zeke was right behind him. Miami police were pouring into every opening.

“Maura,” he whispered. Even with all the noise she heard the words and the horror in his voice. The room was spinning around her as Zeke walked up to her. Gently, he took her in his arms.

“It’s okay, baby. We’re here now.”

And for the first time since the ordeal began, she let the tears fall.

Rory walked over to the man and sneered. “O’Connell.”

Zeke looked over her shoulder and she could feel him shake. It wasn’t fear, it was rage and there was a good chance that one or both of them would have killed the man for what he had done to her—if the police had not been there.

Zeke shifted as if to join Rory, but she stopped him.

“Oh, damn,” she said. For the second time that day, her world went completely black.

forty-eight

“You didn’t believe me.” She tried to sound angry but it came out in a hitching breath. She could tell that both of them knew she was near tears.

“We wanted to, love,” Zeke said as he tried to take her hand.

“Wanting to and doing so are two different things. I can’t deal with men who can’t tell the difference.”

The doctor glided into the room. “It looks like you can be released today. After a talk with your brother on the phone and the fact that your trip to Hawaii will be restful since you have your own jet, I’m going to allow it. But, I called a colleague at Queen’s Medical. You are to check in with her while you are there.”

She nodded.

When the doctor left them alone, Rory stood up. “What’s this crap about going to Hawaii?”

“Conner wants me there, and Jillian does too. He wants me to take a rest.”