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“Piper, do you recognize me? It’s Sean. Sean Quinn. How badly are you hurt, lass? Do you need a hospital?”
I glance around to be sure nobody sees me bent over a battered Piper McGuire. That would complicate things not only for me, but for Tag as well.
I’m trying to be a Good Samaritan—nothing more.
This girl belongs on the south side of the river, but I can’t very well send her back looking like this. Mattie will take one look at her and declare an all-out war.
Aiden killing Declan was bad enough, but that technically wasn’t family business and everyone who witnessed it knew it was about them both fucking Siobhan.
This would be entirely different. “How did this happen? Where were you, beautiful?”
“Hotel.”
Hotel?That’s not much to go on. I sit back on my heels and look around. There are no hotels on this stretch…but there are on the south side…and the Grattan Bridge is steps away.
But if she was beaten on the south side, why would she come here? Surely, she’d be safer in her father’s territory. Wouldn’t she?
Piper moans, and her head flops to the side.
Well, whatever the reason, she’s in no shape to get home on her own and us hanging around out here is just getting us both wet. I’ll have to take her with me.
I straighten and frown at my Harley.Not ideal.
“Hey, Piper, do you think you can sit up and hang onto me if I put you on my bike?”
She extends her hand and reaches for me. I’m not confident that she’s got the strength to sit upright, but the longer we stay here, the greater the chance that this will blow up in my face. “All right. Let’s try it. At least we can get out of this rain and have a cup of hot tea.”
I lift Piper and cradle her against my chest. She can’t weigh more than a hundred and ten pounds soaking wet—and sheissoaking wet—so my estimate could be accurate.
It’s awkward to get her secured on the back of my bike. Her bloody, bare feet slide off the passenger pegs, so it takes a bit to get her positioned to ride. She sways when I let go of her and I grab her, thinking she’s going to fall off my big decker.
Shit.Falling off and hitting the pavement will do more damage than she’s already suffering from. I don’t know what damage that is and won’t until I get her wet clothes off and I have a look.
The thought of Piper McGuire naked creates way too many visuals in my mind. I give myself an inward shake and remind myself she’s almost ten years younger than I am. On top of that, she’s vulnerable, and is a McGuire,annndtouching her in any way is a death sentence waiting to be handed out.
Right.I am simply helping an innocent woman.
With one hand pressed against her sternum, I slide my leg over the seat, reach back, and wrap her arms around my waist. “Hold on, Piper. You gotta help by holding on.”
Her arms tighten around my middle, and I exhale.
This is going to be one long ride home.
Giving it a little gas, I release the clutch and start off rolling along at a snail’s pace. My Harley gives me a throaty rumble and, since things go okay, I give her a little more gas.
Puttering along, I make the turn onto Arran, but at the last minute, decide to pass my place and not go there. Instead, I continue until I take a right onto Little Strand and pull into the driveway of one of the Quinn safe houses.
Lifting Piper off the bike, I carry her to the porch and set her down on the steps. The boys razz me about the weight of my carabiner, but what can I say?
I’m a man who holds a lot of keys.
It takes a minute and a few tries, but I find the key that fits this house. The lock clicks open, and I give the door a push.
“Come on. It’s dry inside and I’ll put the kettle on.”
“I shouldn’t be here…not with you.”
No shit.“Would you rather be lying alone on the sidewalk near the river?”
