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He traces the design over the clear plastic bandage with one finger, and I close my eyes.
Chapter Fourteen
Chase
When Gillian liftedup her shirt earlier today and showed me the infinity symbol with the word love intertwined I about took her on the floor of that tattoo parlor. Knowing that she put that on her body permanently forme, giving me a gift that will last through the end of time…it makes me want to worship the ground she walks on. Good God, my wife makes me insane in all the right ways not excluding mentally, physically, and emotionally.
After her kidnapping and my mother’s murder, I thought nothing could heal that wound, but having her near, officially with me, as mywifeis stitching the very heart of me back together. Making me something that I wasn’t before, but somehow better. Gillian makes me want to be a better man. A good man, one she can be proud to call her husband.
Husband.
I’m someone’s husband. I shake my head and chuckle as we enter the Bantry home. Gillian turns looking over her shoulder, her hair a wild mess of red curls down her back, the smile she’s wearing so pretty it could light up a dark day.
“What?” Her eyes are an intense green and swimming with curiosity.
I shake my head and press her into the room with a light touch to her lower back. Colin approaches, a grim set to his features. “Colin, something the matter?” I ask.
“I’m afraid there is, sir. Have you checked your cell phones?” I tap my pockets and shrug.
“On my honeymoon, my good man, the phone is off.” I grin and pull Gillian into my arms, snuggling her from behind.
Colin frowns. “I suggest you turn them on. There has been news from the States that I’m certain you’ll want to hear.”
Jack enters with our bags from our shopping excursion after the tattoo parlor. Gillian and I wanted to add things to the Bantry home to make it our own. We found several knick-knacks and pieces of art to add to the already beautiful décor. It was important to her to choose these items together. She says they give the place a more lived in and loved feel to us each time we visit.
“Colin, what is it?”
He glances around the room. “Shall we go into a more private location?” he asks waiting for me to decide if I want him to speak in front of Gillian and Jack.
“No need. Answer my question?” My tone is bordering on annoyed, which does not bode well for the evening I had planned with my lovely new wife.
The frown he’s sporting deepens. “An Agent Brennen called from the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Unfortunately, I have to be the bearer of some very unfortunate news. It seems two members of Mrs. Davis family have been harmed in a fire.” Colin holds his hands in front of him and bows his head respectfully.
Gillian’s hand comes to her mouth. “What? Oh my God, who?” Her eyes instantly fill with terror.
“The gentleman didn’t say, he just left the note to call.” Colin looks to Gillian. “I’m sorry, Ma’am.
As Gillian’s hands start to shake, I can already hear Jack on the phone. “Brennen, Porter here. What’s happened?”
Gillian sits on the couch and holds her hands near her face, her fingers clasped. She sits with her eyes closed and moves her lips. I sit next to her and hold her close as we wait to hear what Jack learns. “It’s going to be okay, baby. We’ll handle this together.” She starts rocking and her fingers whiten from the strain of holding them in such a firm grip.
“We’ll be on the next plane out,” Jack growls into the phone. “You should have called me, Brennan. I understand. We’re on our way.”
Jack comes over to the two of us sitting on the couch and sits down on the table directly in front of us. Gillian’s eyes are wide, filled with fear as she looks up to hear the news.
He clears his throat before speaking. “Gillian, your two friends, Maria and Kathleen,” Gillian instantly lets out a sob at hearing their names. I pull her closer. “They were in a fire. The two of them were working late at the San Francisco Theatre when the blaze happened. Maria is being treated for wounds around her midsection and smoke inhalation. She’s going to be just fine. Absolutely okay.” The way he stresses how Maria is going to be okay and not Kathleen sends an icy river of fear down my spine. Gillian holds my hands tight.
“And Kat?” her voice shakes as the tears over take her.
Jack sucks in a breath and does something I’d never expect him to do in a million years. He reaches out a hand and clasps her knee. Her face crumbles and a sob escapes at the comforting gesture. “Kathleen is in serious condition. She sustained considerable burns over fifteen percent of her body as well as extreme exposure to smoke. That’s all we know at this time.
“What happened?” I ask while attempting to comfort my wife.
“It looks like arson. Someone set it up where Kathleen would die in the fire.” Gillian whimpers and I cut my eyes at Jack. His eyes narrow in response but he continues undeterred. “The only reason she didn’t is because Maria was ruthless. Once she got out of the front of the building she went around to the back and kicked at the small window near Kat’s office. The guard I had on her helped, and she entered the small space, pulled Kat out. But not without getting harmed herself. Her injuries however are surface whereas Kathleen…” He shakes his head. “I’m sure you want to get home right away. I’ll call for one of the planes.”
Gillian stands up. “Let’s just go. Take whatever flights out are next.”
I look at my wife’s tortured face and the anger within simmers deep, curling and curving around my ribs, up my chest to awaken a monster I haven’t met yet. That motherfucker did this to get to my wife. He will pay for every inch of pain he has caused Gillian and her friends. I’ll see to it, or die trying.
