Flynn (The Love Family Series Book 3) (9 page)

Chapter 12

Declan was going through the file he’d compiled on Mia and found it incomplete.

“Did we get the prints on that boat yet?” Declan hollered from his office.

“We just got a hit.” One of the deputies leaned into the room. “Garth Miller.”

Declan’s jaw ticced, and he flipped to the back of her file where Garth’s paperwork was supposed to be and found it still hadn’t arrived. Stan had promised to send the information on her estranged brother, Garth, from Fuller Psychiatric Hospital. He got on the computer and found the contact information for Fuller, only to be told they couldn’t discuss Garth and to talk to his case worker in charge. He was given the number.

Declan hung up and called the officer.

“Swanson.”

“Hi, this is Sherriff Declan Love from Love Island. I need to ask you about one of your case files, Garth Miller?”

“Yes. Why? Don’t tell me he’s slipped up. He’d straightened out his life, was doing well.”

The hair on Declan’s arms rose. There was something wrong here. He leaned forward and rested his elbows on his desk. “Do you know his whereabouts? His name came up in one of my investigations.”

“You’d have to talk to Stan Richards. Garth was signed out under Stan’s care about a month ago, and to be honest, I don’t know what Stan was thinking he could do. Garth may have had a bad childhood, but he’s really straightened up his act.” Swanson paused. “Unless he’s relapsed and Stan hasn’t informed me.”

“You’re telling me that Garth has been with Stan Richards for over a month?”

“Yeah, why? Are they both in trouble? I had heard that Stan was a bit of a hothead, so I wouldn’t be surprised.”

“I’ll call you back.” Declan hung up the phone and rose from his desk. Pulling out his phone, he called Flynn only to have the call go to voicemail. He left a message. “Stan and Garth are working together. Call me back.”

Declan stepped out of his office, spewing orders to his staff. “I’m going out to Flynn’s house. Someone get me a location on Amelia Stewart. Check her apartment above Tony’s Pizzeria, check Tanner Pharmaceuticals. When someone gets eyes on her, put her in protective custody.

Declan pointed to another officer. “You’re with me.”

****

“Mia, I overheard him,” Garth said as he stepped closer. “He’s going to kill that Love guy and you.”

“Who?” she asked when Garth released her arm. She slid her hand into her pocket and wrapped her fingers around her mace can. “Who’s going to kill us?”

“Stan.”

She froze on the spot. Ice crawled up her spine, settling into her bones. “No.” She shook her head in disbelief. “You’re lying.”

“Yes, he is. He’s headed there now. I overheard his plan a week ago and I came to save you. We’ve got to go. He’ll be looking for you next.”

“Where’s your car? I’ve got to go help Flynn.”

“We need to run.” His voice rose in panic.

“No. I’m not leaving Flynn. Where’s your car?” she demanded.

“It’s not technically my car. I borrowed it.”

“You mean you stole it?”

“I rented it from a local on the other side of the Island.” 

“I don’t care whose it is.” She grabbed him by the arm, yanking him through the lot until she stopped in front of an old beat-up pickup. She grabbed his keys and hurried inside. Garth followed on the passenger side. She grabbed her phone from her back pocket and dialed Flynn’s number, resting the phone between her ear and her shoulder as she shoved the key into the ignition and sped out of the lot.

The phone went to voice mail. “Flynn, Stan is behind this, not Garth. He’s on his way to your house.”

She hung up and tossed the phone to her brother. “Call 911, ask for Declan Love.” She glanced at him as she took the turn, almost going up on two wheels. “If he’s not available, tell dispatch you’re calling for me and tell them what you told me.”

Garth looked at her as if she’d lost her mind.

“Do it now,” she yelled; her voice echoed in the cab.

****

Flynn heard the knock on the door just as he stepped inside from his swim. He ran the towel through his wet hair and pulled the door open.

Stan was standing on his porch. Flynn noticed the unfamiliar car in the driveway.

“What do you want?” Flynn asked as his jaw ticced.

“I brought Mia her car,” he answered and glanced behind him.

“You can leave the keys here. She’ll be by tonight to pick them up.”

“I’m going to need to call a cab back to the ferry. Can I use your phone?”

Flynn tried to release the tension in his neck. “Yeah, hold on and I’ll get it.”

Flynn turned his back, picked up his phone, and noticed two missed calls. As he turned back around, he saw a gun pointed at his face.

“Nice property,” Stan said, shoving Flynn inside the house. He closed the door behind him. “Good place to die.”

Flynn held up his hands and stepped back, putting two steps between them, getting ready to make a run for it.

Stan cocked the trigger. “I wouldn’t do that if I were you.”

Flynn froze on the spot.

Stan nodded toward the back door. “Let’s go for a walk.”

Flynn turned and headed out the back door; his mind raced, trying to figure out how he would get out of this. Athletic as he was, he might be able to take Stan on in a fist fight, but he was no match against a bullet.

“Why are you doing this?” He headed across the lawn toward the trees.

“Isn’t it obvious? She was supposed to run to me. Not you.”

Flynn clenched his fist. “You were behind the break-ins and the mugging?”

“You aren’t as dumb as I pegged you for.”

“If they find me dead, they’ll trace the bullet back to you,” Flynn said as he walked into the tree line. His eyes darted around for a rock, hell, a stick, anything he could use to defend himself.

“No, they won’t.” He sadistically grinned. “It’s covered in Garth’s fingerprints, and I plan to leave it behind.”

“And Mia’s car? They’ll trace you through that.”

“I stole it when it got onshore. They’ll never be able to point the finger at me, not when the evidence goes up in flames.”

Flynn gave a slow nod, and his eyes widened as he caught movement out of the corner of his eyes. Mia was standing near a tree with Flynn’s gun clutched in her hand and another man standing beside her.

“It’s always the one you least expect.” Her words caught Stan by surprise, and he shifted so he could see them both. “I trusted you,” she spat out.

“Now, Garth, why the hell did you go and tattle?” Stan narrowed his eyes, raised his gun, and pulled the trigger, hitting Garth in the arm before he swung it back around, aiming it at Flynn. “Drop it, Mia, and I’ll let you live.” He aimed the gun at Flynn’s leg and pulled the trigger. Flynn fell to the ground and clutched his leg. His hands were bloody, yet he held Mia’s gaze.

Mia’s hands shook as Stan moved to stand over Flynn, the gun pointed at his head. “I said drop it, Mia, or the next one is through his brain.”

“Shoot the bastard,” Flynn yelled.

“Drop the gun, Mia, and we’ll leave. I’ll leave him alive.”

“Don’t do it, Mia,” Flynn yelled. “He’s lying.”

“You’re right. He is,” Declan said, stepping out from behind a tree near Flynn with his gun trained on Stan. “Put down the weapon.”

“Why would I do that?” Stan spat and cocked the trigger to shoot again.

In the next second, a shot rang out and Stan fell to the ground, his eyes wide open as he stared up at the tree line.

Flynn collapsed onto the grass when Declan came to his side. Other officers went straight to Garth, who was squirming on the ground.

“Don’t move. You’re under arrest.”

Mia held out her hands and moved in front of Garth. “He wasn’t in on it. He tried to warn me.”

They glanced at Declan, now applying pressure to Flynn’s leg. Declan nodded, knowing Mia was telling the truth. Ten minutes later, Garth and he were headed into separate ambulances. Mia was torn between which one to get in. Declan decided for her.

“I need to get Garth’s statement, and I’ll be able to tell if he’s telling the truth. I’ll feel better if you ride with Flynn until we’re sure of his involvement.”

“I need to say something to him first.” She swiped the tears from her face and walked to her brother’s ambulance. She stepped up and squeezed his hand. “Thank you. Thank you.” More tears fell when Declan held out his hand to help her out.

“Don’t worry. We’re all going to the same place. We’ll see you there.”

****

Flynn rested comfortably in the hospital bed with his leg bandaged up.

“Looks like our dinner plans are canceled.” Mia sat by his side and squeezed his hand.

“Look on the bright side. Now you can wear a nurse’s uniform and take care of me.”  He wiggled his brows and grinned.

“We so did not need to hear that,” Skylar chided him as she walked into the room followed by Olivia, Luke, and Reed.

“You can say that again,” Reed replied.

Mia’s cheeks flushed, and she leaned over and kissed Flynn’s lips. “We’ll talk later?”

“You don’t need to leave because of them.”

“I’m not.” She pressed her lips together, and a worried look covered her face. “I need to go check in Garth.”

Mia slid off the bed, and Flynn grabbed her hand. “One good deed doesn’t erase what he did.”

“I know. I don’t trust him yet, but he did the right thing this time.”

“This time, what about the next?”

She shrugged. “I’m going to take it one day at a time.” She squeezed his hand. “I’ll be just fine.” She kissed him once more. “I’ll come back in a bit.”

He nodded and watched her leave, and in that minute, he knew one thing for certain. He was falling in love with Mia.

“I know that look,” Skylar waited to announce until Mia was out of the room.

“So do I,” Olivia chimed in. “Flynn has fallen for the double major. I never thought I’d see the day.”

“Hardy har har,” Flynn mocked.

Skylar glanced at Olivia and they shared a devious grin. “He needs a plan. This is uncharted territory for him. We need to help him just like he helped both of us.”

“Oh no.” Flynn held up his hands in surrender. “Flynn Love doesn’t need help with women.”

“Glad to see the bullet didn’t hit your ego,” Reed commented on his way to the door. “I’m going to your house to grab the security footage for Declan. I’ll check on you later.”

“You’re leaving an injured man, with these two? Way to throw me under the bus, brother.”

“Brotherly love, man, brotherly love.” Reed chuckled and headed for the door.

“Chicken shit. Just you wait. When they're done with me, who do you think is next?” Flynn called out as the hospital door shut.

“Quit being a baby,” Skylar teased.

“So what do you think we should start with first, a makeover or manners?”

“Neither.” Flynn smirked. “She likes me just fine the way I am.”

“You two leave Flynn alone,” his mother ordered as she walked into the room.

“Thank you, Momma.”

“So when are you proposing to that sweet girl?”

Flynn’s mouth dropped open, and Olivia and Skylar chuckled.

“Mom, I’ve known her two weeks.” He gestured to Olivia. “Look how long it took Declan and Luke. I think I’ve got another good year before I even start considering marriage.”

“Oh pish posh, I knew your father for less time than that.“ She patted Flynn’s hand. “A mother knows these things. You two will marry, and Mia will give me grandbabies just like these two.” She pointed over her shoulder.

“Shit.” Flynn shook his head.

“Language,” Flynn’s mother scolded.

“First I lose a bet to Trent and now Mia.”

“She bet you I was pregnant?” Skylar asked as her lips tilted at the corner. “How did she know? We haven’t told anyone besides Olivia and Mom. We were going to announce it on Sunday over lunch.”

“That one is beautiful and smart, Flynn. Don’t screw it up.” His mother rose from his bedside and started ushering Olivia and Skylar out of the room. “Come on, girls. Flynn needs his rest.”

Chapter 13

Flynn wobbled across his living room ignoring the protest from his leg. He couldn’t sit still. He took a deep breath and glanced in the hallway mirror, fixing a stray hair that was out of place. Today was the big day. His stomach churned with uncertainty, and he wiped his sweaty hands on his jeans for the millionth time.

The doorbell rang, making his nerves a jumbled mess. “Here goes nothing.”

He pulled the door open to greet Trent Stewart on his doorstep.

“What was so damn urgent?” Trent asked.

Flynn stepped back and let Trent into his house. “Nice place,” he said as he glanced around before pointing to his leg. “Sorry about the leg. I knew Stan was an ass but had no idea he was psycho.”

“Thanks, but that’s not why I called you here.”

Trent turned to face Flynn again, his brow dipped in confusion. “Why did you call me? I just got off the ferry, and I haven’t even seen Mia yet. Is she here?”

“No.” Flynn swallowed his apprehension. “You might want to sit.”

Trent shook his head. “No, I think I’ll stand. What’s going on, Flynn? Did you hurt her feelings? You were supposed to be her friend.”

Flynn took a steady breath bracing for Trent’s reaction. “Nothing like that. I love your sister.”

“Everyone does.” Trent glanced around, still confused. “What’s not to love about her? She’s smart, beautiful, and I’d kill anyone who screws with her. You know that, right?”

Flynn shook his head. “No, you don’t understand. I love
love
Mia, as in I’m in love with your sister, as in I’m going to ask her to marry me.”

Trent’s mouth parted, and the blood drained from his face. “Dude. You weren’t supposed to fall in love
love
with her. Your job was to keep the assholes away from her, make sure she met a nice guy.”

Flynn held out his arms. “She did.”

“You’ve known her for three weeks. That’s not even an entire month.” Trent ran his hand through his hair. “Give it time. It’ll pass. You’ll move on, and so will she.”

Flynn shrugged, and a smile split his lips. “When you know, you know, and I know I love Mia, and I think she may love me too.”

Trent squeezed his neck. “Has she said that? Have you?”

“Well, no, not technically.”

“Well, there you go.” Trent dropped his hands to his sides. “It was just the adrenaline from her being in danger. I’m sure once it wears off, you’ll start to feel like your old self again.”

Flynn shook his head. “Nope. She changed me. I’ve never wanted just one woman before, but I want her.” Flynn shoved his hands in his pockets. “I love her.”

“How do you know? Have you ever even been in love?”

Flynn clutched his chest. “I knew the day I thought I was going to die. I knew it down to my soul, Trent. I love Mia with every fiber of my being, and before I tell her, I need you to be okay with where this goes. You’re her brother, and I’d never do anything to make her unhappy. I’m asking for your blessing.”

Trent walked to the window and stared outside. He crossed his arms over his chest. What was minutes seemed like an eternity as Flynn’s heart clenched, he was caught in the balance of Trent’s answer. Trent turned and nodded. “If she loves you, I mean really loves you as much as you love her, then you have my blessing.”

“Thank you.” Flynn breathed a sigh of relief. One Stewart down. Now all he had to do was convince Mia, the most brilliant woman he knew, that loving him would be worth the risk.

Flynn grabbed two beers from the fridge and handed one to Trent; they drank while engaging in an easy banter as he showed Trent his home and property.

***

Flynn spent the rest of the week with Mia and Trent, giving them both the tour he never had the chance to give to Mia. Flynn slipped his fingers through hers and he watched a worried look cross her face as she glanced at her brother, unaware that he knew they were together. Flynn lifted her palm to his lips and placed a tender kiss. “I already told him.”

“You did?”

“I hope you don’t mind.”

“No, I don’t mind. I’m just surprised you said something.”

Sunday afternoon, Flynn spotted Mia and Trent walking up the drive to his mother’s house.

“Nervous?” his mom asked, joining him at the window.

“Nervous, anxious, ready to throw up. All of the above,” he corrected her.

His mother patted him on the back. “She loves you. Now go get your girl,” she said before leaving him to return to the kitchen.

Go get my girl.
That was exactly what he intended to do. 

Flynn opened the door and invited them both in. “Hey.” He shook Trent’s hand before kissing Mia’s cheek. “I’m glad you guys could come.”

“I’ve had your dad’s cooking. I wouldn’t have missed it.” Trent chuckled and walked through the living room, heading to where the action was.

Mia went to follow him, but Flynn pulled her back. “Lunch can wait. There’s something I have to take care of first.”

Mia tilted her head. “What’s that?”

Flynn pulled his wallet out, removed a five-dollar bill, and held it out. “Turns out you were right about Sky.”

Mia’s grin lit up her entire face as she slipped the bill out of his fingers. “I’ll take that. It was a pleasure doing business with you.”

“One day I’m going to learn not to bet you two.”

“I knew you were smart.” She winked and went to meet the others out back.

Flynn stepped outside and fell into an easy banter with his family, friends, and Mia. The afternoon progressed through good food, laughter and Skylar and Luke’s announcement of her pregnancy.

Their typical routine after a meal of watching sports ended up with them all outside lounging around, enjoying the evening breeze. This was life, exactly what he wanted, and he wanted it with Mia.

Flynn took a deep breath to calm his nerves before turning to Mia. “Mia, we need to talk.”

The smile on her lips faltered.

“Mia. I love you.”

She glanced around. “You’re saying that now?”

Everyone around them quieted.

Flynn cleared his throat. “I know we haven’t known each other long, and you were kind of railroaded into living with me for a while, but during that time, I fell in love with you.” He stepped closer and cupped her flushed cheeks. “You’re so smart, and you’re beautiful, you’re kind and caring, and every time you walk into the room, my heart starts beating again.”

“Flynn, what are you doing?” she whispered and tried to pull him off to the side.

He slipped the little box out of his pocket and opened the lid, showing her the two-carat marquise solitaire. “Mia, will you marry me?”

“No, no, no.” She shook her head and stepped back, and his heart sank to his stomach. “This isn’t logical. You aren’t thinking clearly.”

“Mia, baby.”

An unshed tear rested in her eyes. “I love you, and sometimes you have to throw logic out the window and go with your heart. You… are my heart. Baby, please.” He closed the distance between them. “We can have a long engagement if that makes you feel better, but trust me when I tell you, I’m not going to change my mind.”

She glanced at Declan. Declan gave her a knowing smile. “He’s being honest.”

She glanced at her brother.

“Don’t look at me. He asked me first, and I left it completely up to you. You’re my baby sister. I just want you to be happy, even if it is with Flynn.”

The tear fell free. “This is crazy.”

“I don’t mind being crazy, as long as it’s with you.” He slid the ring out of the box and shoved the box back in his pocket. “Amelia Stewart, I love you, and nothing is going to change that, not tomorrow, not fifty years from now. I’ll love you forever. Will you marry me?”

She bit her lip as she glanced between him and the ring. Flynn swallowed around the lump in his throat. His palms sweated as he waited for what seemed like an eternity.

She nodded, threw her arms around Flynn’s neck, and kissed him with all the force of her passion, and he kissed her back.

“I love you,” she whispered against his lips. “I love you.”

“Just remember who said it first.” He grinned and kissed her again before taking her hand and slipping the ring on her finger.

Cheers broke out around them, and his father popped a bottle of champagne. Where he’d gotten it, Flynn wasn’t sure. All he was sure about was that he was indeed the luckiest man alive. He kissed her once more and watched the celebration around him. The women quickly whisked her away to inspect the ring while the men walked to his side.

“You did good,” his dad announced and patted him on the back.

“I have to admit, I never thought I’d see the day,” Declan said

“Neither did I,” Flynn answered and let out a long breath he didn’t realize he’d been holding.

“Now you just have to get her to the altar.” Trent grinned. “Good luck with that.”

Reed tossed in his two cents. “Word of advice, brother. Elope.”

Flynn’s heart was full with so much pride and love. “I don’t think so, Reed. If she wants a wedding, I wouldn’t deny her anything.”

“You’re learning.” Luke clinked his glass against Flynn’s.