Kilty Pleasure (24 page)

When she didn’t answer, cold dread slipped into his blood. He started his truck, pulling out of the driveway and leaving dust in his wake.

“I’m so sorry to do this to you.” Hailey stood on the porch, giving a hesitant smile to Sarah and Ian, who’d opened the front door.

Their smiles were broad, almost suspiciously big, but Sarah waved that last thought away. Right now she welcomed the friendliness.

“Oh stop it—it’s not a bother at all.” Sarah waved her into the living room. “You’re always welcome here and I hope you know that.”

Hailey stepped into Sarah’s home and gave the couple a small, appreciative smile. “I still feel awful. I just really wasn’t sure where to go.”

“Like she said, it’s not a problem,” Ian agreed. “But maybe you should share why you’re not able to stay at your home so late at night.”

“I will. In fact, I have something to talk to you guys about and am hoping for some answers from you.”

“That sounds serious.” Sarah’s brows drew together. “Come have a seat in the living room. Can I get you something to drink?”

“Water would be great, actually.”

She made her way into the living room and sank down into an oversized chair.

“Where’s the little one?”

“Emily’s in her bedroom listening to music and writing in her journal, last I checked,” Ian commented and exchanged an amused glance with his wife. “It’s like she’s already become a teenager.”

Hailey gave a faint smile. “She’s a sweet kid.”

“Aye, she certainly is.”

Sarah arrived back in the living room with a glass of ice water that she handed off to Hailey.

“So what’s going on?”

After taking a sip of water, Hailey cradled it between her hands and debated how to approach this. Finally, she went with directness.

“I’ve come to speak to you about Curt MacGregor.”

“MacGregor?” Ian growled, his eyes narrowing. “Aye. He’s a bloody bastard. I’m sorry you ladies had that run-in with him up in Oak Harbor the other day.”

Crap. This wasn’t easy. Delicately, she murmured, “Colin explained that you both know each other, Ian, but I’m not certain he was there because of you or Sarah.”

“What do you mean?” Sarah glanced at Ian. “He wouldn’t have any reason to seek out Kenzie, would he?”

Ian shook his head. “At this rate, I think he’d try to intimidate anyone with the McLaughlin name.”

“Why does he want to intimidate you guys? I don’t understand that. I don’t know your history with him.” Hailey paused and took a deep breath. “I only know mine.”

“Yours?” Ian stilled, his expression turning somber and concerned. “You have a connection with MacGregor?”

“I not only have a connection, I have a restraining order against him. We dated for a while.”

Sarah’s mouth fell open in surprise, and she made a murmur of dismay, but Ian’s expression remained stoic, though the concern deepened.

“Small world,” he muttered. “And I take it he’s been threatening you?”

“Yes. He was pretty upset about the breakup. I don’t know why, we weren’t together very long.”

“Aye, well when MacGregor gets it into his head that he wants something, he’s not quick to let it go.” Ian shook his head. “I’m sorry, Hailey. Is that why you’ve come here tonight? Did something happen?”

She nodded. “He broke into my house and was waiting for me when I got off work.”

Fury flashed in his eyes. “Did he hurt you?”

Hailey hesitated for just a moment, and then shook her head. “He got a little rough. Might’ve left some bruises, but I got away from him before anything serious could happen.”

“The son of a bitch is a dead man,” Ian ground out, standing up and pacing the room. “He’s threatened me, my family, and now it seems is a danger to you. You don’t fuck with a McLaughlin or those close to us.”

Sarah looked shaken as she stood up and mumbled something about going to check on Emily.

“What’s
your
connection to Curt?” Hailey asked. “Why is he threatening you? I was under the impression you two became friends while serving your sentences.”

“Aye, we were. And for a bit, after our release, I helped him in a way I shouldn’t have. Bought some car parts from him that I suspected were stolen.” Ian shook his head, shame blatant in his eyes. “It was stupid, and I fucked up, no doubt.”

“We’re all guilty of it now and then.” She rarely judged. After what she’d been through, usually made a real attempt not to judge people about their choices.

“Maybe. But fortunately I got my shit together and told him I was done helping him out.”

“And he didn’t take it well?”

“No. He’s clearly desperate and made threats against my family and me.” His jaw flexed. “I hadn’t seen him for a month or so and had hoped he’d given up.”

She grimaced. “I’m probably the reason he got his hopes up. When he realized I knew you guys, he started showing up more, blatantly breaking the no-contact order. And he kept telling me to get in good with Colin. Maybe he thought I could help change your mind or something.”

“He’s a parasite. Garbage.” Ian nodded grimly. “Aye, stay with us tonight, Sarah. For as long as you need to, actually. I’ll see that you’re safe. Though I must admit I’m surprised you didn’t ask Colin first.”

“Me too,” Sarah agreed, rejoining them.

“Colin?” She tried to keep her tone light. “Why would I…?”

She trailed off as both of them raised their brows and gave her a
really
look.

They knew about her and Colin? Suddenly those overbig smiles when they’d answered the door made sense.

A guilty blush bloomed in her cheeks. She tried desperately to give a casual shrug.

“Colin and I are—”

“—involved. No need to try to pretend otherwise.” Ian gave a quick smile. “We saw you after the auction.”

After the…
Shit!

“I’m sorry.”
Oh wow, this was awkward.
“We, um, meant to keep it quiet.”

She’d completely forgotten about that little moment outside the bar when they’d had that superhot kiss. And apparently they’d had a gaggle of witnesses, going by the plural form that Ian had just used.

“Why in the world would you apologize?” Sarah asked as she sat down on the couch next to Ian. “It’s nothing to be ashamed of. I don’t know, I actually like the idea of the two of you.”

Was she serious? With everything that had happened? It was one thing to forgive, but quite another to have her dating a McLaughlin.

Hailey frowned. Dating? Had she really just thought? Sleeping together. They were simply sleeping together.

Only there was nothing simple about it.

She snuck a glance at Ian to see if he wasn’t as open-minded about the whole thing.

His narrowed gaze was pensive. “I won’t lie—it shocked me, seeing that, as of a couple weeks ago, I thought Colin couldn’t stand you.”

A smile tugged at Hailey’s lips. “I’m pretty sure you’re right.”

“Love and hate can be pretty closely intertwined.” Sarah caught Ian’s hand and they exchanged a long glance. “Our feelings toward each other were pretty volatile when we reunited.”

“Volatile. Aye, that’s a good word.” His mouth curved into a half smile as he turned his attention back to Hailey. “But I’ve no issue with you and Colin as a couple. In fact, I do believe you could be good for him.”

She didn’t even have to ask what he meant. “Brenda.”

“Aye, so you know about her.”

“I do. She’s actually the reason I came here tonight instead of calling Colin.” She laced her fingers together and ignored the slight tightening in her chest. “They’re having dinner.”

“Seriously?” Sarah scowled. “I’m so upset that awful woman won him.”

“Not as upset as Kenzie was,” Ian pointed out. “Or my brothers and I were when we realized what had happened.”

“I know. And I bet he’s only having dinner to respect the outcome of the auction.” Sarah clearly was trying to be practical. “I’m sure he’s long over her.”

Ian didn’t seem to have any comment to add to that, but maybe it was because his phone went off. He murmured an apology and slipped away.

“You don’t believe that Colin’s over her?” Sarah asked softly.

“I don’t know what to believe.”

“The McLaughlins are good people, and Colin is seriously the epitome of a
nice guy
.”

Her throat tightened. “Oh I know. You’re preaching to the choir here.”

“You make it sound like the nice-guy thing is an issue.”

It was. She just gave a slight shrug.

“You don’t like nice guys?”

“I do, I just—” she winced, “—nice guys don’t usually like me.”

Sarah stared at her for a moment and shook her head. “We may have spent years apart, Hailey, but I still know the core of who you are. If you’ve got some harebrained notion that you’re not good enough for him—”

The front door burst open with enough violence to make them both gasp and jump in their seats.

Hailey swung her gaze to the door and swallowed hard.

As if he’d known they were discussing him, Colin strode into the house with his mouth in a grim slash.

He looked pissed when he finally came to a stop, towering above her.

“Perhaps you could explain why you haven’t answered your bloody phone?”

Chapter Nineteen

Colin knew he needed to calm down, especially when Hailey’s eyes rounded with surprise and wariness flickered in her gaze.

“I didn’t hear it ring. I must’ve left it charging in my car.”

“I’ve been worried out of my mind.”

She was safe. The sight of her sitting safely in Sarah’s house offered some relief, but the panic that had built inside him for the last twenty minutes was still slow to dissolve.

He’d been five minutes outside of Coupeville when Ian had texted to inform him Hailey was with them. He’d flipped a U-turn in the middle of the road, uncaring of the illegality of it all.

He slid his gaze over her now, judging her emotional and physical state. She looked tired, maybe a little shocked to see him, but otherwise okay. Though there were hints of bruises on her arms that had his teeth snapping together.

A little souvenir from MacGregor’s visit? The man better hope another officer found and brought him in first, or he might not reach the station alive.

“Why didn’t you call me?”

She tilted her head, irritation flashing in her eyes now. “Uh, maybe because you were at dinner with your ex-fiancée? I don’t understand why you’re so angry with me right now.”

Because, between leaving Brenda’s house and receiving Ian’s text, he’d been out of his mind with fear, imagining why she might not be answering her phone. Mostly visualizing Curt MacGregor finding her.

He didn’t say that. Didn’t even bother to answer her question. “Grab your stuff. You’re staying with me tonight.”

“Whoa.” Sarah’s shocked, one-word reply came first.

It didn’t take Hailey long to make her displeasure at his gritty command known. “I’ll be fine with Sarah and Ian.”

“Aye, I’ve no doubt you would be,” he agreed, struggling with his temper. “But I’d prefer you stay with me.”

Ian entered the room again, stood near the doorway with his arms folded over his chest. He remained silent as he took in the tense scene.

Colin could see the conflict inside Hailey. Clearly, part of her wanted to tell him to get lost, while another part seemed close to capitulating. He knew why she hesitated. He was acting like an aggressive arse, and that was the last type of man she’d appreciate in her life right now. Especially after Curt.

“If you’re hinting I can’t keep her safe, you’d be wrong,” Ian drawled, but there was no heat in his words. “Hailey is free to choose where to stay. So I’d advise ditching the heavy-pressure bit.”

Knowing that Ian was right, Colin struggled to put aside his fears and the anger that it brought forth. He drew in a slow breath and tried again.

“You’re right.” His words were calmer now. “I’ve no right to demand that you come with me, but, please, Hailey. I’d sleep much better tonight knowing you were beside me.” When she winced and looked at Sarah, he added, “And don’t worry, that cat’s out of the bag.”

“Yeah, so I heard.” She sighed, went quiet for a moment, and then nodded. “Fine. I’ll go with you.”

Relief flooded through him and he nodded. “Where’s your bag? I’ll grab it.”

“By the door, here,” Ian supplied.

“Are you working tomorrow, Hailey?” Sarah asked.

Hailey stood and grimaced. “I called in sick. It’s been too stressful a night, I knew I’d lose sleep and be useless on my shift.”

“Colin has to work,” Sarah pointed out. “So you should come hang out with Emily and me. We’re going to rent kayaks in the harbor.”

Unfortunately, Sarah was right, Colin did have to work and, with his new position, he couldn’t afford to call in sick.

Hailey nodded, giving a tired smile. “Sounds like fun.”