Page 52 of Seeking Vengeance
“Because,” Sean said, the words coming out a bit slurred as he regained control of his jaw, “she knew I wouldn’t let her go.”
Nick’s eyes widened. “She’s gone?”
Sean nodded. Nick felt as though something heavy had slammed into his chest. Part of him wasn’t surprised, but another part—the one that he’d thought had been crushed into nonexistence a long time ago—screamed in protest. She’d promised him she wouldn’t leave without saying good-bye. Nicki hadpromised.
“But why?”
“I was hoping you could tell us.”
Nick shook his head as the hurt that came from learning of Nicki’s sudden and unexpected departure began to sink in. The initial disbelief and feeling of betrayal faded, getting buried back under that massive load of shit where it had resided for so long before Nicki returned and it slithered back to the surface.
He shouldn’t have been surprised, not really. Their mother was dead. He’d left Nicki to deal with that all alone, choosing instead to go out and get himself wasted. He’d failed her in so many ways. How could he blame her for wanting to bolt?
Despite the family issues though, Nick had thought that she and Sean had something going on. Sure, finding Nicki in Sean’s apartment earlier made him all kinds of crazy, but that was probably more the drugs talking than anything. It wasn’t really a shock. It would have been impossible to miss the way they’d been looking at each other over the past couple of weeks. And when his brain engaged enough to think things through, he realized that Sean Callaghan was probably the best thing that could have happened to Nicki.
Because of Sean, Nicki was no longer working at Angels. He gave her a job doing what she loved even though it had to be a pain in the ass for him with the special hours and all. He took her over to Birch Falls and introduced her to Kyle McCullough; Nicki’s eyes glowed for a week after that.
Sean was strong, solid, and protective of her. And he’d been there for her when Nick hadn’t.
Looking at it now, seeing the tormented look in Sean’s face, Nick couldn’t help but think that maybe there was even more to it than he realized. “It was more than a one-night thing for you.”
Sean met his eyes. “Yeah.”
Holy shit. The guy’s eyes were like lasers. They said a lot more than the single-worded response had.
“You’re in love with her.”
“Yeah.” There was no hesitation, no thinking. Sean never even blinked.
“But she laid you out, man.”
Icy flames flared to life in Sean’s eyes, but Shane laughed.
“That’s like foreplay to him,” Shane told him. “The only thing she’s done is made herself irresistible.”
* * *
They madeit out to Michael’s farmhouse in record time. Shane had suggested they drop Nick off at his apartment, but Sean hadn’t thought it was a good idea. On the off chance that Nicki tried to contact him, he wanted Nick to be there.
Introductions were made, and Sean was ushered directly into a room at the back of the house. Shane left Nick in the kitchen with Maggie while he joined his brothers.
Nick was hesitant to accept anything, but it was hard to say no when Maggie placed a plate piled high with roast beef, mashed potatoes, sweetened carrots, homemade rolls, and whipped butter in front of him. He looked at it as if he had never seen such a thing before.
“Go on,” Maggie coaxed, smiling. “They’ll most likely be a while, and it looks like you could use it.”
He thought to have only a little so as not to insult her, but after the first bite, he couldn’t help himself. It was easily one of the best meals he’d ever had. He tried to remember his manners at least, forcing himself not to eat too hurriedly or to shove too much into his mouth at once. He wouldn’t have believed it possible, but he finished every last bite.
“Would you like seconds?” Maggie asked in amusement.
Nick thought about it and then shook his head. As good as it had been, he didn’t want to abuse her hospitality.
“Then, you’ll have room for this,” Maggie said, bringing him a plate of caramel apple pie and vanilla ice cream.
“Ah, Mags,” Shane said as he entered the kitchen and gave her a kiss on the cheek. He paused and closed his eyes, inhaling deep. “Your special roast beef?”
“Sit down and let me make you a plate.”
Shane winked at Nick and then turned his attention back to Maggie, placing his hand over his heart. “I swear, Mags, if Mick hadn’t called dibs first, I’d have asked you to marry me.”
