Chapter Thirty One - Killian

I looked across at the table where I had left my new little wife and was shocked to see it was empty.

'What the fuck?'

Jumping to my feet, I tipped the barbunny off my lap unceremoniously, and she landed on the floor, shouting obscenities at me, but I did not care.

'Where the fuck had she got to?'

I grabbed the cuff I had used to find it covered in blood, and my heart sank.

'What the fuck had she done?'

I immediately called a halt to the reception and yelled for the lights to be turned up. It was easy to follow her trail once the main lights were on, a trail of blood led to the offices. Well, the Principessa had made a huge mistake; there were no doors on this corridor, so I took my time striding down toward the last office. It was time to teach my wife who she belonged to and show her that running away was not an option. 

Pushing open the door, I stopped in my tracks. The big bay window was wide open, and lying beneath it was a pool of bloodstained ivory silk. Racing to the window, I peered out, but there was no sign of her, and I turned angrily to my seconds.

'Who was on guard duty tonight?'

Keane looked at Sean; both men had drunk a lot, and it took them a little time to understand what I was asking them.

'Sure, and it was Phil and Paulie, so it was.'

It was funny how their Irish accents grew thicker the more they drank, even though both of them were born and bred Texans.

'Where the fuck are they?'

I demanded, and again they looked at each other, their answers slurred.

'Pres, you said they could come in and have a drink with ye, celebrate the wedding, like.'

Keane says as Sean nods so hard he stumbles forward.

'Not at the same time, you fucking eejits.'

I yell, clenching my fists, and feel relieved when Cormack and Liam step forward.

'Pres, we have the CCTV, and I think you should answer that.'

He indicates my phone, which has been buzzing in my pocket, and I have been ignoring it.

Angrily, I tug it out and answer sharply.

'What?'

'That's a fine way to greet your father, Killian O'Hara, so it is. Especially as I have something you have lost.'

I stifle a groan; my father is the last person I want to talk to when I have a runaway bride to track down. 

'Pa, I'm a little busy right now.'

I begin, but he cuts me off.

'You're not listening, Killian, that's your problem, you need to slow down and take the time to listen to the people around you.'

I huff expectantly and notice Cormack and Liam staring at me, shaking their heads, and I realise I am the one in the wrong. 

'I'm sorry, Pa, what is it you want?'

 I hear him chuckle, and he says.

'Let me guess, Cormack and Liam are with you, aren't they?'

I nod my head and then stop and say.

'Yes, Pa, they are here.'

'Good, they know they screwed up, and it's time for you to forgive them. Sean and Keane are good brothers, but they are not up to being your seconds.'

I know he is right. Over the past few days, I had been leaning more and more towards that conclusion.  I smile at them, and they both look surprised until I indicate that they sit in the chairs on the other side of my desk.

'Yeah, Pa, you're right again, guess I need to stop and smell the roses occasionally, don't I?'

He gives me a chuckle and then says.

'Are you missing something tonight, Son?'

I frown.

'How could he possibly know that Tavisha has escaped?'

'You know, something with blonde hair and pretty green eyes?'

He's chuckling louder now, and I know he has my little runaway with him.

'You got her there, Pa?'

I notice immediately that all the fun leaves his voice.

'Yeah, I do, Son, and she's not in good shape. You might want to have the Doc available when I bring her back.'

My body goes cold, all that blood near the cuffs.

'Fuck, Pa, how bad is it?'

I can't hide the concern in my voice, and his is grim when he replies.

'Well, I'm not a doctor, Son, but for sure, she's going to need stitches in her arm and maybe her feet, and he may need to do another X-ray on her ankle. We're not far away, so get the Doc ready to meet me.'

He clicked off, and I stared at my phone before jumping into action.

'Find the Doc, he's needed at the Medical Centre pronto.'

Cormack and Liam are up and out of the office without questioning my orders, both of them knowing what is needed as I head out into the car park to wait for my Pa. I was lucky he was out driving his SUV tonight rather than his Harley; he's a poor sleeper and often rides out at night. He rarely stays in the bar; he likes an occasional whiskey and loves a pint of Guinness, but he's not a social drinker. When he pulls up, I'm already opening the door and reaching in for my little bride before he gets out to greet me. 

'I found her a couple of miles down the road, near the old Dermount place, sitting on that little wall by the road. She's in a bad way, Son. Is the Doc sober enough to treat her?'

'Declan doesn't drink, Pa, never has, he's fine to sort her out.'

I am shocked by the amount of blood on what's left of her dress and the way she moans when something brushes against her feet. Pa is right, this is serious, Tavisha is barely conscious, the soft little groans coming from her throat, showing me the amount of pain she is in.