My Pulse

Chapter 28: Quinn Keane

I wake up to the sound of a conversation happening nearby. My eyes are groggy and my body is stiff from the long plane ride. It looks like maybe we have landed finally and a spike of energy shoots through me. I have to see Rory. I slowly take in my surroundings and Cian is no where to be found.Thats when I register the conversation taking place behind me. They may be out of sight but I can hear everything they are saying and to my horror they are talking about me. I hear Cian's deep voice say "When we touch down we will all be moving to the new compound in Galway. They are still constructing the barracks but I need you three close so you will be staying with Quinn and I in the main house for the time being." The men are silent and then my body stiffens when Kieran asks "Quinn has agreed to move in with you?" "I didn't hear any sounds of protest earlier." Rylee snorts and Quill laughs under his breath. Cian must be staring daggers at them because Quill quickly says "Sorry boss none of my business." Cian doesn't respond to that because he doesn't have to; instead he tells Kieran, "Yes, Quinn just agreed to move in with me and soon she will agree to be my wife." "You are one lucky bastard." Rylee tells him. I can basically hear the satisfaction in Cian's voice when he responds "I know." I don't hear Kieran say anything else and they fall silent. That is my cue to fake sleep as Cian will come find me soon. I hear his strong footsteps coming toward me and then feel him brushing my hair back softly. "It's time to wake up baby. We're home." He murmurs in my ear. I slowly blink my eyes open and pretend I am waking up. "Where are we?" I ask looking up at him. "Near Shannon Airport very close to home." He tells me. I am on my feet then and he looks at me with surprise. "Let's go, I need to see my parents and then I am going right to the hospital." I say quickly grabbing the couple items I brought home with me. All five of us get into the waiting black sedan. It surprises me when Cian gets into the driver's seat and motions for me to sit across from him in the passengers side. We pull up in front of my apartment and Cian turns to me. "I have to go take care of some business baby but I can't leave you alone. Rylee and Quill are going to stay close to you for the time being." I look up at him in surprise, "Why do I need bodyguards?" I ask him. "Quinn, we have a lot of enemies now and we have to watch our backs. I am not going to take a chance with your safety." He assures me. "Don't worry Quinn, we will hang back out of your way." Rylee says grinning at me. I flash a weary smile at him and then look over to meet Cian's gaze. "Will I see you later?" He asks me hopefully. "I'm not sure I will let you know." I respond gently. "That reminds me. Here is a new phone to contact us on. I have already programmed our numbers in." Cian says while handing me it. "Thanks." I manage to say when I catch Kieran's gaze out of the corner of my eye. "See you later maybe." I tell Cian quickly and jump out of the car. I am racing into my apartment to take a quick shower. I am so god damn groggy from the traveling I need to wake up. I almost forget about Rylee and Quill as they stand awkwardly at my apartment's entrance. "Sorry guys here just come in, I am going to get ready. Help yourself to food and beer." Rylee plops down on the couch and Quill walks right over to my fridge. I hear the sound of a beer opening when I close my bedroom door. I am grateful for my en-suite bathroom now. I guess I understand having bodyguards considering I was just kidnapped but I thought we had eliminated the major threat. I don't think Cian is telling me the full truth. I am just glad he didn't leave Kieran with me. Cian may be jealous of him but I don't think he would believe Kieran would actually go after me. It makes me wonder why Kieran is pursuing me so hard. He is throwing away his friendship with Cian and I can't be the reason why. They are all probably after me because of my last name I think sourly. I emerge quickly fully ready pulling myself out of my mental anguish. Rory needs me now and I am sure my parents are freaking out. Rylee and Quill look at me and stand as I come out of my room. "I need to go see my parents." I tell them and they both nod. "Here let me drive." Quill says and his hand reaches out to take my car keys. "Ya, we got it beautiful." Rylee grins and opens the back door for me to get in. "Thanks guys." I tell them with a quick smile. Rylee and Quill are at least pleasant to be around if I have to be guarded. Even with their comments I overheard on the plane I like them, they are jokesters. "So I heard you're moving into the compound?" Rylee asks mostly as a question. "You heard right." I respond giving him a back off look. "I think that's great." Quill says, turning around to grin at me. Before I can respond to that Rylee adds "Probably the safest too." That catches my attention. "I thought we killed all of the O'Connors, what's going on?" I ask confused. Quill turns to face me and explains smoothly "We did kill them but it's always a battle for the top spot in our business, Quinn." "I see." I say and turn to look out the window. "Who's after us now?" I ask a little too calmly. "I'll let Cian fill you in on everything." Quill says apologetically. I just nod and then stare out at the window until we arrive. We pull up at my parent house and Quill opens my door for me. "We'll stay in the car." Rylee says as I turn back to look at them wearily. "Okay, I will text you when I'm coming out." I tell them both and they nod. I go to open my parents door and its locked. This is new change I think as I knock loudly on the door. My mom opens it and lets out a shrill scream. "Liam! Liam! It's Quinn." My mom shouts and throws her arms around me pulling me inside. She locks the door behind us and is gripping onto me with all her might. My dad comes running around the corner. "Quinn, thank god! Where have you been!?" He demands as my mom starts to cry. "I am so sorry. I will explain everything but I am okay and I need to go see Rory." I tell them quickly. "What! You aren't going anywhere!" My mom almost yells still holding onto me. "Tell me what happened Quinn." She sobs finally letting me go to step back and take me in fully. "Are you hurt? Did he hurt you?" She asks looking at me with wet eyes. "No, mom I am okay really. Cian O'Shea is alive and he saved me that night. He took me with him out of the country. The FBI had a lot of questions for the both of us and Cian said it wasn't safe to come home." I explain hoping they understand. They don't of course and are staring at me with blank unbelieving looks. "But why did you go with him? Why did he take you? Quinn, the FBI spoke to us and said they had killed everyone on the property and then yn you were just gone." My dad says and his voice cracks at the last bit. "Dad, I am so sorry. Cian didn't really give me much of a choice." I say trying to dodge the truth. I went with Cian at that moment because I never wanted to be separated from him. I still remember the way I clung to him and stuck to him as he carried me out of that house covered in blood. How could I forget that even if I constantly try. "Oh honey, just thank the heavens you are safe, that's all that matters." My mom says hugging me again. "How is Rory's dad? Have you heard any updates?" I ask them changing the subject. "He is stable but has not woken up. He is still in a coma. The doctors are still not sure." My dad says trailing off unsure himself. "I am so sorry Dad." I tell him and step up to give him a hug. His oldest friend in a coma that is fucking awful. "I love you guys and I will come back but I have to go see Rory." I tell them and my mom starts to protest but I grab my jacket and fling open the door before they can stop me. I slide into the back of my car and tell the boys to take me to the hospital. They can tell I don't want to talk about my parents so it is a quiet ride. I rush into the hospital and Rylee and Quinn follow me in this time. I don't care about them I just need to find Rory. It doesn't take long to find a front desk and ask them what room he's in. "Visiting hours open in an hour." The woman says looking down at her watch. "He's my dad." I tell her with no patience left to give. "I don't see any daughters listed in his folder." She says with a bite. I slam my hand down on the table and the woman jumps. "What god damn room is he in?" I yell at her. "Ma'am I am going to call security if you don't leave right this instant." She responds shakily. Then I feel Rylee pulling on my arm gently. "Quinn, let's just come back in an hour." He says trying to calm me down. "I'm not leaving." I say back to him. "Quinn, let's just go get some coffee real quick." Quill tries to reason with me. I know we don't need security called right now but I need to see Rory now. "Quinn?" I hear my name and spin around to meet a very shocked Rory. "Rory!" I yell and run to him from across the room. He throws his arms around me in shock and then buries his head into my neck. "Quinn, where the fuck have you been?" He says almost shaking and I am wrapped in his arms. I missed him so much. My very best friend. He is gripping me a little tighter than normal and I realize he doesn't want to let me go. "Rory, Rory look at me." I tell him gently. His sad hazel eyes look at me and then I start to cry. I need to hold it together. "Let's go over here." I point to an empty waiting room for more privacy. I look back at Rylee and Quill then forgetting they were there. They are both eyeing Rory and I suspiciously but I just turn back around focusing on my friend. We are finally alone now and Rory sits down in a chair beside me. "They aren't sure if he is going to wake up." He mutters looking down at his shoe thats tapping against the white hospital floor tile. "Rory, I am so sorry. Is there anything I can do?" I ask him. "Stay with me?" He asks, looking at me. "I'm here." I tell him. "I'm not going anywhere." I say promising. His head leans back and it hits the wall a little. He just closes his eyes, not even caring. It kills me to see him like this. "How about you get some sleep somewhere?" I ask him because he looks so dang tired. He just shakes his head and I sigh. "Okay, then how about we get some coffee and we can go see him together. They wouldn't let me in during visiting hours. I even told her he was my dad." The corner of Rory's mouth lifts almost in a smile. I can't imagine the pain he is going through right now. "I hate that I can't tell you it's going to be okay." I tell him and he looks at me. "That's at least the most real comment anyone's made to me so far." He tells me. "That's why I love you." He says with a genuine smile now. I let out a laugh and he smiles bigger. "I love you too." I tell my best friend. "Let's get some coffee." I say getting up. I can see I'm brightening up his mood. Thank goodness I came back when I did. "Where did you disappear too?" He asks me as we walk out of the room. I look over to see Rylee and Quill and they are watching us again. Rory follows my gaze and I see he is confused. "Who are they?" Rory asks standing up a little straighter. "My bodyguards." I tell Rory with a shrug trying not to make it a big deal. "Bodyguards?" Rory questions me further. "Yeah, I mean Cian thought that I needed them." I say to him. "Cian O'Shea?!" Rory basically yells. "Shhh!" I tell him looking around. "He is alive?" Rory asks impatiently. "Yes, he is alive." I tell Rory. "That's where you were....with him?" He asks curiously. "Rory, it's a long story." I tell him. "Let's just get some coffee." He says as I follow him to the cafeteria. It is a cozy cafeteria and it isn't too full right now. We grab one of the closest tables and I see Rylee and Quill also follow us there. They sit far enough away to give us some privacy at least. I have a feeling they are giving Cian or going to give Cian a play by play later. "I will grab the coffee. Do you want anything else?" Rory asks me and I nod my head no. He comes back with two cups and sits down at the table with me. "Do you want to go up and see him?" I ask Rory gently. He shakes his head no. "Not yet." He says sadly. "It's so hard to see him like that." Rory tells me. "I understand." I tell him. "It's just so good to see you." He says and his hazel eyes start to tear up. I put my hand over his and tell him there is no place I would rather be. "What the fuck am I going to do Quinn if he actually..." "Don't go there. We can't go there yet." I interrupt him. He nods and looks away trying not to let his tears fall. "Are you going to tell me where the hell you have been?" He asks impatiently now. I sigh and it's my turn to look away. This is a long story and I don't really want to tell him the truth about Cian. "Quinn, just tell me." Rory says and I look at him. "My parents and I were kidnapped by Grady O'Connor from the safe house the FBI took us too and then Cian saved me. He took me out of the country with him until it was safe to return." I say quickly before he can interrupt me. "You were kidnapped?" He almost shouts back at me. "Will you keep your voice down!?" I hiss across the table at him. "So O'Shea saved you and what just left his arch nemesis alive?" Rory asks questionably. I look at him and he sees it in my eyes. "He didn't leave him alive?" Rory asks me looking for an answer. He nods understanding my answer and asks me the dreaded question. "But, Quinn, why did you go with him?" "In the moment there was a lot going on I was overwhelmed and honestly happy he was alive." I tell him honestly. "Do you care about him?" Rory asks me and I can tell he is having a hard time believing all of this. "We have something." I tell him truthfully. Rory nods and looks away. I know he wants to lecture me about this but I can tell he doesn't have it in him. "Will you go up with me now?" He asks me and I nod in response. Rory leads me into a corner room on the main recovery floor at the hospital. I see Rylee and Quill take a seat in the waiting room closest to the room. "Oh Sean." I gasp and gently clasp his hand in mine. Rory pulls up a chair for both of us and we sit with his dad. I hold Sean's hand and then Rory does. It's getting dark when the nurse comes in to tell us that visiting hours are over. "Do you have a cot for me to stay?" Rory asks the nurse. "Yes I can bring one for you hun." The nurse says, looking at me. She rolls a cot into the room and Rory takes up almost the entire thing. I can tell he is too exhausted to go anywhere. She brings in two blankets, one for me I notice. She is going to let me stay I realize and smile. Thank you I mouth at her and she nods. I sit in the chair and wrap the blanket around me. The nurse hits the light off and I close my eyes and lean my head against Rory's bed. I am about to sleep too when I hear a soft sob shaking the cot behind me. "Rory." I whisper. I crawl up onto his bed and lay behind him in the cot. I wrap my arms around spooning him from behind trying to console him. "Breathe Rory. You have to breathe." I whisper to him. He grabs my hand and his sobs slowly start to ease. Rory finally falls asleep and I don't dare move a muscle even if my bodyguards see us together. It's dark at least I think as I doze off too.