Marriage of Inconvenience(Knitting in the City Book #7)(161)

“How is your head?” Her fingers tentatively moved through my hair. “Did they—”

“No. They didn’t knock me out. Just . . . There were ten of them. Maybe twenty. All with guns, semiautomatics. Seamus really brought out the heavy artillery,” I lied. Right there on the spot.

Yeah. I lied. I didn’t want her to know I’d been overpowered by four idiots with a single taser. So sue me.

Don’t give me that look. You would’ve lied, too.

Kat stared at my face, her brow wrinkling with confusion.

I heard someone clear their throat from behind her in a way that made me think they were trying not to laugh.

“You dumbfuck.” This was Quinn. He strolled forward, presumably so I could see him, but maintained a solid four feet between him and the bed. “Your mother doesn’t know what happened. We didn’t tell her. We’re leaving you now.” Then to Kat, he said, “I’ll call my contact at the Boston PD and get the ball rolling on reporting all this. Message if you need anything—anything—we’ll be just downstairs.”

“Thank you.” She nodded, then turned to look over her shoulder. “Thank you all.”

That’s when my eyes moved to the door and I realized everyone—and I do mean everyone—was standing just inside the doorway.

“Glad you’re safe, Dan.” Janie passed baby Desmond to Quinn and grinned at me. “The average ransom demand is two million dollars, so you should feel pretty good about your life’s monetary worth.”

Leaving me with that fascinating tidbit, Janie and Quinn left.

“Do you need me to examine you?” Elizabeth offered, frowning as her eyes moved over me. “How’s your head? Those ropes are going to leave a mark.”

“I’m fine. Really. The worst thing they did was tie me up.”

“You’re getting hemp rope from Christmas,” Nico said, capturing his wife’s hand and tugging her out of the room, calling out, “See you tomorrow.”

“I’m glad you’re okay.” Sandra used her index and middle fingers to point at her own eyes, and then used them to point at us. “And I shall find you both tomorrow for some commiseration. Got it?”

“Hey. Thanks for watching Wally,” I said, giving her a grateful smile.

Wally wagged his tail at the sound of his name, did a little dance around the carpet, and then settled on the rug leading into the bathroom.

“No problem, Chachi.” Alex placed his hands on Sandra’s shoulders, gave me a devious little smirk, and turned Sandra toward the living room.

That fucking kid.

“Do you need help with the rope?” Drew was sliding a knife out of his boot.

“I’ll take it.” Kat stood and Drew placed it handle first in her outstretched palm. “Thank you.”

“Y’all let us know if you need anything. Cheese, or a different kind of cheese, or cheese pie, or cheesecake. Just let us know.” Ashley made her offer to Kat, giving her a squeeze on the shoulder just before she and Drew left.

“Who tied those knots?” Greg, arms crossed, was studying Ricky’s handiwork from a distance. “Those are impressive knots.”

“Come on.” Fiona shifted their infant daughter to her other shoulder, then pushed on Greg to guide him from the room. “I’m sure Dan will fill you in tomorrow, maybe teach you a thing or two so you don’t have to learn it on the streets.” Then to me, she said, “Glad you’re back and safe.”

Marie gave me a little wave as Fiona and Greg walked past. “We’re so happy you’re okay.” Her gaze shifted to Kat. “Both of you.”

“Where’s your guy?” I asked, craning my neck to see if he was around, and relieved to find he wasn’t. Since I didn’t know the guy very well, it would have been fifty shades of awkward for him to see me like this.

“Matt is flying out tonight—I guess right now—he’ll be here for the party tomorrow. Oh, wait, will there be a party tomorrow?”

Kat stiffened, and started shaking her head, so I spoke over her before she had a chance to answer. “Of course there’ll be a party tomorrow. And after, you ladies are supposed to knit at my mom’s house. She’s so frickin’ excited about it.”

Marie grinned, but her eyes were sympathetic. “Are you sure? You’ve just been kidnapped.” She chuckled a little, probably at the lunacy of the entire situation.

“Get out of here, I’m fine. We’ll see you tomorrow.”

With one more smile for both of us, and a reminder to call if we needed anything, Marie turned and left. I heard the penthouse door open, close, and then silence.