Dangerous Therapy: O'Connor Brothers (Volume 1) (22 page)

John winked at her.

“Can you drool over your girlfriend after we finish playing?” Mike chuckled giving John a playful shove.

“With that body, he won’t be the only one drooling.” Aaron whistled.

“Shut up A.J. and keep your fucking eyes to yourself.” John pushed Aaron towards the steps of the stage. He turned around and James waved him over.

“Kurt told me about Marc’s alibi.” James kept his voice low.

“I’ve been thinking.” John quickly glanced around to make sure nobody else was within hearing distance. “Someone is definitely out to get Stephanie,” He whispered.

“You’re not the only one thinking that. Keith and Nick said the same thing.” James pulled John to the side of the stage. “Have you told her it wasn’t Marc?” John shook his head. “She might be able to give us another direction. You can’t keep it from her, bro.”

“I know and I’ll talk to her tonight after we get home.” James patted John’s back and left the stage. How was he going to approach the subject with Stephanie? They needed a list of people who would want to hurt her. Who the hell would want to hurt her?

John was itching to take a break after the first hour. He wanted to spend some time with Stephanie, but mostly he wanted to make sure she was okay emotionally. Keith wouldn’t let anything happen to her, but he needed to see for himself. Aaron finished singing,
Crazy Little Thing called Love,
and John stood back from the keyboard.

“I hope everyone’s having a good time.” Aaron cheered into the microphone. “We’re gonna take a little break, but don’t worry D.J. Cory’s gonna keep the tunes goin.” Whistles and applause erupted when Cory walked behind the computer system at the side of the stage.

John jumped down off the stage. His parents were sitting at a table right next to Stephanie and her parents. John gave his mom a quick kiss on the cheek and shook his dad’s hand. His eyes met Stephanie’s and she smiled.

“You guys were so great.” She kissed his cheek.

“Thanks.” John gazed into her eyes and for a moment everyone disappeared. Someone clearing his throat broke the spell.

“Hi, John.” Doug held out his hand.

“Mr. Kelly, good to see you again.” John shook the man’s hand. He didn’t realize the man was so big. If he was being honest, Doug was intimidating. Janet reached out and shook John’s hand.

“Your band is wonderful.” Janet snuggled next to Doug.

“Thanks, Mrs. Kelly. We aren’t professionals, but we like to perform for events to raise money.” John said. “It’s lots of fun and I get to have a good time with my brothers and their friends.”

“It’s Doug and Janet, my son.” Doug chuckled. “My parents were Mr. and Mrs. Kelly.”

Janet and Doug sat very close together. Like his own parents, they sat so close you wouldn’t be able to get a quarter between them. It was embarrassing when he was younger. Now, he understood.

“Stephanie tells me you’ll be returning to work soon,” Doug said.

“Yes. It’s been a very long few months, but this pretty lady made the last couple a lot easier.” He squeezed Stephanie’s hand.

“You two look so cute together.” Janet cooed. “Don’t they, Doug?”

“Mom, stop.” Stephanie groaned.

“Okay.... Okay.” Janet sighed. “You two are coming for supper on Sunday. Right?”

“I never say no to a home cooked meal.” John chuckled.

It was nice to actually talk to Stephanie’s parents. The first meeting was too much chaos to get to know anyone. He was deep in conversation with Doug when Stephanie suddenly tensed. He tried to follow her line of sight, but all he saw was a jungle of people.

“Let’s dance before you have to go back up on stage.” She pulled him off the chair.

“What are you looking for?” John wrapped his arms around her.

“My ex is here with his new girlfriend.” Stephanie cringed.

“Where?” John clenched his teeth.

“Next to the bar!” She replied. “If my dad sees him he’ll freak.”

“Don’t worry we’ll keep him away from your dad.” John scanned the room for one of his brothers. “Which one is he?”

“Next to the bar with the blonde in the red dress.” John’s eyes locked with his. When his eyes moved to Stephanie, it made John’s body run cold. The old saying if looks could kill came to mind. The only thing that worried him more was the death stare the blonde was giving her.

“Why would he be here?” John asked.

“He works with the fire department,” Stephanie said. “Are they part of this?” John nodded. Someone tapped him on the shoulder.

“Sandy.” John turned.

“Hey, guys! You both look awesome. I really hate to spoil your evening, but I thought I’d warn you both. Kim is here.” Sandy motioned her head to the far side of the room. “She’s here with Stew Michaels.” John knew Stew was a high profile lawyer in the city. He was a good man but seemed to be a little old for Kim.

“Great, both our exs are here.” Stephanie groaned.

“As long as they stay away from us it’ll be fine,” John whispered into her ear. Sandy waved to them and disappeared through the staff door. He enjoyed having Stephanie in his arms, but he kept his eyes on Brad and the blonde. The daggers they were shooting made the hair stand up on the back of his neck. When he felt Stephanie stiffen in his arms, he glanced down at her.

“Kim is heading this way.”
Damn it.
He didn’t want to deal with her right now.

John smiled down at Stephanie. She picked up on his cue and smiled. John glanced toward Stephanie’s parents. They were watching like hawks. He leaned down and kissed Stephanie’s cheek.

“Your parents are watching,” John whispered as he lowered his lips to her ear.

“Well, it’s about to get really awkward. Kim is right behind you.” Before he could react John felt a tap on his shoulder.

“Hi, John.” Was she really trying to be friendly?

“Kim.” John nodded.

“I just wanted to say it’s good to see you on your feet again, and the band is great as usual.”

“Thank you, Kim.”

Kim’s eyes moved to Stephanie and he could see the shadow of something in her eyes. He just wasn’t sure what. Her eyes flicked to the door where Sandy disappeared.

“Is there something else?” He asked.

“Umm…. no.” She stopped. “Just make sure you take care of this lady.” She walked away.

“What was that about?” Stephanie asked.

“I don’t know, but we’re about to have another intruder.” John nodded toward Brad. He was walking toward them, but his lady friend was still at the bar. Her face was almost as red as her dress.

“May I cut in?”

John made eye contact with Stephanie but before he could refuse she spoke.

“No, you may not.”

He’d never heard her voice so clipped.

“Come on Steph, we need to talk,” Brad said.

“No, we don’t.” Stephanie snapped. “Now if you don’t mind I’d like to continue my dance with John. So would you be so kind as to go back to your bimbo before I forget I’m a lady. I don’t think you want to sing soprano.”

John bit back a laugh. If anyone was looking from a distance, they would say the conversation between Stephanie and Brad was friendly. She was smiling, but her whole body was tense.

“Fine, but we need to talk sooner or later.” Brad stalked away.

“Remind me never to piss you off.” John chuckled.

“What? I was polite.” She grinned.

John led Stephanie back to her parents’ table. It was empty. Keith appeared and nodded toward their parents. It looked like Doug and Janet already introduced themselves. The two couples were engrossed in a conversation as John and Stephanie arrived at the table.             

“I see you met John’s parents.” Stephanie stood behind her father and wrapped her arms around his neck.

“They invited us to their table.” Janet smiled.

“John, we’ve got to get back on stage.” Aaron was behind them.

“This is our youngest son, A.J.” Kathleen introduced Aaron as he leaned down to kiss Kathleen on the cheek. While Aaron kept their attention, John pulled Stephanie aside.

“You sure you’re okay.”

“I’m fine, besides, Brad won’t come near my dad.” She giggled.

“I don’t think I want to piss your father off,” James said from behind him. “He looks like he could put a world of hurt on someone if he was pissed.”

“Dad is a big teddy bear, but when it comes to his family he can turn into a grizzly bear.” Stephanie smiled.

“Good luck with him, bro.” James laughed. “You better not piss him off.”

“I don’t plan on it.” John grinned.

From the stage, he could see Stephanie. Keith was still watching her, but it made him feel better to be able to see her himself. She danced a few times while he was on stage. One with Doug, and then Sean. She even managed to drag Keith out on the floor once. Between Ian and James, they kept her busy. John felt guilty because he didn’t get to spend much time with her.

He met up with her again at the end of the night. She looked like she was ready to run away. Stephanie grabbed John’s hand and pulled him away from the table.

“Save me.” She groaned.

“What’s wrong?” John laughed.

“I don’t think it was a good idea for our parents to be in the same room.” She cringed. “I’ve found out things I really didn’t need or want to know. Especially about our parents.”

“Let me guess, they’re swapping sex stories.” John rolled his eyes.

“Yes!” She sighed. “Oh, and we’re not going to mom and dad’s for supper Sunday. It’s been decided we’re all having supper at your parents.”

“Oh, is that good or bad?” He wrapped his arm around her shoulder.

“I’m not sure.”

Sean and Doug’s laughter boomed behind them. It was probably a story John didn’t want to hear.

“I can see why Stephanie fell for John.” Janet nudged Kathleen with her elbow. “He’s a very fine looking man.”

“Yes, all my boys are just as sexy as their dad.” Kathleen pinched Sean’s cheek.

“I hope they have my stamina too.” Sean winked at his wife.

“Okay, way too much information, Dad.” The last thing John wanted in his head was how long his dad could last.

“Does everyone have a way home?” Ian stood next to the table holding a clipboard.

“I’ll get them home, Ian.” John nodded toward Janet and Doug.

“Nick is driving us home.” Sean tossed back the rest of his drink.

“I guess this party is all set then.” Before Ian walked away Stephanie introduced him to her parents.

“You certainly have the recipe for handsome looking men.” Janet winked and he blushed. Ian quickly excused himself and almost tripped over a chair. Yep, that was Ian.

The first thing John noticed when he pulled into the driveway was the front door wide open.

Stephanie gasped and grabbed his arm.

“Stay in the car. I’m gonna check out the house.” He was sure he locked the door when they left. He crept up the front steps wishing he had his magnum strapped to him. He scanned the porch and front door. Back against the wall, he entered the house. John pressed his back against the foyer wall and slid along the wall until he could peer into the living room. His heart was thudding in his chest. All the police training he had taken over as he eased through the rest of his house. Nothing seemed out of place. The computer, television, and sound system were still there. John checked the rest of the house, but nothing was missing or out of place. Something didn’t feel right. Did he close the door all the way? He’d been distracted by how sexy Stephanie looked when they left.

John did manage to retrieve his magnum on his sweep of his house. He was about to check Stephanie’s apartment but quickly checked outside to make sure she was okay.

Stephanie was crouched down next to her car. John ran toward her. The two tires on the driver’s side had large slashes in them.

“Someone slashed my tires.”

His blood ran cold when he rounded the car. All four tires were flat.
What the fuck
?

“Stephanie, come inside we’ll get it fixed tomorrow.” John scanned his front yard. “This is getting ridiculous,” He said through clenched teeth.

“I’m calling Uncle Kurt.” He closed the door and picked up his phone.

“I’m going to get out of this dress.” Stephanie opened her apartment door and shrieked.

John grabbed her arm and pulled her back.

“Stay behind me.” John entered her apartment. Smashed picture frames were scattered across the floor, furniture was slashed, her laptop was smashed in pieces and her clothes were thrown everywhere. John retrieved his phone from his pocket and dialed 911.

“They have to find Marc.” Stephanie sobbed.

John held her against his side as he waited for an operator. “It’s not Marc.”

“What?” Her voice came out in a whisper.

John steered her into his living room and sat her down on the couch. She was trembling. Who the hell was doing this? What did they get by frightening her? All he knew was it wasn’t Marc. Someone else was doing this. He just wished he knew who and why?