The Mighty Quinns: Kieran Read Online Free Page A

do this,” she murmured. “Just a few more minutes and you’ll be free.”
    “Where have you been?”
    She felt Kieran’s hand on her arm before she realized he was behind her. “Go away,” she whispered.
    “They’re outside,” he said. “They’re watching everyone who boards the buses, but that’s a lot of people to watch. If you’re careful, you should be able to get by them.”
    She stopped. “I can’t let them take me back. You have to help me.”
    Kieran considered her, then nodded. “All right. Wait right here. I’m going to see if I can distract them. As soon as I do, you sneak out and get on the bus. Just make sure you get on the right bus. And save me a seat.”
    “Thank you,” she murmured. She reached into her pocket and withdrew another wad of money. “Here, take this.”
    “How much cash do you keep in your pockets?” he asked.
    “I don’t know. A couple thousand, maybe three.”
    “Don’t go flashing that around,” Kieran warned, pushing her hand back in her pocket. “You’re going to get mugged.” He shook his head. “Just get on the bus.”
    Maddie nodded. She watched him through the window as he strode outside. When he approached Nick, she held her breath. Between Nick and Rick, Nick was the smart one. He was naturally suspicious and very loyal to her mother. What was Kieran going to tell him? And what would she do if one of them stayed and watched the buses?
    A few seconds later, the two men took off running, racing through the doors of the terminal, right by her. She waited until they headed toward the ticket counter, then slipped through the doors. She walked directly to her bus, handed the driver her ticket and got on. Maddie found a seat halfway to the back and slipped into it, sinking down and watching the activity outside the window through her dark glasses.
    Kieran had disappeared. When the bus driver stepped onto the bus and reached out to close the door, Maddie stood up, ready to shout for him to stop and wait. But then, at the last moment, Kieran came bounding up the steps.
    He handed his ticket to the driver, then made his way down the aisle to Maddie. With a grin he nodded at the space next to her. “Is this seat taken?”
    “I was kind of saving it,” she said. “But you can sit here. For now.”
    Kieran stowed his bag on the overhead rack, then dropped down next to her. As the bus pulled out of the station, Maddie closed her eyes and sighed deeply.
    “And the adventure begins,” Kieran murmured.
    “Thank you,” Maddie said. “I couldn’t have gotten away without you.”
    “Are you going to tell me what you’re running away from?” he asked.
    “Can we just wait on that one?” she said. “I’d really like to enjoy anonymity for just a little bit longer.”
    Kieran nodded slowly. “All right. But there is one thing you have to do for me.”
    “What’s that?”
    He reached out and gently removed her sunglasses. Folding them neatly, he tucked them into his jacket pocket. Then, he pushed the hood from her head, his palms smoothing across her face. Maddie closed her eyes and turned into his touch.
    It was such a simple gesture, but in an instant, she felt a flood of warmth rush over her. When she opened her eyes, he was watching her, his gaze fixed on her mouth. Maddie waited, wondering what was going through his head. Kissing him would complicate everything, but then, it could also make a boring bus trip much more interesting.
    “Why did you help me? You don’t even know me,” Maddie asked.
    “I don’t know. I guess I figured there was no one else who was going to ride to your rescue.”
    “No one ever does anything for me without some kind of motive.”
    “Well, you did give me money, and I’m broke. So, I guess I did it for a sandwich and the half-eaten candy bars. And I was hoping for some fascinating company on the rest of my trip.”
    He really was a nice guy, Maddie thought to herself. And he was sexy as hell, too. She’d made so many