Tangled Up in You Read online

  Also by Samantha Chase

  The Montgomery Brothers

  Wait for Me / Trust in Me

  Stay with Me / More of Me

  Return to You

  Meant for You

  I’ll Be There

  Until There Was Us

  Suddenly Mine

  The Shaughnessy Brothers

  Made for Us

  Love Walks In

  Always My Girl

  This Is Our Song

  A Sky Full of Stars

  Holiday Spice

  Shaughnessy Brothers: Band on the Run

  One More Kiss

  One More Promise

  One More Moment

  Holiday Romance

  The Christmas Cottage / Ever After

  Mistletoe Between Friends / The Snowflake Inn

  Novellas Now in Print

  The Baby Arrangement / Baby, I’m Yours / Baby, Be Mine

  In the Eye of the Storm / Catering to the CEO

  Exclusive / A Touch of Heaven

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  Books. Change. Lives.

  Copyright © 2019 by Samantha Chase

  Cover and internal design © 2019 by Sourcebooks

  Cover design by Dawn Adams/Sourcebooks

  Cover image © Monkey Business Images/Shutterstock

  Sourcebooks and the colophon are registered trademarks of Sourcebooks, Inc.

  All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any electronic or mechanical means including information storage and retrieval systems—except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles or reviews—without permission in writing from its publisher, Sourcebooks.

  The characters and events portrayed in this book are fictitious or are used fictitiously. Any similarity to real persons, living or dead, is purely coincidental and not intended by the author.

  All brand names and product names used in this book are trademarks, registered trademarks, or trade names of their respective holders. Sourcebooks is not associated with any product or vendor in this book.

  Published by Sourcebooks Casablanca, an imprint of Sourcebooks.

  P.O. Box 4410, Naperville, Illinois 60567-4410

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  sourcebooks.com

  Contents

  Front Cover

  Title Page

  Copyright

  Prologue

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Chapter 10

  Chapter 11

  Epilogue

  Excerpt from Return to You

  About the Author

  Back Cover

  Prologue

  Twenty Years Ago

  Sometimes the best opportunities land right in your lap.

  “Well, well, well. What have we got here?” Bobby Hannigan took his time sauntering over to where Quinn Shaughnessy was pushing his father’s car up the road from the open driver’s side door.

  Well after curfew.

  With a grunt, Quinn kept pushing the car.

  Looking at his watch, Bobby noted it was after two in the morning. Yup. Definitely well after curfew.

  Growing up next to the Shaughnessys, Bobby was familiar with their comings and goings, and knew the rules of the household. He knew all the family news—such as when one member was grounded and not allowed to take out the car because they had broken curfew.

  He grinned. How fortunate that he’d come home late enough to witness this. Strolling casually beside Quinn, he said, “I don’t know if you’re aware, but…it’s kind of late.”

  Another grunt.

  “And I have to wonder why you’re pushing your dad’s car up the road at this hour.” He pretended to ponder that thought. “Did Ian break down someplace and didn’t want to call for a tow?” Then he shook his head. “No, no, no—your father’s smarter than that.”

  They still had another five houses to pass before they’d hit the Shaughnessys’ driveway.

  “Hmm… I imagine it’s going to be quite interesting to try and explain a broken-down car to your father.” Then he shrugged. “Or maybe you’ll let him go outside in the morning and think the car crapped out mysteriously on its own just sitting in the driveway.” He made a tsking sound. “He’ll probably freak out and have to miss a day of work—on top of having to pay to get the car fixed.”

  Still another grunt.

  “That’s got to be hard on a man who’s trying to support six kids,” Bobby said solemnly. “I mean, after all he’s been through, to add to his stress is just wrong.”

  And that was the one that finally did it.

  Quinn stopped walking and turned to glare at him. He was breathing heavily, hands on his hips, but he didn’t say anything.

  There were many reasons Bobby found this so amusing. First, he didn’t particularly like Quinn. He loved the rest of the Shaughnessy family, but Quinn irked him. Hadn’t always, if he was being honest—only in the last several years since his sister, Anna, had developed a crush on the jerk. Second, he’d been looking for an excuse to get Quinn in trouble—something that would prove to his sister that the guy was a waste of her time. And finally, sometimes it was fun to watch someone so smug mess up.

  This was that time.

  Like an early birthday present.

  Facing Quinn, he folded his arms over his chest and waited. “So? What’s it gonna be?”

  Letting out a long breath, Quinn raked a hand through his hair. “Okay, fine. There’s nothing wrong with the car except a loud exhaust system. Dad’s getting it fixed this weekend. But if I drive it down the block and into the driveway, everyone will hear it.”

  “You know how else no one would hear it?”

  “How?”

  Leaning in close, Bobby said, “Don’t take the damn car out.”

  The response he got to that was an eye-roll.

  “Dude, seriously,” Bobby went on, “what is wrong with you? Do you enjoy getting grounded?”

  “What do you think?” Quinn asked sarcastically.

  “I think you must, because you’re constantly doing things to get in trouble. You’re sixteen years old, for crying out loud. Grow up a little! Doesn’t your dad have enough to deal with without you constantly giving him grief?”

  It was only four months ago that the Shaughnessys had lost their matriarch. Lillian Shaughnessy had been like a second mother to Bobby and he felt her loss almost as strongly as her six kids did. And as much as he enjoyed giving Quinn grief, the thought of him adding to Ian’s struggles really didn’t seem right.

  When he looked at Quinn, he saw the regret in his eyes and hated what he had to do.

  “C’mon. You keep pushing from there and I’ll go around back. We’ll get it home quicker.”

  For a minute, Quinn only stared.

  With a huff of annoyance, Bobby said, “Look, it’s no secret I don’t like you. An
d right now, I like you even less. If this were any other time, I’d probably go up to your house, ring the damn doorbell, and announce to everyone that you not only stole the car and broke curfew, but snuck out while you’re grounded.” He paused. “But I’m going to resist the temptation.”

  Quinn eyed him suspiciously. “Why?”

  He shrugged. “I’m not doing it for you, that’s for sure.”

  “So then…why?”

  Bobby glanced down the block toward their houses. He sighed before looking back at Quinn. “Because—unlike you—I have respect for your family. No need to give them anything else to worry about.” He walked to the back of the old station wagon and got into position. “Ready?”

  “Bobby… Um, look. I want you to know—”

  Bobby held up a hand to stop Quinn from talking. He wasn’t listening. Not really. “I’m feeling kind toward you right now. Don’t ruin it. Consider this your one and only favor.”

  “Yeah, but—”

  This time he sighed loudly and walked over to where Quinn was standing. “Look, if it means that much to you, how about this. I do you this one favor, and then you’ll owe me one. No questions asked, okay?”

  “And no one knows about this? Ever? Not my dad, my brothers, Anna… No one, right?”

  “They won’t ever hear it from me,” Bobby promised.

  Quinn hesitated for a minute before saying, “Um, okay. Thanks.”

  “Just remember, you owe me. Whatever the favor is, you need to do it. No questions asked.”

  Bobby returned to his position at the back of the car and Quinn shrugged. “No problem. How bad could it be?”

  Chapter 1

  Several things hit Bobby Hannigan at once.

  First, his head was pounding.

  Next, this wasn’t his bed.

  And finally, he was going to smash whatever was making that beeping noise.

  Prying his eyes open, he was surprised to find it took a minute to bring everything into focus. His gaze slowly scanned the room—dim lighting, white walls. Then he looked down and noticed the white bedding.

  What the…?

  The beeping was coming from someplace behind him but he didn’t have the energy to move his head to see what it was.

  Now panic started to set in.

  As things finally came into focus, he groaned, and then he knew—he just knew—he was dead.

  He groaned again and slammed his eyes shut.

  This isn’t happening…this isn’t happening…

  “Bobby?”

  Opening his eyes again, he sighed with resignation. “I’m dead, aren’t I?”

  A low, deep laugh was the first response. “Hardly. Although, you did scare the crap out of everyone.” A pause. “Wait, why would you think you’re dead?”

  “That’s the only explanation for waking up to your ugly face.”

  Quinn Shaughnessy didn’t look offended. Nothing seemed to offend the arrogant SOB.

  Stepping closer to the bed, Quinn kept a serene grin on his face. “Yeah, well, I drew the short straw.”

  “What?” Bobby asked, hating how much effort it took to get the word out.

  “It means your parents went back to the hotel to sleep and I volunteered to stay here with you.”

  “Where’s Anna? Shouldn’t my sister be here instead of you?” Yeah, he knew he was sounding a bit ungrateful, and Quinn was his brother-in-law, but he wished it was Anna—or anyone else—with him instead.

  “Dude, she’s eight months pregnant and practically on bed rest. There was no way she could have made the drive and stayed up all night. She’s pissed off that she’s not here, believe me, but between needing to take it easy, and Kaitlyn and Brian—”

  “Maybe you should get off my sister and give her a break,” Bobby said, but there was no heat behind his words. He didn’t have it in him. If anything, he was breathless. “Stop at three, okay?”

  Quinn laughed again. “Your sister says the same thing and then—”

  “Ugh, stop. Let’s just leave it there, okay?”

  They were both silent, and as much as Bobby hated asking anything of Quinn, waiting around for answers wasn’t an option.

  “So, uh…have you talked to any doctors?” he asked warily.

  The fact that Quinn looked as uncomfortable as he felt was not encouraging.

  “Look, um… Maybe we should wait for him to come in. It’s still early and—”

  “Damn it, Quinn!” Bobby snapped and winced. Everything hurt, and as much as he wanted to reach out and strangle his former foe, he didn’t have the energy.

  With a loud sigh, Quinn stepped closer to the bed, raking a hand through his dark blond hair. “Do you remember anything about what happened yesterday?”

  The searing pain in his shoulder was a pretty good reminder. “I walked in on an armed robbery,” he said slowly, racking his brain to remember what had happened. “I was off duty… I stopped at the convenience store to get gas and went in to grab a soda and…” Then he looked up at Quinn helplessly. “I tried to reason with them, I really did, but…”

  “I know, man. I know,” Quinn said softly. “You were lucky. This could have been a lot worse.”

  “I don’t see how.”

  He noticed his brother-in-law was avoiding eye contact.

  “Quinn?”

  “Bobby, why don’t you wait and talk to the doctors? And your parents and the police chief. I’m sure they’ll be able to answer all your questions better than I could.”

  That was the thing: there wasn’t a doubt in Bobby’s mind that all those people would sit here and explain everything in a very reasonable manner. Right now, however, he wanted someone to just…be honest with him. His parents would try to play down his injuries, a doctor would be way too clinical, and his boss would be more than a little detached. He’d never thought there would come a time when he would want to receive news of any kind from Quinn Shaughnessy, but right now, he did.

  Taking a steadying breath, Bobby let it out slowly. “How long have we known each other?”

  A mirthless laugh came out before Quinn could stop it. “Too long.”

  “Dude, we’ve known each other for almost thirty years. Most of that time, I’ve wanted to punch you in the face.”

  “Hey!”

  “And each and every one of those times were because you said what was on your mind and didn’t care whose feelings you hurt.”

  “Bobby…”

  Doing his best to sit up in the bed, he looked at Quinn pleadingly. “Right now, I need you to pretend you’re not married to my sister, we’re not family, and that we still pretty much despise one another.”

  No response.

  “You owe me,” he said, his tone serious.

  “Owe you?”

  Nodding, Bobby said, “Remember the car?”

  “That was like…what, twenty years ago?”

  “Doesn’t change the fact that I never called in the favor.”

  For a minute, Quinn could only stare at him as if he was crazy. “That’s not possible. In twenty years, I’m sure I’ve done you at least one favor.”

  “I asked you to leave my sister alone, and you didn’t.”

  “Not the same,” Quinn argued. “And that wasn’t a favor.”

  “You didn’t help me move.”

  “You didn’t ask!” A smile crossed Quinn’s face. “I let you stay with us when you come to town to visit, so technically—”

  “Still not a favor, dumbass. We’re family. That doesn’t count.”

  Quinn muttered a curse.

  “I’m serious, Quinn. I need to know what I’m dealing with and I know you aren’t going to sugarcoat this. I don’t want to be blindsided when the doctor comes in.”

  Looking over his shoulder toward the door, Quinn let out
a long huff of frustration before facing Bobby again. “Okay, look,” he began quietly. “You took a bullet to the shoulder.”

  “That much I assumed.”

  “Yeah, well…it wasn’t exactly a clean shot.”

  “Meaning what?”

  Quinn sighed loudly. “I really think you should wait and hear this from the doctor. Maybe I misunderstood what he said or maybe there are more test results, or—”

  “Quinn!” he snapped.

  “You lost a lot of blood,” Quinn replied reluctantly. “They had to give you, like, three pints of blood in the ER.” He paused. “And there’s damage. Possibly permanent. They won’t know for sure how extensive until the swelling from the surgery goes down. It’s your left arm, so I know that has to work in your favor because—”

  “Because I’m a righty,” Bobby finished, but it did little to comfort him. “What kind of damage are we talking about?”

  “Nerve damage,” Quinn said grimly. “Some bone was fractured, nicked an artery and the nerves. If nothing else, you’ve got a long recovery ahead of you.”

  Bobby let it all sink in. A long recovery meant time off from the force. Permanent damage could mean the end of his career. He couldn’t allow himself to think about that yet.

  “How many casualties?” he asked quietly.

  “Four.”

  Cursing, he pounded his fist against the mattress.

  “I’m sorry, Bobby. I really am,” Quinn said after a minute. “You want me to go and find a doctor? A nurse? You want me to call your folks? Their hotel is right across the street.”

  “No. It’s okay. I just… I need to process all of this. There weren’t a lot of people in the store, but they were all young and—”

  “Don’t, okay? Just…don’t. Try not to think about it. You need to focus on you right now, and figuring out what happens from here.”

  “Yeah. Easier said than done.”

  They both fell silent. Though Bobby wanted more information, his brother-in-law wasn’t a doctor and he didn’t want to hear it from Quinn. The information he’d relayed already didn’t even scratch the surface.

  As if sensing he needed time to think, Quinn went and sat down in the lone chair in the room without saying a word. Bobby had no idea what time it was, except that it was early in the morning. Now that he was more awake, he realized how uncomfortable he was—not only his shoulder, which was throbbing, but his whole body hurt. His head was pounding and his throat was dry.