Page 48 of Seaside Strangers
KC felt Moriah go still beside him and closed his hand around hers as Sean continued.
“One of the men they’ve been watching—Hernandez’s right-hand guy, Dennis Kellerman—was seen going into your building the day it happened. Simmons was with him, along with two others. The agents didn’t think much of it at the time—they knew Simmons’s girlfriend lived there.”
“Susan,” Moriah said quietly, her voice catching before she cleared her throat. “My sister.”
Sean nodded. “I’m sorry. Anyway… when they left about a half hour later, they were in a hurry, and Simmons had blood on his shirt. One agent stayed behind while the other kept tailing them. The first agent was about to check the apartment when he saw you enter the building. He knew you were Susan’s sister, so he waited. He didn’t want you to know they’d been watching her and figured that whatever happened, you’d call 9-1-1.”
Moriah’s fingerstightened in KC’s.
“After you came back out, clearly upset, he went upstairs and found your family. They must have used suppressors because the agents and your neighbors never heard any gunshots.” Sean’s expression turned somber. “Samson was very sorry about your family, but the agents had no clue they were in any danger. If they did, they would’ve protected you and your family. The DEA didn’t even know why they were killed. I told Samson about the money and gun—so, it appears that mystery is solved for them.”
Moriah’s bottom lip trembled. “W-why haven’t they arrested Leo and the others?”
Releasing her hand, KC slid his arm around her shoulders and drew her in. “They’re small-time, sweetheart. The DEA wants Hernandez.”
Sean’s gaze flickered toward him, then back to her. “Exactly.”
Confusion and disbelief filled her eyes. “Then why not tell the police what really happened? Let them arrest Leo.”
“Because the DEA can’t trust them. Samson thinks Hernandez has people inside the Chicago PD.”
She glanced at the others before her gaze snapped back to KC, something hard creeping into her expression. “So no one’s going to be arrested forkilling my family? And I have to run again to stay alive?”
The men knew the workings of law enforcement, but as a civilian, it would be hard for her to comprehend that things had to work a certain way to reel in the bigger fish.
KC held her stare, his arm tightening slightly around her shoulders. “Hey… we’ve got you,” he said quietly. “You’re not on your own anymore.”
“I told Samson you were hidden somewhere safe, but I didn’t say where. He assured me the case was coming to a head soon, and the homicide charges would be added to a long list. Your family will get justice.”
Her shoulders sagged, and her gaze dropped. “What happened to them?” The question was barely above a whisper. “My family. Where are they?”
Sean’s tone softened, sympathy filling his eyes. “They’re still at the county morgue. Unfortunately, if no one claims them soon, they’ll be buried by the city in a potter’s field.”
The agonizing gasp that broke from her wasn’t loud, but it hit like a punch. KC’s heart and gut squeezed.
“I’m their only living relative,” she sobbed. “My mom… she was an only child.”
He held her tighter. “When this is over, I’ll make sure they’re taken care of. Properly.”
“I—I can’t ask you to do that,” she said into his shirt, her voice muffled.
“You’re not asking.” He lowered his head, his cheek brushing her hair. “I’m offering. No strings.”
She pulled back enough to look at him, her eyes wet, searching. “Th-thank you.”
“So, now what?” Brian asked. “We just wait?”
KC kept one arm around her, his hand still firm at her back, as he looked at his brothers and uncle.
“Yeah,” he said. “We wait.”
Chapter Nineteen
After KC tuckedan exhausted Moriah into bed and told her he’d be in soon, she drifted off almost immediately. He lingered in the doorway, watching the slow rise and fall of her breathing, the contrast of her dark hair against the white pillowcase making her look even more fragile than earlier. The king-size bed swallowed her, leaving too much space around her, and something about that didn’t sit right with him.
He’d never expected to feel this way about anyone. Not like this—fast and deep, with no warning. But none of it mattered if they couldn’t get her clear of the mess she’d been dragged into. That had to come first. After that… if she wanted the same thing he did, they could figure out what came next. Whether what was building between them had a future worth fighting for.
For the first time in his life, he found himself hoping it did.
