Chapter 3 #4
And he admired her so deeply for that self-assurance. It was part of their unique affinity because he trusted his instincts, too.
“Yes, I could see that in her when we met,” Valentin agreed. “And you need an adventurous woman to match your wild spirit.”
Ronan smiled wistfully. “You told her to give me no quarter, and she hasn’t. She’s taken a few strips off my hide.”
“Who would do this to her?” Genevieve’s mouth was taut with concern. “Not someone you know.”
He heard the question in her statement, and for an instant, his hands stopped their restless movements.
“No,” he denied, while admitting he hadn’t even considered it.
“No. The Boudreauxes are worlds removed from this place. It’s been over forty years since my father and Chris Vidal crossed paths.
At this point, I think the Vidals are thought of as a…
concept of evil, rather than actual living, breathing people.
I think that’s why my grand-mère has been able to nurse her anger for so long. ”
Valentin’s brow furrowed. “So, something in Ireland’s life led to this. You won’t be blamed?”
“Oh, I think her family wants it to be my fault rather than theirs. But that won’t get them anywhere.
” He took a long, deep drink and tried not to resent Cross and the Vidals for directing their energies at him.
He prayed the police wouldn’t make the same error.
His cher did not have the time for them to waste.
“I should’ve gone after her tonight,” he said bitterly.
“She was so worried about a confrontation between her brother and me. She wanted to distract him so I could leave without incident. And I was worried about coming on too strong. I was trying to play it cool. To not pressure her. I should’ve just taken her hand and walked out of that stupid party with her—her brother be damned.
She shouldn’t have been leaving the hotel alone.
She would never have been in danger if I’d handled things right. ”
“Non, you can’t blame yourself,” Valentin said firmly. “No one could’ve predicted something like this.”
“They’ll ransom her, won’t they?” Genevieve clutched the lapels of her housecoat together in one fist. “Her family is so wealthy. And they love her, oui? They’ll pay any price to get her back. That must be what the kidnappers want. No one would take such a risk for no reward.”
“I have to believe that,” he said tightly. He would go insane otherwise. “Were you able to ask Marcelle to send some of my clothes?”
“Yes, we spoke with her.” Genevieve nodded reassuringly. “She was worried that you might not be eating enough and need your smaller-sized clothes, and I see she’s right to be concerned. That you even have two wardrobes for such a reason after all these years…”
“I’m working on it,” he said, because that was easiest.
She stood. “I’m going to reheat dinner for you. Oh, Claudette called earlier.”
He winced again, aware that not answering his phone, while understandable under the circumstances, would make his loved ones worry more. “I’ll be sure to call her first thing in the morning.”
“She said she’d wait up.”
“Ah.” His sister was not as outwardly fierce as Ireland, but Claudette had a will of steel, and when she wanted something done, she had a way of making it happen.
“Well, then I guess I’ll call her now. They worry too much, she and Jules.
I don’t understand why they don’t trust me more, all things considered. ”
“Your cher is not the only one acting out of character,” Genevieve pointed out.
“You’ve been the one constant in their lives, as both brother and parent, since they were orphaned so young.
They believe they know you well enough to predict what you’ll do and what you want, and you’re showing them a side of yourself they’ve never seen before. ”
Ronan finished his drink and shook his head. “Everyone is taking this far too seriously. Ireland and I are still figuring each other out, and that’s all that we’ve committed to doing.”
“Maybe you’re not taking it seriously enough,” Valentin countered.
“Your goal for the past decade has been to avenge your father, and you knew precisely how you were going to do it. Now you’ve changed course for your enemy’s daughter.
You, a man who’s always enjoyed women but never one above all others.
Claudette and Jules don’t have the experience of sharing you yet. ”
As if on cue, Ronan’s phone began vibrating in his pocket. Sliding it out, he saw his sister’s lovely contact photo on the screen. He accepted the call and answered, “Yes, I’m alive and with Genevieve and Valentin.”
Claudette paused, then spoke. “Bon. But you should be on your way home before Vidal or Cross finds a way to keep you there.”
“Cross already tried, yet I’m free and safe. Don’t worry about me, petite s?ur.”
“You shouldn’t be anywhere near New York or those people now. Who knows how this situation will develop? If they dig into your background, the danger will only worsen. You must come home now.”
Raking a hand through his hair, Ronan heard the magic of the bayou in his sister’s voice.
It brought Louisiana vividly to mind, as did Valentin, Genevieve, and their home.
There was a part of his being that always longed for the place of his roots, where he was most at peace.
Whenever he left, he couldn’t wait to return.
Ireland was a revelation for many reasons, but her ability to soothe the persistent unease and homesickness that plagued him whenever he traveled was an unknown he needed to understand.
Discovering why she affected him so profoundly was the reason he couldn’t simply walk away before or now.
But without her close and without his siblings nearby…
with his fear for her growing by the moment…
He acknowledged that he was struggling and that it would only worsen over the hours—and possibly days—ahead.
Still, he attempted to allay his sister’s concerns. “They already know everything about me, Claudy. That doesn’t make me responsible for Ireland’s kidnapping, and since I had nothing to do with it, they can’t prove that I did.”
“Your own father rots in prison for a crime he didn’t commit,” she countered fiercely, “and you make that argument to me? You’re not thinking clearly.”
“No, I’m not,” he conceded, sobering. “I’m worried about Ireland. I’m fucking helpless to do anything about it, other than be here for her when she’s returned and keep Vidal running until that happens.”
Ronan knew better than to reveal the call he’d made.
“Mon Dieu,” Claudy breathed. Her tone softened, too. “A week ago, you were ready to lock the doors and tear the building down. Now, you won’t leave, won’t close the place, and won’t stay away from Ireland Vidal—all at great risk to yourself. Can’t you see why Jules and I are so concerned?”
“Yes, I’m coming to appreciate that.” He leaned back and met the gazes of Valentin and Genevieve.
“And I’m sorry this is confusing for you, Claudy.
I can’t explain it… Women like Ireland cross a man’s path once in a lifetime.
That she knows who and what I am and wants me anyway…
? I’d be a fool to deny myself such a gift. ”
“You can have any woman you want, Ronan,” his sister said wearily. “Someone who fits into the life you’ve clawed and scraped to build for yourself, instead of endangering it.”
Tilting his head back, he closed his eyes and pinched the bridge of his nose. “I’ll tell you what I told her: we can’t choose who we feel this way about. I never expected to find it nor did I particularly want it, but the fates have dealt me this hand, and I must play it.”
“Then I’ll come back.” Resignation weighted her words. “You need looking after because you won’t take care of yourself. Your own well-being is always an afterthought.”
“Non. You’ve spent too many years dedicated to my goals.
It’s time to focus on yourself. I’ll be fine.
There’s a vacant unit in this building. I’ll take a look at it tomorrow.
The restaurant is an elevator ride away.
I’ll eat—Genevieve will make me. If you need a distraction from worrying needlessly about me, you can brainstorm ways to turn Vidal Records around. ”
“Beau-frère…” She released a long-suffering sigh.
“I didn’t discuss this before because you earned your victory, but Vidal’s days were numbered before we came along.
Streaming fraud, the lower barrier to entry for independent artists, AI companies’ copyright infringement of original music, AI-generated music, the increased costs of marketing and touring…
It’s hopeless. There’s nothing you can do to overcome these challenges. There’s no sustainable future.”
“I only need long enough for Ireland to decide whether she truly wants the company.”
There was a long moment of silence in which Ronan could picture Claudette twirling one of her dark brown curls around a restless finger. “What do you mean?” she asked finally. “You hope she’ll walk away from it…and her family… For you?”
His laugh was humorless; her question was so like the one Cross had asked earlier.
“You’ve mastered keeping my ego in check.
Ireland will make the decision for herself.
And then she’ll need to figure out what’s next.
I find myself in that same place—I’ve never looked or planned beyond the point of taking over Vidal.
Maybe she and I can plan our next steps together, or maybe this is just a layover on a longer journey.
Either way, I’m needed here and not there, so here’s where I’ll be. ”
“Your grand-mère disagrees.” Claudette’s breath whistled between her lips. “But when she calls again, I’ll see if I can’t give her an explanation she’ll accept. You’ll need to call her, too. You shouldn’t have told her that you’re involved with Ireland.”
It was a testament to how deeply Harper Boudreaux was affected by his choices that she was reaching out to his half-sister, whom she didn’t even consider extended family.
“J'étais un couillon,” he agreed. “A stupid mistake. I’d hoped Ireland would be exempt from their anger.”
“You haven’t been thinking clearly, gros bête. But I think I understand why now. You’ve accomplished your goals, and now you’ve found a younger woman to have a midlife crisis with.”
Ronan did actually find some humor in that. “It’s just a phase? Bon. Now, let me go. And get some sleep.”
“Listen…” She took a brief pause to gather her thoughts.
“You should be prepared for how different she’ll be after an ordeal like this, if she survives it.
I don’t mean to be callous, but if you’re not facing reality, I have to do so on your behalf.
Ireland will want the safety and familiarity of her family more than ever.
You’ll always be a threat to her father.
That may look very different for her when she’s safely back in the fold. ”
Hearing her give voice to his deeply entrenched concerns was unnerving. “I understand that it’ll take time for her to feel safe again.”
“Do you? It’s highly probable she’ll be a stranger to you, Ronan. You’re making sacrifices to keep something you’ve likely already lost.”
In the near distance, the electronic chirping and beeping of an emergency siren broke the quiet of the early hour. The wailing grew in volume as the vehicle neared, piercing through the windows and walls. The urgency synchronized with the relentless alarm pounding through his veins.
“We’ll soon see. Bonne nuit, Claudy,” he said, too abruptly, his sudden restiveness overwhelming. “We’ll talk tomorrow.”
Ending the call, Ronan stared sightlessly down at the phone in his hand. His sister had always been older than her years, her maturity a necessary counter to Jules’ brash impulsiveness. And now her other brother had gone rogue.
“I’m a selfish bastard,” he bit out, his jaw taut. “My choices are hurting everyone I love.”
Valentin leaned forward, resting his elbows on his knees.
“It’s a fortunate man who has strong women in his life, and you have many.
Claudette simply wants you to be safe and happy.
Your grand-mère, too. And Ireland knows her family can and will pay whatever is demanded of them. She’ll make it through this.”
Yes. Given the time to process her fear, Ronan knew Ireland would find the strength to do whatever was necessary to live. Her inner fire burned too brightly to be extinguished without a fight.
But trauma changed a person’s spirit. It forged them in fire and molded them anew in fundamental ways.
He had to believe his cher would be returned.
But Claudy was right—she wouldn’t be the same woman who’d agreed to meet him at midnight.