5. Ronan
5
RONAN
D eclan’s office smells like whiskey, which isn’t surprising, considering we’re all on our third drink. We’re in the middle of going over plans for a new restaurant when the door opens so hard it rattles on its hinges.
Paige storms in, her face flushed, her eyes blazing. “Are you fucking kidding me?”
The six of us turn, stunned into silence. Declan raises an eyebrow. “Paige, we’re in a meeting.”
“Oh, I know you’re in a meeting,” she snaps, planting her hands on the table. “And I don’t give a damn. I thought you guys were past this archaic bullshit.”
Bash, always the one to stir the pot, leans back in his chair and smirks. “Nice to see you too, sis. What’s got your panties in a twist this time?”
“ Arranged marriages, ” she spits. “That’s what. I can’t even fucking believe this is happening. What in the actual fuck? Are we back in the caveman era again?”
Declan straightens, his eyes narrowing. “What are you talking about?”
“I’m talking about Tessa,” Paige says, her voice cracking with anger. “Her parents— her fucking parents —have arranged for her to marry some random guy to seal a fucking business deal. I thought that kind of crap was dead and buried a long time ago.”
The room goes deadly quiet. My heart pounds, and the heat is rising to my face. Tessa. An arranged marriage. The words feel like a boulder sitting on my chest, crushing me slowly, and my hands curl into fists on the table.
“Say that again,” I growl.
Paige turns to me, her gaze softening for half a second before hardening again. “You heard me. Her dad is selling her off to some asshole for the sake of his business. She’s devastated, Ronan. She feels like she has to go through with it because they spent so much money trying to find her after… after what happened.”
My chair scrapes against the floor as I push back and stand, my rage barely containable. “And you waited until now to tell me this?”
“I’ve only just found out,” Paige fires back. “I thought I could talk her out of it, but she’s too guilt-ridden to say no. Someone needs to do something about it. You guys run the mafia; you can forbid it, can’t you?”
Declan’s jaw tightens, and he glances at me, his expression unreadable. “We frown on arranged marriages within the mafia, but her dad isn’t a member of the mafia. He was a long-term contractor with us, but he retired a year ago.”
“I’ll handle it,” I cut him off.
“Ronan—” Declan says, but I don’t give him a chance to finish. I’m already heading for the door, my pulse thumping in my ears.
I storm through the hallway, every muscle in my body coiled tightly, my mind racing. Arranged marriage. Tessa. The thought of her being handed over to some bastard for a fucking business deal makes my blood boil.
This isn’t happening.
I don’t have a plan yet, but I know one thing for sure: I’m going to fix this. And God help anyone who gets in my way.
T he brisk sound of footsteps trails behind me as I stride down the hallway, my mind moving faster than my legs can. Declan catches me quickly and grabs my arm, pulling me to a stop just before I reach the front door, his eyes sharp and searching.
“Ronan.” His voice is low and controlled. “Talk to me.”
I jerk my arm free but don’t move. My jaw tightens as I stare straight ahead, the memory of Paige’s words slicing through my thoughts.
Tessa.
Marriage.
Business deal.
The words don’t fit together. They shouldn’t. It’s bullshit. And her parents deserve to pay for even suggesting something like this.
“There’s nothing to talk about,” I grind out.
“Bullshit,” Declan snaps, stepping in front of me, blocking my path. “I know you, Ronan. You’ve been worrying about her for years. You think I don’t know what all your trips to Ireland were about? Because I’m pretty fucking sure they weren’t to see Paige, considering she never mentioned you visiting. So don’t stand there and tell me you’re not ready to burn down the world for Tessa right now.”
My head snaps toward him, and for a second, I don’t recognize the person staring back. “You think this is about me?” I growl. “This is about her . She doesn’t deserve this. She’s been through enough—more than enough. You didn’t fucking see her, Declan. You didn’t pull her out of that cell, completely broken and on the brink of death.”
Declan’s expression softens, but he doesn’t move. “I know that. And I know why this feels personal. It is personal. She’s been an extension of this family since she and Paige were young. And ever since you saved her, you’ve been different.”
I flinch, the words landing like a punch. He’s not wrong, but I’m not ready to admit it. Not here. Not now. “This isn’t about me. It’s about her future. A future that doesn’t involve being sold off like some damn commodity. Jesus Christ, Declan, she was fucking sold to the highest bidder by a human trafficker that we can’t find, and now her parents are basically doing the same goddamn thing. It’s not happening. I won’t allow it.”
My brother stares at me for a long moment, the tension rolling between us like waves, but neither of us backs down.
“Okay. What’s your plan?” Declan presses, crossing his arms. “Because I know you, and I know you already have one.”
I hesitate, the words caught in my throat. I do have one—or at least a half-formed one. I’m just not so sure it’s a good one. Or one that Declan will approve of. Or Tessa, for that matter.
“I have an idea,” I say finally, meeting his gaze. “But you don’t need to know the details. Not yet.”
Declan’s eyes narrow, and for a second, I think he’s going to argue. But then he sighs, rubbing a hand over his jaw. “You’re a stubborn bastard, you know that?”
“So I’ve been told.”
He shakes his head, a small, reluctant smile tugging at the corners of his mouth. “Fine. Keep your secret. Just know this—whatever you’re planning, I’ve got your back. No matter what.”
The weight of his words settles in the air between us, heavy and grounding. Declan and I may have butted heads more times than I can count, but when it comes down to it, we’ve always been there for each other.
“I know,” I mutter, turning toward the door again. “Thanks.”
He doesn’t say anything else as I leave and climb into my sleek black SUV.
Paige’s words linger in my head as I make the short drive to my house. She said something about Tessa feeling obligated to do this for her parents because of all the money they spent searching for her. Which is bullshit if you ask me because love should never keep tallies. But since they feel she owes them for the measly fifty grand they put out for her search efforts, I guess they owe me for the five million we spent on those same efforts. Time to collect.