7. Ronan
7
RONAN
I ’m stunned. Sometime throughout my sleepless night, I came up with this plan. And though it’s a good one, I still expected Tessa to slap me across the face and kick my ass out of her parents’ house. Even my brother told me it was unhinged. As if that fucker has never done anything close to this. The man married Cali only a few days into their relationship to save her sister. At least I’ve known Tessa for years, so we’re not complete strangers.
“Yes?” I know she said it, but I need to hear it again.
Tessa eyes me over her mug as she takes a long drink of coffee. “Yes. I’ll marry you.”
My heart races, and I’m not sure what to say. Or what to do. So I reach out, snag her coffee cup, and down the rest of it. After I swallow the sweet drink, I meet her gaze, and she’s scowling at me.
“Did you just drink the rest of my coffee?”
Smirking, I look inside the cup, then show her. “Yep. Sure did. It was fucking nasty, too. Was there any coffee in it, or was it just creamer?”
The corners of her lips twitch, and she seems like she’s working awfully hard to keep glaring at me. It’s cute that I hit a nerve, and that nerve is caffeine.
“Don’t ever take my coffee from me again.” She snatches the mug back and stomps toward the door. “Next time, you might lose an arm.”
A lightness settles over me as I follow her, chuckling. “Now you have me second-guessing this marriage, lass. You’re already threatening abuse, and we haven’t even signed the papers.”
Tessa’s shoulders shake as she laughs silently, trying to keep me from seeing. But I see everything when it comes to her.
“We need to tell your parents. Why don’t you get another cup of creamer and meet us in the living room? Then I’ll get you the fuck out of here.”
As I turn to split off from her, she smiles and rolls her eyes, but she looks a lot happier than she did when she came downstairs. I’ll take that as a small win.
Her parents are still sitting stiffly on the couch, their expressions guarded, like they know something’s coming but can’t quite place what. If I had it my way, I’d just kill them. Then Tessa would never have to deal with this shit. Unfortunately, despite their tense relationship and the fact that her parents are assholes, I think she still loves them. The last thing I want to do is something that would hurt her.
When Tessa walks in this time, she doesn’t look like her world is crashing down around her. Her hand is steady as she brings the steaming mug to her mouth. I can’t give her a fairytale happily ever after, but I can give her a safe resolution for now.
“Tessa,” her mother says, her tone teetering between worry and forced cheer. “Is everything all right?”
I don’t wait for Tessa to answer. “She’s going to pack her things.”
The words hang heavy in the room, and Tessa’s father stands abruptly, his face darkening. “Excuse me? What the hell do you mean she’s going to pack her things?”
“Exactly what I said,” I reply, keeping my voice calm but firm. “She’s leaving. She won’t stay here another night.”
“Like hell she is!” His voice rises, echoing off the walls. “She’s my daughter. She’s staying under my roof until she’s married. I won’t have her moving in with you like—like some?—”
“Careful,” I interrupt, pushing off the wall, my tone sharp, a warning. “Watch how you talk about my soon-to-be wife, and remember who the fuck I am, Murphy.”
His face flushes, but I don’t give him a chance to respond. “If it’s the timing that’s bothering you, fine. We’ll get married tomorrow. Declan is ordained; he’ll officiate. Problem solved.”
“What?” Tessa’s voice cuts through the tension, her eyes wide as she stares at me. “Tomorrow? Ronan, what the hell?”
Her father slams a hand on the armrest of his chair, his voice booming. “Absolutely not! This is a respectable household. I won’t have some rushed wedding tarnishing?—”
“Tarnishing what, exactly?” I snap, my patience wearing thin. “Your business deals? Your reputation? Because the only thing tarnished here is your idea of what’s right for your daughter.”
The room goes silent while Tessa’s mom looks around like she’s not sure what to say. I can swallow that her father’s a piece of shit, but something about her own mother—a woman herself—sitting idly by without argument really fucking bothers me.
Then, to my surprise, Tessa sets her coffee on the side table and squares her shoulders. “I’m not staying here another night.” Her voice wavers but doesn’t break, and there’s a hint of fire in her eyes. I’m proud of her. I don’t know Tessa well yet, but I know that was difficult for her.
She turns to her parents. “If it bothers you so much that I’m not married yet, fine. I’ll stay with Paige tonight.”
“Tessa,” her mother says softly, reaching out as if to stop her, but Tessa steps back, shaking her head.
“No, Mom. I need space. And it doesn’t matter if I get married tomorrow or next year. I’m still marrying someone I didn’t choose, so tomorrow it is. Be there if you want, but after tomorrow, you won’t have to deal with your fucked-up daughter for another day. I’ll be someone else’s burden.”
Her father opens his mouth to protest, but it only takes one step toward him to shut it him up.
Tessa turns on her heel and heads upstairs, her footsteps quiet as she gathers her things. Her parents sit in stunned silence, her mother wringing her hands, her father glaring daggers at me. My fingers itch to pull my gun from my shoulder holster and end both these assholes’ lives right here and now. The fact that Tessa thinks she’s fucked up or a burden tells me they didn’t do a fucking thing to help her after what she was kidnapped and held captive.
When Tessa reappears with a small overnight bag, she doesn’t say goodbye. She just looks at me, her lips pressed into a thin line. “Let’s go.”
I nod, following her out the door. The chill in the air feels sharper now, but the weight of being inside that house is gone. No wonder she hates it here.
When we finally arrive at my place, I park in the driveway.
“Come on,” I say, nudging her toward the front door. “I’ll show you where the guest room is. I’m not sure whether Paige is home or not.”
She nods, following me silently. Inside the house, she looks around, taking everything in. Some of the tension eases from her shoulders as she looks around.
“Thanks,” she says almost too quiet to hear.
“For what?”
“For… all of this. For giving me a choice.”
I meet her gaze, the vulnerability twisting something deep in my chest. “You don’t have to thank me for doing what’s right. I’m sorry your parents are assholes. You deserve better. I’ll give you better.”
Biting her lip, she peers up at me, her wide, sad eyes crushing my soul.
“Make yourself at home. The house is full of junk food because Paige still eats like a teenager and ordered a bunch of shit that has no nutritional value. Your bathroom should be stocked with the basics, but if you tell me what products you like, I’ll get them for you.
“Okay,” she whispers.
Slowly, I reach out and brush my thumb over her jaw as I cup her chin. “It’s going to be okay. You’ll be able to divorce me in no time.”
That makes her smile, and the tension in my chest eases just slightly.
“I need to go over to Declan’s and get things in place for tomorrow. Hope you don’t mind a garden wedding outside?”
Tessa laughs so quietly that I barely hear it. “You know, I’ve actually always dreamed of getting married in a beautiful garden, so I suppose that will be acceptable.”
“Excellent. I can pull that off. I’ll be home later.”
I pause for a moment at Declan’s front door, taking a deep breath. The news I’m about to drop is bound to cause a little chaos among the girls, but there’s no avoiding it. If I don’t tell them, Paige will. And I’d prefer to deliver it myself than deal with her version of the story, which would probably include exaggerated dramatics and more yelling.
When I step inside, a faint hint of vanilla cupcake from Cali’s candles greets me. The warmth of the house wraps around me, but it doesn’t ease the knot in my stomach. The chatter grows louder as I head toward the living room, where everyone is gathered.
The scene is exactly what I expected. Declan is behind the bar, pouring drinks with the kind of precision he applies to everything. Cali leans against the counter, her dark hair cascading over her shoulder, her smirk telling me she’s probably saying something sassy to him. Bash lounges on the couch with Chloe perched on his lap.
Killian and Scarlet are seated near the fireplace, Scarlet laughing so hard her cheeks are flushed. Kieran and Paisley are in the corner, whispering to each other, while Grady sits on the far couch with Katie tucked under his arm, shoving candy into her mouth. Paige, as usual, is gesturing animatedly about something to Katie, then accepts a gummy worm from her. It’s adorable, considering Paige just met all these women a couple of days ago. Leave it to my sister to make friends with everyone.
I step into the room, and everyone goes silent when they notice me. Declan is the only one who knows my plan. But I don’t know who he told while I was gone. Even if he didn’t say anything, the guys know something’s up after my outburst last night.
“Ronan,” he says, setting the bottle down with a solid thud. “How’d it go?”
I step further into the room. “I’ve got news.”
“Well?” Paige says, breaking the silence, her eyebrows raised in challenge. “Don’t just stand there like a dumbass. Spill.”
“Paige,” Declan says slowly as if trying to keep his patience intact. “Quit cursing.”
I take a deep breath, crossing my arms over my chest. “I’m marrying Tessa. Tomorrow.”
The chaos erupts.
“ You’re what ?” Paige practically shouts, jumping to her feet.
“Tomorrow?” Cali echoes, her jaw dropping as she stares at me.
“What the hell, man?” Killian strides over to me. “That came out of nowhere.”
“Are you drunk?” Grady asks, deadpan, though his lips twitch like he’s holding back a laugh.
“Seriously, Ronan?” Declan cuts in, his voice calm, but his brows furrowed deeply. “Tomorrow?”
The girls, predictably, all start talking at once.
“What’s she wearing?” Paisley questions.
“Where’s the ceremony?” Scarlet chimes in.
“Do we have time to plan anything ?” Chloe asks.
“Do you even have a ring?” Cali demands, her hands on her hips as she stares me down.
“What’s your end game? Playing the knight in shining armor? How very noble of you. Marriage is forever, though, and you two don’t know each other very well. Are you sure you want to do this?”
“Shut up, Bash,” I snap, shooting him a glare. “This isn’t about what I want. It’s about Tessa. She doesn’t deserve this. And if marrying me is what it takes to stop her parents from marrying her off for a business deal, then that’s what I’m doing.”
Declan sets his glass down and studies me, his gaze piercing. “And after? What’s the plan? Because I know you’ve thought about this.”
“We’ll quietly divorce,” I say simply. “Once her dad’s business is stable and the dust settles, we’ll call it off. No harm, no foul.”
“‘No harm, no foul,’” Killian repeats, chuckling under his breath. “You’re delusional if you think it’ll be that simple.”
Meanwhile, the girls are less concerned about the practicality and more focused on the romance—or lack thereof.
“Wait.” Scarlet holds up a hand. “Are you seriously telling us you’re marrying Tessa to save her from this, but you don’t have feelings for her?”
The room falls silent again as everyone stares at me. Paige narrows her eyes, daring me to lie.
“She’s important to this family. I care about her as a person, and I want what’s best for her.”
“Uh-huh,” Cali says, her lips curving into a wicked grin. “Do you care about her vagina too?”
“Enough,” Declan cuts in firmly. “If this is what you’re doing, we’re behind you.”
“Tomorrow, huh?” Bash says, raising his glass in a mock salute. “This is going to be fun. Can’t wait to watch this fucker fall for her.”
I scowl at him and shake my head. “I’m not going to fall for her. Bash, seriously, shut the fuck up.”
My brother shrugs, his grin growing even wider.
Before I know it, the girls dive into questions about logistics I haven’t even considered. I let the noise wash over me, the chaos somehow comforting. Beneath all the jokes and jabs, there’s an unspoken truth: these people are my family. And they’ve got my back, no matter how insane my plan is.
Whatever tomorrow brings, I know I won’t face it alone. And neither will Tessa.