19. Ronan
19
RONAN
T he next couple of days pass in a blur of work and stolen moments with Tessa. I wake early each morning with the determination to find Smoke and end him once and for all, but I make a point to stay home later than I normally would just to see her sleepy face appear in the kitchen in search of coffee.
Tessa has been preparing for her upcoming interview, researching Savage Entertainment with a laser focus. Every now and then, she asks me to quiz her or read over her notes, and each time, I’m struck by how sharp and determined she is. She’s going to crush this interview—I have no doubt. I don’t know what’s involved with project management, but from what I’ve learned from her, there’s a lot more to it than I could have imagined.
It doesn’t stop the unease gnawing at the edges of my thoughts.
As I’ve had time, I’ve been digging into Savage Entertainment. The company is impressive, no two ways about it. I’ve heard about them over the years. They’ve got a reputation for high-class hotels and casinos in Las Vegas, and their operations are clean—no scandals, no red flags. On paper, at least. I’m not na?ve enough to think a casino business of any kind is totally straight, though. Which is why I’ll be keeping a microscopic eye on Savage Entertainment.
One evening, as we’re sitting on the couch, her laptop perched on her knees, she glances up at me with a small smile. “I’ve got an email. My interview is next Friday. They want me there at noon.”
“Congrats, baby. You’re going to kill it,” I say, setting down my glass of whiskey. “I’ll get the jet scheduled for us to fly out the day before.”
She blinks, tilting her head. “ Us ?”
“Yes, us,” I say firmly. “You’re not traveling alone. I’ll come with you, and we’ll bring a couple of guards. I’ll give you space for your interview, but I’m not letting you navigate Vegas on your own.”
Her lips twitch, like she’s trying to decide whether to be annoyed or touched. “Are you always going to be protective like this?”
“Yeah, baby. I am. So, get used to it. You’re mine, and I protect what’s mine,” I say, meeting her gaze.
She stares at me, her eyes glistening with tears. I meant what I said, but after what she went through, being safe and protected means more to her than it would to others.
“Thank you,” she replies quietly.
“Don’t thank me yet. My overbearing ways will probably have you hating me at times,” I murmur with a smile, leaning over to press a kiss to her temple.
“Never,” she says with a grin as she stares up at me like I’m her hero.
And fuck, if it doesn’t make me feel like a fucking king.
O ver the next few days, I arrange everything: flights, hotel, security. Every detail is planned thoroughly. I even reach out to some contacts in Las Vegas, just in case I need eyes on the ground while we’re there. It may seem excessive, but Vegas is a dangerous city, and being part of the mafia means there are always risks around us.
Every second that I’m not working, I’m with Tessa. We cook dinner together one night, though I do most of the work. Another evening, we curl up on the couch and watch a movie while eating pizza, her head resting on my shoulder while my hand strokes absentmindedly through her hair.
Each moment feels like a gift. I never believed in soulmates before her, but I do now because she is mine in every way.
T he house is full of noise as Tessa and I step through Declan’s door. Laughter spills from the formal dining room, loud and unrestrained, promising an evening of chaos. I don’t even have to see the table to know it’s going to be one of those nights—the type where everyone drinks too much, and the girls cause some kind of stir.
Cali appears first, a smirk dancing on her lips. “Ronan! Tessa! You made it!” she exclaims, pulling Tessa into a quick hug. “The others are already causing trouble.”
“Define ‘trouble,’” I say, raising an eyebrow.
“You’ll see,” she says mysteriously, her grin widening as she gestures for us to follow her to the dining room.
Tessa glances up at me, her eyes full of mischief. She already fits in so perfectly with this group of women and I have no doubt she’ll be joining in with their naughty antics soon enough. I rest a hand on her back, guiding her through the house. The long dining table is full; everyone is gathered with drinks in hand and plates of food scattered across the surface. Declan sits at the head of the table, looking less like a mafia boss and more like a man questioning his life choices. The rest of the men are spread around with mixed expressions of amusement and fake scowls.
Scarlet is wiping tears from her eyes, Paisley is practically doubled over, and Chloe looks far too pleased with herself.
“I’m just saying,” Scarlet says, her voice rising above the noise, “Killian acts all tough, but the man folds like a lawn chair when I pout.”
Killian groans, rubbing a hand down his face. “And you abuse it every chance you get.”
“Of course I do,” Scarlet shoots back, grinning. “It’s part of my charm.”
“Charm isn’t the word I’d use,” he mutters, though his lips twitch.
“What’s going on?” I ask, sliding into a chair beside Declan and pulling Tessa down beside me.
“The girls decided to spike their lemonade with vodka,” Grady explains dryly, his arm draped over Katie’s shoulders. “And now they’ve turned dinner into a roast.”
“They’re calling it The Daddy Roast, ” Patrick adds, shaking his head as Anastasia giggles beside him.
“It’s all good fun!” Chloe pipes up, raising her glass as she brings another one over and sets it in front of Tessa with a wink. “We’re just being honest.”
“You’ll all be having fun sitting on sore bottoms for the rest of the night if you don’t stop being sassy brats,” Kieran warns sharply, but his tone is tinged with amusement.
Paisley points a finger at Kieran, her eyes sparkling with mischief. “He’s so dang bossy. Always telling me what to do. Don’t tease the security team, Paisley. Don’t antagonize the hitman, Paisley. Maybe I like living on the edge!”
Kieran pinches the bridge of his nose, though he can’t hide the smile threatening to break through. “And maybe you like pushing your luck. Cage Black will only have patience with you for so long, Little girl. You need to stop fucking with him every time he comes over.”
“He loves me,” Paisley says, raising her glass in mock defiance while Kieran lets out a low growl.
Tessa leans closer to me, her shoulders shaking with laughter. “Who is Cage Black?” she whispers, her voice full of amusement.
“He’s a psychopath we do business with from time to time,” I reply, smirking. “And Kieran hates him because Cage likes to goad him.”
Just then, Cali stands, raising her own glass. “To the men who keep us in line, whether we like it or not!”
“And fail miserably at it!” Chloe adds, grinning.
The women cheer, including my girl, their laughter filling the room, and Declan sighs, muttering something about needing a stronger drink.
She turns to me, her eyes sparkling. “Are you worried about me being corrupted by them?”
“Absolutely,” I deadpan, squeezing her knee. “But I’m going to enjoy every second I get to turn your ass bright red.”
“Don’t worry, Daddy. I’m an angel.” She smirks up at me.
I chuckle and brush my lips over her temple. “Uh-huh.”
Her laughter soothes my soul. It’s going to take time, but little by little, my girl is healing. With each day, she’s becoming less guarded, and I can only hope it’s because she knows I’ll take care of her and keep her safe. She never has to worry again. One day, she’ll know that completely.
As the evening goes on, Tessa fully immerses herself in the chaos. She and Paisley gang up on Kieran, teasing him about his “scary face,” while Cali attempts to prank Declan by swapping his whiskey for lemonade—only to get caught mid-swap and end up squealing as he pulls her into his lap.
“You’re terrible at this.” Declan shakes his head as Cali laughs uncontrollably.
Chloe, meanwhile, decides to test Bash’s patience by sneaking bites of his dessert. “Chloe,” he warns, his voice low.
“What?” she says innocently, licking her fork. “Sharing is caring.”
“You’re asking for it,” Bash growls, pulling his plate out of reach.
Tessa gets in on the mischief, too, teaming up with Katie to sneak extra whipped cream onto Grady’s dessert. When he finally notices, he narrows his eyes at her. “Do you want to explain this, Tessa?”
She bites her lip, trying to suppress a laugh. “It was Katie’s idea.”
Katie gasps in mock betrayal. “Throwing me under the bus, huh?”
Grady sighs, shaking his head. “You’re lucky I like you, Tessa.”
By the time we’re ready to leave, the women are still giggling and more than a bit drunk, their antics leaving a trail of chaos. Declan stands, his tone sharp but his eyes filled with amusement. “If any of you spike the drinks again, there will be consequences.”
The women laugh, entirely unconcerned, while the men exchange knowing looks. I guide Tessa toward the door, shaking my head at the madness around us. And even though I try to pretend to be stern as I scold her on the way home, I can’t deny how fucking perfect this evening has been.
“We were just having fun, Daddy. Don’t worry; I’ll teach you how to be silly.”
I laugh and shake my head. Jesus Christ. I have a feeling I’m going to have my hands full with her.
“Brat.”
She giggles and sticks her tongue out at me.
Oh, yeah, I’m definitely going to have my hands full, and I fucking love it.