Chapter 13 #4
Ronan’s hands slid to her buttocks and gave the softest of squeezes. “I’ve actually never really worked on creating or building anything. I acquire and sell. Fast, easy money, and I enjoy the hunt. But it’s been invigorating trying to find ways to fix what’s not working and to explore new avenues.”
“I don’t know how you exist. You’re like a dream to me sometimes.”
Standing, he walked her back to her stool and urged her to sit, then bent to pick up her sling and carefully put it back on her. “And a nightmare, non? If I could change anything, it would be the circumstances of how we met.”
“Maybe.” She kept her gaze on him as he sat again. “He doesn’t think it’ll make any difference to you, but I talked to my father today, and he told me he regrets what you’ve suffered and any part he has in it.”
His jaw tightened for a moment. “He has every part in it, cher. And he actually could fix what he did, if he really gave a shit.”
She sighed heavily. “He doesn’t regret what he did, only the impact on you.”
“Well, then… They’re empty words, aren’t they?”
The delight she’d felt only a moment before faded into profound sadness.
“Let’s not talk about this.” His tone was suddenly brisk. “It does no good to do so. I need to call the detectives, Ireland.”
“Why?”
“You’ll overhear what I have to say.”
“Their business cards are on the coffee table.” Ireland started to stand.
“Stay here. I’ll get them.” Reaching down, he picked up Blizzard and hefted the cat over his shoulder. Bliz’s purrs picked up volume, and the cat looked at Ireland with immense satisfaction in his vivid blue eyes.
Watching Ronan move with fluid, powerful grace into the living room, Ireland shifted restlessly. “Maybe you should have Jules with you when you call.”
“I don’t want to wait.” He collected the cards and returned to her, choosing to stand at the island rather than sit. With his phone on the countertop, he activated the speaker and typed the number on his screen. The other line began to ring.
“This is Jang,” the detective answered.
Ireland listened with growing horror as Ronan told the detective about what he had overheard and the conversation he’d had with Gail.
It made her feel sick inside to hear that the few weeks she’d dated and slept with Graham, he’d been cheating—with his girlfriend’s encouragement.
Yeah, she’d just been having fun, and it had never been serious, but it deepened the betrayal.
It wasn’t just Graham who’d thought she was an easy mark; his girlfriend had, too.
Worse, the way he described Gail’s maliciously cheerful taunts caused her pulse to race.
“Listen, Boudreaux.” Jang’s voice was hard and cold. “You should not be running around the city stalking possible suspects! Leave the investigation to us. We know how to do our jobs.”
“Were you even considering Teller’s girlfriend?” he bit out.
“I’m not going to discuss the details of the investigation with you. And if you interfere or otherwise get in the way, I’ll arrest you.”
He muttered a stream of words in Cajun French that Ireland didn’t understand.
“What was that?” Jang said crossly. “Speak up.”
“That’s all I called to say, detective,” he said curtly. “Have a good evening.”
Ronan tapped the button to end the call. His head fell back, his eyes squeezing shut. “Maudit!”
“Hey.” Ireland grabbed his wrist. “You told them. That’s the important thing.”
He looked at her, and she could see the strain on his face. “What good does it do if they don’t follow up on it?”
“You don’t know that they won’t. But I’ll call Gideon and have him push, too. He might put his own people on it. Angus does a lot of investigative work.”
That was another layer of hurt for her, that her brother had once again dealt with the Graham problem without discussing it with her.
Of course, Gideon hadn’t come by all day, either.
Although Eva had explained it was because he’d taken a much-needed nap and then had a doctor’s appointment that was apparently very important for him to attend.
Pulling the stool further out, Ronan straddled it and held her gaze. “Has your brother ever discussed a personal security detail for you?”
It took her a beat to answer, her thoughts still swirling over Graham and his girlfriend. “I have a detail when I travel for work. Like if I’m filming or doing a photoshoot on location.”
“Why not every day?”
Ireland shrugged. “I’ve never needed a detail at home.”
He shot her a challenging look.
“I haven’t!” she stressed. “I’ve never received any weird threats or had a stalker or—”
“I’m fairly certain Gail has been stalking you.”
“Okay, well, I didn’t know that.” Her shoulders sagged.
“And I’m single, Ronan. Or I was. A couple of suits with earpieces hovering over me isn’t conducive to meeting new people and kinda shouts that I’ve got money.
Plus, I can’t afford the kind of experts Gideon hires to cover him and Eva, so he’d be the one footing the bill. I don’t like that idea at all.”
Extending his hand to her, he waited until she linked her fingers with his to speak. “You don’t want a detail reporting your every move to your family.”
Her mouth twisted briefly. “I mean…there’s that, too.”
“Will you reconsider?” he asked quietly. “Or if you’re really opposed to your brother managing that for you, would you allow me to do so? Or let me arrange it through Vidal Records? I’ll have the agency guarantee to you that they won’t report your activities to anyone.”
Ireland’s grip on his hand went slack, but he held on. “Ronan…That’s…”
She was at a loss for words. Whether he handled it personally or through the company, Ronan would be footing the bill.
There was a huge divide between thousands of dollars in elaborate floral arrangements and around-the-clock security protection.
A divide that wasn’t covered by how long they’d known each other.
“S'il vous pla?t, cher. For my sanity.”
It reflected something momentous about how Ronan felt about her that he would even offer. And it revealed much more that she wasn’t at all rattled by it.