Page 24 of Ronan

“She could be the queen herself, born in the Dunluce Castle as the last member of Clan MacDonnel and I wouldn’t stick my?—”

“Ronan, that’s enough, ya made yer point.”

I bite back my anger, happy Da cut me off before I said too much. Ma means well. She doesn’t know how much I have been through.

“Jaysus, what’s gotten into ya?” Ma says as she frowns at me.

“I’m knackered,” I huff.

“Tired or not, yer trying to make me batter ya.”

In all honesty, Keira is the reason I haven’t gotten a taste of Dean. I don’t want to hear about her. If she hadn’t interrupted that kiss, Dean would be here with me for me to introduce her to my ma.

Aw, what the fuck? That can’t happen. Ma would get the wrong idea.

My mind goes to the gorgeous woman who stays on my mind when I’m not fully concentrating on business. Two more months and still nothing. Not even a hint of who she really is.

I should take that as a sign and let it go. I have too much going on for anything serious. I’m never in one place for long. How would I protect her?

What happened to Sasha could never happen again. Still, I can’t get her off my mind. Day and night, I think of her.

I texted her to take her out tonight in hopes I might get lucky and find out something to help me out. She’s been tight lipped so far, but I plan to crack her soon. I’ve never in my life worked this hard for a woman or information.

“Ronan—”

Thankfully my phone rings and stops whatever my mother was about to say. I don’t want to keep going back and forth with her about this. I know she’s going to keep going until she gets me to agree to take one of her friends’ daughters out.

“Ach, I need to take this.”

“I’m starting to think the lad is a ponce,” Ma mumbles as she crosses her arms over her chest.

I snort as I continue to walk out of the room. My father roars with laughter. I grin as I hear his words on my way out.

“Our lad is far from gay, Laoise. That one is a connoisseur of the opposite sex. Leave him be.”

“I’ll believe it when he brings me a daughter-in-law.”

“Hello,” I say into my phone, ignoring my ma.

“Boss, we have a problem.”

“I’m on my way.”

Looks like I need to head to California. Rory and Lochlann don’t call me for just anything. Fuck, I’ll have to cancel my date.

* * *

Dean

I can’t believe how disappointed I am that Ronan had to cancel our date. Knowing Felix has dropped in to surprise Kaye, I didn’t want to head back to the house. Instead, I came out to the bar with Graham and Connie.

I had already been out with Connie after we finished some shopping when I got the text that Ronan had a business emergency that would take him back to the States for a bit. I should have been grateful. That man applies pressure without applying pressure.

I need a break from that. He’s not going to find out who I am and I’m starting to get frustrated that he has to. I’m so close to telling him myself.

However, that has its own risks and problems. This trip has given me a break from everything. Although I did have a long conversation with my agent and lawyer about my remaining book contract.

The publisher can have their funky-ass advance back. I’m not writing a damn thing else for them. Rumor has it I’m not the first this has been done to in the last six months alone.

---