Page 29 of Ronan

“No, I don’t think you actually do. If I were you, I’d leave that bear sleeping.”

“What are ya talking about? Why can’t you answer a simple question? Who is she?”

“Leave it alone, Ronan.”

“Why?”

“Because she’s ruthless and you’ll regret knowing the truth. Think about the stories Freddie told you about his son. I bet you never asked to meet him because you knew if you two bumped heads, Freddie was going to lose one of you.

“You say you’re a fan of her books. If you’ve read them, you know the truth. When I read them for the first time, I thought Demarco was Freddie.

“I was sure of it. Then Freddie died and … well, I met Freddie’s son firsthand. Danika is Demarco in the books. I’ve been able to confirm that many of those events hold truth in those stories.

“Freddie created the son he never had. Since he’s been gone, she’s been struggling with his loss and all he has left in her lap.”

“What did he leave in her lap?”

“You’ve wanted to meet the new fourth horseman? Read the last books in herOnyx Brothersseries. You will see you already have.

“Danika Peoples was given Freddie’s entire empire. It is because of her the fleets and our dealings with your family didn’t fall apart.”

“What?”

“Danny is the fourth horseman. You two are now the only other people outside of us who know,” he says, turning to glare at Carrick.

“He will keep his mouth shut. This is my nephew, Carrick. He will be taking over for me on the West Coast. Anything said in front of him is safe.”

Dayton nods. “She hasn’t told anyone about her wealth or role in the organization. We have respected her wishes to have time to adjust.

“Freddie trained her up for this. If she were my daughter, I would be a proud father. Marlow doesn’t like it.

“However, Percy is like me; he wants to see what Baby Girl will do with it. Danny is smart. Freddie trained her up well?—

“But?” I say, hearing the but in his words.

“Marlow has wanted to be Freddie since before you ever came into the picture. We have a long, complicated history. The horsemen started out as some wild knucklehead boys.

“Freddie and his main boy had already established so much when Percy, Marlow and I came on the scene. However, Marlow thought he could run things better if he were in charge. Now he still has his eye on the head seat.

“I’m not even sure what makes him think that’s an option. Maybe because he’s been trying to get Danny and one of his sons together. Joke’s on him, Danny isn’t having any of that.

“She’s different; she has little tolerance for nonsense. Marlow received a rude awakening when he thought he’d steamroll her. If not for me, this all would have fallen apart already.”

“How so?”

“She doesn’t allow many in close as it is. She had kept us all at arm’s length at first. I believe if not for the relationship she has with my children, she would have dissolved everything and gone on about her life.

“I gave her some time and then was able to talk to her and get her to see this is something Freddie knew she could handle. I also promised to keep Marlow away from her.”

I nearly growl. “Has he tried to hurt her?”

“No, I’ve been keeping an eye out to make sure he doesn’t get any ideas. Percy and I have talked about it at length. Freddie wouldn’t want her forced into anything she doesn’t want, but she’s right for this.

“Marlow is just as headstrong as ever, thinking he knows better than everyone. The position belongs to Danika. Not one of Marlow’s sons could ever fill Freddie’s shoes or hers. He wanted her to decide whether or not to rise to the occasion.

“At one point, I think Marlow thought with Freddie gone, we would fall in line and he would be the one. He hated the fact that LaSalle took a liking to Freddie the way he did.

“Women are pawns to Marlow. Mindless tools. That will be his downfall. I believe gaining LaSalle’s favor is why he wanted Danika to get involved with one of his sons.”

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