Page 21 of Ronan

“Aye, yer bang on, that she is. The funniest part about it is that when I was younger, she used to fib and tell people I was older so she could take me to parties as her muscle.”

I give him side-eye. “Now that I have a hard time believing. Cass gives me thug vibes. She can handle her own.”

“Aye, she can, but me da would kick our arses if he ever found out she had to defend herself. I was her equalizer, I was.”

“I love how close your family is.”

“Are ya not close with yer family?”

I narrow my eyes at him, not sure if I want to answer this one. My family life is complicated. We’re nothing like his family.

I shake my head. “I’m really close with my mom. She’s everything to me.”

“Ya have siblings?”

“If that’s what you want to call the bitch,” I bite out.

“Ach, so ya have a sister.”

“I share a mother with a heifer I no longer wish to speak about. At this point, I’m closer to your family than mine.”

Anika is better off with me here in Ireland. She can remain breathing as long as I’m here. I don’t want to think about her because I might let my crazy take over and change my mind to hunt her ass down.

“We’ll take ya. Ya’d fit right in. Me brothers already love ya. If yer here with Kaye, Cass must like ya as well. We’ll take good care of ya.”

“You say that like I’ll be a permanent fixture. I think you better get to cooking before you say something you regret, love,” I tease.

“I never regret a word I say. I told ya I plan to find out who ya are and when I do, yer mine for keeps.”

It’s the confidence he says the words with that makes me squirm in my seat. Forty-three? This man is damn near fifty and putting all the guys I’ve dated in the last fifteen years to shame.

Shit, I might give his old ass a heart attack. Good thing he’s not going to find out who I am.I snicker at my crazy thoughts and get back to work.

* * *

Ronan

“I still can’t getover the fact that you’re twelve years older than me. I want to see your ID,” Dean says as we finish dinner.

Kaye and Dae-Dae are having dinner with Ma and Da at the house. I worked a little magic to make sure they went over there after Kaye finished her day on set. I wanted this time with Dean.

She’s been on my mind a lot lately. I haven’t found out a thing about her real identity yet. Which has made me curious.

It should have taken me a day, max. I haven’t given up, but my curiosity is piqued. It’s not often I can’t find a trace of someone.

As an author, what does she have to hide? I get wanting privacy from fans, but this is something else. I don’t believe she means Felix or Kaye any harm, but she shouldn’t be around if we know nothing about her.

Asking Felix for help to track down what I need will be my last resort. I came here hoping to get her langered to loosen her tongue. From her flushed cheeks and glassy eyes, I might have her where I want her.

“I’ll show you mine if you show me yours,” I say with a grin.

“You’re trying to pull a fast one. I already offered to show you my ID.” She narrows her eyes at me. “You’re a smart man. You have to know I have credentials for Dean Foxx. I’m her more than I’m … well, you figure that out.”

I sit back and roar with laughter. I had considered this after I found plenty of information on Dean Foxx. Nothing helpful, but enough to cause me to believe that’s her real name.

“Dinner was delicious. Thank you.”

“Yer very welcome.”

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