Page 93 of Rogue Hope
“For a retirement home, maybe,” Kenji called out, generating a ripple of laughter.
Ronan grinned, then glanced to his side where Maya had joined him, her composed expression belied by the anxiety in her eyes. “Maya and I have news,” he continued, reaching for her hand. “After sneaking around for nearly two years?—”
“Sneaking?” Griffin muttered beside Finn. “We ran a betting pool from week one.”
“—we’re engaged,” Ronan finished, his usually stern face transformed by genuine joy.
Cheers erupted throughout the hangar, along with several good-natured whoops and hands exchanging money as various betting debts were settled.
“That’s not all,” Maya added, her voice carrying a hint of amusement despite her obvious nervousness. “We’ve been trying to reach our parents for days. Turns out my father is ‘pursuing a lead on a cold case’ and ‘will call when he can,’” she continued, making air quotes.
“And my mother is ‘on location for an exclusive interview’ and will ‘touch base when the story wraps,’” Ronan added, mimicking Victoria’s crisp, authoritative tone with surprising accuracy.
Finn noticed Zara shaking her head with what appeared to be equal parts exasperation and affection at the mention of Ronan’s mother’s name.
“So congrats to us,” Maya concluded, leaning into Ronan’s side. “From our Knight Tactical family, who apparently knew before we did anyway.”
Another round of cheers followed, interrupted by the hangar door slamming open with a metallic bang. Two figures strode in with perfect timing—a striking woman with silver-streaked dark hair and the poised confidence that came from decades interviewing world leaders, and a distinguished Asian man in his sixties with the watchful eyes and alert posture that marked him instantly as a veteran detective.
The entire room fell silent instantly, all conversation halting as everyone registered the newcomers’ identities.
“Did we miss the big announcement?” the woman called out, her broadcasting-perfect voice carrying effortlessly across the space.
“Mom?” Ronan looked stunned, his usual composure completely shattered.
“Victoria,” Admiral Knight recovered first from the surprise entrance. “Your timing is impeccable, as always.”
“Twenty-five years in television news,” Victoria Quinn—the renowned journalist whose interviews with presidents and prime ministers had earned her multiple awards—replied with a smile that had disarmed dictators. “You learn to make an entrance.”
Beside her, Lawrence Chen—Maya’s father and one of LAPD’s most decorated former detectives—surveyed the room.
“Dad?” Maya managed, equally stunned. “Your voicemail said you were tracking down a witness in Arizona!”
“I was following a lead,” Lawrence replied with the faintest hint of a smile. “Just not the kind I usually pursue.”
It took a moment for his meaning to register, during which Victoria casually—almost theatrically—raised her left hand to reveal a simple platinum band glinting in the hangar lights.
“You’re—” Maya began.
“No way,” Ronan finished, his usual eloquence deserting him entirely.
“We eloped,” Victoria announced with the direct delivery that had made her famous in broadcast journalism. “Santa Barbara. Last weekend.”
Lawrence nodded agreement. “After thirty years interviewing people about their regrets, your mother decided not to have any of her own.”
For three heartbeats, absolute silence reigned. Then the room exploded.
“Oh my goodness!” Izzy exclaimed, recovering first.
“Gracious,” Axel muttered automatically, though he looked equally shocked.
Ronan remained frozen, his expression cycling through disbelief, shock, and something that might have been cautious joy before settling into stunned acceptance.
“Mom,” he finally managed. “You got married and didn’t tell me?”
“Would you have believed me if I’d called with the news?”
“Absolutely not,” Ronan admitted after a moment’s consideration.
