Page 26 of Back to You
“I don’t see anything that worries me,” Braden said, drawing both Ronan’s and Cam’s attention.
“What?”Ronan asked.
Braden looked up from his phone.“I had someone start digging.For now, it seems like Vincent hasn’t had any contact with his father for the past few years.Fulton tried, but Vincent never gave in.There are no indications that he worked with Fulton or that he’d seen him recently.It’ll take me more time to dig into the accounts, but I think it’s safe to say that Vincent isn’t problematic.”
Cam nodded.He didn’t look surprised.“Good.Continue digging, but avoid his personal life unless you absolutely have to.”
“Will do.”Braden glanced at Ronan.“I’m glad you have your mate back, man.”
“Me, too.”
Braden laughed.“I bet.It sounds like you two haven’t had it easy lately.”
“Hopefully that’s over now.”
“You should both stay for lunch if you have nothing better to do,” Cam said.
Ronan cleared his throat and got to his feet.“Actually, I’m seeing Vincent.”
Braden looked delighted by that, which didn’t make sense because he and Ronan weren’t friends.Ronan was instantly suspicious, but he told himself not to be.He wasn’t in a cage anymore.He could trust these people.At the very least, he could trust Cam, and Cam trusted Braden.Braden didn’t have any hidden motives.He was probably just a friendly guy, and Ronan could use more friends.
“Well, I’ll accept that offer for lunch,” Braden told Cam.“Unfortunately for me, I don’t have a mate waiting for me.”
“Stick around, and you might just find one,” Cam teased.
Ronan didn’t know if Braden was human or a shifter, and he wasn’t going to ask, not right now anyway.If he wanted to make friends, though, he needed to make an effort.“Maybe we can grab lunch soon?”he offered.
The fear of being rejected was strong, but Ronan shouldn’t have worried because Braden beamed.“Let me give you my phone number,” he said, wiggling his fingers until Ronan placed his unlocked phone between them.“I’ll be in town for a few more days, but Remi and I are working on opening a new office in Greenwood, so you’ll see me around anyway.Just let me know when you’re available.”
Ronan didn’t understand why Braden was like this, but maybe he didn’t have to.“Thanks.I’ll call you.”
“Or text.I don’t have any jobs planned, but you never know.”
“I’ll let you know the final results of Braden’s dig for information,” Cam added.“And please, say hello to Vincent for me.I look forward to seeing him again eventually.”
Ronan wanted to ask if the alpha was lying, but he didn’t dare.Even if Cam was only nice because Ronan was a pack member, what difference did it make?Unless Cam was willing to kick Ronan out, he’d have to welcome Vincent in.
But Cam was a good person, and after giving Ronan a chance, he was giving Vincent one, too.That was all Ronan wanted—a future with his mate, a place to call home, somewhere safe where he wouldn’t have to worry about being caged or sold off, friends and people to care about.It was everything he’d never had except for his six years with Vincent.
“I will,” he promised.
His chest felt tight, and he didn’t like the sensation, so he quickly left the office.He was overwhelmed, and he didn’t want to break down in front of his alpha.He didn’t think that Cam would regret welcoming him into the pack, but he wanted Cam to think that he was strong and capable of protecting him and the pack.
He needed to be able to do that.For four years, he’d thought he’d die alone, with only memories to soothe him.Now, he knew he wouldn’t die alone.He didn’t have to worry about what he’d do next because he’d been handed a golden opportunity on a silver platter.He finally had a place in this life.
Ronan was safe.He had support, and he would continue having that support even if things with Vincent crashed and burned.They wouldn’t, though.There was no reason for that to happen, and Ronan wouldn’t allow it.
After so long, he had every chance to be happy, and he would be.
* * * *
VINCENT SHOULDN’T BEnervous.He and Ronan had seen each other several times since they’d found each other again, and things were going well.It was odd to have Ronan back in his life, but it was what Vincent wanted.It was also what Ronan wanted.He’d been honest, and so had Vincent.They were both in this for the long term, and that wasn’t going to change.Really, Vincent shouldn’t be nervous.
He was.
Even though he knew Ronan, that was in the past.Ronan was another person after four years, just like Vincent.They’d both been hurt, and Ronan had been through hell.The man responsible for that might be dead, but the memories he’d created weren’t.Sometimes, Vincent wondered how Ronan could look him in the eyes and be with him.
Vincent’s father had taken everything from both Vincent and Ronan.He was gone, but there was no denying that.As far as Vincent was concerned, it was a miracle that Ronan wanted anything to do with him.When he thought about what had happened, he didn’t want anything to do with himself, even though he was nothing like his father.
