Page 6 of Back to You
“We’ll see.Right now, I’m more focused on settling down.”
Ronan wasn’t sure if he’d ever be able to open his heart to love again, but he was finally in a position in which he could at least try.He wanted to take time for himself, but maybe once he was fully integrated with the pack, he could at least start thinking about having a relationship.
He would always love his mate, but there was no way for him to get that bond back.It would be hard to settle in a relationship that didn’t have it, but Ronan hoped to eventually be able to.His mate wouldn’t have wanted him to be alone.He’d loved Ronan too much to want that.
Knowing that didn’t make Ronan feel any better.
* * * *
VINCENT WAS LATE FORdinner, but he was pretty sure that Peter would forgive him once he found out what had happened.His mind was still reeling with the news that his father was gone, but more than that, he was in shock over what his father had done.
Vincent had never liked Fulton.He didn’t think anyone in their right mind had ever liked Fulton.He’d been an asshole for all of Vincent’s life, and Vincent still wasn’t sure why Fulton had seemed so committed to getting closer to him.He hadn’t wanted anything to do with Vincent when Vincent was born or when he was a child, but once Vincent had become a teenager, his father had started to come around.Vincent and his mother had been happy to ignore him, but this wasn’t something Vincent could ignore.
He breezed into the restaurant, waving at one of the waitresses.He and Peter came here to eat so often that they had a regular table, and they didn’t need the menu anymore.He knew he’d get his drink in around five minutes without having to ask for it, which was good because he needed alcohol.
He flopped into the chair in front of Peter and sighed heavily.What the fuck was he supposed to do about this mess?
“You’re late,” Peter said as he squinted at Vincent.
He leaned forward, and Vincent expected him to ask what was wrong.He was sure his expression was unusual enough for Peter to know something was up.
They were interrupted by a waitress.She smiled at Vincent and placed a glass of white wine in front of him, then turned to Peter.“Do you want a refill?”
“Please,” Peter said.“I have the feeling I’m going to need it.”
Vincent snorted and swallowed half his glass in one go before he finally allowed himself to relax.
Most of his day had been a mess.After hanging up with Mr.Ross, he’d been cornered by Emma and their boss.They’d been worried about Vincent since they knew his father had died, and Vincent had never told them about the kind of relationship he had with Fulton.He hadn’t argued too badly when they’d both pushed him to go home and take some time off work.He was going to need it, although it wouldn’t be to mourn his father like they clearly expected.No, he needed time to look into what his father had done and try to make amends.
He’d headed home and had spent the rest of the day on his computer, digging into his father’s life and into anything he could find about him.He’d found several news stories about the FBI raid and what had come of it.He’d known his father was evil, but after reading some of the articles and comments, he was glad that Fulton was gone more than ever.The man didn’t deserve to live.He didn’t even deserve to breathe.As far as Vincent was concerned, whoever had killed his father had done a good thing.He hoped they didn’t feel guilty because they shouldn’t.
“Tell me,” Peter ordered as soon as the waitress was gone.
She’d be back soon with Peter’s second drink, and since Vincent didn’t want people to know about his father, he was going to have to be quick.He’d already taken a risk by answering Mr.Ross’s phone call at work.He was lucky Emma hadn’t been in the office when he’d asked about the auction and everything else.
“I got news from my father, or rather, from his lawyer,” he told Peter.
Peter grimaced.“I can see why you need a drink.”
“You don’t get it.My father’s gone.”
Peter frowned.“Gone where?”
“To hell, hopefully.”
Peter gasped.“Wait, you mean that he’s dead?”
“Very much so, apparently.”
“Good riddance.It was about time.”
Peter had known Vincent since they were teenagers, and they had no secrets.They’d become best friends in high school, and even when they’d gone to different universities, their bond hadn’t faded.Peter was the person Vincent was closest to, and he knew everything Fulton had done.He’d even been there for some of it.
Well, almost everything.Vincent hadn’t had the time to tell him about the auctions.He knew Peter would be as shocked as he’d been, and he wasn’t looking forward to rehashing all of that.
“Wait until I tell you what happened,” he murmured.
“I have a feeling we’re going to need more wine for that.”
