Page 32 of Back to You
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RONAN WAS NERVOUS,which seemed to be a recurring theme in his relationship with Vincent.It hadn’t been like that before, and he hoped that once things settled down, it would stop.He and Vincent were solid.It was everything else that needed to go well.
Which was why Vincent was coming to pack territory.Ronan was waiting for him at the entrance gate, and when he realized he was pacing, he forced himself to stop and breathe.Everything would be fine.Vincent had a meeting with Cam, and once that was over, he’d be allowed to come and go.Once he was, he could become a pack member, and, eventually, move in with Ronan.It might take some time, and Ronan wished it wouldn’t, but at least they were moving forward.
The sound of a car approaching made him tense.He straightened his back and waited, nodding at the two guards behind the gate when he recognized Vincent’s car.The gate slowly opened, and Vincent’s car drove through.He waved at Ronan, who waved back.When he stopped the car, Ronan didn’t hesitate to climb in.For a moment, he and Vincent stared at each other.Vincent had a goofy smile on his lips, and Ronan could only smile back.
“Ready?”he asked.
“It’s not the first time I’ve talked to Cam,” Vincent pointed out.
“Maybe not, but this time is different.”
Vincent frowned.“I’m not worried.”
“Good.That makes one of us.”
“Why are you worried?Do you think Cam won’t want me in the pack?”
“It’s not Cam I’m worried about.I’m sure he wants you here, but not everyone will.”
Vincent squared his shoulders.“I have an incentive.”
Ronan wanted to ask what it was, but he was pretty sure that his mate wouldn’t answer.He was curious, though.What did Vincent have up his sleeve?What was he planning?How would it help the pack accept him?
Their reluctance wouldn’t be because of Vincent himself.It was because of his father, and they both knew it.A lot of the people who lived with the pack had been rescued from the auctions.They wouldn’t want Fulton’s son around.It wouldn’t matter to them that Vincent had nothing to do with the auctions.
Ronan couldn’t even blame them.He understood what they’d gone through, and so many of them were still traumatized.The only reason he was doing so well was that he had his mate back.If it weren’t for Vincent, he didn’t think he’d be doing as well.Vincent gave him someone to focus on so he didn’t have to think about the memories.The same couldn’t be said for most of the survivors, unfortunately.
“Vincent,” Ronan started.
Vincent stopped the car, and when Ronan looked up, it was to see that they were already in front of Cam’s house.“I promise everything will be all right,” Vincent said.
“I don’t think it’s something you can promise.It doesn’t depend on you.”
“Well, I’ll try tomakethings all right, then.”
“How?”
“I have money.I realize that a lot of people won’t want to touch it because of how my father earned it, but I don’t want it.If Cam doesn’t take it to help the people he rescued, I’ll just give it away to someone else.”
It took Ronan a moment to understand what money Vincent was talking about.When he did, he wasn’t surprised.It wasn’t only that the money came from Vincent’s father.It was how his father had gotten it.“You want to give all of it away?”
“My father hurt you.Yes, he hurt dozens of other people, too, but you’re the one who matters the most to me.Why would I want to keep any of the money he earned selling you?Why would I want to keep anything he left me considering what he did and the relationship we shared?I don’t want that money, and I won’t keep it.“
“I don’t know if it’ll be enough for people to welcome you.”Ronan hoped so, but their situation wasn’t something money could fix.People had lost everything, from their family to the life they’d had before.They’d lost jobs and houses and kids.Money couldn’t do anything to give them all of that back.
“I don’t need people to love me,” Vincent said.“I just need Cam to allow me to live here.You’re the only one who should love me, and as long as you do, I’ll be fine.”
“I do love you,” Ronan said.
Vincent gave him the sweetest smile.“I know.I wouldn’t be doing this if you didn’t.”
“I’m just afraid this is going to be more complicated than you think, no matter how much money you throw at the problem.”
“No matter how complicated it is, it doesn’t change anything.You’re here.This is your home, and you don’t want that to change.That means I don’t want it to change, either.If you don’t want to move away from the pack, that’s fine.I’ll stay, too.”
Ronan couldn’t resist anymore.He reached for Vincent and hooked a hand around his neck.The position was awkward, but they made it work, and when their lips met, Vincent was still smiling.
