Page 22 of Illusive
“Yes.” He absorbed the sounds of ice tinkling against the crystal. “I was taking her home tonight. She told me yesterday—or rather Thursday—that we had no future, not with our families hating each other the way they do. I asked her to give me a chance to prove it can work…to at least try before we quit without even getting started.”
“She’s not wrong. Since the Boudreauxes found you, everything has led you here to settle scores. And eventually, home will lead you away.”
“I can’t say I have all the answers,” he confessed. “Maybe in a month, we’ll want something—or someone—more than we wanteach other. I only know that right now we’re enjoying our time together, we’re a good fit, and we care about each other.”
Genevieve released her breath in a rush. “For so long, I’ve hoped you would find someone, and that the journey you’d travel together would be smooth and peaceful. To be captivated by Vidal’s daughter... It’s a far bumpier road than I envisioned.”
Ronan’s shoulder lifted in a helpless shrug. “Ireland is an incredible, extraordinary woman who should have better taste in men than acouillonlike me, but she doesn’t, and I’ve learned not to waste any opportunities the miserly fates choose to send my way.”
“She seemed to like you quite well,” Genevieve noted. “And we like her very much. You come alive in her presence in a way I’ve never seen before. It’s not that I don’t want it to work. It’s that I fear too many people around you both will make it difficult, if not impossible.”
“I’m not worried about anyone else. But Ireland… She’s very guarded with men,” he said quietly, mostly thinking aloud. “I don’t know why yet, but she protects herself. She won’t allow herself to get too involved. Agreeing to come to Louisiana with me was out of character for her. But she’s such a decisive woman. She doesn’t question her instinct to act or the direction it leads her.”
And he admired her so deeply for that self-assurance. It was part of their unique affinity because he trusted his instincts, too.
“Yes, I could see that in her when we met,” Valentin agreed. “And you need an adventurous woman to match your wild spirit.”
Ronan smiled wistfully. “You told her to give me no quarter, and she hasn’t. She’s taken a few strips off my hide.”
“Who would do this to her?” Genevieve’s mouth was taut with concern. “Not someone you know.”
He heard the question in her statement, and for an instant, his hands stopped their restless movements. “No,” he denied, while admitting he hadn’t even considered it. “No. The Boudreauxes are worlds removed from this place. It’s been over forty years since my father and Chris Vidal crossed paths. At this point, I think the Vidals are thought of as a…concept of evil, rather than actual living, breathing people. I think that’s why my grand-mère has been able to nurse her anger for so long.”
Valentin’s brow furrowed. “So, something in Ireland’s life led to this. You won’t be blamed?”
“Oh, I think her family wants it to be my fault rather than theirs. But that won’t get them anywhere.” He took a long, deep drink and tried not to resent Cross and the Vidals for directing their energies at him. He prayed the police wouldn’t make the same error. Hischerdid not have the time for them to waste.
“I should’ve gone after her tonight,” he said bitterly. “She was so worried about a confrontation between her brother and me. She wanted to distract him so I could leave without incident. And I was worried about coming on too strong. I was trying to play it cool. To not pressure her. I should’ve just taken her hand and walked out of that stupid party with her—her brother be damned. She shouldn’t have been leaving the hotel alone. She would never have been in danger if I’d handled things right.”
“Non, you can’t blame yourself,” Valentin said firmly. “No one could’ve predicted something like this.”
“They’ll ransom her, won’t they?” Genevieve clutched the lapels of her housecoat together in one fist. “Her family is so wealthy. And they love her,oui?They’ll pay any price to get her back. That must be what the kidnappers want. No one would take such a risk for no reward.”
“I have to believe that,” he said tightly. He would go insane otherwise. “Were you able to ask Marcelle to send some of my clothes?”
“Yes, we spoke with her.” Genevieve nodded reassuringly. “She was worried that you might not be eating enough and need your smaller-sized clothes, and I see she’s right to be concerned. That you even have two wardrobes for such a reason after all these years…”
“I’m working on it,” he said, because that was easiest.
She stood. “I’m going to reheat dinner for you. Oh, Claudette called earlier.”
He winced again, aware that not answering his phone, while understandable under the circumstances, would make his loved ones worry more. “I’ll be sure to call her first thing in the morning.”
“She said she’d wait up.”
“Ah.” His sister was not as outwardly fierce as Ireland, but Claudette had a will of steel, and when she wanted something done, she had a way of making it happen. “Well, then I guess I’ll call her now. They worry too much, she and Jules. I don’t understand why they don’t trust me more, all things considered.”
“Yourcheris not the only one acting out of character,” Genevieve pointed out. “You’ve been the one constant in their lives, as both brother and parent, since they were orphaned so young. They believe they know you well enough to predict what you’ll do and what you want, and you’re showing them a side of yourself they’ve never seen before.”
Ronan finished his drink and shook his head. “Everyone is taking this far too seriously. Ireland and I are still figuring each other out, and that’s all that we’ve committed to doing.”
“Maybe you’re not taking it seriously enough,” Valentin countered. “Your goal for the past decade has been to avenge your father, and you knew precisely how you were going to do it. Now you’ve changed course for your enemy’s daughter. You, a man who’s always enjoyed women but never one above allothers. Claudette and Jules don’t have the experience of sharing you yet.”
As if on cue, Ronan’s phone began vibrating in his pocket. Sliding it out, he saw his sister’s lovely contact photo on the screen. He accepted the call and answered, “Yes, I’m alive and with Genevieve and Valentin.”
Claudette paused, then spoke. “Bon. But you should be on your way home before Vidal or Cross finds a way to keep you there.”
“Cross already tried, yet I’m free and safe. Don’t worry about me,petite sœur.”
