Page 23 of Illusive
“You shouldn’t be anywhere near New York or those people now. Who knows how this situation will develop? If they dig into your background, the danger will only worsen. You must come homenow.”
Raking a hand through his hair, Ronan heard the magic of the bayou in his sister’s voice. It brought Louisiana vividly to mind, as did Valentin, Genevieve, and their home. There was a part of his being that always longed for the place of his roots, where he was most at peace. Whenever he left, he couldn’t wait to return.
Ireland was a revelation for many reasons, but her ability to soothe the persistent unease and homesickness that plagued him whenever he traveled was an unknown he needed to understand. Discoveringwhyshe affected him so profoundly was the reason he couldn’t simply walk away before or now. But without her close and without his siblings nearby…with his fear for her growing by the moment… He acknowledged that he was struggling and that it would only worsen over the hours—and possibly days—ahead.
Still, he attempted to allay his sister’s concerns. “They already know everything about me, Claudy. That doesn’t makeme responsible for Ireland’s kidnapping, and since I had nothing to do with it, they can’t prove that I did.”
“Your own father rots in prison for a crime he didn’t commit,” she countered fiercely, “and you make that argument to me? You’re not thinking clearly.”
“No, I’m not,” he conceded, sobering. “I’m worried about Ireland. I’m fucking helpless to do anything about it, other than be here for her when she’s returned and keep Vidal running until that happens.”
Ronan knew better than to reveal the call he’d made.
“Mon Dieu,” Claudy breathed. Her tone softened, too. “A week ago, you were ready to lock the doors and tear the building down. Now, you won’t leave, won’t close the place, and won’t stay away from Ireland Vidal—all at great risk to yourself. Can’t you see why Jules and I are so concerned?”
“Yes, I’m coming to appreciate that.” He leaned back and met the gazes of Valentin and Genevieve. “And I’m sorry this is confusing for you, Claudy. I can’t explain it… Women like Ireland cross a man’s path once in a lifetime. That she knows who and what I am and wants me anyway…? I’d be a fool to deny myself such a gift.”
“You can have any woman you want, Ronan,” his sister said wearily. “Someone who fits into the life you’ve clawed and scraped to build for yourself, instead of endangering it.”
Tilting his head back, he closed his eyes and pinched the bridge of his nose. “I’ll tell you what I told her: we can’t choose who we feel this way about. I never expected to find it nor did I particularly want it, but the fates have dealt me this hand, and I must play it.”
“Then I’ll come back.” Resignation weighted her words. “You need looking after because you won’t take care of yourself. Your own well-being is always an afterthought.”
“Non. You’ve spent too many years dedicated to my goals. It’s time to focus on yourself. I’ll be fine. There’s a vacant unit in this building. I’ll take a look at it tomorrow. The restaurant is an elevator ride away. I’ll eat—Genevieve will make me. If you need a distraction from worrying needlessly about me, you can brainstorm ways to turn Vidal Records around.”
“Beau-frère…” She released a long-suffering sigh. “I didn’t discuss this before because you earned your victory, but Vidal’s days were numbered before we came along. Streaming fraud, the lower barrier to entry for independent artists, AI companies’ copyright infringement of original music, AI-generated music, the increased costs of marketing and touring… It’s hopeless. There’s nothing you can do to overcome these challenges. There’s no sustainable future.”
“I only need long enough for Ireland to decide whether she truly wants the company.”
There was a long moment of silence in which Ronan could picture Claudette twirling one of her dark brown curls around a restless finger. “What do you mean?” she asked finally. “You hope she’ll walk away from it…and her family… For you?”
His laugh was humorless; her question was so like the one Cross had asked earlier. “You’ve mastered keeping my ego in check. Ireland will make the decision for herself. And then she’ll need to figure out what’s next. I find myself in that same place—I’ve never looked or planned beyond the point of taking over Vidal. Maybe she and I can plan our next steps together, or maybe this is just a layover on a longer journey. Either way, I’m needed here and not there, so here’s where I’ll be.”
“Your grand-mère disagrees.” Claudette’s breath whistled between her lips. “But when she calls again, I’ll see if I can’t give her an explanation she’ll accept. You’ll need to call her, too. You shouldn’t have told her that you’re involved with Ireland.”
It was a testament to how deeply Harper Boudreaux was affected by his choices that she was reaching out to his half-sister, whom she didn’t even consider extended family.
“J'étais un couillon,” he agreed. “A stupid mistake. I’d hoped Ireland would be exempt from their anger.”
“You haven’t been thinking clearly,gros bête. But I think I understand why now. You’ve accomplished your goals, and now you’ve found a younger woman to have a midlife crisis with.”
Ronan did actually find some humor in that. “It’s just a phase?Bon. Now, let me go. And get some sleep.”
“Listen…” She took a brief pause to gather her thoughts. “You should be prepared for how different she’ll be after an ordeal like this,ifshe survives it. I don’t mean to be callous, but if you’re not facing reality, I have to do so on your behalf. Ireland will want the safety and familiarity of her family more than ever. You’ll always be a threat to her father. That may look very different for her when she’s safely back in the fold.”
Hearing her give voice to his deeply entrenched concerns was unnerving. “I understand that it’ll take time for her to feel safe again.”
“Do you? It’s highly probable she’ll be a stranger to you, Ronan. You’re making sacrifices to keep something you’ve likely already lost.”
In the near distance, the electronic chirping and beeping of an emergency siren broke the quiet of the early hour. The wailing grew in volume as the vehicle neared, piercing through the windows and walls. The urgency synchronized with the relentless alarm pounding through his veins.
“We’ll soon see.Bonne nuit, Claudy,” he said, too abruptly, his sudden restiveness overwhelming. “We’ll talk tomorrow.”
Ending the call, Ronan stared sightlessly down at the phone in his hand. His sister had always been older than her years, hermaturity a necessary counter to Jules’ brash impulsiveness. And now her other brother had gone rogue.
“I’m a selfish bastard,” he bit out, his jaw taut. “My choices are hurting everyone I love.”
Valentin leaned forward, resting his elbows on his knees. “It’s a fortunate man who has strong women in his life, and you have many. Claudette simply wants you to be safe and happy. Your grand-mère, too. And Ireland knows her family can and will pay whatever is demanded of them. She’ll make it through this.”
