Ronan

by Teresa Gabelman

  Each word her sister spoke slammed into Kira like a sledgehammer of truth she didn’t want to acknowledge. And why was that? She knew exactly why, and it was selfish. So selfish in fact she hated herself for it. Being alone never really bothered her, because she always knew she had her sister. Kira still did, but it was different now. Mira was right. She did have a family plus a sister who was trying to take that away by making her go back to the life of running.

  The mixed emotions she was experiencing in this moment of reality was a devastating blow. Her eyes shifted down because honestly, she could no longer look her sister in the eyes. She was the oldest, but yet, her younger sister was acting the eldest of the two. Mira was thinking of alternatives to life on the run, while she was looking for a way to escape any resemblance of normalcy. What was happening to her? Why? Slowly her eyes lifted, meeting Ronan’s, then to Sloan and so on and so forth until they rested on Viktor’s, who was surprisingly staring at her with a hint of understanding.

  With a shake of her head, her eyes shifted downward again. “I’m sorry,” she whispered, then turned, walking away. To where, she didn’t know. Just away from the stares. This selfish person was not who she was, and yet it so was exactly who she had become.

  “Kira.” She heard her sister call, but she didn’t stop. If she did, everyone would see the tears already falling down her face and Kira Grail never showed weakness; her life depended on that.

  The absolute war that raged inside him was an undeniable testament to his feelings for Kira. He watched her walk away, a defeat in her stride that he hated to see. Once she disappeared, he looked toward Viktor, who he thought he knew.

  “I speak the truth,” Viktor responded to Ronan’s stare. “We mean no harm to either. And no, we are not witch killers… in the sense you are accustomed to, Mira. But in order to explain, I need Kira here, but she isn’t in the state of mind to hear me out.”

  “Didn’t you think this was important to mention so we could have given Mira and Kira a heads-up?” Ronan asked, unable to keep the anger out of his voice.

  “Yeah, man,” Steve added, his eyes still not leaving Viktor. “That was so not cool. You may be a big son of a bitch, even bigger than Damon, but Sloan almost got you and your brother’s asses handed to you.”

  “And who was going to do that, young gun?” Viktor grinned with a chuckle. “You?”

  “What the fuck do I look like?” Sloan growled before Steve could answer, his eyes narrowed toward him, then Ronan. “The fucking fashion police? I didn’t know they were going to be wearing something that would identify them as witch killers.”

  “Nah, you don’t look like Joan Rivers.” Sid broke in at the worst possible moment.

  “Ah, fuck.” Jared sighed. “You watching television again? What the fuck happened to Rachel Ray?”

  “Why do you wear the amulet?” Mira looked from Bishop to Viktor.

  Ronan tried to think back to remember if he had ever seen Viktor wearing it in the past, but like Sloan, he didn’t notice shit like that. He was eager to hear Viktor’s answer.

  Viktor stared at her for a long moment, then his eyes shifted to where Kira disappeared. “You both look like her.”

  “What?” Mira asked, confusion coloring her voice.

  “Emilia.” Viktor’s voice softened. “You both look like her.”

  Mira’s gasp echoed around them.

  Viktor looked toward Ronan. “Get her back.” He nodded toward the now empty hallway. “She can’t leave. She’s the key to all of this.”

  Ronan was already heading that way, but Viktor’s words slowed his steps. He turned to look at him over his shoulder. He had been through hell and back with Viktor Valentino, never had Viktor led him astray and vice versa. They had fought together, bled together, and at one time, were as close as brothers. It was a past he had put aside, but a past he remembered now as if it were yesterday. With a nod, he continued until he was standing in front of her door. Raising his hand, he knocked.

  “Kira,” he called, but received no answer. Opening the door, the room was empty. His eyes spotted her bag in the corner, and the relief he felt was swift. She hadn’t left with her belongings; that was a positive sign. He went to close the door to go in search, but a soft sniff from inside the room stopped him. “Kira?”

  This time he walked fully into the room, his eyes searching. He even looked in the bathroom, its door standing wide open. It was empty as was the room, but he knew she was here. Now that he stood in the middle of the room, he could feel her presence.

  “I know you’re here,” Ronan said, his eyes still searching the small room.

  “Go away.” Her voice sounded far away it was so faint. “I’m fine.”

  “No, I won’t go away.” Ronan walked toward the door, closed it and leaned against it with his arms crossed. “And you’re not fine.”

  Ronan had to admit he wasn’t very good at the female thing. He usually just went back to what he knew about taming horses, which meant being calm, patient, understanding, and then finally, he’d conquer. Not that he was calling females horses, but the approach was similar.

  “I just need a minute.” Her voice sounded stronger this time.

  “Take all the time you need, but I’m not leaving.” Ronan leaned his head back against the door and closed his eyes. It remained silent for a few minutes, but Ronan remained as he was.

  “Are you always this… irritating?”

  “Yes.” Ronan opened one eye to see if she had reappeared, but she hadn’t. The room was still empty. He once again closed it. “Does Steve know you have his power of invisibility?”

  A barely heard chuckle reached his ears, but cut off quickly. “What do you want, Ronan?”

  “Nothing,” Ronan replied, then finally lifted his head off the door, his eyes wide open. “Just waiting for you to get over your little pity party so we can work a plan to finish this shit so you, Mira, and Drew can get your lives back.”

  And there it was, her beautiful person appearing right before his eyes with an enraged look on her face. Calm, patient, understanding… and then conquer. Well, he may not have conquered her yet, but he was definitely getting closer.

  Chapter 9

  When the knock on the door happened, Kira didn’t have time to hide her bags, but she did disappear. The magic only happened for a short amount of time so she hoped whoever it was would see she wasn’t here and leave, if they decided to come in and check.

  Hearing Ronan’s voice on the other side of the door sent her heart thumping in her chest. She didn’t want to see him and yet, she did. Hell, she didn’t know what she wanted anymore. This was all getting more and more complicated. A baby to worry about, Mira finding her true mate, more people in the line of fire which she felt responsible for, her growing attraction for the cowboy Warrior she couldn’t go a minute without thinking about, and now witch killers.

  The door opened, and Ronan walked in. For some reason, seeing him without Ronan realizing she was watching made her sad. He was so handsome that it made her body tingle. He walked into the bathroom, then back out and was ready to leave, but stopped. She realized she had sniffed because of the tears flowing down her face, and damn his vampire hearing as he heard.

  “I know you’re there.” His voice was smooth as silk, almost having a calming effect.

  As they bantered back and forth, she crept closer, her eyes taking in everything about him. He leaned against the door, his head angled back and eyes closed. His muscular arms were crossed over his chest, making him look relaxed, approachable. She actually lifted her hand slowly toward him, wanting to touch the smooth muscle of his arm, as she asked him if he was always so irritating which he replied, yes. She smirked at that, but his following question surprised a chuckle out of her.

  “Does Steve know you have his power of invisibility?”

  That escaped chuckle proved how unstable she was at the moment. Her face was freshly wet from tears of pain, and yet this man made her comfortable enou
gh to laugh. Before Ronan, she had control over her emotions, never cried, yet here she was wanting more than what she always had—the security of never having to run.

  “What do you want, Ronan?” His name on her lips felt right, as if it belonged. She sighed with a feeling of defeat. So very tired, but his next words woke her up real fast.

  “Nothing.” His reply sounded as if that were absolutely true. His eyes were now wide open looking straight into hers, but she knew that was impossible because she was still invisible. The spell hadn’t worn off yet, but then again, his next words made her lose control, sending her straight back into visibility. “Just waiting for you to get over your pity party so we can work a plan to finish this shit so you, Mira, and Drew can get your lives back.”

  “Excuse me?” She had to give him props; he didn’t even flinch once she became visible, despite just how close she had been to him.

  “I knew that would do it.” Ronan grinned, but it didn’t quite reach his eyes.

  “I am not having a pity party,” Kira said. Once the words left her mouth, she wondered if she was lying not only to Ronan but herself as well. “Not that I wouldn’t deserve one, but that’s beside the point. How do you expect me to work with someone who wears the sign of a witch killer?”

  “I only expect you to do one thing, Kira. That is to trust me to keep you safe,” Ronan shot back, then added, “and to listen to me.”

  “That’s two things.” She frowned, but deep inside she wanted to do both of those things. Just lay everything on his lap and be done with it, but that wasn’t how she was made. “Trust isn’t a word I’m familiar with. Sorry.”

  “That’s fair.” Ronan leaned away from the door, coming even closer to her. “How about rely? Is that a better word?”

  She felt the wall around her heart crack, not a lot, but enough that she noticed. Instead of him demanding she trust him, he was asking her. There was a big difference in her eyes. “It’s the same thing, Ronan.” She sighed, but the tiny grin that formed on her lips couldn’t be stopped. “Listen, I appreciate everything, but I just don’t think I can stay with them here. I don’t even want my sister to stay here, but obviously that’s not my choice. I know Steve will take care of her and Drew, maybe better than I ever did.”

  “Talk to him first.” Ronan tilted his head, and for some reason, the way he looked at her made her want to agree to anything and everything he said.

  “Who?” she asked absently, too busy staring at him. Then it dawned on her exactly who he meant. “The witch killer?” Her eyes widened, then she shook her head.

  “His name is Viktor,” Ronan added, and she knew he was trying to humanize that asshole. It wasn’t working.

  “His name could be Elvis Presley and it would still be a big fat no.” Kira once again shook her head.

  “Got a thing for Elvis?” Ronan smiled; his eyes actually twinkled when he smiled that big.

  She shrugged. “Yes, I do. So that should tell how much I’m against talking to that vile piece of batshit.”

  “That piece of batshit saved my life once,” Ronan replied, his smile slipping a little.

  “Well, you aren’t a witch, are you?” Kira shot back, waiting for his response, but he seemed to let that one slide.

  “And I think you owe it to your sister, niece, and self to hear Viktor and his brother out.” Ronan’s smile was now gone, and he was back to serious again.

  “And why in the hell should I do that?” This back and forth needed to stop. She wasn’t going to talk to the asshole murderer, and that was that. At least that was what she thought until Ronan’s next words.

  “Maybe because he knew your cousin.” Ronan laid that out there and then opened the door. “You ready to talk now?”

  If she wasn’t so shocked, she would have had some kind of smartass remark to say, but in all honesty, she was at a loss for words, and that was rare. How could he have known her cousin?

  “Oh my God.” She gasped, as rage overtook her body. “He killed her.”

  “Ah, no, Ms. Jump the Gun.” Ronan shook his head. “I’m pretty sure he didn’t kill her. I think that was the real bad guy in this story.”

  Kira wrinkled her nose at him. “Orjyll could have hired him, and now he’s here to finish the job.”

  “You really do have trust issues, don’t you?” Ronan’s eyes stared into hers so deeply she felt like a deer in the headlights, unable to move or look away.

  His stare made her uneasy, but not out of fear. She was uneasy because she wanted him to take her in his arms. “Stop,” she whispered, then bit her bottom lip when she realized she’d spoken out loud.

  “I’m not doing anything,” he replied, his eyes on her mouth. “What do you want me to stop?”

  Kira always thought he was most handsome with his cowboy hat on, but she realized in this weird moment, that wasn’t the case. “Staring at me.”

  “Honey, that’s something you may have to get used to.” His grin slowly appeared as he stared some more, but then vanished as he took her chin gently into his grasp. “In time, you will trust me, but I swear to you nothing will happen to you as long as I’m alive. If I believed Viktor or his brother were dangerous for you, they wouldn’t get anywhere near you without dying. Trust has to start somewhere, so let it start right here, right now.”

  Kira wondered where the strong, independent woman went during his speech, because she surely wasn’t anywhere in this room. Instead, she was a woman on fire from this man’s touch. His scent surrounded her, and all she could do was stare at him, then his mouth, praying and hoping he would kiss her. She wondered if he didn’t have some magical powers of his own. The closer he leaned down toward her, the more she tiptoed, and as their lips touched, Steve’s voice broke them apart.

  “Lizard lips and bunny toes, round and round she goes, where she’ll stop… ah… where she’ll stop…. Fuck, I can’t remember it. But Viktor told me to say that shit. He said it was something your cousin said all the time.” Steve’s eyes widened. “Damn, did I just do a spell?”

  Ronan used his foot to slam the door in Steve’s face, then turned to look down at Kira who had her hand over her mouth.

  “That was something we used to say all the time when we were little.” Kira gasped, her eyes wide. “No one would know that.”

  Steve knocked on the door. “Hey, guys, if I go back without you, I’m going to get my ass chewed,” he yelled, sounding concerned, then he chuckled. “But I guess I could tell them that you guys were busy kissing and shit. I’m sure they’d understand. Damn, Ronan, we’re going to be bro-in-laws. I fucking knew it!”

  “You want to put a spell on him since he was once a half-breed or should I just kill him?” Ronan asked, his voice and face serious.

  “Maybe you could just injure him enough to shut him up.” Kira shrugged one shoulder. “I don’t really want to use more magic than I already have.”

  Ronan turned so fast and had the door open with Steve pushed up against the wall that Kira had little time to react. “You were saying?”

  “Ah, shit.” Steve’s eyes bugged out; he actually looked to Kira for help, but she just finger waved at him. “Listen, I was just messing around. I won’t say nothing. It’s all gonna stay in the family, ya know.”

  When Ronan pushed him so hard against the wall that the plaster cracked, Kira figured she better step in. “Ah, Steve, I think you just need to stay quiet.” She put her hand on Ronan’s arm. “Let him go.”

  With one last warning push, Ronan did, and Steve side-stepped so quickly he tripped over his own feet. He straightened his shirt with a frown. “Damn, dude, I hope that’s not the way our bro-in-law relationship is going to go. That just won’t—” Ronan made a move toward him, sending Steve running down the hallway. “I’ll tell them you’re on your way and that I didn’t see anything. Nothing at all.”

  “I swear one of these days I’m going to kill him.” Ronan shook his head. He reached back and took Kira’s hand, but she didn’t move.
“Trust me, Kira.”

  Kira nodded and took a step toward something totally new to her, trusting someone other than her sister. She reached up to touch her lips that still tingled from the brief kiss they shared. Taking a deep breath, she readied herself for what was to come and for once, she didn’t feel alone. She prayed to the Goddess that this wasn’t the biggest mistake she had ever made.

  Chapter 10

  Kira’s trembling hand in his felt small. He knew this was hard for her, but he would go through hell and back just for her trust. Her touch felt right; it soothed him like nothing ever had before. She was right for him. He sensed it the moment she walked onto the compound property looking for her sister. He always knew he would find his mate, the one for him, and he had been patient. Having her beside him now was trying his patience. He wanted nothing more than to make her his in every way possible.

  Voices traveled from the game room. His eyes went to Sloan’s office, which appeared empty. He stopped just before entering and looked down at Kira.

  “No matter what, I’m on your side.” Ronan tightened his grip slightly.

  Her only acknowledgment was squeezing his hand back, and for him, that was more than enough. They walked into the room, his gaze meeting Viktor’s who gave him a nod before looking at Kira. He also noticed that he no longer wore the amulet or at least it was no longer visible. He looked toward Bishop and saw the same thing.

  “Thank you for not leaving, Kira,” Viktor said, the room became silent. “And I, along with Bishop, apologize for our insensitivity for wearing the amulets. It was definitely an oversight on our part.”

  Ronan glanced down at Kira, who had her eyebrow cocked as she stared first at Bishop and then Viktor.

  “Was it really?” Kira’s voice was calm, but he noticed her grip on his had tightened considerably.