Total pages in book: 103
Estimated words: 98207 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 491(@200wpm)___ 393(@250wpm)___ 327(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 98207 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 491(@200wpm)___ 393(@250wpm)___ 327(@300wpm)
“Ye can’t guarantee something like that,” Rory says, the irritation in his voice clear. He knows such a guarantee from Scarlett would likely put her at risk if this plan of hers ever did go south.
“I can and I will,” she says. “I know this girl. She’s had it rough, okay? She just wants out of this life. She’s grasping at whatever life vest will keep her afloat.”
The lads all look to me for an answer. Something that would have made me uncomfortable before, but now I take no issue with it. Because it isn’t just me that’s riding on this working out favorably, but Sasha and my child too. And I need to know that the man who comes home to her at the end of the day is one she can actually stomach to look at. But I also need to ensure her safety.
“We need to speak with this girl,” I say. “Then we can sort it out. Dom, you and Scarlett give Alexei the details and he will get us everything we need.”
He nods and stands up to do exactly that. Only his phone rings, and he answers it before he goes. The words are few and quiet, but the expression on his face tells me it isn’t good news he’s just received.
“We’ve got another problem,” he says when he hangs up. “Niall’s just had a massive heart attack.”
Chapter Forty-Two
Sasha
“I don’t want you to go,” I argue, though I know it’s totally unreasonable.
Ronan gives me a frustrated glance. I’m not being fair, but my anxiety is through the roof.
“I have to get this sorted,” he says. “They’re just going to have a wee chat with me, Sasha. It will be okay.”
“But what about their witness?” I ask. “They’re going to arrest you.”
“The witness is here,” Ronan answers me.
I blink at him, not sure I heard him correctly.
“Excuse me?”
“She’s downstairs.”
My stomach lurches. I don’t want to know the details. But I can’t stop myself from asking, anyway. I have to know. I have to know if he’s telling me what I think he is.
“You mean, as in…”
“Alexei is having a word with her,” Ronan explains. “That’s all. No harm will come to her so long as she cooperates.”
“Right.” I blow out a breath and wrap my arms around myself.
Jesus, this world sometimes… it’s too much. But I’m in it for good now, like it or not. It still doesn’t make it any easier to come to terms with all of these mixed emotions inside of me. I don’t want anyone to get hurt. But I also can’t allow Ronan to go to prison.
He must be able to see the confliction on my face because he walks over and pulls me against him. His palm flattens over my belly, and my pulse flutters when he examines me with a soft expression.
“I’ll do what I have to in order to protect the both of you, Sasha. And that does mean anything. But I want ye to know I’m not a monster. I’m trying to do what’s right. I’m trying to believe we can sort this out another way.”
“Can I talk to her?” I ask.
He frowns and almost immediately goes to shake his head. “This is mafia business.”
“But it isn’t just your business anymore,” I argue. “This involves me too. I want to know we can trust her. I want to protect you too.”
“I don’t need ye to protect me,” he huffs. “That’s my role, Sasha. Make no bones about that, it always will be.”
“I get that,” I say. “I really do. But just let me talk to her. Let me see for myself. Just so I can be at ease. Otherwise, I’ll be going out of my frigging mind wondering.”
Ronan quietly considers my words for several moments, his eyes searching mine. He sees the worry on my face. And I know how it is with these guys. They want to take on the burden of protecting us and never let us fret over a thing. But he needs to realize right now I’m not that kind of woman. And he better just get used to it. Because when it comes to Ronan, I’m always going to worry.
And he may not comprehend it just yet, but I think when it comes to him and what we have, I’d do anything in order to protect it too.
“I have to head on,” he says. “But Conor can take ye down to speak with her while Alexei is there. I don’t want ye speaking with her at any other time. Or getting attached.”
“I understand.” I reach up and graze his cheek with a kiss which he turns into and meets with his own lips.
When he finally pulls away, he’s even more reluctant to go. “Ye make it hard to leave you,” he says.
“Good,” I answer. “That’s the way I want it.”