Page 29 of Dead Sure
“Until next time,” Reagan chuckled and headed out of the room.
“Christ,” Ronan muttered. “Do you think there will be a next time?”
“Knowing you, yes!” Jude snickered.
“Next time can take care of itself. I’m starving. Let’s go grab some lunch at Lobster Charlie’s. Ronan’s treat!” Ten wrappedhis arms around his husband. “I love you so much. Thank you for standing by me.”
“I love you too,” Ronan said, sounding emotional. “I’ll always be by your side, no matter what. I never, for one second, thought you were guilty of these accused crimes. I was prepared to fight for you until my last breath.” Ronan held on tight.
“I’m gonna hold you to that.” Ten would always be by Ronan’s side, through thick and thin and when Ronan was inevitably a dumbass. Ronan and their kids were Tennyson’s sun, moon, earth, and universe; nothing would ever keep them apart again.
15
Ronan
Ronan sat on the living room couch with Everly, Aurora, and Wolf. He’d talked them into watchingThe Goonies, and now, all three kids were heavily invested in One-Eyed Willie’s treasure. Ezra was spending the night with Cope and Jude. Tennyson was in the kitchen making popcorn.
“What did I miss?” Ten asked, handing out bowls to the kids and Ronan.
“Mouth is funny!” Everly giggled.
“And cute!” Aurora added, joining her giggles with Everly’s.
“I had such a crush on him when I was a kid,” Ronan whispered in Ten’s ear. “Did you?”
Ten shook his head. “No, I loved Mikey. He had braces like I did.”
Ronan wrapped an arm around Ten and grabbed a handful of popcorn. It was hot and buttery, just what the doctor ordered after what they’d all gone through over the last few days. Dorothy Planter had been in touch to let Tennyson know that she’d put the wheels in motion with the prosecutor’s office to have the charges against Ten officially dropped. The attorney said it might take a few days before all was said and done, but Dorothy was confident Ten’s nightmare would be over soon. Ronan wasn’t so sure.
What Autumn had wanted from Ten had been simple enough in her mind, in reality, it was far more complicated. Not only hadn’t Ten shown her a shiny new future with Elijah Logan, but he’d told the woman she was going to be sued and sent to jail, whichhad enraged her. Ronan knew from experience that rage on that level didn’t simply dissipate. It grew and snowballed until it could no longer be contained. Fitzgibbon had ordered a patrol unit to keep an eye on Doctor Logan’s house. He’d wanted a unit on their street too, but Ten hadn’t thought that was necessary. Ronan had disagreed, so he’d made sure patrol units would make frequent passes through the neighborhood.
Ronan’s phone dinged with an incoming text. He handed the popcorn bowl to Ten and reached forward to grab the phone off the coffee table. Tapping the screen, Ronan saw the message was from Fitz. [Everything good?]
[As gold. Kids are eating popcorn and watching a movie.] Ronan tapped the button to send the message to Fitz when he heard the sound of glass shattering and something hard crashing onto the coffee table. Shards rained down on him, Ten, and the kids, who began to scream. “Everyone get down!” Ronan shouted, as he heard the sound of screeching tires. “Ten, call 911!”
Turning around, Ronan saw their front picture window was destroyed. Lying on the coffee table was a brick. Now that the danger seemed to have passed Ronan’s attention was caught by Aurora.
“I’m bleeding!” Aurora screeched before gagging. “I want my Daddy!”
Ronan saw Aurora’s left arm was cut. Blood streamed down her arm. He scooped her up and carried her into the kitchen. “Help is on the way, honey. I promise.” Ronan grabbed paper towels. Wadding them up, he set them against Aurora’s arm. “Hold this here. I’m gonna go get Everly.”
“Don’t leave me, Uncle Ronan!” Tears streamed down Aurora’s face. She looked absolutely terrified.
“Cavalry is coming. I sent a message on our group chat,” Ten called from the living room. “Everly’s cut too.” He ran into the kitchen with Everly and Wolf in his arms. Everly was crying, while Wolf tried to comfort her.
“RONAN!” Fitzgibbon shouted from the front door.
“I’m gonna get your father, honey. I’ll be right back.”
“Ooooo-kay,” Aurora said through her tears.
Ronan ran into the living room, noticing how the broken glass glittered beneath his feet. He unlocked the front door and threw it open.
Fitz charged in like a raging bull. “What the hell happened here?”
“Someone threw a brick at the window.” Ronan pointed to where it lay on the now dented coffee table. “I haven’t touched anything.”
“Jesus. Ronan!” Jude raced into the house. “Is Wolf okay?”
