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CHAPTER34

Back to Life

Dean

I’ve beenat the hospital since last night—I’m just walking through my front door, ready to pass out. Dayton is broken up over this. His son is in critical condition, but they believe he’ll survive. I’ve seen the car.

It’s a miracle if he does. The car that hit him made off into the night. Witnesses say the car was pretty fucked up and just barely was able to drive off.

I wasn’t expecting to get a call that my right hand had almost been killed in a head-on collision. A fucking hit-and-run. Uncle Freddie used to joke and say the guy has nine lives.

It was an inside joke between them. I never knew what that was about. However, it seems to be proving true.

I’m going to be down a man for a bit. LaSalle has offered me one of his guys to help out for as long as I need. I might take him up on that offer, but I have another plan as well.

There are certain things I’m not going to trust to an outsider. I’m just angry all of this is happening now. For the first time, I’m starting to feel the absence of Anika.

As my assistant, she made it so I could live two lives. I’m going to need to figure some shit out and fast.

“Just my fucking luck,” I huff as I strip down and climb into the shower.

The hot water does wonders for my mood. I need to check in with Mom and Ronan. For now, I have things back under control.

I can deal with this latest development after I address my home life. I’ll call Mom after my shower, but I’m going to see my husband.

He deserves to hear all this face to face. I end my shower with a smile on my lips as I think of Ronan. He’s probably pissed at me but I’m going to make it up to him.

I wrap myself in a towel and go to pack some sexy things in my spend-the-night bag.

When I go to get dressed, I remember taking Ronan’s dress shirt he wore for our wedding when I packed to leave. I go to grab it and slip it on.

Before I can grab my panties and jeans, the doorbell rings. I go to look at the ring cam, and to my surprise, Ronan is standing on my stoop with a bouquet of roses. I smile and race for the front door.

Tearing the door open, I jump into his arms and kiss all over his face. I didn’t realize how much I’ve been missing him. He walks us back into the house and closes the door.

“Aye, it’s good to see ya too, but I’m still furious with ya.”

He places me down on my feet and takes a step back. He’s staring at me with his brows knit. I remember my new haircut and reach to run my hand over my hair.

“You hate it?” I ask and bite my lip.

“No, yer beautiful. I’m in shock. What happened? What’s going on?”

“Bujar made good on his threats. There were photos of me floating around. The change made sense.

“I’ve neutralized the problem for now, but I don’t know if somehow he was successful in getting my face out there. I’m covering my ass.” I shrug.

“I could have helped ya with that. Ya didn’t have to run off and nearly give me a heart attack.”

“I know and I’m sorry. I realized that after I was already gone.”

“Danika, I need ya to talk to me. No more secrets. I’m yer partner, not an afterthought.

“I have no desire to change who ya are, but I won’t sit back while ya run off into God knows what.”

“Oh, babe. You were worried about me? I’m sorry and promise to talk to you from now on. Speaking of which, you might want to have a seat. A lot has happened since I’ve been back.”

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