Page 64

Ronan

A little over two months later …

“Why doya look like someone pissed in your pint? Aren’t ya glad for yer nephew?” Cass asks as she finds me sitting out in the backyard.

“Just a lot on me mind. Need to sort some things out in me life and in me head,” I reply.

“This wouldn’t have anything to do with a pretty-faced young woman with a whole lot of sass and ass, would it?”

I snort and shake my head at my older sister. I didn’t miss how she asked Kaye about Dean earlier after the proposal. Cass and Ma took a liking to her while she was here.

“Not everything is about a woman,” I grumble.

“Aye, but ye have a glad eye for that one, so it is.”

“Ach, some things aren’t meant to be.” I shrug.

Cass slaps me upside the back of my head. I palm the stinging spot and glare at her. She narrows her eyes at me.

“Since when did ye become a big pussy? All me life I’ve known ye to go after what ye want. I know what I saw. Ye aren’t in this alone.

“I love ya, little brother, but ye ain’t been right in years. If this lass makes ya happy, for fuck’s sake, go after her and get what ya want. Ye hear me?”

“Aye, I hear ya, but I already promised yer boys I’d be coming to California.”

“Those big fuckers will get over it. Almost all of them have a hot pair of nex warming their beds. Yer not getting any younger. Do what ya need to do for ye.”

I wrap my arm around my sister’s small shoulders and tug her into a hug. I needed that kick in the pants. I haven’t been the most fun to be around lately.

In all honesty, this isn’t where I had planned to be. I should be in the States laying boots to Bujar. He’s been floating since Dean returned to New York.

Aye, I know just where the lass is. The only reason I haven’t been to find out what she thinks is happening between us is that business has been calling for most of my attention. I’ve been in a fouler mood than usual.

I want to have my woman in my arms. This is new for me and I’m not adjusting to not calling the shots and getting what I want. I’m used to women waiting for my calls, not the other way around.

Not that Dean hasn’t called. She has. The calls have just begun. Her timing is shit. I missed the first call while on my flight here to Ireland.

At the time, I thought my da was ill. Ma called and demanded I rush home for an emergency. However, there’s no emergency. Felix is here to propose to his bird and the family is all here with him.

I swear my mother knows how to drive me insane. The time difference between here and New York has kept me from getting in touch with Dean since her call. I’ve been in a sour mood all day.

Then I received a call that Bujar has reared his head in California. I don’t have to track him down, I know exactly where to find him.

That’s why I opened my mouth and offered to help out in Felix’s absence if he plans to stay here with Kaye until her movie wraps. However, my sister is right. This isn’t me and I need to put an end to this one way or another.

“Thanks, Cass.”

“I love ya. I’ve always only wanted to see ya happy. Go be grand.”

* * *

Dean

I should bein a better mood, but I’m not. My mother has been awake for a little over two months now. Her treatments are working, and she has been smiling so brightly. With each day, she’s breathing and speaking more clearly.

She’s been staying with me since they released her. I’ve loved every minute I’ve gotten to spend with her. She’s even been talking about taking a trip together.

“What did that chicken do to you?” Byron asks as he enters the kitchen.