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His words were …consider Bujar and Dalmat handled.Give your nephew the go-ahead.It wasn’t the time to ask him what made this so, so I grunted and hung up.

I still plan to get my hands on Bujar myself. He wasn’t in California when I arrived. I had decided to keep my word after all and step in for Felix at Black and Lock.

It was good to spend time with my sister and her boys, no matter how brief. My own business called me away sooner than I had planned. I haven’t had a moment to myself.

Dean stopped calling and I thought it best to straighten all my shit out before I came to deal with us in person. I came to this auction to get her that book she wanted. I watched her bid for it—almost outbidding me a few times.

I asked for someone from the auction house to speak for me, but the melter almost made me strangle him. I didn’t care that I was bidding over the value when I told him to go for the half-million bid. I promised her I would buy her that book and I’m a man of my word.

“What are you doing here?” She spins on those killer heels and glares at me when the shock wears off.

I place my hands on her waist and tug her into me. “Is that any kind of way to greet yer man?”

“Ronan,” she drags out.

“I was on a plane to Ireland when ya called. Ma wanted me there for Felix when he proposed to Kaye.”

“He proposed?” Her eyes are wide as she looks back at me.

“Aye, ya didn’t hear?”

“No, I’ve sort of had a lot going on in my life in the last few months.”

“Ya want to tell me about it over a bottle of wine?”

“No,” she grumbles and tries to step out of my hold.

“Danny, I can explain. Let me go pay for ya book, and we can have a chat. Ya did run out on me first for the second time, mind ya.”

“I didn’t run out on you … wait a minute. You were the one who outbid me?”

“Aye, I promised ya I would get the book for ya. I always keep my promises.”

A cute little smile touches the corners of her full lips. I can’t help taking her lips in a searing kiss. She moans into my mouth and clenches her fingers in the lapels of my suit jacket.

She melts into me. I find myself relaxed for the first time in months. When she runs her fingers through my hair, I force myself to pull back and break the kiss.

I place my forehead to hers. “We need to get out of here before I take ya right in front of all these people. I’ve missed ya, love. Ya keep running from me, I need to put an end to that.”

“I didn’t run from you. I’m never running from you. My mom?—”

I place my finger over her lips. “Stay right here. I’m going to settle the bill and get ya book. Then we can do all the talking we need.”

“Fine, because I really want to know how you always seem to know how to find me, and how you figured out my name in the first place.”

I peck her lips once more and then turn to collect her book. The sooner we get to my place, the better. She won’t be running off this time.

CHAPTER23

His Place

Dean

“Your place is in Manhattan?”I ask as we pull into the garage of a luxury building.

I hadn’t been sure what to expect, but this is a little more than I had anticipated. I’m almost tempted to ask what he does for a living. Ronan has money. I’m not clocking his pockets, but it’s a plus to know he can keep up with me.

“Aye, it is one of many. For now, it’s my main residence.”