He surprises me by leaning down and kissing her cheek. “The pleasure was mine, Elena. Get some rest.”
In the hallway, I turn to him, overcome with emotion. “Thank you for that. She liked you.”
His smile is gentle. “She’s remarkable. Like her daughter.”
The elevator doors close behind us, and I lean against him, suddenly exhausted. His arm comes around me, strong and secure.
“You okay?” he asks quietly.
“Yeah. Just…” I look up at him. “You were amazing in there.”
“It wasn’t hard.” His fingers brush a strand of hair from my face. “She matters to you. That makes her matter to me.”
The simplicity of his statement steals my breath.
We exit through the main doors into the crisp December air. Christmas lights twinkle along the hospital entrance, and a wreath adorns the security guard’s station.
I’m about to comment on the beauty of the lights when I notice them—shadows moving at the edge of the parking lot. My steps falter as recognition dawns.
Oh God. No, no, no.
Lucian King steps forward, flanked by three men in dark coats. His smile is thin, bordering on sleazy.
“Well, well. Rayne Silva.” His gaze slides to Ronan, narrowing slightly. “And company. How ... convenient.”
Ronan’s arm tightens around me. “Can I help you?”
“Not you.” Lucian’s eyes fix on me. “Ms. Silva and I have unfinished business. Don’t we, darling?”
Fear curdles in my stomach. “I have your money. All of it. I was going to call tomorrow?—”
“Interest accrues daily.” He steps closer, and I can smell his cologne, cloying and too strong. “And I’ve been so patient.”
“Step back,” Ronan says, his voice deadly quiet.
Lucian’s eyes flick to him, assessing. “You look familiar.”
“I’m not concerned with whether you know me. I’m concerned with you bothering Ms. Silva.”
Lucian smirks, lifting a hand as if to touch my face. “We go way back, don’t we, Rayne? Your mother’s treatments aren’t cheap. Someone had to help when the banks wouldn’t.”
It happens so fast I barely register the movement. One moment Lucian is reaching toward me; the next, Ronan has him by the throat, lifting him slightly off the ground. Lucian’s men move forward, but suddenly they freeze.
I glance around and realize why. Four men in suits have materialized from seemingly nowhere, hands inside their jackets in a clear threat.
“Listen carefully,” Ronan says, his voice colder than I’ve ever heard it. “You will stay away from Rayne. You will stay away from her mother. If I see you within a hundred yards of either of them, you will regret it.”
He releases Lucian, who stumbles back, rubbing his throat. For the first time, I see fear flicker in the his eyes.
“You don’t know who you're dealing with,” Lucian rasps.
“No.” Ronan's smile is terrifying. “YOU don’t know who you’re dealing with. But you will. Expect my call.”
Lucian’s jaw works, but he takes another step back. “This isn’t over.”
“It is.” Ronan places a hand at the small of my back. “Leave.”
Lucian hesitates, then signals to his men. They melt back into the shadows, and Lucian follows after one last venomous glance.
