We walked out of the courthouse to a barrage of cameras and microphones.
“Mr. Michaels, how does it feel to have everything behind you?”
“Ronan, do you have anything to say to all the victims?”
He kept his head down, and I couldn’t help it—I put my arm around him and pushed through the reporters. We reached the street and stood for a second, Ronan breathing heavily into my neck.
“Thank you. Goddammit, how long is this going to go on? Are they ever going to leave me alone?” He trembled, and instinctively, I held him tighter. Despite his cockiness and bravado, Ronan couldn’t hide his fear and pain, and it made me want to hold on to him even tighter.
“I don’t know. But you’re doing great. Let me call a car, and we’ll get to the hospital.”
As Ronan checked his phone, a man in a suit approached us, and I held off on calling, remaining near Ronan. About forty, with dark eyes and hair, the man wore a beautifully tailored suit and stood out from everyone else rushing by us. There was a distinct European flair about him. I’d seen enough while on tour with Fontaine and the one week I’d worked security at New York Fashion Week. I took a step closer to Ronan.
“Mr. Michaels? I am Luciano Esposito, head of talent for EuropeanGQ.” A card was offered, and Ronan accepted it. “I’d like to talk to you about you working for us.” His admiring gaze swept over Ronan, and I stiffened further, disliking how Esposito’s hungry eyes ate him up.
“As what?”
I pressed my lips together. Ronan might not see it, but the talent agent was correct. He had that “it” look that would sell anything he put on. Or took off.
Apparently Esposito found the question funny and snickered. “As what? A model, of course. You would be beautiful on the runway in Milan and Paris. Please consider it.”
“I’m not really into clothes, but thanks.”
I placed the order for the car and noted one would be arriving in three minutes. Thank God there were tons of cars downtown during midday.
“You don’t have to be. You wear them beautifully. I was in the courtroom just now and heard what the judge said. Yes, you might be independently wealthy, but you’re too young to do nothing with your life.”
“I’ve never been concerned with my appearance. And I don’t plan on doing nothing with my life.” Ronan bristled. “I’m running late, so thanks.” He pocketed the card.
I picked up his cue. “Ronan, the car will be here in less than three minutes.”
He threw me a grateful smile. “Okay, great.” He walked several feet away and stood scrolling through his phone. From my short time with him, I’d learned that Ronan wasn’t the type to make small talk with people. If he wasn’t interested, he let you know it.
“He’s a foolish one, isn’t he?” Esposito turned on me the full force of what I knew he believed was a charming smile, but what I preferred to think of as smarmy. “I’m sure if you tried hard enough, you could talk him into it.”
“Not really. When Ronan says no, he means it.”
“Pity.” Esposito regarded me with interest, like he was inspecting a piece of steak on his plate. “You’re his lover, right? Surely you can talk him into it?”
“I work for him. That’s all.” At his knowing smirk, I’d had enough. “Excuse me.”
I hurried away, joining Ronan, who must’ve seen something on my face, because he hit me with questions.
“What’s wrong? What did that guy say to you?”
“Nothing. Here comes the car. Let’s go.”
But really, everything. First Isaac had warned me, and now this stranger could see it. I had to get a hold of myself before I did something stupid, like fall for Ronan Michaels.
Chapter Thirteen
Ronan
“I’m back. How did you like the book I gave you last time?”
I forced myself to smile at Haley, who was lying in bed. She looked like a little pink smudge in a sea of white sheets and tubes, eyes bright with what I hoped was excitement and not fever. Sitting in the courtroom earlier, an idea hatched in my head, and I’d hoped to meet with Dorothy after my shift to see about putting thoughts into action.
“It was good. I love horses, and my mommy helped read it to me.” She peered over my shoulder. “Do you have any books with puppies in them? I always wanted a puppy, but once I got sick, Mommy said we couldn’t have one because it would be too much to take care of.”
