Despite his happiness for me, I saw the darkness in his eyes and knew he missed his sister and wanted a relationship with his family. Ronan loved kids, which was obvious from his work at the children’s ward. And if he thought that finding my family was enough for me, he was wrong.
If it was the last thing I did, I was going to make every effort to bring Ronan and his sister together so they could have one last chance to talk to each other and make things right.
Chapter Twenty-Three
Ronan
Coming out of the courthouse, I squinted against the bright sky. When I was locked up, all I wished for was to feel the heat of the sun on my cheeks and go to the beach, but I had a sudden urge to walk through Central Park and get lost among the trees.
Gabriel stood by my side, ready to block the group of reporters who still followed me around. I leaned close to whisper in his ear, but also because I wanted to smell him. Damn, I had it bad, but I couldn’t get enough of his scent and taste.
Of him.
The way he’d held me all night, so vulnerable and sweet, had melted the last of the black anger in my heart. Being in a loving relationship was new to me, but it was so damn natural with Gabriel. I wanted to wipe away all his pain and see him laugh.
“It’s fine. They’re just doing their job.” One eager young guy I recognized from a local television station jumped in front of me, so I asked him, “What do you want to know?”
“How much money have you given in recompense for all the victims? Any more hearings scheduled?”
“According to my attorney, this was the last one. In all, I’ve paid out a sum of almost eight million dollars to the victims.” The reporters muttered to themselves, and I could see them shake their heads and give me looks ranging from angry to puzzled to envious. They should only know I’d give it all away to have my parents alive today.
“When you were arrested, it was estimated you had at least fifteen million dollars. So you paid out more than half your fortune?” a redheaded female reporter called out, her pale cheeks flushed from the bright sunlight. “How much money do you have left?”
“Jesus.” Gabriel shook his head. “Why not ask for your bank statements while they’re at it.”
“They already have them,” I answered him, then turned to the group with their microphones in my face. “I’m not going to answer any more questions about my personal finances except to say this: I’ve started several trusts for the New York Hospital’s children’s cancer ward. If you’re that interested in what I do with my money, contact them. I’m sure they’d be happy to accept donations.” I tugged Gabriel’s hand. “Let’s go.”
“Who’s that, Ronan? Is that your boyfriend or your bodyguard?”
“He’s both. So I’d advise you to steer clear and let us leave. Have a nice day.”
The car Gabriel had called when we’d left the courthouse waited at the curb, and we marched to it. He opened the door and I slid inside, not releasing a sigh of relief until he shut the door and the car pulled away.
“Excuse me.” I leaned forward to speak with the driver. “Can you take us to Central Park? The Columbus Circle entrance will be fine.”
“Sure thing.” He accelerated and began weaving through traffic on his way uptown.
Gabriel nudged me. “Central Park? What’s that about?” He was scrolling through his phone.
“It’s about it being a beautiful day, and I want to spend it outdoors. With you.” He grinned, and I rested my head on his shoulder. “Have you spoken to your mother about Amanda and Marshall?”
“I was just reading a text from her. She wanted to know if we could come up this evening to visit her. You can meet Ira. You’ll like him.” Gabriel played with my fingers. “They’re planning to move in together.”
A minute passed. “So.Didyou tell your mom about Amanda and Marshall?”
Powerful thigh muscles tensed under my hand. “No. I don’t really know how to bring it up. I hate upsetting her.”
“I think she’d want to know, but in my opinion, you should wait until you’re face-to-face.”
Gabriel licked his lips nervously. “Yeah. If I do decide to tell her, I won’t say anything ahead of time. I’ll need you there with me. I can’t do this alone. If you go with me, I can do it.”
And there went my heart.
“What do you mean,if? Of course I’m going. You couldn’t keep me away.”
The relief in his eyes almost scared me. Who was I to be someone’s rock? I couldn’t even take care of my own shit.
We reached Central Park and meandered along the paths, passing little children in strollers or running through the grass.
