Ronan laughed. “How did she manage to call you already? I just walked across the street— literally. My car is still parked over there.”
“We update each other all the time before anybody else can. So, I hear you’ve found your mate. Good for you.”
“Yes. And I want safety. I was thinking beside Havoc, but now I’m thinking across from Havoc. But he said that you bought all the land between you and the end of the street.”
“Yep. And on the other side, too.”
He kind of winced. “Here’s the thing. She’s terrified to even let me in. She confided in me that she can’t even enroll her boys in school because she’s afraid they’ll be found. I really want her tucked away in the back over here.”
Emmalyn’s entire easygoing demeanor shifted into ‘oh, hell no’. “You know that means she’s running from somebody, right?”
“Yes, I do. And that’s why I want her sandwiched in over here across from Havoc and next to you. I’m going to be finishing my degree at Tulane. Totally doable, but I’ll be away a lot during the day, most likely some late nights. If I’m not here and somebody comes after her…”
“Say no more. I completely understand. And nobody, but nobody, will be threatening any woman on my watch. Put her right there beside me. What are you picturing for your house? How much land do you think you’ll need?”
“Well, I mean, it’s really how much do you want to sell me?”
“Sell?”
“Yes. Havoc and I were talking about it, and if you don’t want to part with any land, I can buy some from him, but I’d rather her be next to you and across from him.”
“Sell you land? He’s going to sell you land?”
“Well, yeah, he bought it, so I wouldn’t expect him to give it to me.”
She was already shaking her head as she grabbed his arm and yanked him inside her house. “Come on. Let’s sit down and talk.” She locked her door, three deadbolts, and then led him into the living room.
“I always forget how nice your house is, Em,” Ronan said.
“It’s a fortress.”
“I know. And it’s awesome. Looks Victorian, but like a castle, too. Inside cathedral ceilings, and classy, but comfortable furniture. Huge entertainment wall.”
“Thank you, Ronan. I appreciate that. I put a lot of thought into it.”
“And it’s perfect for you? Just the way you want it?”
“It is. I feel completely untouchable here. I know my kids are safe. I’m just almost myself again, only more cautious.”
“I’m happy for you. And speaking of kids… where are they? I’m surprised it’s so quiet. Havoc’s house sounds like they’re tearing the walls down.”
“That’s because his kids act like him. Mine act like Barron. They’re even too calm for me to be able to claim they act like me,” she said laughing. “But Barron and Barrett are playingvideo games in the game room, and Roslyn is right over there, waiting for me to finish coloring with her.”
A little head popped up over the back of the sofa and a beautiful child with dark wavy hair much like her mother’s waved at Ronan. “Hi, Uncle Ronan.”
“Hi, baby. You’re so quiet I didn’t know you were there.”
She smiled, nodded at him, then ducked back down behind the sofa.
“Want something to drink? Or are you hungry? We’ve already had dinner, but I can heat something up for you,” Emmalyn said.
“No, thanks. I ate.”
“Okay, let’s get down to it, then,” Emmalyn said, leading the way into the kitchen and sitting down in one of the barstools at the kitchen island.
Ronan followed and sat beside her.
“Do you know exactly what the situation is?” Emmalyn asked.
