What he says makes sense in a roundabout way. I’m glad he’s aware who Oscar is, and that Oscar and I have a connection. It also addresses my question. The need for so little explanation and detail from Ronin might stem from my own complicated emotions associated with my uncle, or it might be attributed to my current emotional seesawing, but it’s enough. It effectively boxes the issue into a compartment, one I can address when we’re all ready. The other side is that, in the meantime, I can push Walsh a little harder for information on Oscar. Especially if the O’Connors are going to be locked in Rafferty’s nest.
One more big inhale of Ronin’s chocolate and pepper scent, and I push out of his hug. I must be better because I don't end up in a tailspin, but then again, Ronin’s not being as dominant an Alpha as before. Even Keegan has toned down, although I also sniff him up while I can. Putting some distance between us all again, I find an answer that will work.
“Your house, which is currently my little house, is a fortress. You know I’m safe there. Hell, you’ve probably got access to secret cameras to triple-check I’m fine.” I watch their expressions as I speak, and their unapologetic stares confirmthey do have hidden cameras. “The next few days I’ve only got a couple of shifts at O’Malley’s, and besides that, I’ll be home while Raff’s in heat. The event I was going to do has been canceled.”
Neither of them comments, which makes me unsure whether they heard. Keegan’s eyes are nearly glowing.
“What?”
“My morning will be perfect when Walsh does what I told him to do.”
“Huh?”
“Sack you. Then all’s left to do is arrange snacks and some other supplies to be sent your way, so you’ve got something to keep yourself amused for the next little while.”
I shake my head, bewildered, and for good measure, go back to the cold water on the wrist trick because I can’t follow Keegan. He’s looking too satisfied with himself.
“Dude.” I scoff before sorting this Alpha, and his gorgeous bestie, out. “No. Walsh will not sack me, and even if he did, I’d be at O’Malley’s, demanding my job back.”
“Dude,” he throws right back at me before rocking back on his heels, appearing overly confident and smug. “How about we wager a bet, then, as to who’s right. Loser gets on their knees for the other.”
I belt out a laugh, which only makes the green of his eyes change shade again. “What the hell is going on right now?”
Ronin’s phone rings. “Raff, you okay?”
The mention of Rafferty has the current frivolity turning to dust as my thoughts rush to how he must be feeling. He’s the one in need, with his heat riding him hard, and I’m the one stealing his Alphas from him.
When Ronin nods at him, Keegan nabs my hand and leads me out of the house, using the back entrance. We pass by the kitchen window, and Ronin’s mom is half hanging out the window with several covered plates in her hand.
“Take these. Give Rafferty our love, won’t ya, Keegan? You look after him right, then please, for the love of God, tell him I don’t need any stories after.” Jeanie talks hard and fast, her Irish thick in her haste. Her eyes move to mine, and it’s easy to see Ronin is her mother. They share the same shaped eyes, the same laugh too. “Tally, next week, you’re hosting the O’Connors at the boys’ apartment after Mass.”
Chapter Forty
TALLY
“Ma, tell Tally you were having a craic about having the family around next week,” Ronin says for what seems like the tenth time since Jeanie picked up the call.
He’s probably right—she was only joking—but what if she wasn't?
“No can do, son,” Jeanie says with that same teasing edge Ronin gets. I can’t see her face to know if she’s messing around.
If I was only dealing with one thing, I’d be fine. Not only is Jeanie, possibly, dead serious about me hosting the entire O’Connor family next week, but Rafferty’s been sending me text after text, begging me to come see him.
Of course, I instantly said yes to him. To be honest, I’m not even listening to Ronin and Jeanie talking anymore, because I’m thinking of Rafferty.
I definitely want to see him. I adore him. The hesitation comes from again questioning why I lose sight of everything when it comes to this pack. My survival and well-being, mainly.
There is a high chance things are going to go to shit very soon. I can feel it in my bones, as clearly as I can scent Keegan sitting behind me. For that reason alone, I should have come up with a flimsy excuse, but apparently, I’m a muppet when it comes to this pack.
Except, I swear it’s not just me being crazy; fate has a funny way of making it near impossible to avoid them time and time again. Today, it was Ronin and Keegan getting a call from Paddy. Apparently, the police are about to raid one of their storage sheds. It doesn’t take a mathematician to figure out why they’re now having to deal with that BS, as opposed to helping Rafferty through his heat and making sure my house is as secure as can be.
And while I get it’s not my fault, Keegan’s the one with the wicked fast reflexes any cowboy in the west would’ve been jealous of. At the same time, I had a part in what happened. Kind of. Sort of. I’m clearly grasping at straws in my reasoning, especially because I’m a grown woman capable of making decisions, but this pack is turning me into an amadán.
When Ronin and Keegan asked me to stay with Rafferty while they’re dealing with the raid, how could I say no? Not that it’s a hard ask.
Since Ronin is still on the phone, Keegan walks me to the entry to their apartment building. It feels like forever since I was here. It also feels nice, normal, even, to be back.
Keegan’s hand clamps over my nape as the doors unlock, and I twist to see what the problem is. His mouth is on mine before I can turn fully around. His eyes are open, the color in them vibrant, the ownership in them terrifying.
