Page 73 of 4-Ever

“Ronin, what’s going on? Are you and Ciara okay?”

“Like I said in my text, I'm fine, Ciara is fine too. Well, as fine as she can be right now. She’s been keeping a secret from us. Her boyfriend Dallas has been verbally and physically abusive for months. They came to our launch party last night, and I knew something was off. He got pissed and lured her outside. Thankfully, I went after them, Faise too, but things just exploded after that. Ci’s shaken up. And she doesn't want to return home to New York. Dallas is a police officer so you can imagine what’s going through her mind.”

“Oh my God, I knew something was wrong when she refused to call me back. The news said you were injured, what happened?”

“Dallas caught me with a broken beer bottle, and I had some stitches but I'm fine. He also punched Faise. Thankfully, Dallas was arrested and Ciara’s filing a restraining order. All this to say she's going to be staying with me for a while. She’s right to be worried about going home. This guy is off the rails.”

“I can’t believe this,” Mom paused, her voice muffled. “Thank God she came to you, Ronin. I’m getting on the next flight down to Nashville.”

“I think that’s a great idea. You can stay here with me and Ciara and Faise.”

There was a significant pause on the other end of the line.

“Faise is staying at your place, too? That’s good. He and Ciara get on well and she needs the support.”

“She does. Text me the flight details and I’ll have a driver pick you up.”

“I don’t think I need?—”

“Yes,” I insisted. “This Dallas guy might be out on bail tomorrow. He’s volatile as fuck and we don’t want to take any chances. I’ll send a driver and one of my bodyguards.”

“Okay. Can you tell Ciara to call me back? I need to speak to her.”

My mom’s voice finally broke, and I could hear her sobs.

“I will.”

“I’ll see you soon, honey.”

“Bye, Mom.”

I hung up, my hands shaking. I could use a drink, but it was too early in the day. Even for a rockstar like me.

Instead, I made myself another cup of coffee, decaf this time, and drank it slowly while texting Len about my mom’s plan to head down here.

“Hey.”

I turned to find Ciara standing behind me, tears on her face, her phone in her hand.

“I talked to Mom,” I explained. “And told her everything that happened. She's flying out here as soon as possible.”

“I know. She just texted me. She's been trying to call me all morning, but I just didn't have the heart to talk to her. I feel so ashamed. Like I let her down. Hell, I let you down.”

“You haven't let anyone down. But maybe let her in, yeah? I know it's easier to keep these things bottled up inside but trust me, doing that will only do more harm than good. I saw that with Faise when he went through the worst of his drug addiction. If you don't talk about what's bothering you, it just festers. I'm always here. Faise is here, and Mom's going to be here too. Just tell us what you need, and we'll do whatever we have to. We’re gonna get through this as a family.”

Ciara nodded and wiped her face.

“Me and Faise are heading to the studio to jam for a bit. Do you want to come along, or do you prefer to stay here? Do you feel safe with one of my bodyguards?”

She nodded. “I'd rather stay here, thanks. I'm still shaky and I hardly slept last night. I just want to rest and then watch some TV, try to take my mind off things.”

“Are you sure? I don't want you to be alone with no one to talk to.”

“Brody's assistant Bibi reached out to me. She's going to stop by in an hour and keep me company for a while.”

I was enormously relieved at that. “Bibi’s great. But don't tell her any stories about me from growing up, yeah? Otherwise, she’ll never let me hear the end of it.”

“Don't worry, Ro, your childhood secrets are safe with me,” she whispered. “I know I haven't said it often enough, but you are an amazing big brother. I don't know that I would have been able to get through Mom and Dad’s divorce, or school, or any of it, without your support. I just want you to know how much I love you.”

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