Page 109 of Ireland

Ronan joined her at the railing but leaned back against it, facing her. “You made some valid points last night,” he began smoothly. “But I have a proposal for you.”

She glanced at him, then looked away. “Hurry up. I’ve got to get you out of here.”

His mouth curved in a knowing, indulgent smile. “Still protective, I see. A good sign for me. Listen, you said you don’t want to live two lives, but you’ve only experienced one. You have to come home with me and try out the other one before you reject it out of hand.”

“That’s insane,” she said tersely.

“Is it, though? Basing decisions on supposition instead of facts is bad business.”

She looked at him again.

His one raised brow challenged her. “What do you have to lose?” he cajoled. “You’ll have a lovely time, at the very least.”

Shaking her head, she looked down again and found Gideon surveying the crowd from the stage. “I’m going back down there to distract my brother. When you see me with him, you’re going downstairs and leaving. Got it? You. Are. Leaving. Before he finds you.”

Ireland started back toward the elevator, and he caught her arm, releasing her quickly and lifting both hands in a gesture of surrender. “I’ll go,” he promised. “But I’ll wait for you at the Teterboro airport until midnight. If you show up, we’ll enjoy the weekend and decide about the future on Sunday. If you don’t show up, you won’t see me again. We’ll work around each other.”

She looked at him for a long minute, wanting everything he offered almost as badly as she was afraid to want it. The urge to kiss him, press against him, was physically painful.

Turning away, Ireland left him behind to find Gideon.

Ronan watched the guests from the mezzanine, noting how Cross, with two men in nondescript black suits and two hotel security guards, was surveying the crowd.

For him, apparently. He was almost flattered.

Cross would be atrevail, though. He wasn’t at all happy about that, considering what trouble the man’s sister was giving him.

Exhaling heavily, he damned himself for offering Ireland the choice he had. She’d been so harried and rushed, though. He’dacted on instinct, as he always did with her, sensing—hopefully correctly—that adding urgency via a midnight deadline would work in his favor.

He spotted her down below, the aqua hue of her dress eye-catching even among so many brightly attired guests. She was hunting for her brother, and he did the same, realizing that he’d lost sight of Cross while looking for his sister. He did find the woman who’d paid twenty-five thousand dollars for a two-hour lunch with him and sighed. Ireland certainly had inventive and devious ways to punish him. And here he stood, eager for more. Whathadshe done to him?

Feeling his phone buzz in his jacket pocket, Ronan pulled it out and saw another missed call from his grand-mère and a text from his brother.

I have never been more worried about you. I feel an intervention is necessary.

Closing his eyes briefly, he considered how best to soothe his family's concerns. How would his siblings react when he brought Ireland home with him? Because he refused even to consider that his tigress wouldn’t accompany him. And he would not be taking her to Bellefleur, that was certain. Harper could be the loveliest and most welcome hostess, but she could also be quite vicious. All while couching her sentiments in Southern charm, of course.

He looked at his phone and realized he hadn’t given himself much time, either. The clock was ticking for him, too. It wouldn’t do for him not to be there at midnight when she arrived.

Irelandwouldcome.

Wouldn’t she?

Sliding his phone back into his pocket, Ronan turned toward the elevator.

And found himself facing Gideon Cross.

Ireland couldn’t believe she couldn’t find Gideon. Everyone in the room was there for him and wanted an audience, however brief. How could he just disappear?

She looked up at the mezzanine, but no one was there. The service elevator was hidden in an alcove and not visible from below, so Ronan was either on his way down or had already made his way out.

“There you are,” Alina said, coming up beside her. “Where’d you go? What happened to Ronan? You were both gone when I came out to escort him off.”

She looked at her best friend and could almost hear a ticking clock. It was stupid. She needed to forget Ronan had shown up at all. The man's audacity was astounding. He had a death wish or something. Thank god, Gideon didn’t know about Ronan’s criminal history.

Ice settled like a brick in her gut. Unless Angus had shared his report with her brother. Would he do that? Damn it. Why hadn’t she clarified that she was counting on his discretion?

“Hey,” Alina said, snapping her fingers in front of Ireland’s face. “Are you okay? You don’t look so good.”

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