Page 115 of Ronan

“Thought nothing of it at first, I was busy writing, but some other shit went down, and I started trying to call her to vent but she wouldn’t answer. That’s when I started to think she stole the money and took off.”

I walk out of my room as my mind spins. Two years, I’ve been wrong for two years. Where the fuck is my sister?

“Danika, your little sister has always looked up to you. Why would she do something like that? I’ve caught her in lies before, but she’s never been a thief. I didn’t even believe it when Byron told your uncle that she tried to steal from him.

“That’s why I stopped sending her with you guys for weekends. It had to have been a misunderstanding, but Freddie was so angry.”

I tune my mom out as Byron walks into the house behind Ronan and Tadgh, who just came back in. They both glare at him. I, on the other hand, stand there, seeing him through new eyes.

“Ya know him?” Ronan demands.

“Yeah, that’s Dayton’s son Byron.”

Byron’s face clouds over, reminding me so much of Myron. As I think of it, that has always been my issue with Byron. Since the accident that killed his mother and brother, he has this habit of flip-flopping between his brother’s demeanor and his own. It’s weird.

The other thing to stand out in this moment is my mother’s words. Uncle Freddie thought Anika had stolen from him; that’s why he stopped bringing her along with us. Why would Byron tell him that?

Suddenly, loud barking begins outside. Ronan moves quickly out the door. Byron looks after him and blanches. I tilt my head and study him closer.

He looks super nervous now. Yeah, our dogs are huge, but Byron can’t see them from where he’s standing. Something else is up.

“Who is that guy, Danny?”

“Mom, I’m going to call you back. Trust me, I’ll take care of it. It’ll be okay. On my soul, I’m going to make this right.”

I look at Byron and narrow my eyes. “Do you mean my husband? What are you doing here, Byron?”

“I … I was in the neighborhood. I thought I’d stop in and see if you wanted some company. I saw those dudes going in and out and ran in to check on you.”

The growling outside continues. I put the box down and rush out to see what’s going on. Ronan, Tadgh, and Oisín each have a chain as they try to keep the dogs from running around the side of the house. I stand watching in confusion.

“I said sit,” Ronan barks. “What the fuck is wrong with the lot if ya? Get them in the SUV. I’m going home.”

“Those damn raccoons. There have been a lot of them in the neighborhood lately,” Byron laughs nervously.

I ignore him and focus on my pissed-off husband. We need to talk. I need to know what he knows.

He snorts at Byron and turns to leave, ignoring us both. I’ve never seen him this pissed off. I honestly can’t blame him.

“Ronan, wait,” I call and run over to him.

“I’ll see you at home,” he says tightly. “Tadgh will stay behind with ya.”

“But—”

“If I talk to ya now, I might say something I’ll regret. Let me calm down. I’ll see ya when ya get home.”

With that, he clicks his tongue and commands Bullet to move for the vehicle. I ball my fists. I’m about to lose my shit.

Where’s my fucking sister?

* * *

Ronan

I’m still steaming mad.It was better I left so I could think straight. I had one of my guys sit on the rent office for Anika’s place after finding out whoever has been paying the rent pays in three-month increments. This month was a payment month.

There was a woman who showed up to make the payment. Den’Nisha didn’t recognize her from the photos. My guys stayed on her and found her meeting up with a few different people over the last few days.

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