Page 9 of Wine & Warlocks

“Sure, and who are we to be expecting?” Bridget asked.

“I’ll text you the names. They aren’t due to arrive until tomorrow afternoon. With that, I’ll bid you good nigh—”

A second later, Sabrina Dethridge’s sweet young voice came through the line. “Ronan?”

“I’m here, ya wee wild beastie. What will you have of me this time?”

“I just wanted you to know about the puppies. Did Papa tell you we are picking them up tomorrow?”

Ronan grinned. “Aye, he did. And it’s excited he is for it.”

She giggled, and it was a glorious sound, causing those around their table to smile. “You’re so funny, Ronan. But I’m going to have Baz save you one, too. The one with the floppy ears that you said Dove would—”

“That’ll be grand,” Ronan said, trying to cut her off before she revealed his next step in wooing Dubheasa. Didn’t all females love puppies?

“Aye, they do,” Dubheasa replied with a twinkle in her eye. When he frowned, so did she. “What?”

“I didn’t say it aloud, Dove. But there you went, answering my question without me askin’ it.”

“But you did ask…” Her eyes widened as their group collectively shook their heads. “I can hear your thoughts?”

“It’s because you’re going to be his mate, Miss Dove. Guardians can do that,” Sabrina informed her proudly, not realizing she’d caused Dubheasa’s blood pressure to shoot alarmingly high and her face to turn a worrisome shade of fuchsia.

“I amnotgoing to be his mate!”

But Sabrina had already hung up, secure in her prediction.

Sinking her head in her hands, Dubheasa let out a guttural yell.

“Yeah, and it’s a good thing the Black Cat is empty,” Bridget said with a laugh. “Otherwise, we’d be trying to explain the banshees haunting the place.” She rose to her feet and patted Ronan’s shoulder. “It’s late, and you’ll be wanting to rest for what’s to come with your da. When you’re done with your tea, have Dubheasa show you to room number six. I think it will suit your needs.”

“The one I had last time was fine.”

“Pfft. Your feet hung off the end of the bed. Sure, and we’ve got a proper mattress for you now.” When Ronan would’ve opened his mouth to thank her, she waved him off and said, “It was Ruairí’s suggestion, so save your thanks for him. I’ve a pub to run.”

“I’ll escort you and Mr. O’Connor back through the alley,” Trevor said as he rose to his feet and placed his napkin beside his plate. He held up a hand when she would’ve argued. “Please. Damian assigned me to this mission for a reason. If he didn’t believe Loman was lurking in the vicinity, he would never have called me in this soon.”

Bridget graced him with a warm smile. “We’ll gladly accept your escort, then.”

Ronan stared into his full teacup, wondering when he’d poured it.

“My sister did,” Dubheasa said absently, then jerked, her eyes flying wide. “I did it again, didn’t I?”

With a rueful half smile, Ronan nodded.

“Aw, fecking hell!” Dropping her forehead onto her folded arms, she groaned. “This is going to be torture.”

Her words struck him with the weight of a sledgehammer. If she truly wanted nothing more to do with him, itwouldbe torturous for her to be on the receiving end of his thoughts. Having been forced into a life he’d not wanted as head of his clan, having to police his mad cousins and try to mitigate the damage they caused at every turn, Ronan knew what it was to suffer through a life not of his own choosing. Dubheasa didn’t deserve that, and in the end, he’d free her from it when he could if she hadn’t changed her mind.

But therewasone benefit to their connection.

“It doesn’t have to be, love.” Risking a severed limb, he reached for her hand. “It could benefit us when my father comes. And we should be testing the distance while we have the chance.”

She rolled her head enough to look at their joined hands, seemingly content to let him touch her for the moment. “Did you know this would happen? The telepathy?”

“No. Every day brings a new talent with this job.”

She met his steady gaze. “Does it bother you? Caring for the Aether’s daughter?”

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