Ronan

by Teresa Gabelman

  A few swallowed chuckles echoed in the room, breaking the silence, but no one said a word. Steve slowly walked back to his chair, then inch by inch lowered himself into a seated position. A low moan accompanied the action until he was sitting.

  Ronan watched as Steve swiped at the sheen of sweat from his forehead. “Fuck!” Steve hissed, and Ronan seriously wondered if he was going to pass out.

  Once Steve was seated, Sloan lowered his glare back to the folder. “We have a lead.” Sloan focused on Viktor, who along with Bishop, had walked in during Steve’s long, painful walk to the trash can. “I’ll let you explain.”

  “I don’t know if it’s much of a lead, but it’s something and more than we had yesterday.” Viktor’s eyes briefly met Ronan’s. “We scan the local police radios for anything out of the ordinary. There was a call late last night about a woman who went into a gas station, paid for her things, and left. As the cashier was putting the money into the cash register, the money disappeared.”

  “The cashier tried to stop her, but she had already gotten into a car and was driving off. He did, however, get the license plate number,” Bishop added, then shrugged. “This may be nothing, but it could be something. We follow all leads when looking for Orjyll. Once Sloan and Wyrick called us in, we did a search of the surrounding areas for Covens. There are none. That’s not to say there aren’t any witches, warlocks, or magical beings here, but not organized.”

  “This could be a witch helping Orjyll,” Ronan said, his eagerness to end this transparent.

  “Exactly,” Viktor said, then took the folder that Sloan had been looking at. He passed out photos. “Luckily, this particular gas station has a working and very high-grade security camera inside and outside. Not only do we have the make, model, and license plate number of the car, but a very clear image of the person who made the money disappear.”

  Ronan took the pictures, looking first at the car, then the clear image of the woman who seemed to be looking straight into the camera. “Doesn’t seem like she’s hiding who she is,” Ronan observed with a frown.

  “Thought the same thing,” Viktor replied, glancing down at the photo. “Then again, with all the dealings we’ve had with witches, some have the ‘come and get me if you can’ attitude. Whether she is just a down on her luck witch or working with the bastard, I think it’s important for us to find out which and find this witch.”

  “Ah, I see what you did there.” Steve who was now still and looking pain-free, nodded at Viktor. “Play on words. Which-witch. Clever.”

  “No.” Viktor frowned, his eyes narrowing.

  “You would think that.” Bishop chuckled. “But Viktor has no sense of humor, and he’s not that clever.”

  “Obviously.” Steve looked away from a glaring Viktor.

  “I did a search on the license plate number, and it comes up to a bogus address, which we figured,” Duncan added, not paying attention to Steve. “Bishop checked it out, and it’s a run-down drug house. I’ve already called it in to have it condemned.”

  “Everyone’s on duty tonight.” Sloan stood, looking over the group. “And if one person asks for time off for any reason, the answer is no, so don’t ask. Duncan will work out shifts for you guys, but don’t plan on any vacations for a while.”

  “Damn, I wanted a spa day.” Sid stood, rolling up the photos and sticking them in his back pocket. “Remind me to give old Orajel an extra ass beating for messing up my afternoon.”

  “Orajel?” Bishop snorted, his grin huge across his face. “As in toothache pain relief?”

  “Yeah.” Jared followed Sid out. “Though he’s becoming more of a pain in the ass.”

  “Maybe we could call him Hemorrhoid or Tucks as in hemorrhoid relief,” Bishop added thoughtfully.

  Sid and Jared both stopped and looked at him. “Dude, if you’re going to be around for a while, leave the nicknames to us.” Sid shook his head as if disgusted.

  “Way off the mark, man.” Jared also shook his head as they both walked out of the office.

  Steve stood slowly, and Ronan rolled his eyes at his theatrics. “Tucks has a good ring to it, but ya have to, you know, play off the name.” Steve thumbed over his shoulder. “Take Ronan for instance. Ronan McDonald… Ronald McDonald… see what I mean? It takes skill, man, it takes skill.”

  “And if you ever call me Ronald McDonald, I will demonstrate how I will kill you on Steve.” Ronan cocked his eyebrow at Steve, warning him to shut the hell up.

  Bishop laughed, shaking his head. “Damn it’s good to be around people who kid around and not be so damn serious.”

  “I wasn’t kidding,” Ronan replied, then nodded at Sloan as he walked out the door. He needed to make phone calls to his men to let them know it may be a while before they saw him, and then he needed to stop by and check on Kira.

  “Ronan, I want you working with Viktor and Bishop,” Sloan said before he could make his exit. “Go back and ask more questions if you have to at the gas station. Unfortunately, this is the only lead—if we can even call it that—we have.”

  “What about me, boss?” Steve was still trying to make his way to the door.

  “Well, if your balls can handle it, go with them,” Sloan replied, his tone stoic. “If they can’t, you’re fired.”

  “Damn, man.” Steve only turned his head to look at Sloan. Ronan just shook his head as he headed toward the door. “Haven’t you been kicked in the balls so hard that—”

  “Steve, I will never talk about my balls with you, and I’m fucking sick of hearing about yours,” Sloan roared, then took a step toward Steve. “You and your balls get the fuck out of my office.”

  “Seems like Sloan’s a cure-all.” Bishop chuckled as Steve hightailed it out of his office.

  “I’ll meet you guys outside in about five,” Ronan said as he passed them. “I have something to take care of.”

  “Show her the picture. She may know the witch,” Viktor called out, knowingly.

  Ronan frowned, not sure if he and Viktor were going to have issues or not. Something about him rubbed him the wrong way, and Ronan got along with most. He guessed he’d find that out today.

  Kira showered, slipped into her clothes and couldn’t stop smiling. She was sore from last night, and it had nothing to do with riding a horse. Ronan had been careful and tender that first time, but after that, he was a very vibrant lover, and she couldn’t seem to get enough of him.

  While getting her shower, the water hitting her still sensitive body had her panting as the memories of the night before and early morning plagued her mind. Before she realized it, she was not showering, but pleasuring herself with the memories of Ronan over top of her, plowing his hard cock inside her warmth. His hands were magic while his lips did things she never imagined, and what he did with his lower half blew her mind. For the first time in her life, she enjoyed taking a man’s hardness into her mouth.

  The wetness forming between her legs just thinking about it made her sigh. If she kept this up, she might as well toss the panties. Glancing at herself in the mirror, she frowned. Ronan had said he worshipped her body and that it was perfect and yet she hid behind large blouses and shirts with scarves. It was her style yet, she wanted to please him, and more than that, she wanted control of her own body and sexuality. Mostly, the large clothes were to help her hide her curves from the opposite sex. She’d spent all her life living in the shadows. Just maybe it was time to step out into the light, with Ronan by her side.

  Walking closer to the mirror, she unbuttoned her blouse, her eyes looking at her breasts. Moving the bra out of the way, she exposed her nipples and touched one. It was so sensitive from all the attention Ronan gave it last night that she gasped, but not in pain. Her areola was darker than usual, bruised by his tongue, teeth, and mouth. Her pussy clenched at the thought as more wetness spread. Taking off her shirt, she glanced at the drawer that held her meager clothes.

  Rummaging through it, she frowned. She didn’t have much, mostly the
same style of clothing, just different colors and patterns. The knock on her door made her jump. Wrapping her blouse around her, she cracked open the door and peeked out. Ronan stood on the other side with his sexy half grin.

  “Hey!” She smiled, then opened it wider so he could come in. He didn’t speak. He simply pulled her into his arms and kissed her. She forgot all about keeping her blouse closed and wrapped her arms around him. Seriously, she could not get enough of this man.

  When he ended the kiss, he glanced down. “What are you doing?” He cocked an eyebrow as his eyes finally found hers.

  “Looking for something to wear,” she replied, then started to close her blouse, but he stopped her.

  “Never hide from me.” His voice was deep, demanding yet kind. She didn’t take it as an order at all. “Do you need more clothes? I can make sure you have whatever you need.”

  “I’m a witch, Ronan.” She chuckled. “I can change clothes anytime I want. I try not to, but if I need it, I can get it. I just was thinking maybe I should start wearing, I don’t know, something different.”

  “Why?” He frowned, giving her a once-over.

  “Well, I don’t know. I just see the other women dressing a little more… womanly, I guess, and thought maybe you’d….” She felt uncomfortable, especially with the look he was giving her.

  “Kira, don’t ever think you have to change for me.” Ronan’s eyes did one more up-and-down glance. “My attraction has nothing at all to do with your clothes. I know exactly what’s under them and damn glad no other men do. This is you, darlin’. Don’t change, not for me.”

  “Really?” Kira’s heart fell a little more in love with him at that moment.

  “Yes, really.” He pulled her to him. “Plus, this skirt is easy access to such a sweet place.”

  Kira laughed as he started to pull her skirt up, then his phone rang. He threw her a look of apology before answering.

  “I’m coming,” he growled, then hung up. “Listen, Sloan has us all on duty with no end in sight, except for a couple of hours. I’ll text you later.”

  “Oh, okay,” she replied with a frown. “Is this about Orjyll?”

  “Actually—” He pulled something out of his back pocket and handed her a picture. “—do you know her?”

  Kira looked closely at the picture. “No, she isn’t familiar to me.”

  Ronan took the picture back then leaned down and kissed her before groaning when he pulled away and headed toward the door. “I’ll text you later.”

  “Who is she?” Kira asked, having a feeling this woman did, in fact, have something to do with Orjyll.

  “Just someone we need to question.” Ronan opened the door. “Don’t worry about it. I’ll talk to you soon.”

  “Wait.” Kira stopped him from closing the door. “Is she a witch? Is she working with Orjyll? If she’s a witch, I can help. Witches can change their appearance, and I can most of the time tell if the appearance has been altered.”

  “We don’t know any details yet.” Ronan smiled down as if trying to placate a child. “If we need help, I’ll let you know. Don’t go out. If you need something, just text me and I’ll make sure you get it.” He kissed the tip of her nose as he closed the door behind him.

  “So this is how it’s going to be?” Kira whispered, a bad feeling settling into the pit of her stomach. If Ronan McDonald thought because he’d been between her legs that she was going to be placed in a room and not fight the war she’d been fighting all her life, he had another thing coming. The sex wasn’t— Okay, the sex was phenomenal, but that didn’t mean she was to be placed in a corner as if she didn’t have a brain or the survival skills that she’d honed for years.

  With a twirl of her fingers, she was completely dressed in different clothing. What in the hell happened to her in the span of a few days? She had never tried to change anything about herself to please anyone, and here she was doing just that. Her feelings for Ronan had not changed, but she’d be damned if she lost herself in the process. It was up to her to take out Orjyll; at least that’s what Viktor and Bishop said upon their arrival.

  She twirled her finger once again. The picture that Ronan had shown her and taken back appeared between her fingers. Maybe it was time to stop running and set a trap of her own. Magic was exactly the way she could do that. Grabbing her bag, she walked out the door, closing it behind her. With purpose, she headed toward Mira’s room.

  Chapter 20

  Kira knocked on Mira and Steve’s door, but no one answered. She searched until she heard laughter coming from Sloan’s office, and it wasn’t the Warriors. She peeked in to see the women surrounding Sloan’s large computer screen with Becky at the controls.

  “Oh, Mira.” Becky sighed, as did Tessa and Angelina, who were looking over Becky and Mira’s shoulder. “This would be so pretty on you.”

  “Kira, look at this dress.” Mira had glanced her way then waved her over excitedly. “Isn’t it perfect?”

  Walking over, Kira looked at the dress on the screen and smiled. “That is so you, Mira.”

  “Steve said I could have them bring the dresses I want here to try on.” Mira grinned at her then look at the screen. “Okay, mark that page. Now let’s look at dresses for you guys.”

  “Now we’re talking.” Becky squealed. “Thank you so much for letting me help you. I always wanted a girl, so I could help her plan her wedding day.”

  “I appreciate the help.” Mira hugged her as they dove in looking at bridesmaid dresses.

  Kira had an epiphany that nearly broke her heart. Mira was not the same. Actually, she never had been what Kira had tried to make her out to be. This was the life Mira had wanted and finally, she was getting it. Marriage to a great guy who loved her, a family with Drew, friends to shop and plan with. Kira took a step back. She was here to change that, to ask her to embark on something dangerous. What in the hell was she doing? She couldn’t ask Mira to walk out of the safety of the compound, possibly leaving Drew to live without a mother who loved her so very much.

  Looking away, she opened her eyes wide, blinking continuously, trying to stay the tears she felt forming. No, she couldn’t do it. She couldn’t ask this of her sister. And damn her for putting her sister in so many dangerous situations in the past that Mira never wanted to be a part of in the first place. If anyone was going to make this right, it was her and no one else.

  “What do you think about this one, Kira?” Mira said, still staring at the screen. When Kira didn’t answer, she turned her head. “Kira?”

  Kira shook her thoughts away, knowing what needed to be done, then took a step closer. The gown was beautiful, but Kira couldn’t focus on that right now. “Good.” Kira nodded with a fake smile. “Whatever you choose will be fine.”

  That statement got Mira’s full attention. “I’m thinking of beige dresses for the bridesmaids.”

  “Whatever you chose is fine.” Kira still stared at the screen, not taking in what was really said.

  “Okay, what’s up?” Mira swirled the chair around to face Kira. “You wouldn’t be caught dead in a beige anything.”

  “Huh?” Kira finally heard exactly what Mira was saying. Shit! “I know you wouldn’t do that since I wouldn’t show up. Beige is a deal breaker, sis.”

  “Okay, there she is.” Mira sighed, but still watched her sister closely. “Thought we had an imposter for a minute.”

  “Nope, just tired me,” Kira lied; she was good at it. “I think I’m going to lay down for a while. Where’s Drew?”

  “Drew’s with Pam and Daniel.” Mira frowned. “It’s only noon. You sick?”

  More certain than ever that Mira was fine with this life, Kira also instantly realized she was not. She wasn’t meant to sit in a closed box, not that the huge compound was a box, but she needed the outdoors. A sexy Warrior in a cowboy hat blinded her to that fact.

  “I’m fine, just haven’t been sleeping very well.” Kira noticed Mira wasn’t the only one watching her closely. Tessa was
glued to their conversation. “New bed I guess.”

  Mira chuckled. “At least it’s a bed. We’ve slept in worse.” Mira shivered at the memory.

  “Yeah, we sure have. Listen, I’ll see you later tonight.” Kira needed to get the hell out of there. She turned and headed for the door. “No beige, Mira.”

  “I know,” Mira called out after her. “I know.”

  Once out of Sloan’s office, she hurried down the hallway deciding against leaving out the front door. She was stopped halfway to freedom.

  “Count me in.” Tessa’s voice came from behind her.

  Kira slowed without turning around, trying to figure out how to handle this situation. She really shouldn’t bring anyone else into this, and she sure as hell didn’t need Warriors up her butt about it.

  “Save your breath.” Tessa stopped beside her. “Let’s go. You can explain once we’re out of here.”

  “Tessa, I don’t think this is a good idea.” Kira remained still, yet deep down really wanted her to come with her.

  “Okay, Jared,” Tessa said with a roll of her eyes, then grinned. “If I don’t come, I’m blowing the whistle on you.”

  “I’m not—” Kira tried to deny, but Tessa wasn’t having it.

  “I said, save it,” Tessa repeated. “I have the same power my brother has, and I know exactly what’s going on in that witchy brain of yours. Now let me see the picture.”

  “Wow!” Kira actually pulled the photo out of her purse and handed it to Tessa. “Does Jared know?”

  “Nope.” Tessa studied the picture then handed it back to her. “When he's not an asshole, I’ll tell him… maybe.”

  Kira laughed, but it faded when she looked into Tessa’s eyes. The sadness was there, but she was putting on a brave front. “I’d appreciate your help.”

  “That’s more like it.” Tessa hugged her. Then they started back down the hallway. “I know a lot of people, which could be to our advantage. We’ll find out who and where she is.”