Chapter 4: Dangerous alliance

The next morning began with a knock on my door. I was already awake, staring blankly out the window as the early sunlight spilled into the garden.

“It’s me,” Ronan’s voice came from the other side.

I hesitated before opening the door. His presence still unnerved me, but there was an undeniable pull that made it hard to stay distant.

“Come in,” I said, stepping back.

He entered, his expression serious. He was dressed casually today, in a fitted black shirt and dark jeans, but the weight of his authority clung to him like a second skin.

“Are you ready to talk about what you know?” he asked without preamble.

I swallowed hard, clutching the folder in my hands. “I’ve been thinking about it all night.”

“Good. Sit.” He gestured to the small sitting area by the window.

I sat down reluctantly, and he followed, his sharp eyes trained on me.

“Start from the beginning,” he said.

I hesitated, the memories rising like bile in my throat. “David… he wasn’t always this way. When we met, he was charming and attentive. I thought he loved me. But after we got married, everything changed.”

Ronan listened intently, his expression unreadable.

“Kate was always there,” I continued, my voice trembling. “At first, I thought she was just being supportive, but then… it became clear she was after more. My parents adored her, and treated her like the daughter they wished I could be. And David…” I paused, my chest tightening. “David started to treat her like she was the wife he wanted.”

Ronan’s jaw tightened, his hands clasped together. “And your abduction?”

“That’s where it all started,” I said bitterly. “I was ten years old. I don’t remember much about what happened, just bits and pieces. But when I came back years later, Kate had taken over my life. My parents barely acknowledged me. They said I was too damaged, too different.”

“Your parents sound like fools,” Ronan said bluntly.

I blinked, startled by his candor.

“You don’t owe them anything,” he continued. “And as for David and Kate, they’ll pay for what they’ve done.”

His words should have comforted me, but instead, they filled me with a strange mix of hope and fear.

---

Over the next few days, Ronan and I worked together to piece together the puzzle of David and Kate’s plans. It wasn’t easy reliving those memories, but Ronan had a way of drawing out the details without making me feel weak.

I learned more about his world, too. The estate wasn’t just his home—it was his fortress. Every room was equipped with state-of-the-art security, and the staff moved with the precision of a well-trained army.

One afternoon, as we were poring over documents in his office, Matteo walked in with a grim expression.

“We’ve got a problem,” he said.

Ronan looked up sharply. “What kind of problem?”

“David’s been making moves. He’s meeting with a man named Victor Santos—one of our rivals.”

“Santos?” Ronan’s voice was dangerously calm.

Matteo nodded. “They’ve been seen together twice in the past week. My guess is they’re planning something.”

Ronan’s eyes darkened, and I felt a shiver run down my spine.

“What do you know about Santos?” I asked hesitantly.

Ronan glanced at me, his expression softening slightly. “He’s a dangerous man. Greedy, unpredictable. If David is working with him, it means he’s planning something big.”

“What do we do?” I asked.

“We stay ahead of them,” Ronan said firmly. “Matteo, double the security. And find out what Santos wants from David.”

“Consider it done,” Matteo said before leaving the room.

Ronan turned back to me, his expression unreadable. “This is going to get messy, Ashley. Are you sure you’re ready for this?”

I met his gaze, my resolve hardening. “I don’t have a choice.”

---

That evening, I found myself wandering through the estate’s gardens. The air was cool and crisp, the stars glittering overhead.

I hadn’t heard from David or Kate since I left, and the silence was beginning to unnerve me.

“Couldn’t sleep?”

I turned to find Ronan standing behind me, his hands in his pockets.

“No,” I admitted. “There’s too much on my mind.”

He stepped closer, his presence warm and grounding. “You don’t have to face this alone, you know.”

I looked up at him, my chest tightening. “Why are you helping me, Ronan? You don’t even know me.”

He was silent for a moment, his gaze intense. “I see something in you, Ashley. Strength. Resilience. You’ve been through hell, but you’re still standing.”

His words stirred something deep inside me, something I hadn’t felt in a long time.

“And because I want you,” he added, his voice low.

My breath hitched, and I took a step back. “Ronan…”

“I’m not asking for anything right now,” he said quickly. “But I need you to know where I stand.”

His honesty was disarming, and for the first time, I didn’t feel like running.

---

The next morning, I woke to chaos.

Matteo burst into my room, his face grim. “You need to get dressed. Now.”

“What’s going on?” I asked, panic rising in my chest.

“There’s been a breach,” he said. “We think it’s Santos’ men.”

My heart raced as I hurried to get dressed. Matteo led me downstairs, where Ronan was barking orders to his men.

When he saw me, his expression softened slightly. “You’re safe,” he said, his voice steady.

“What’s happening?” I asked.

“Santos sent a message,” Ronan said grimly. “He wants to meet.”

“A meeting?” Matteo asked, frowning.

Ronan nodded. “It’s a trap, but we don’t have a choice. Ashley, you’ll stay here under heavy guard. Matteo, you’re with me.”

“I’m not staying here,” I said impulsively.

“Yes, you are,” Ronan said firmly.

“No,” I shot back. “If this is about me, I’m not hiding. I can help.”

Ronan stared at me, his jaw tight. Finally, he sighed. “Fine. But you stay by my side at all times. Understood?”

“Understood,” I said, my heart pounding.