LISA’S POV “Oh look, your car is over there too, Ronan,” I say, motioning toward the car parked outside my apartment.“Oh yeah,” he replies, but still turns to go back to the apartment with me.“So…” I raise a brow, motioning at the car. I don’t say anything, but I know he understands what I’m trying to say. I want him gone too. I’m too exhausted to start another argument after what happened between me and Adam earlier. Whatever he wants to discuss is none of my business. We had a deal, which he signed and agreed to.“So…” He repeats my word with a cocked brow and a slight smirk. I don’t know what he’s getting at by trying to play dumb, but I’m too cranky to keep dragging it on.“So… you should get into it and drive back to wherever you came from.” Okay, that came out a little meaner than intended.“I will,” he says, and I almost smile. “But before that, we have some things we need to talk about, and until then, I don’t think I’ll be leaving.” With a single glance at his face, I know
LISA’S POV“It was a one-time thing,” I say, mustering all the willpower I have left.“A one-time thing that happened all night long. You know, I stopped counting after the third round.” I don’t know why his words made my cheeks heat up. This shouldn’t be happening. Why isn’t my body aligning with my brain?“I don’t think that’s what happened. What I remember was more of a quickie.”“Oh, is that so?” He taunts, raising my chin with his fingers. “People make babies during quickies too, you know.”I don’t know when his words began having this effect on me. For some reason, I can’t bring myself to say no or even move away. If I’m being honest, I think I even like his hands on me, the sparks his touch ignites in me.No, Lisa, you need to stop this. You need to stop whatever these feelings are. This man is the same man who betrayed you, and he’s only doing this so you’ll tell him the kids are his. Then, he’s going to steal them from you.You can’t trust him or whatever is going to come out
LISA’S POV“I don’t think she is, but I’ll let you think whatever you want, Lisa,” he sighs. “People don’t change, remember?” He used my own words against me. the same words i used to tell years ago whenever he complained about ithers to me “Those words of yours could’ve easily sent me into a spiral, and I would have walked away without looking back, not even once. But not now. Not when my children are involved. Maybe you won’t give me a chance, and we don’t get to work out our differences or rekindle what we once had, even if it was just for a little while. But I want to be there for my kids. I might’ve been a shitty partner, but I want to try my best to be the best father I can be to them.”I don’t know what to feel at this point. Ronan is giving me too many mixed signals.I know he’s lying, but then if he wants to be the best father, how does he plan to do that? Ronan has gone back on his word twice already how can I be sure he won’t just take my kids from me if he finds out they’
RONAN’S POV“Mate? Kids?” That explains a lot. She has no idea that Gretchen left me four years ago.I wanted to run after her and clear things up, tell her that she is my mate and that the only kids I have are the ones we share. The kids she keeps claiming aren’t mine, but I know they are.Before I came here, I wasn’t sure, but now, after seeing her, I’m convinced. From her body language, her delayed responses, the way her nose flares every so often, and how she looked like she was about to cry all of it said everything. A long time ago, that was how I knew she was holding something back, and she still is. The difference now is that she’s lying instead of telling the truth like she used to when cornered.Every ounce of my body is telling me to run after her, clear this up, and not leave until she confirms with her own mouth that I’m the father of those kids and the other two I haven’t seen yet.Because I clearly heard that Adam guy say she has quads, and if my English is correct, qu
RONAN’S POV“Jack, I haven’t seen much of you lately,” Dad says after wiping his mouth with a napkin.Since we came, I haven’t had the right chance to talk to him. It’s actually hard to get the right time to talk when he’s acting like I don’t even exist.“I’ve been working on the border security, and I’ve had a little issue with the coding in some sections. If it wasn’t treated urgently, we would need to start everything from the beginning. I’m sorry I wasn’t there when you woke up, Uncle,” Jack says. He was busy, and I know he didn’t come by probably because he didn’t want to clash with me.“No hard feelings, my boy. We’ve got plenty of time to catch up and make up for all the lost time,” Dad smiled, ruffling Jack’s hair. Unlike me, Jack didn’t complain or disapprove; he just smiled and raked his hands through his hair to fix the damage Dad did to his hair.“You know, back in my time, we didn’t use all these robotic and computer things. We fought with our bare hands to protect. But a
RONAN’S POV"I know you're still mad at me, but can you give me a chance this time?" I say, handing Jack a bottle of malt. It’s the closest thing to beer in the house.Dad needs to stay sober for six months, so when he got back home, he made me toss out everything with alcohol. Not that there was much to begin with."Shoot then," Jack leans back into the chair that’s been laid out like a bed. We’re currently on the rooftop, sitting in reclining chairs, just like we used to when we were teenagers."What I did the other day was wrong. I shouldn’t have said what I said. I was just...""Blinded by jealousy and anger?" Jack raises a brow, taking a sip from his bottle."Well... yes, I was blinded by my anger." Jack is like a hawk he notices things you'd never think he would, and his speculations are almost always right. I don’t know how he figured it out, but he did. I was jealous, but I couldn’t admit it after the first accusation."And you were jealous," he adds. I knew he’d make me admit
LISA’S POV “You really should consider giving that man a chance, you know,” Jessica states, taking a whiff of the flowers Ronan brought with him this time.He has been coming here for the past few days, trying to persuade me. Each day with a different bouquet of flowers, all in an attempt to get me to even listen to him. But I haven’t. I don’t want to. He is the last person I want to waste my time on. For some reason, though, Jessica has been trying to get me to talk to him.“I’m not interested in looking at his face, much less listening to whatever nonsense he has to say,” I frown, focusing my attention on the television, pretending to understand whatever the heck I’m watching.“I know he’s been a jerk to you and all, but he’s trying, you know. Coming here when he has a pack to run and everything, it’s a sign of a changed man.”“You think?” I couldn’t help but chuckle. The last thing Ronan is, is *changed*. Men like him never change. They don’t care about others, only about themselv
LISA’S POV“Mommy,” Sergio whispers.“Yes, my love,” I kneel to his level.“Why does the guy with the black hoodie keep following us?” His voice is alert, with hints of fear and a slight stutter.I guess I wasn’t the only one feeling like we were being followed. “No, don’t look at him,” Sergio cautions when I try to glance in the direction.“I need to look at him to know if he’s following us, Sergie.”“No, Captain Spy says we shouldn’t make it obvious when we think someone’s watching.” I couldn’t help but chuckle at the seriousness in his tone.“How do I know he’s following us if I don’t look at him, Sergie?”Captain Spy is the new cartoon Sergio has been obsessed with. Ever since the school closed for the summer holidays, the kids have been watching more cartoons, thanks to Jessica. He’s been watching a lot of Captain Spy and now he thinks everything in real life is just like it is in the cartoon.He even made me enrol him in judo instead of karate like his siblings for the summer se
RONAN’S POV.The sun had already set by the time we returned to the pack house. Kyle carried Penny, who had fallen asleep somewhere along the way, her tiny head resting on his shoulder. Sergio was in my arms, his small body heavy with sleep until he stirred, rubbing his eyes groggily. The men I brought with me had already been dismissed, though not without Kyle warning them: "If I hear anything about that bear from anyone, you’ll lose your heads." They had nodded and slinked off, knowing better than to test his word. As we reached the apartment, I shifted Sergio gently in my arms and knocked on the door. For a moment, everything was quiet. Then the door swung open. Lisa stood there, her expression anxious and uncertain until her eyes landed on the sleepy boy in my arms. “Sergio!” she gasped, her hands flying to cover her mouth. Tears welled in her eyes as she dropped to her knees, unable to contain her relief. The boy’s sleepy face lit up with a tired but genuine smile. “
RONAN’S POV I rush toward the bear, intent on pulling the kids off, but the beast lets out another guttural growl, sharp canines glistening with drool. It's a warning: Take one step, and I’ll tear you apart.But I don't care if it rips me to shreds so long as I can get those children away and ensure their safety, I'll take whatever comes.“Don’t attack us,” Sergio says calmly, his small voice cutting through the tension.The bear lowers its growl as Sergio pats it on the head. “It’s okay, Bruno. They won’t hurt us it’s just my daddy and his friends,” he says with a smile.To my surprise, the bear kneels, allowing Sergio to slide off its back like it's nothing more than a trained pony.“Daddy!” Sergio runs toward me, his tiny arms outstretched. I scoop him up, letting out a breath I didn’t realize I was holding. The relief washes over me like a wave, he's safe. But the bear's dark eyes are still fixed on me, tracking every move I make as if daring me to try something reckless.From th
RONAN’S POV“Kyle, you stay back. Howard and Team A will come with me,” I state firmly, knowing full well Kyle is going to argue. But he needs rest. Those bastards roughed him up, and I made him interrogate them again. As much as he won’t admit it, he’s not at full strength yet.Team A is made up of our most trusted warriors. I would’ve gone alone, but I need all the eyes I can get and only trusted eyes. Someone from the inside helped with the kidnapping; I feel it in my gut.Even though they got in during the race, they couldn’t have made it this far without help. When I find out who betrayed us, I’ll make an example of them so no one ever tries it again.Kyle stands his ground, hands in his pockets. “I’m coming with you.”His wounds have mostly healed, just a slight pinkish tint on his cheek. But it doesn’t change the fact that he needs rest.“No, you need to go and rest,” I tell him firmly.“My niece is missing too,” Kyle says quietly, his gaze unwavering. “Both kids are like my ow
RONAN'S POVFolding the sleeves of my blue button up shirt, I slip on my brass knuckles before taking a seat opposite him. The blonde guy across from me looks seconds away from pissing his pants. I tap the table lightly and lean forward with a cold smile. “We're in for some games tonight. I hope you’re ready.” He glares at me, trying to act tough. “What do you want from me?” I rest my elbows on the table. “First, how about you tell me your name?” “I’m not telling you shit,” he snarls. “Wrong answer,” I mutter, slamming my brass-covered fist into his face once, then twice. The sound of bone cracking echoes through the room as blood pours from his mouth. A tooth drops onto the table with a dull clink, and he groans in pain, spitting blood. “That should tell you I’m not here to play your ‘loyal spy’ games,” I say, wiping my knuckles clean. “Now, let’s try this again. What’s your name?” “Abel,” he whispers, trying hard to sound calm, but the fear in his eyes gives him away.
RONAN’S POV “Baby, are you okay?” I ask, though I already know the answer. I don’t need to ask to know she isn’t okay. For the past three days, she hasn’t cried or shown any vulnerability. I know she wants Sergio back, I do too. Just the thought of what might be happening to my son right now makes me sick. I don’t know exactly what is going on, but if even a single strand of hair is missing from his head when I find him, I will make sure I burn down any pack or territory involved, no matter how small their part. “Do I look like I’m okay?” she asks, raising an eyebrow. “You don’t look okay,” I reply softly. She looks far from it. I know exactly what she’s doing, suppressing her emotions to stay strong. Gemma has been all over the place, crying and begging me to find her daughter. Lisa has been the only one holding things together, which means she’s bottling everything up to stay rational for everyone’s sake. But it’s eating her alive, and I know it because I feel it too. “L
LISA'S POV In a flash, we are no longer behind the bleachers, and the entire place erupts into chaos. People scatter in every direction, panicked voices rising over one another. My heart stutters in my chest, and my mind goes blank. My entire body freezes as if someone flipped a switch, cutting off my ability to think, move, or even breathe.Everything feels like it has stopped.“Lisa, I need to get you to safety now, please, don’t panic,” Ronan urges, his voice strained with urgency.His words barely register. It feels like I’m hearing them underwater, faint and distant. My limbs are paralyzed, every muscle locked in place, as if I have forgotten how to move.“I can’t go.” My voice is a trembling whisper as I take a step toward the chaotic crowd.“Lisa, no, it’s not safe in there,” Ronan shouts above the noise, trying to hold me back.“The kids are still in there! How am I supposed to leave when my children are caught in that madness?” My voice cracks with desperation as I try to sh
LISA'S POV "I need to take this," I told Gemma, slipping my phone into my hand. "Can you keep an eye on Sergio for me?""Of course," Gemma said, giving me a reassuring smile."Hello," I say as I reach the back of the benches."Hey, Lis. I need your help. I’ve got a patient, and he’s not breathing," Jessica's voice comes through the line, shaky and alarmed."Jessie, I need you to calm down. Breathe," I say slowly, using my most soothing tone. I wait as she takes a few deep breaths. When she sounds steadier, I continue, "Okay, tell me what’s going on.""He’s out of surgery, and when he woke up, everything was fine. But then he fell asleep, and I thought it was just regular sleep, but... I think someone disconnected the heart monitor.""Have you tried turning it back on?" I ask."Yes, I did. I even tried CPR, but he’s not responding. I called for backup, but they’re not here yet, and I don’t want to leave the room. I don’t want to leave him alone," she says, her panic creeping back."Ok
LISA'S POV. “Uh... hi,” I manage to mumble, awkwardly patting her back before stepping away.Gretchen pulls back, her smile never faltering. "I've heard a lot about you. It's so nice to finally put a face to the name," "Good things, I hope?" I replied, trying to sound polite."Very good things," she assured me with another smile. Then her gaze shifted down. "And who is this little guy?" She crouched to Sergio’s level, but he quickly ran to hide behind me."Oh, that's my son. He tends to be a little shy around new people," I explained, gently patting Sergio’s head."He's adorable!" she said with a small wave in his direction, but Sergio clung tighter to my leg. Gretchen didn’t seem offended and stood back up, brushing it off easily. She then turned toward Gemma with a friendly grin."And you must be Gemma, right?"The easy smile that had been on Gemma’s face moments ago faded. She raised a brow, her expression shifting from cheerful to wary. After all the excitement she’d shown earli
LISA'S POVA few seconds ago, I was smiling, happy, and even laughing at Gemma’s playful remarks. But now, all the warmth in my chest has evaporated. My mood sours with every whisper I hear from the crowd seated behind us murmurs about how good Gretchen looks next to Ronan, and how perfect they seem together.Each compliment stings more than the last, spreading like poison through my veins.I grip the edge of my seat, resisting the urge to turn around and tell everyone to shut up. My fingers itch to strangle something anything or maybe just slap the smug smiles off those who keep talking about how they “compliment each other.”Ronan’s gaze burns into me, but I refuse to look his way. I won’t give him the satisfaction. Not when he’s sitting right next to her. My phone buzzes in my pocket again and again. I don’t need to check to know it’s him. it has tobe him. But this time, I won’t bite. I don’t want to give him the chance to explain or justify whatever nonsense he thinks is acceptab