Chapter 6 - The Sister Who Finally Came Home
Fallon appeared at Fiona’s apartment the next morning carrying coffee.
Fiona opened the door.
“No.”
“Black for me. Vanilla for you.”
“No.”
“And bagels.”
Fiona stared at the bag.
“What kind?”
“Everything.”
Fiona stepped aside.
“That bought you five minutes.”
Fallon entered.
For a while, neither spoke.
Finally Fiona asked:
“Why did you really leave?”
Fallon stared at her coffee.
“Victor approached me after Mom’s funeral.”
“What did he say?”
“That Dad had stolen information. He told me if I didn’t find it, he’d come after you.”
“So you joined him?”
“I made myself useful.”
“And Ronan?”
“Protection.”
“You married a mafia boss for protection?”
Fallon smiled faintly.
“You’ve met Ronan.”
Fiona couldn’t argue.
Fallon’s expression softened.
“I thought if I became dangerous enough, nobody would look at you.”
“You could have called.”
“No.”
“Once.”
“No.”
“A birthday card.”
“Fiona—”
“I thought you didn’t care.”
Fallon’s eyes filled.
“That was the hardest part.”
Fiona went quiet.
Fallon continued.
“If you hated me, you wouldn’t search for me. If you didn’t search, Victor couldn’t use you.”
Fiona looked down.
“You don’t get six years back.”
“I know.”
“But you can start with today.”
Fallon looked at her.
“Is that forgiveness?”
“It’s breakfast.”
Fallon laughed through her tears.
“I’ll take it.”
A knock came at the door.
Fiona opened it.
Ronan stood outside.
Fallon looked over.
“Oh, absolutely not.”
Fiona frowned.
“What are you doing here?”
Ronan held out an envelope.
“Your back pay.”
“My what?”
“Henderson & Pike fired you.”
Fiona’s mouth dropped open.
“What?”
“They discovered several men asking questions about you.”
“You said they thought I was visiting family.”
“That was before Victor’s people appeared.”
Fiona grabbed her phone.
“I’m calling Mr. Henderson.”
“No need.”
“Why?”
“I bought Henderson & Pike.”
Silence.
Fallon slowly put down her coffee.
Fiona stared at Ronan.
“You bought my company?”
“Yesterday.”
“You cannot solve everything by buying it!”
“I’m beginning to understand that.”
“Sell it.”
“I will.”
“To who?”
“The employees.”
That stopped her.
Ronan handed her the envelope.
“Your position is protected. So is everyone else’s.”
Fiona stared at him.
“Why?”
His answer was simple.
“Because I caused the problem.”
Fallon stood.
“I suddenly need to be anywhere else.”
“Fallon.”
The door closed behind her.
Fiona sighed.
Ronan looked toward the hallway.
“She still enjoys manipulating people.”
“You married her.”
“I’ve made mistakes.”
Fiona almost smiled.
Then she became serious.
“What happens now?”
“With Victor?”
“Yes.”
“His partners are abandoning him. Authorities received enough financial evidence to keep several agencies busy for years.”
“And Fallon?”
“Free to choose her own life.”
“You?”
Ronan looked at Fiona.
“Also trying something new.”
“What?”
“Leaving when I’m not invited.”
He turned toward the door.
Fiona watched him.
“Ronan.”
He stopped.
“Coffee?”
He looked back.
“Is that an invitation?”
“It’s coffee.”
“Understood.”
He stepped inside.
Fiona pointed at a chair.
“No bodyguards.”
“They’re downstairs.”
“Send them away.”
Ronan texted Patrick.
“Done.”
“No threats.”
“Done.”
“No calling me Fallon.”
His expression changed.
“I won’t make that mistake again.”
Fiona handed him a cup.
“Good.”
Ronan accepted it.
Their fingers touched.
May you like
This time, he didn’t search her hand for a scar.
---
