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“Well, well, well. Good morning, sleeping beauty,” I poke as he slides into a chair beside Ronan.
He scoffs, “Nice to see you’re feeling better.”
I laugh as I turn around to grab the now-full pot of coffee, pouring each of us a glass and leaving a decent amount for Harper.
“Hey, I gotta talk to you about something,” Ronan says as he reaches for his mug.
“What’s up?”
“I saw her for the first time before I put her into the tub—really saw her. She’s so thin, you guys.” I swallow hard. “I didn’t ask, but it’s obvious he starved her. I know Doc gave her vitamins, but I think it’s important we pay close attention to what she’s eating over the next couple of days.”
I nod adamantly, willing to do whatever we need to to get our girl healthy again. “I’ll make sure I use a lot of full-fat foods and red meats over the next few days.”
“Okay, good,” Ronan answers.
Finn and I share a look, silently begging one another to ask Ronan the question we’re both too terrified to ask Harper. Being the know-it-all he is, my brother must pick up on our looks. “Just ask me what you want to ask me.”
I look at Finn, pleading for him to be the one to spit the words out. Finally, he lets out a heavy sigh, “Did he rape her?” He spits out the question as if the words taste like poison on his tongue. In a way, I’m sure they do.
Ronan pauses for a beat, and I swear to God, it’s the longest second of my life. “No.” Finn and I both let out a harsh breath. “She said he didn’t touch her like that. He beat her,” he draws his hands into fists, “but he didn’t touch her.”
“Thank God,” Finn says as he drops his head into his hands.
“I know,” Ronan replies. “I mean, we know that Declan sent Logan here because he caught him with a guy, but I just wasn’t sure. Declan doesn’t seem to have a lot of limits, so I wasn’t sure Logan would have any, either. Thankfully, I was wrong.”
Finn and I both nod in agreement. I lean down, placing my forearms on the cool marble. “Speaking of Declan and Logan, what are we going to do?”
“I think we should give it a few days,” Finn answers. “She’s safe here.”
Ronan immediately hangs his head in regret, surely beating himself up over the fact that she was taken from the apartment in the first place. But the truth of the matter is, it’s not his fault. It’s none of ours. Logan had a solid background check by a company we regularly use, and he put on a damn good show. None of us blamed Ronan for what happened, and we never will.
Finn pats Ronan on the back. “She is safe here, Ronan. None of us plan on leaving over the next few days. The groceries are all taken care of, and if Harper needs to see Doc for any reason, he can come here. I already spoke to Ralph last night. He pulled extra security and has them posted throughout the building. His team is filled with nothing but men he’s known since he was a SEAL. We still don’t know where Logan is anyway, and Declan can’t get to us here. Plus, we all could use the rest.”
“We should have used Ralph and his guys in the first place,” Ronan mutters.
“We probably should have,” answers Finn. “But our first instinct was to rely on the same company we’ve been using since Liam was in charge. Now we know. We can’t change what happened, Ronan. The best we can do is learn from it.”
“Finn’s right, brother. The most important thing we can do now is move on so we can keep her safe.” Ronan’s eyes lift to meet mine. “I agree with Finn. I think we all need to take a breather for a few days. Try to get Harper back in good health and rest up.”
Ronan knocks his knuckles on the countertop. “Yeah, you guys are right.”
Finn bumps him on the shoulder. “Let us help you make some of these decisions, man. You don’t need to do it all on your own.”
Reluctantly, Ronan nods, “I know, I know.”
“Ronan, I’m done.” Harper’s voice sings-songs through the apartment, and Ronan’s face instantly lights up.
“Be right there, Baby,” he yells back with a dopey smile.
I can’t help the laugh that bubbles out of me. Finn does the same. “Be right there, Baby,” Finn and I both mock him at the same time.
“You know what,” Ronan shoves out of his chair while flipping each of us off, “I don’t even care.” Finn and I laugh louder as he makes his way back towards Harper’s room, calling over his shoulder as he goes, “And make us some breakfast, asshole!”
I’m laughing so hard now I’m crying, and I don’t even try to stop it.
19
Harper
