Pat leaned close to Nan’s ear so no one would hear and whispered, “Remember how much you love Devlen. Be brave for him.”
She took a deep breath, blinking her eyes rapidly to stop the tears from falling. Raven had grabbed Bran’s hand in distress. She knew something was going on. It wasn’t Pat’s place to tell her, though, or Bran, for that matter.
Nan said, “I’m ready to go now.”
“I’m staying with Pat.” Dad could literally make an awkward situation worse with absolutely no effort whatsoever. Pat was about to object when he added, “We’re going to grab lunch and a drink so he can tell me about his progress on the distillery.”
Patrick only nodded. Bran said to text him where they were, and once they were done at the apartment and he got Raven settled, he’d meet them because he wanted an update on the property as well.
“Did you just say, ‘Get me settled,’ Bran?”
“I... no, I... I didn’t mean it that way,” Bran cringed, probably hearing how pathetic he sounded. “Rave,” he began, taking his wife’s hands, “you know I worry. I can’t help it.”
Raven’s expression softened. “I worry for you too, Bran. Love goes both ways.” Once they were done staring into each other’s eyes, Raven announced, “So, that’s settled. After we see Nan’s apartment and she finalizes a few details, we’ll all meet you wherever you guys end up.”
* * *
Patrick could barely focus.He was in the middle of discussing the property details with his dad, but his focus was on whether River would be coming with everyone else. Surely not. Her sisters would tell her that he was here.
“What had Bébhinn so anxious?”
He shouldn’t be surprised his dad noticed. The man noticed everything. He would know soon anyway. He might as well tell. “She’s engaged to Mr. Dunn and worried the girls won’t approve.”
“They will.”
“I told her that. Several times. Devlen is a nice man.”
“He is.”
“I told Nan I would buy her property and put it in the girls’ names. Nan will be moving in with Devlen. His property connects to hers.”
“Of course. Should I call our attorney to start the paperwork?”
“Not yet. We need to ask how they feel about it first. They may want to go together and buy it themselves, though I believe Nan’s property is worth a considerable amount, and it may strap them for cash.”
“Why not just tell them after it’s done?”
Sighing, Pat rubbed his head. The beginnings of a headache were forming. “For starters, I like my balls where they are.”
His dad sighed then too. “True.” Drumming his fingers against the table in agitation, Dad finally told Patrick, “The FBI monitoring Delton’s rape page said that he was starting to take some online heat from subscribers pissed that he hadn’t produced the video he’d promised... of Rowan and Jo.”
“What is the FBI saying? The detectives?”
“That he may feel pressed to act sooner than later— encourage rash behavior. He is probably manic that he hasn’t been able to get near us. No computer access. Nothing. We’re too heavily guarded. They’re definitely worried about him escalating.”
“I guess the only comfort is knowing how well guarded we all are. Delton will show himself eventually, and they’ll catch him. They have to, Dad. For fuck’s sake. This nightmare has gone on long enough. I hate that Bran has to worry about the safety of his wife and child every moment.”
“I don’t like River and Rowan living on their own. Even with guards.”
“Why did they insist on it? Everyone knew I was going to stay at a hotel. They could have stayed with you guys where it was safer. I promised River I’d keep my distance, and I would have kept that promise.”
Dad rubbed his hand several times over his face and beard, clearly frustrated. “I believe it was more Rowan than River. They told Raven they didn’t want to be burdens. Just because Raven was married to Bran didn’t mean we were responsible for her sisters. Total bullshit.”
Patrick almost snapped that he had more reason to hate the separation than his father, but he managed to refrain. His dad was obviously going through something too. “Did you tell them they would never be considered burdens?”
“No.”
Alrighty then.
