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“Andy was lying to you. Theresa was single the entire time. He was bidding his time until it suited him personally. Let’s just say Andy had designs on Ciaran that were less than platonic.”
Dad’s eyebrows rose. “Oh?”
“Like I said, he was manipulating Ciaran, and you, too. Theresa was clueless, but once you met Theresa, Andy figured you’d fall for her, and set her up as a girlfriend for a year or two. If that happened, it meant you’d visit Theresa in Vegas and probably offer to pay for Ciaran’s college.”
“I did one better.” Dad chuckled. “I married the woman as fast as she’d let me.”
I wanted to laugh, but it was too serious a situation in my mind. “But Andy didn’t anticipate that. He didn’t plan for you to move them to Malibu. He wanted Ciaran to stay in Vegas, to be close to him.”
“Wait.” Dad’s brows snapped together. “Are you saying?—”
“It’s not my story to tell,” I cut in, “but Ciaran needed to confront Andy about a few things, to gain closure, so to speak. So I drove him there and Andy got what he deserved. He won’t be bothering Ciaran ever again.” I could have mentioned the business about the artifacts, but that’d open a can of worms I wasn’t interested in discussing with my father tonight, or ever. If Ciaran had his way, that part of my life was over. “That’s why we were in Vegas last night. I’m sorry we ignored everyone’s calls and texts, but it was late and we slept in before we started driving back. For what it’s worth, I’m sorry the staff contacted you. They were concerned about us.”
Dad was silent for a moment, taking it all in.
As late as it was, my body felt as tight as pulled wire even as I yearned to climb into bed next to Ciaran and sleep for twenty-four hours straight. But Ciaran was upstairs talking to Theresa. Part of the worry zipping around in my chest was the outcome of that conversation.
As I was speaking, Dad’s expression darkened as his jaw ticked. No one liked being made a fool of, and my father was no different. The difference was, Stefon Vaulteneau had the means and power to make others pay for their actions.
Dad stood and paced before the doorway that led to the foyer. “Ciaran is my family—our family—and no one messes with my family.” His voice was low but tinged with muted amounts of danger. Thankfully it was not directed at me. “Andy will be dealt with.”
I knew better than to ask for details.
“Thanks, Dad.”
“Come here, kiddo.” He motioned for me to join him. He surprised me by enveloping me a fierce hug. I fell into his strong arms, feeling like a kid again, which, in this case, wasn’t a bad thing. Dad kissed the top of my head like he used to do when I was much younger. He wasn’t the most affectionate of fathers, but there’d never been doubt in my mind that he loved me and Dante. “I’ll smooth things over with Theresa about you and Ciaran. And,” he said, ruffling my hair, “I want to see proof of enrollment in rehab within a few days, Matthias.”
Stepping back, I gave him a sheepish grin. He only called me by my full name when he meant business. He put his arm around my shoulder as he led me out of the formal living room.
“You got it.”
We stopped in the foyer and I looked over. Theresa and Ciaran were coming down the stairs.
Given the red rings around their eyes, I could tell it had been an emotional conversation. My heart ached for my boyfriend.
I desperately wanted to go to Ciaran, to comfort him, and realized I could do that. There was nothing to stop me.
Four steps later, I stopped at the bottom of the staircase and stretched out my hand for Ciaran, “Let’s go to bed, babe.”
I didn’t miss how Theresa’s expression softened toward me. Hope bloomed in my chest when no one objected as Ciaran’s warm hand slid into mine.
“Good night, boys,” Theresa said, her voice tender.
As I looked at her beautiful, though tired, face, I hoped that my eyes conveyed that I’d take care of Ciaran tonight.
That I’d take care of him forever, if he’d let me.
Theresa offered me a slight nod.
I called out a good night for the both of us as I led Ciaran outside. It was well past midnight. The evening was cool and breezy, the threat of rain thick in the air. The moon was hidden behind fast-moving clouds, so Ciaran’s face was swathed in shadows.
He didn’t seem to want to look at me.
“Hey,” I said, pausing our progress toward the guesthouse. “Look at me, babe.” I tipped his chin up. The shadows on his face revealed just how tired he was. But it also told me he was content, like he’d gotten everything off his chest. I was so damn proud of him. It would be too much to ask about tonight, of course. Ciaran needed TLC, not a hundred questions.
“Hey,” he said through a small smile.
“I love you,” I blurted. “And I dare you to love me.”
