Chapter 6
Ronan exhaled sharply as he stepped into the hospital lobby, the cool air a sharp contrast to the warmth of the limo. His body still felt off—like he hadn't fully settled back into himself since everything changed. But right now, he had bigger concerns.
Dean was waiting for him, his hand in his pockets, leaning against the wall near the reception desk. The second he spotted Ronan, he pushed off, his expression sowhere between relief and suspicion.
"You gonna tell what the hell that was about, or do I have to beat it out of you?"
"Wouldn't recomnd that," Ronan muttered. "You'd break your hand."
Dean didn't look amused. He had been there when Nathaniel's n showed up, but now that Ronan was back, he wanted answers.
"You left without a word, and now you're just strolling back like nothing happened?" Dean's voice had an edge to it. "Who were those guys?"
Ronan considered his response. He could lie. Say they were nothing. But Dean wasn't stupid. He'd been in Ronan's corner for years, and if there was one person who deserved the truth—at least part of it—it was him.
"A guy with connections," Ronan said finally. "The type who knows more about systems than we ever could."
Dean's expression darkened. "And he ca for you? Specifically?"
Ronan gave a single nod.
Dean took a step closer. "So? What does he want?"
Ronan hesitated before answering, "...He offered a job."
Dean's eyebrows shot up. "A job?"
"Sothing like that."
Dean let out a dry laugh. "Let guess—so underground gig where you end up dead if you ask too many questions?"
Ronan didn't answer. He didn't need to. The look on his face said enough.
Dean's amusent vanished. "And you're actually considering it?"
Ronan clenched his jaw. The truth was, he didn't know. Every instinct told him to reject Nathaniel's offer, But, what would happen then?
"I haven't decided yet."
Dean sighed heavily, running a hand through his hair. "Look, I get it. You wake up with a system, and suddenly the big dogs are sniffing around. But this? This is exactly how people disappear, man."
"You think I don't know that?" Ronan muttered.
"Then act like it," Dean snapped. "You always talk about keeping Noah safe. How do you think this ends if you get mixed up with people like that?"
That hit a nerve.
Dean saw it and backed off slightly, lowering his voice. "I'm just saying, think this through. Don't rush into sothing you can't walk away from."
Ronan exhaled sharply. "I will."
Dean didn't look convinced, but he let it drop. "Co on. Let's get you out of here. Your kid's been waiting all day."
That was all Ronan needed to hear.
The drive ho was uneventful, but his mind refused to settle. The second he stepped into his apartnt, the tension in his chest eased just a fraction. Ho sweet ho!
"About ti you showed up."
Ronan barely had ti to drop his bag before Noah hit him with a deadpan stare from the couch. "Three days. You were gone for three days. I was starting to think you either died in a ditch or finally realized parenting wasn't for you."
Ronan huffed a laugh. He had a real talent for making concern sound like an insult.
"Yeah, well, ditches were full," he said, kicking off his shoes. "And I couldn't find the refund policy on fatherhood."
Noah scoffed. "Next ti, at least leave a note. Sothing like 'Not dead yet, don't touch my stuff.' I almost sold your TV."
Ronan shot him a look. "You what?"
Noah shrugged. "Relax, I didn't. Thought about it, though."
Ronan shook his head. He didn't know whether to be impressed or worried. Probably both. "That would've been a mistake. I have caras."
Noah's eyes narrowed. "And that is why I didn't sell it."
Ronan smirked. Smart little gremlin. He ruffled Noah's hair as he passed, knowing full well it would annoy him. "Missed you too, kid."
Noah swatted him away. "Gross. You sll like bad decisions."
Ronan chuckled. "Yeah, well... you're the only good one I ever made."
His words made Noah speechless, a childlike smile curving on his lips.
Ronan grabbed a bottle of water from the fridge and leaned against the counter, gulping hurriedly. His body ached, probably because of the imnse power he had released and his body wasn't used to yet, but his mind was even worse.
Nathaniel's words kept playing on repeat.
He hadn't told Dean everything. He couldn't. if he was to ntion the harbingers, Dean would be against him accepting their offer, those people didn't recruit. They picked. And if they picked you, it would be impossible to live a normal life.
Because the truth was, Ronan wasn't just considering Nathaniel's offer.
He needed it and was ready to accept it.
Ronan had just started to relax when a sharp knock echoed through the apartnt.
He frowned.
Dean had already gone ho so that couldn't be him if. And no one else ever ca here unannounced.
Noah sat up on the couch, looking just as confused.
Ronan pushed off the counter and moved toward the door, instincts on high alert. He opened it—his heart racing with anxiety.
He kept his face unreadable as he stared at the two n on his doorstep. Their suits were crisp, their posture relaxed—too relaxed. These weren't amateurs. They were the type who had seen real violence and walked away without a scratch.
The taller one, a man with sharp features and a calculating gaze, spoke first. "Ronan Vale?"
Ronan didn't answer. His fingers twitched slightly, resisting the urge to slam the door in their faces. If they knew his na, they knew more than they should.
The second man, shorter but just as composed, gave a small, unsettling smile. "We've got so business to discuss."
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