After a quiet breakfast, Ronan got the kids settled in at arts and crafts. Fitzgibbon agreed to stay and keep an eye on all of them, with the exception of Everly who insisted she be allowed to help Ten call out Walt. She was convinced she could help and Ronan was in no position to refuse. With the way things had gone over the last twenty-four hours between Lainie and Kurt and Hurricane Sophie roaring up the Atlantic coast, Ronan was ready to cut bait and head home.
Ten opened the door to their suite and took a seat on the sofa with Everly. Jude sat in an arm chair beside her and Cope sat next to Ten.
“You gonna let that asshole sit in your seat?”
Ronan looked around the room. Who the hell said that? He supposed it didn’t matter much. When you’re right, you’re right. He approached Cope and tapped his shoulder. “That’s my seat.”
“Oh, sorry.” Cope got off the sofa and sat beside Jude. He shot Jude a confused look.
Ronan took the seat on the other side ofhishusband, where he belonged.
“Walt, are you here?” Ten asked. His curious eyes kept landing on Ronan. Ten waited several seconds and spoke again, “Walt, we all know you’re here. Show yourself!”
“Yeah, where the hell is good old Walt? He’s the troublemaker. Tell him to get his ass in here. You don’t need this bullshit!”
Ronan grinned. He most definitely didnotneed this bullshit! “Come on, you son of a bitch! You wanted a piece of me earlier,now’s your shot!” Ronan shouted, his voice echoing off the high ceiling. The entire situation with Kurt and Walt was bullshit. He was on vacation. He’d earned this time off through his blood, sweat and tears. How fucking dare this ghost fuck things up for him?
“Are you okay, Daddy?” Everly asked.
“Tell that brat to mind her own damn business. Women should be seen and not heard. Preferably not seen either!”
“I’m fine. The sooner we get this asshole to show his fucking self, the sooner we can get back to vacation.” Ronan jumped up from the sofa and began to pace.
“I think he’s already here,” Everly whispered.
Ronan rounded on his daughter. “What do you mean he’s here? If he were here I’d know! I’m the man of this fucking family! It’s time I run things my way!” His anger building even higher, Ronan balled his fists. “Walt! Where the fuck are you?” he shouted.
Jude reached for Everly’s hand. “I think it’s time to get you out of here. There’s something seriously wrong with your father.”
“I know, Uncle Jude, but I’m not going anywhere. I need to help Daddy.” As she spoke, Everly never took her eyes off Ronan.
“How can you help him?” Jude asked. “I’m worried that he’s going to get even madder if you try.”
“I know, but it will be okay.” Everly leaned over and whispered something in Ten’s ear that Ronan couldn’t hear.
“Are you gonna let her talk like that behind your back? Little bitch needs to learn some manners. No one better to teach her than you!”
“Hey, stop that! If you’ve got something to say, say it to all of us.” Ronan crossed his arms over his chest. It was long past time he put his unruly, loudmouthed daughter in her place.
“Daddy, do you remember the day I was born?” Everly asked.
“Of course I remember! What kind of fool do you take me for?” Whatever game the child was playing wasn’t going to work.Hewas much too smart for that.
“Tell me what happened. It’s my favorite story.” Everly smiled at Ronan. She patted the seat next to her. “Come sit with me.”
He sneered at the child but did what she asked. “The day you were born was sunny.” He was fucked if he knew what the day looked like, but sunny was as good a guess as any other.
“No, Daddy, it was snowing,remember?” Everly reached out and took Ronan’s hand.
The child’s hand burned his own. He hadn’t felt pain like that in years. “Nooo!” He yanked his hand, trying to get it away from the little imp. She was strong, despite her size and wouldn’t let go. He howled again as she dug her little fingernails into his skin.
“This isn’t Walt,” Everly said, trying to yank Ronan back toward her. “It’s someone else pretending to be Walt. I can’t hold on much longer. She reached for Ronan with her other hand, catching his shirt.
“Take your hands off me!” Who the hell was this girl to touch him? Pressure began building in his head. It felt like his head was going to burst open like a melon. He howled when he felt pressure in his skull ratchet up again. “What the fuck are you doing?”
“Walt is hiding. He’s terrified to come out. He’s not the one hurting the women,” Everly said, her words rapid fire. “Who are you? Tell me!” she shouted.
Ten got up from his seat and set his hands on Ronan.
